lightning bug
alternative term for a firefly, a beetle that uses its luminescent organs to flash signals between sexes
cornbread
sweet and savory bread made of cornmeal, typically cooked in a cast iron pan
antebellum South
term used to describe the southern states of United States in the pre–Civil War period when slavery was practiced
alterations
changes to something already established
runaway
term for a slave who has fled his/her master
code-switching
alternating between languages or dialects in conversation
adhere to
stick to; believe in and follow
buckboard
four-wheeled, open-topped horse carriage
scuffle
short, confused fight
indictment
formal charge for a serious crime
drunkard
informal term for an alcoholic
frigid
very cold
garment
generic term for an item of clothing
heinous
wicked
cottonmouth
also known as water moccasin, a venomous pit viper snake found in swampland in the southeastern United States
catfish
edible fish with protrusions around its mouth that resemble a cat's whiskers
trotline
heavy fishing line that is set out across a river with a series of hooks suspended from it
pilfer
steal
white passing
the act of passing oneself off as white to avoid facing discrimination in a racially segregated society
indispensable
necessary; irreplaceable
