Pedro Paramo

Pedro Paramo Glossary

ague

a fever or shivering fit

Angelus

the ringing of bells to announce a Roman Catholic devotion commemorating the Incarnation of Jesus

aspergillum

an implement for sprinkling holy water

aureole

a circle of light or brightness surrounding something; in art, a halo of light around the head or body of a person represented as holy

banns

a notice read out on three successive Sundays in a parish church announcing an intended marriage and giving the opportunity for objections

bevies

a group of birds, particularly when closely gathered on the ground

burro

a small donkey used as a pack animal

carbine

a light automatic rifle

centavo

Mexican currency; 100 centavos equal one peso

cessation

pause; end

cloister

often attached to churches, a rectangular open space surrounded by covered walkways

creosote

a dark brown oil distilled from coal tar and used as a wood preservative

dais

a raised platform

envelop

surround

fallow

uncultivated land

fodder

food for cattle or other livestock, typically dried hay or feed

ganbanes

overcoats

guffaw

a loud laugh

gunnysack

a burlap bag used for transporting grains or foodstuffs

hacienda

a large estate or plantation; or the main house on such an estate

impetigo

a contagious skin infection caused by streptococcal bacteria, forming pustules and yellow, crusty sores

indolent

lazy

intercede

intervene on behalf of another; mediate

livid

furiously angry

niter

saltpeter; a substance used for gunpowder and fertilizer

novena

in the Roman Catholic church, a form of devotion consisting of special prayers or services on nine successive days, sometimes spoken for funerals

ocote

a Mexican pine tree

patrón

Spanish title for an owner or boss

penury

poverty

privy

outhouse

pulque

a Mexican alcoholic drink made by fermenting sap from the agave plant

rebozo

a long scarf covering the head and shoulders, traditionally worn by Spanish-American women

rue

regret

sacristy

a room in a church where a priest prepares for a service

saponaria

a type of perennial herb

sieve

a utensil consisting of a mesh held in a frame, used to separate wanted elements from unwanted material

taffeta

a fine lustrous silk or similar synthetic fabric with a crisp texture

tithe

a mandatory tax that goes to the Church

trousseau

refers to either the outfit of a bride, including the wedding dress, or a dowry - the money goods or estate that the bride brings with her to the marriage

unmitigated

absolute; utter; unqualified

veinte

a coin worth 20 centavos

Buy Study Guide Cite this page