The Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath Glossary

blazon

(v.) - with object

1. [with adverbial of place] to display prominently or vividly

Ex: They saw their company name blazoned all over the media.

2. to describe or depict (armorial bearings) in a correct heraldic manner

embalm

(v.)

to preserve from decay, originally with spices but now usually through the arterial injection of a preservative

Ex: They tried to embalm the body, but they did not have the resources they needed.

gasket

(n.)

1. a shaped piece or ring of rubber or other material sealing the junction between two surfaces in an engine or other device

2. a cord securing a furled sail to the yard, boom, or gaff of a sailing vessel

Ex: The gasket in his car was in need of repair.

gopher

(n.)

a burrowing rodent with fur-lined pouches on the outsides of the cheeks, found in North and Central America

Ex: Their backyard was infested with gophers.

handbill

(n.)

a small printed advertisement or other notice distributed by hand

Ex: They stood on the street and distributed handbills to everyone who passed them by.

haycock

(n.)

a conical heap of hay in a field

Ex: After an afternoon of work, the farmers had gathered enough hay to create a haycock.

inquisitive

(adj.)

curious or inquiring

Ex: He was very inquisitive, always asking new questions about his surroundings.

jalopy

(n.)

an old car in a dilapidated condition

Ex: Rusted jalopies filled the junkyard.

noose

(n.)

a loop with a running knot, tightening as the rope or wire is pulled and typically used to hang people or trap animals

Ex: The farmer used a noose to catch the raccoon that had been eating his plants.

parole

(n.)

the release of a prisoner temporarily (for a special purpose) or permanently before the completion of a sentence, on the promise of good behavior

Ex: Although the authorities released him on parole, he committed a burglary and was sent back to prison.

picket

(n.)

1. a person or group of people standing outside a place of work or other venue, protesting about something or trying to persuade others not to enter during a strike

2. a soldier or party of soldiers performing a particular duty

3. a pointed wooden stake driven into the ground, typically to form a fence or palisade, or to tether a horse

profit margin

(n.)

the amount by which revenue from sales exceeds costs in a business

Ex: The store owner only cared about his profit margin; he had little regard for how he treated his employees.

prophecy

(n.)

a prediction

Ex: He delivered a bleak prophecy of war and ruin.

scowl

(n.)

an angry or bad-tempered expression

Ex: A scowl overtook his face when he saw his enemy.

(v.)

to frown in an angry or bad-tempered way

Ex: My younger brother scowled at me after I took his toy.

scrounge

(v.)

to seek to obtain at the expense of or through the generosity of others, or simply by stealth

Ex: He managed to scrounge a free meal.

slop

(v.)

1. to spill or flow over the edge of a container, typically as the result of careless handling

2. [with object] to feed slops to an animal, especially a pig

3. [no obj.] to speak or write in a sentimentally effusive manner; to gush

tar and feather

(phrase)

to smear with tar and then cover with feathers as a punishment

Ex: In one of their favorite forms of public humiliation, the British tarred and feathered their enemies.

tarpaulin

(n.)

a heavy-duty waterproof cloth, originally made of tarred canvas

Ex: They covered the shelves with a tarpaulin.

upholstery

(n.)

a soft, padded textile covering that is fixed to furniture such as armchairs and sofas

Ex: The old couch had torn upholstery.

wizened

(adj.)

shriveled or wrinkled with age

Ex: He was a wizened, weather-beaten old man.

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