The Outcasts of Poker Flat

The Outcasts of Poker Flat Glossary

Sabbath

The day of rest and religious observance in the Jewish religion

Sycamore

A North American plain tree

Expatriate

To banish someone from their native country or community

Malevolence

The condition of wishing ill will towards others

Remonstrance

Protest, resistance

Bellicose

Aggressively hostile

Sotto voce

In a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard

Vociferation

Loud outcry

Paleus

Achilles' father in Homer's The Iliad.

Poker Flat

Californian community

Regionalism

A literary subgenre characterized by replication of dialect in dialogue, importance of geographical setting, emphasis on “local color” and how the various aspects of setting impacts the motivation and emotions of characters.

Ominous

Foreboding and sinister.

Sluice

A channel carrying quick-flowing water, used in gold mining to separate gold from the surrounding gravel

Equanimity

Cool composure under pressure

Pariah

An outcast, often ostracized from a community

Recumbent

Reclined in a prone, horizontal position

Rend

To rip or tear apart in a violent manner

Querulous

Complaining and quick to find fault—a "negative Nancy"

Vituperative

Bitter and abusive, often pertaining to a verbal attack

Impropriety

Failure to obey the rules or mores of a society or group

Folly

Foolish or regrettable behavior

Prudence

Caution or foresight

Tethered

Fastened or tied to something

Expletive

A profanity

Draggle

To drag through the mud

Debar

To ban or exclude from taking place

Wan

Pale, weak, or feeble

Damsel

An unmarried or innocent young woman

Celestial

Heavenly or otherworldly (can be used literally, pertaining to planets and bodies in outer space, or figuratively, to describe an ethereal experience or entity)

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