Chapter 6 Flashcards
grudged
Be resentfully unwilling to give or allow (something).
e.g
But they were happy in their work; they grudged no effort or sacrifice, well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them, and not for a pack of idle, thieving human beings.
quarry
A place, typically a large, deep pit, from which stone or other materials are or have been extracted.
e.g
Huge boulders, far too big to be used as they were, were lying all over the bed of the quarry
comparatively
To a moderate degree as compared to something else; relatively
e.g
Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple.
superintendence
The management or arrangement of an activity or organization; supervision.
e.g
By late summer a sufficient store of stone had accumulated, and then the building began, under the superintendence of the pigs.
despair
The complete loss or absence of hope.
e.g
When the boulder began to slip and the animals cried out in despair at finding themselves dragged down the hill, it was always Boxer who strained himself against the rope and brought the boulder to a stop.
matted
(especially of hair, wool, or fur) tangled into a thick mass.
e.g
To see him toiling up the slope inch by inch, his breath coming fast, the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground, and his great sides matted with sweat, filled everyone with admiration
admiration
Respect and warm approval
e.g
To see him toiling up the slope inch by inch, his breath coming fast, the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground, and his great sides matted with sweat, filled everyone with admiration
cockerel
A young domestic cock.
e.g
He had made arrangements with the cockerel to call him three-quarters of an hour earlier in the mornings instead of half an hour.
extravagant
Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources.
e.g
The advantage of only having to feed themselves, and not having to support five extravagant human beings as well, was so great that it would have taken a lot of failures to outweigh it.
arable
(of land) used or suitable for growing crops.
e.g
And again, since no animal now stole, it was unnecessary to fence off pasture from arable land, which saved a lot of labor on the upkeep of hedges and gates.
paraffin
A flammable, whitish, translucent, waxy solid consisting of a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons, obtained by distillation from petroleum or shale and used in candles, cosmetics, polishes, and sealing and waterproofing compounds.
e.g
There was need of paraffin oil, nails, string, dog biscuits, and iron for the horses’ shoes, none of which could be produced on the farm.
override
Use one’s authority to reject or cancel (a decision, view, etc.).
e.g
The needs of the windmill must override everything else, he said.
timidly
In a manner that shows a lack of courage or confidence.
e.g
The four young pigs who had protested when Napoleon abolished the Meetings raised their voices timidly, but they were promptly silenced by a tremendous growling from the dogs.
promptly
With little or no delay; immediately.
e.g
The four young pigs who had protested when Napoleon abolished the Meetings raised their voices timidly, but they were promptly silenced by a tremendous growling from the dogs.
momentary
Lasting for a very short time; brief.
e.g
Then, as usual, the sheep broke into “Four legs good, two legs bad!” and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over.
solicitor
A member of the legal profession qualified to deal with conveyancing, the drawing up of wills, and other legal matters. A solicitor may also instruct barristers and represent clients in some courts.
e.g
A Mr. Whymper, a solicitor living in Willingdon, had agreed to act as intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world, and would visit the farm every Monday morning to receive his instructions.
traceable
Able to be found or discovered.
e.g
It was pure imagination, probably traceable in the beginning to lies circulated by Snowball.
faintly
In a faint manner; indistinctly.
e.g
A few animals still felt faintly doubtful, but Squealer asked them shrewdly, “Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed, comrades? Have you any record of such a resolution? Is it written down anywhere?” And since it was certainly true that nothing of the kind existed in writing, the animals were satisfied that they had been mistaken.
sly
Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature.
e.g
He was a sly-looking little man with side whiskers, a solicitor in a very small way of business, but sharp enough to have realized earlier than anyone else that Animal Farm would need a broker and that the commissions would be worth having.
prosper
Succeed in material terms; be financially successful.
e.g
The human beings did not hate Animal Farm any less now that it was prospering; indeed, they hated it more than ever.
bankrupt
(of a person or organization) declared in law as unable to pay their debts.
e.g
Every human being held it as an article of faith that the farm would go bankrupt sooner or later, and, above all, that the windmill would be a failure.
simultaneously
At the same time.
e.g
Napoleon was about to enter into a definite business agreement either with Mr. Pilkington of Foxwood or with Mr. Frederick of Pinchfield–but never, it was noticed, with both simultaneously.
mere
Used to emphasize how small or insignificant someone or something is.
e.g
It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of “Leader”) to live in a house than in a mere sty.
sty
A pigsty.
e.g
It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of “Leader”) to live in a house than in a mere sty.
