Steinbeck+vocab+1-20

1. - morose, adj. – gloomy ¨2. - skeptical, adj. – not easily convinced; doubtful ¨3. - gullible, adj. – easily convinced; overly trusting ¨4. - slough, v. – //sluf// – to shed; to cast off ¨5. - slough, n. – //sloo// – stagnant backwater, often left behind when a river moves. ¨6. - slew, v. past tense – //sloo// – past tense of to slay, to kill. ¨7. - derogatory, adj. – belittling ¨8. - mottled, adj. – marked with blotches of different colors ¨9. - bindle, n. – hobo’s travelling pack ¨10. - brusque, adj. – rough or abrupt in manner or speech ¨11. - plaintive, adj. – expressing sorrow ¨12. - apprehensive, adj. – uneasy or fearful about the future ¨13. complacent, adj. – self-satisfied; pleased. ¨14. - subside, v. – to become quiet, less active. ¨15. reverent, adj. – deeply respectful ¨16. - disarm,v. –to win the affection of; to take away weapons ¨17. - contemptuous, adj. – scornful ¨18. - juncture, n. – point of connection ¨19. - belligerent, adj. – showing a readiness to fight; n. – one of the sides in a war. ¨20. - pugnacious, adj. – eager and ready to fight.