Name:

1984 Vocabulary

Directions: The words below are from texts we will read for our next unit. The definitions
provided are from vocabulary.com. Please look through the words below, and then choose a
method, or a few, that will best help you to learn the words below.

The test of your word knowledge will be through a quiz in class. You will be given the words
and you will have to plug them into a sentence. Finding real world examples will help you to
study. Vocabulary.com has example sentences for all of the words below. All vocabulary quizzes
are cumulative.

Options for vocabulary time:

If these words are brand new to you:

● Make Quizlet flashcards w. example sentences (your own or the ones from the handout)
● Make actual flashcards (slower but recommended) w. example sentences
● Visuals/drawings of an example sentence of the word.
● Some other thing you want to do. (Let me know what it is so that I can add it to the list.)

If you are familiar with these words:

● Write a story using the words. Check your usage of the word against real world examples
on vocabulary.com.
● Look up and write down antonyms and synonyms of each word to get a better
understanding of the word.
● Play charades with a partner.
● Play Pictionary with a partner.
● Read the “story” behind the word on vocabulary.com to increase your understanding of
the word
● Create a practice quiz where you create sentences with hints/clues about what word
should go in the blank.
● Some other thing you want to do. (Let me know what it is so that I can add it to the list.)

1. furtive (adj but adverb in this example)- sly

“He had procured [a pen], furtively and with some difficulty.”

2. nebulous (adj)-confused; cloudy;not easily defined

“It happened that morning at the Ministry, if anything so nebulous could be said to
happen.”

3. orthodox (adj)- customary or conventional

“In an intellectual way, Syme was venomously orthodox.”

4. heresy (n)-unorthodox opinion

“Perhaps Withers had been suspected of heretical tendencies.”

5. drudge (n)- slave-like worker

“Parson is a devoted drudge who helps the Party be stable.”

6. mutable (adj)-changeable
“Newspeak, doublethink, the mutability of the past.”

7. myriad (n)-countless
“The myriad windows of the Ministry looked grim.”

8. zealot (n)- fanatic

“Some nosing zealot in the ministry might start wondering why he had been writing.”

9. pedant (n)- one who excessively displays his learning

“Syme continued to speak with a sort of pedant’s passion.”

10. sanguine (adj) -optimistic and cheerful; red-cheeked

11.vapid (adj) -flat; dull; lifeless

“A sort of vapid eagerness flitted across Winston’s face.”

12. posterity (n)- future generations

“They were executed, and their fate was recorded in the Party histories, a warning to
posterity.”

13. pugnacious (adj/adv in this sentence)-belligerent; warlike; ready to fight

“The old man straightened his shoulders pugnaciously.”

14. bourgeoisie- middle class; common (used as an insult to say that you are
boring and common!!)
“They are lackeys of the bourgeoisie! Flunkies of the (negative connotation) ruling
class!”

15 prevaricate-be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold

information
Example: If you tell me any lies, or attempt to prevaricate in any way, or even fall
below your usual level of intelligence, you will cry out with pain, instantly.

16. euphony-any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds

Example: A word which was difficult to utter, or was liable to be incorrectly heard, was
held to be ipso facto a bad word; occasionally therefore, for the sake of euphony, extra
letters were inserted into a word or an archaic formation was retained.

17. dismember-separate the limbs from the body

Example: It was in the Park, on a vile, biting day in March, when the earth was like iron
and all the grass seemed dead and there was not a bud anywhere except a few crocuses
which had pushed themselves up to be dismembered by the wind.

18. ambivalent-uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow

Example: Other words, again, were ambivalent, having the connotation 'good' when
applied to the Party and 'bad' when applied to its enemies.

19. premonitory-warning of future misfortune

Example: A sort of premonitory tremor, a fear of he was not certain what, had passed
through Winston as soon as he caught his first glimpse of the cage.

20. sanctimonious-excessively or hypocritically pious

Example: His frog-like face grew calmer, and even took on a slightly sanctimonious
expression.

21. disseminate-cause to become widely known

Example: He heard himself promising to lie, to steal, to forge, to murder, to encourage

drug-taking and prostitution, to disseminate venereal diseases, to throw vitriol in a
child's face.

22. malleable-capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out

Example: Men are infinitely malleable.
23. wheedle-influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

Example: On the other hand some of them seemed to be on good terms with the guards,
called them by nicknames, and tried to wheedle cigarettes through the spyhole in the
door.

24. implicate-bring into intimate and incriminating connection

Example: It was easier to confess everything and implicate everybody.

25. capitulate-surrender under agreed conditions

Example: He had capitulated, that was agreed.