Chapters 1 – 2
antipathy
an object of aversion
curtsy
an act of civility, respect, or reverence made mainly by women and consisting of a slight lowering of the body with bending of the knees
marmalade
a clear sweetened jelly in which pieces of fruit and fruit rind are suspended
pale
deficient in color or intensity of color
savage
lacking the restraints normal to civilized human beings
vulgar
lacking in civilization, perception, or taste
waistcoat
an ornamental garment worn under a doublet
Chapters 3 – 4
adjourn
to suspend indefinitely or until a later stated time
audibly
heard of capable of being heard
barrow
wheelbarrow
caucus
a closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policy
comfit
a candy consisting of a piece of fruit, a root (as licorice), a nut, or a seed coated and preserved with sugar
consultation
the act of consulting or conferring
directly
without delay
insolence
the quality or state of being insolent or showing disregard
melancholy
depression
pretext
a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs
sulky
given to spells of sulking or moodiness
usurpation
to take the place of by or as if by force
Chapters 5 – 6
cauldron
a large kettle or boiler
chrysalis
the enclosing case or covering of a pupa (the cocoon around a caterpillar as it changes into a butterfly)
civil
adequate in courtesy and politeness
hatter
one that makes, sells, or cleans and repairs hats
languid
drooping or flagging from as if from exhaustion
livery
a servant’s uniform
sage
one distinguished for wisdom
shilling
a former monetary unit of the United Kingdom equal to 12 pence or 1/20 pound
supple
capable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks
Chapters 7 – 8
courtier
one is attendance at a royal court
crimson
color of a deep purplish red
feeble
markedly lacking in strength
impertinent
given to or characterized by insolent rudeness
meek
enduring injury with patience and without resentment
plead
to argue a case or cause in a court of law
shrill
having or emitting a sharp high-pitched tone or sound
treacle
a blend of molasses, invert sugar, and corn syrup used as syrup
triumphant
rejoicing for or celebrating victory
Chapters 9 – 10
askance
with disapproval or distrust
caper
to leap or prance about in a playful manner
custody
immediate charge and control exercised by a person or an authority
drawling
to speak slowly with vowels greatly prolonged
moral
a passage pointing out usually in conclusion the lesson to be drawn from a story
quadrille
a square dance for four couples made up of five or six figures chiefly in 6/8 and 2/4 time
sluggard
a habitually lazy person
tremulous
characterized by or affected with trembling tremors
venture
to expose to hazard
Chapter 11 – 12
becoming
attractive
dunce
a slow-witted person
herald
an official crier or messenger
lowing
mooing
muddle
a state of especially mental confusion
parchment
the skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on
pun
the usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound
sixpence
a former British monetary unit equal to six pennies
suppress
keep from public knowledge
vague
not clearly defined, grasped, or understood
verdict
the finding or decision of a jury on the matter submitted to it in trial
Sources – vocabulary list is edited from this site that doesn’t work anymore which used Webster definitions (some have been edited)
http://caseyburrus.org/alice/index.htm
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Accessed: Dec-Jan. 2008-2009. http://www.m-w.com.