To Kill a Mockingbird — Vocabulary
Harper Lee
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
15 top 2000
defendantperson legally accused
The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is.p.231.314 more
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The defendant is confident she will be found innocent.more
a person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court
Show general definition a person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court
2 top 10
contrastpoint to the difference between
...he had thought that up to make me understand he wasn't afraid of Radleys in any shape or form, to contrast his own fearless heroism with my cowardice.p.43.32 more
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Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.more
point to differences between
Show general definition for contrast (as in: contrast their writing styles) point to differences between; or compare to show differences
1 top 10
contrast#2contrast → contrasting:drawing attention to an unmissable difference when seen side-by-side
As Atticus's fists went to his hips, so did Jem's, and as they faced each other I could see little resemblance between them: Jem's soft brown hair and eyes, his oval face and snug-fitting ears were our mother's, contrasting oddly with Atticus's graying black hair and square-cut features, but they were somehow alike.p.173.22 more
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The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more
notable difference
Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
9 top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
One by one, the congregation came forward and dropped nickels and dimes into a black enameled coffee can.p.139.18 more
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It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
1 top 100
composecompose → composed:written
Mrs. Grace Merriweather had composed an original pageant entitled Maycomb County: Ad Astra Per Aspera, and I was to be a ham.p.289.82 more
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The assignment is to compose a poem.more
write
Show general definition for compose (as in: compose a poem) to write or create something with care
2 top 100
compose#2compose → composed:settled or calmed
Aunt Alexandra composed herself for a two-hour nap and dared us to make any noise in the yard, the neighborhood was resting.p.168.52 more
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I took a deep breath to compose myself and then began my speech.more
calm
Show general definition for compose (as in: compose myself) to calm someone or settle something
5 top 100
contradictcontradict → contradicted:disagreed with
It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant.p.231.34 more
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Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
disagree with
Show general definition disagree
in various senses, including:
  • to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony."
  • to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
  • to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
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persecutionbad and unfair treatment of a group of people
Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced.p.281.46 more
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Everyone knows about the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis.more
very bad and unfair treatment
Show general definition very bad and unfair treatment of others -- often because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
8 top 2000
testifytestify → testified:said
Tate testified that her right eye was blackened, that she was beaten around the...p.200.27 more
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She testified against the robber.more
testify → testified:provided oral evidence in court
Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
8 top 2000
testimonyoral evidence in a trial
It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant.p.231.27 more
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Her emotional testimony moved the jury.more
the statement of a witness at a trial
Show general definition something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
6
cross-examinationre-questioning a witness who has already been questioned by the other side in court
Never, never, never, on cross-examination ask a witness a question you don't already know the answer to, was a tenet I absorbed with my baby-food.p.201.45 more
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Prosecutors expect to wrap up their cross-examination tomorrow.more
the re-questioning of a witness who has already been questioned by the other side in court
Show general definition careful, detailed questioning—especially in court, where the opposing side questions a witness after the other side has questioned them
4
acquitofficially declare "not guilty"
"You think they'll acquit him that fast?" asked Jem.p.236.43 more
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It took the jury only 30 minutes to acquit her of the murder charge.more
officially find "not guilty"
Show general definition for acquit (as in: she was acquitted) to officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges
Show editor's word notes Being acquitted does not mean the court declared the person innocent. It simply means there was not enough evidence to prove guilt according to the law.

The amount of evidence required depends on the type of case. In a criminal case, where someone could go to prison, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—a very high standard. In a civil case, a lawsuit usually about money, the plaintiff only needs to show that the defendant is responsible more likely than not—a much lower standard.

This is why the same person can be found "not guilty" in a criminal trial (their guilt was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt) but still be found guilty in a civil trial for the same actions (because their guilt was more likely than not).
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criticcritic → critics:people who share expert judgement
Attentive critics of courthouse business, Atticus said they knew as much law as the Chief Justice, from long years of observation.p.185.7
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She is a restaurant critic who appears regularly on television.more
an expert who shares professional opinions in a specific field
Show general definition for critic (as in: a well-known art critic) someone who shares considered judgment of something

especially an expert who shares professional opinions in a specific field -- such as books, films, foods, art...
16 top 2000
HitlerGerman Nazi dictator during World War II who murdered millions of Jews and others
But it's okay to hate Hitler?p.282.215 more
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Hitler killed disabled children as his first action of  "racial hygiene." He pretended to end the program when the public protested.more
German Nazi dictator during World War II who murdered millions of Jews and others who were not of the Aryan race
Show general definition for Hitler (as in: Adolf Hitler) German Nazi dictator during World War II; murdered millions of Jews and others who were not of the Aryan race (1889-1945)
1 top 2000
tenetimportant belief
Never, never, never, on cross-examination ask a witness a question you don't already know the answer to, was a tenet I absorbed with my baby-food.p.201.4
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Freedom of speech is a particularly American tenet.more
principle belief
Show general definition an important belief that is part of a larger framework of beliefs
3
circumstantial evidenceevidence that can suggest something, but does not prove it
We don't know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left.p.232.12 more
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She argued that the accusations against her client were based on the worst kind of circumstantial evidence.more
Show general definition evidence that can suggest something, but does not prove it
Show editor's word notes For example, if someone’s fingerprints are on a window that was broken during a burglary, that can suggest they were there. But it doesn’t prove they broke in—maybe they touched the window earlier for an innocent reason.
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assumeassume → assumed:thought (believed without knowing for sure)
When Halloween came, I assumed that the whole family would be present to watch me perform, but I was disappointed.p.290.59 more
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I assume she was at school today, but I don't remember actually seeing her.more
believe (without knowing for sure)
Show general definition for assume (as in: I assume it's true) to accept something as true without proof
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assume#2take on or adopt
Mrs. Merriweather was one of those childless adults who find it necessary to assume a different tone of voice when speaking to children.p.264.89 more
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She assumed the identify of her victim until the body was found.more
assume → assumed:took on (or adopted)
Show general definition for assume (as in: She assumed a false identity) to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) -- often while pretending or disguising
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indicatesuggest (possibly show)
We don't know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left.p.232.14 more
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These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more
indicate → indicated:pointed out (shown)
Show general definition to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Show editor's word notes The form, indicator can refer to many different kinds of things including intentional signals (such as a turn indicator), gauges (such as one that indicates pressure), or a measurement (such as an economic or chemical indicator).
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engageengage → engaging:involving
Aunt Alexandra got up from the table and swiftly passed more refreshments, neatly engaging Mrs. Merriweather and Mrs. Gates in brisk conversation.p.266.65 more
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She engaged in conduct that is a violation of the honor code.more
engage → engaged:was involved
Show general definition for engage (as in: engage in conversation) to interact in various ways -- such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract
The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
  • "They engaged in debate." -- participated
  • "She engaged him in conversation." -- involved
  • "She is an engaging conversationalist." -- interesting
  • "She has an engaging smile." -- attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
  • "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." -- attracts and involves
  • "She engages with her constituents." -- interacts in a meaningful way
  • "She engaged in foolish behavior." -- entered into