Bud, Not Buddy
Ch. 1-19 Vocabulary and Definitions
Chapters One-Six
brute- any animal other than a man; a beast
commence- to come into existence; begin
cur- a dog considered to be inferior or undesirable
decoder- someone or something that converts code into something legible
glum- in low spirits; dejected
ilk- type or kind
ingratitude- lack of gratitude
lavatory- a room equipped with toilet facilities
provoked- incited anger or resentment
twine- strings that have been twisted together
urchins- small mischievous boys
vermin- various small insects or animals that are destructive or annoying
welted- beat severely
crouched- stooped with limbs pulled close to the body
privilege- a special advantage
raggedy- tattered or worn out
spigot- a faucet
swopped- (made-up word) dropped; slopped onto
Chapters Seven-Eight
britches- an informal term for breeches; pants
crawdad- a freshwater crustacean related to the lobster
dandelion- a weed with yellow flowers and a fluffy white seed head
gait- a manner of walking, stepping, or running
hypnotizing- putting in a hypnotic state; mesmerizing
kin- family; relatives
matrimonial- of or pertaining to marriage
muskrat- a large rodent
radiating- extending from a center; spreading
retrieve- to recover or regain
whiff- a slight gust of wind, air or smoke; taking in, smelling wind, air, or smoke
wiry- resembling wire; thin; sinewy
Chapters Nine-Fourteen
conscience- a sense of right or wrong conduct; one’s scruples
fangs- teeth on an animal; often sharp
knickers- short pants
paltry- insignificant; unimportant
puny- of inferior size; weak
scooted- moved away quickly
trousers- another name for pants
acquaintance- someone you know on a relatively impersonal basis
alias- an assumed name
bawling- crying loudly, as from pain or annoyance; howling
festering- generating pus; becoming increasingly bitter or resentful
meddling- intruding in other peoples’ affairs or business
mellowed- calmed; soothed
scamp- a mischievous youngster
shunned- avoided; scorned
sully- to mar the cleanness or luster of; soil, stain
Chapters Fifteen-Nineteen
copacetic- excellent or very good
embouchure- the mouthpiece of a wind instrument; the mouth of a river
scales- a series of musical notes arranged by pitch
slacking off- being lazy or sluggish
strap- beat heavily with a strap of leather or plastic
offended- caused someone anger, resentment, or hurt
stiffed- reneged; left with no money
nudging- pushing someone slightly; gently persuading
rummaging- quickly searching through
insinuating- implying or assuming something to be true
tidings- news
crow- yell or complain loudly; bellow
ornery- uncooperative and stubborn