THE MONKEY’S PAWVocabulary: Multiple Meaning Words

•8.RL.4 Determine  the  meaning   of  words  and  phrases  as  they  are  used  in  a  text,  including

 figurative  and  connotative  meanings; analyze  the  impact  of  specific  word  choices  on  meaning

 and  tone,  including  analogies  or  allusions  to  other  texts

SLIP

“When he went away he was a slip of a youth in

the warehouse. Now look at him.” p. 376

a. to lose one’s foothold

b. a young slender person

c. to move, flow, pass, or go smoothly or easily

d. a women’s garment worn under dresses or

skirts

n

GRAVE

The tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the

group. p. 377

a. an excavation made in the earth in which to bury

a dead body

b. death

c. serious or solemn

d. threatening a seriously bad outcome; critical

adj

TRIFLE

“Did you give him anything for it, Father?” inquired Mrs. White,

regarding her husband closely.

“A trifle,” said he, coloring slightly. “He didn’t want it, but I made

him take it. And he pressed me again to throw it away.” P. 378

a. an object of very little value

b. a matter that is insignificant

c. a very small amount

d. to mess with, treat disrespectfully

n

POUNDS

“If you only cleared the house, you’d be quite happy,

wouldn’t you?” asked Herbert, with his hand on his

shoulder. “Well, wish for two hundred pounds, then; that’ll

just do it.” p. 378

a. to strike repeatedly with great force

b. to beat or throb violently, as a heart

c. a measure of weight

d. a denomination of money used in England

n

RETIRE

“A silence unusual and depressing settled upon all

three, which lasted until the old couple rose to retire for

the night. p. 378

a. to withdraw or go away or apart to a place of seclusion

b. to go to bed

c. to resign permanently from a career

d. to retreat, as in troops in a war

v

POST

All of which did not prevent her from scurrying to the door at

the postman’s knock, nor prevent her from referring somewhat

shortly to retired sergeant majors of bibulous habits when she

found that the post brought a tailor’s bill. p. 380

a. a strong piece of timber, metal, etc, used as a support

b. a pole around a racetrack to indicate where a race begins or

ends

c. an established mail system or service

d. to place a text on a website

n

ATTRIBUTE

“Morris said the things happened so naturally,” said his father,

“that if you might if so wished attribute it to coincidence.” p.

380

a. to consider as made by the one indicated, especially with

strong evidence but in the absence of conclusive proof

b. something used as a symbol of a particular person

c. to consider as a quality of a person, thing, or group

d. to regard as resulting from a specified cause

v

EXPIRED

The candle end, which had burned below the rim of the china

candlestick, was throwing pulsating shadows on the ceiling and

walls, until, with a flicker larger than the rest, it expired. pp. 383

a. to breathe out

b. to die out, as a fire

c. to come to an end; terminate, as a contract, guarantee, or offer

d. to die

v

WRENCH

The old woman with a sudden wrench broke free and ran from the

room. p. 384

a. a sudden, violent twist

b. to overstrain or injure (the ankle, knee, etc.) by a sudden, violent

twist

c. a tool for gripping and turning or twisting the head of a bolt, a

nut, a pipe, or the like, commonly consisting of a bar of metal

with fixed or adjustable jaws.

d. a twisting or distortion, as of meaning

n

SUSPENDED

He stood motionless, his breath suspended until the

knock was repeated. p. 384

a. to come to a stop, usually temporarily; cease from

operation for a a time

b. to hang by attachment to something above

c. to punish by not allowing one to attend school for a

predetermined amount of time

d. to defer or postpone

v