CHASING LINCOLN’S KILLER

VOCABULARY - PROLOGUE

secede- separate; become to oneselfConfederates- Southern armyUnion/Yankees- Northern armyinauguration- when a president is sworn in as presidentpodium- the place where a speaker talks, in front of an audience using a raised desk-like postscourge- punish; tortureExecutive Mansion- the White Houseadversaries- one who opposesillumination- candles or lights that are used at night

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 1

tyrant- one who uses power solely and unjustly theatrical-artificial, acting, overly dramaticcustomarily- according to the accepted waycourtesy- showing manners, respectpropietors- ownerspartition- to separate off into partsintimately- close personal warm relationshiptelegram- electronic message sent through wirescaliber- the diameter of the tube of a gun or rifle

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 1

concealment- hiding from allBowie knife- a heavy knife with a long bladeconspiracy- an evil unlawful plan done in secret by two or more personshenchmen- followers that assist in unlawful actions planned out by a leaderera- time periodoptimism- a feeling that good presides over evileloquent- having the ability to speak in an exceptional way and admired by others by doing so

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 2

dialogue- conversation between two or more personspatron- a regular paying customervestibule- a hallway between the outer door and inner part of a buildingcorny- not really funny, but subtlety sospurs- a U-shaped device that slips over boots with a pointed end at the back, used to prod a horseavenged- to take revenge

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 3

confidants- those close to a person who share secretselite- upper class; wealthybedridden- very sick and unable to function standingdeception- purposely trying to hide somethingintentions- what one desires to do purposelyhideous- horrible; shocking; frightful; shockingnightshirt- a loose garment that goes to the knees worn to beddelirious- wild with excitement; forgetting one’s actions

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 4

pusuers- one who chases seeking anotherOrchestra pit- the space reserved for musicians in front of a stagereluctantly- hesitatingghastly- shocking; frightful; dreadfulfiance- one engaged to marry anothervengeance- a desire to take revenge to harm someoneunconscious- not aware of sensation or thinkingcoagulated- thickened; forming clots

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 4(Continued…)

stabilize- to make or hold stable or steadfast oblivious- not aware diagnosis- the nature and circumstance of one’s illness or injuryaccomplice- a person who knowingly helps another with a crime boarding house- a place where renters get a room in which to sleep and, sometimes, mealsgouged- a groove or hole made by a bladeobscured- not clear; vague; uncertaincavalry- military soldiers composed of troops, on horseback or in armored units

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 5

regiment- military unit of men and women prepared for battle roused- to bring out of a state of sleep; awakenedmayhem- complete confusionoutpost- a station established away from the main area to avoid a surprise attackcarbine- a light, gas operated semi-automatic riflegrotesque- fantastically ugly; bizarresteward- a person who manages another’s propertyNelaton probe- an instrument used to locate a bullet inside of the human bodyvigalantes- one who takes the law into their own hands

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 5-2

monitor warship- a warship not very fast but carried large gunsleverage- to exert power or influence on to influence othersvouching- to support as true or reliablecourier- a messenger that carries newsfibula- the outer and thinner of the two bones of the lower legbade- ordered; commanded

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 6

premeditated- unlawful action planned in advancestatistics- collecting, analyzing, and interpreting datamemento- a keepsake; souvenir; reminder of something erroneous- containing error; mistake, error; wrongtypographical- written or typed textbroadside- the whole side of a ship above the water lineTyphoid fever- fatal infection from eating or drinking the virus, damages the intestinesDiphtheria- a bacterial infection affecting the air passages, and can be fatal

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 6-2relic- a surviving memorial; piece of the pastOath of office- promise made by the president to abide by responsibilities he/she is assignedsheath- a covering for a blade, dagger or swordtolling- ringing; loud soundcollateral- something given as a loan to insure returnautopsy- inspection and dissection of the body after deathembalmer- a person who treats a dead body, preserving it using chemicals

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 7mourning- in grief and sorrow from lossfugitives- persons who are fleeing from authoritiesthicket- a thick dense growth of shrubs, bushes, treesoverseer- a supervisor or managertrailblazing- the act of being a pioneer or first to do somethingferried- to carry back and forth over a routevague- not clear; indefiniteearshot- in the range of distance where sound or voice can be heardsabers- a heavy one-edged sword, slightly curvedvulnerable- open for attack or wounding without knowing

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 8assailant- a person who attackspickax- a pick with a large handle attachedgutter- a channel at the side of a street usually made for water to drain toformidable- arousing feelings of awe or admirationmeekly- humble; patient; kindinterrogator- person who asks questions, usually in private, and responses are recorded stagehand- a person who moves props, lighting, or helps out in theatrical productionsdragnet- a system for finding and catching criminalstribunal- a court where a person is put on trial

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 9cowering- crouching in fear or shameunanticipated- not expectedheinous- hatefulsuppressing- putting and end to; stoppingdeplored- to disapprove of deeplyconcoct- to make upcrepe- a lightweight fabric with a crinkled surface, usually worn to mourn a personimplicated- to show to be involved or connected with

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 10sanctuary- a sacred or holy placehull- the outer coveringbow- the front part of a boat or water craftstern- the rear part of a boat or water craftunintentionally- not deliberate; not meant on purposecourier- a messenger, bearing urgent news, important reports or packagestarried- delayed, lingered, in no hurry

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 11-1disembarked- left on a journeyoperatives-credentials-pungent-poise-chiding-bedraggled-egotistical-masquerading-aggitation-treachery-

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 11-2ultimatum-relented-quarry-scaffold-noncommissioned-rifled-

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 12inquest- a legal inquiry, usually before a jury, especially made in the event of a death

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 13accomplice- a person knowingly helping another in a crime or wrongdoingcompensation- something given as an equivalent for services, debt, loss, suffering, or injurynotoriety- being widely known or recognizedgun turret- a weapon platform for housing guns for firing

VOCABULARY – CHAPTER 14death warrant- an official order authorizing the death of a person or personsexecution- the act of putting a person to death for a crime found guilty by a court of law

VOCABULARY – EPILOGUEverdict- the answer of a jury or court regarding to the innocence or guilt of a person on trialcommuted- to change a prison sentence to a lesser one