Call of the Wild Glossary
Chapter 1
primitive – adjective – simple, early stages of development
longings- noun- desire to do something
nomadic- adjective- wandering behavior
chafing- verb or adjective- rubbing together with friction, abrasive
customs- noun- cultural practice
brumal – adjective- related to winter
ferine- adjective – wild
tidewater- noun- water that is affected by the ocean tides
groping- verb- grabbing for an object
toil- verb or noun – work
sun-kissed- adjective- being in the sunlight or warm climate
glimpses- noun – sights
veranda- noun- porch usually with a roof or awning
interlacing- verb or adjective – woven together
1
boughs- noun- ever green tree ranches
poplar- noun- hardwood willow tree
spacious- adjective- having plenty of room
array- noun- a collection
Artesian- adjective- type of well or spring where water rises from the
earth’s pressure
Demesne- noun- your estate or your own land
Obscurely adverb- unclear
Recesses- noun- remote places sometimes hollowed out places
Yelped- verb- animal sound
Realm- noun- area of interest
Twilight- noun- the time just before sunrise or sunset
Rambles- verb- to talk a lot without saying much of importance
Paddocks noun- a field or an area where animals are kept securely
Imperiously – adverb- arrogantly, haughty, domineering
Dignity- noun- pride
2
Sated- verb- to fill up with food or to gratify
Aristocrat- noun- member of a high social class, nobility
Trifle- noun- small amount
Egotistical- adjective- arrogant
Insular- adjective- closed to others
Pampered- adjective- well taken care of
Kindred- adjective- similar
Tonic- noun- something to lift your spirits
Undesirable- adjective- not wanted
Besetting- adjective- harassing
Damnation- noun – punishment
Progeny- noun- an offspring or a result
Solitary- adjective- alone
Chinked-verb or adjective- to fill in the cracks or holes in something
Gruffly- adverb- to speak roughly
Stout- adjective- short and muscular
3
Affirmative- adjective- positive
Unwonted- adjective – unusual
Menacingly- adverb- threatening
Intimated- adjective- closing, personal, or cozy
Grappled- verb- to struggle or to grab
Deft- adjective- quick, skilled, or clever
Mercilessly- adverb, severe, relentless, showing no compassion
Fury- noun- anger
Futilely- adverb- having no practical use
Vilely- adverb- evil, disgusting, wicked
Ebbed- verb or adjective- to diminish or lessen
Conveyance- noun- something that moves
Unbridled- adjective- free and open
Eloquently- adverb- spoken beautifully
Saloon- noun- a bar
4
Squarehead- noun- a person who lacks intelligence
Lacerated- verb or adjective- cut
Hydrophoby- noun- dread of water or rabies
Intolerable- adjective- painful, unpleasant
Tormentors- noun- something or somebody who torture
Weary- adjective – tired
Wrath- noun- anger
Pent- adjective- stored up
Oppressed- adjective- dominated
Vague- adjective- unclear
Impending- adjective- unclear
Calamity- noun- disaster
Bulging- adjective- sticking out, swollen
Sickly- adverb- ill
Tallow- noun- animal fat
Trembled- verb or adjective- shaking
5
savage noun or adjective- wild or primitive and uncivilized people
ragged- adjective- rough, worn
unkempt- adjective- not clean, ragged
assailed- verb attacked
sullenly- adverb- sadly, seriously
assortment- noun- variety
retaliated- verb- to seek revenge
quivering- verb- shaking
frothing- verb- foaming
taunted- verb- harassed
detestable- adjective- horrible
outrage- noun- anger
waxed- verb- to get larger
severe- adjective- intense
fanned- verb- to make a situation more intense
inflammation- noun- swelling
6
parched- adjective- lacking water
resolved- adjective- determined
torment- verb- to torture
accumulated- adjective or verb- collected
bloodshot- adjective- inflamed and red
metamorphosed – adjective or verb- changed
raging- adjective- anger
fiend- noun- wicked evil person
gingerly- adverb- carefully
divined- adjective- lovely or God-like
divined- verb- to discover something
hurled- verb- thrown
savagely- adverb- violently
grimly- adverb- unpleasant, depressing
hatchet- noun- small ax
pry- verb- force open or ask about someone’s personal business
7
instantaneous- adjective – immediately
surging- verb- rushing, increase suddenly
furiously- adverb- with rage or great energy
sufficient adjective- enough
bristling- adjective- angry
glitter- noun or verb- to shine with emotion
launched – verb- to begin
surcharged- verb or noun- extra fee, extra burden
pent- verb- shut in
agonizing- adjective- great pain
snarl- verb or noun animal growl
dazed- adjective- confused
staggered- adjective or verb- to be shocked or zigzag pattern
limply-adverb- to move with difficulty, without energy or strength
flecked- adjective- with spots
slaver- verb- to dribble saliva
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deliberately- adverb- on purpose
exquisite- adjective- beautiful
agony- noun- pain
ferocity- noun- intense, savage
hurled- verb- thrown
wrenching- verb- pull and twist
shrewd- adjective- intelligent and clever
utterly- adverb- completely
senseless- adjective- with no purpose
soliloquized- verb- to speak (as an actor giving a speech alone)
consignment- noun- something to deliver or handling something over to
someone to care for
genial- adjective- pleasant, happy
ruction- noun- a quarrel or fight
involuntarily- adverb- automatic
endured- verb- to withstand or suffer
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bolted- verb- to move quickly
revelation- noun- a sudden thought
reign- noun or verb- to rule or control
uncowed- verb – to frighten using threats
latent- adjective- hidden
cunning- adjective- sly
docilely- adverb- calmly
dominion- noun- authority, control or the land that is controlled
brutal- adjective- violent
conciliated- adjective or verb- to bring fighting side together, peaceful
wheedlingly- adverb- coaxing, persuading
weazened- adjective- dried up, tired, thin
receded- verb or adjective- moved back
affection- noun- love
impartial- adjective- fair , not biased
treacherous- adjective – dangerous
10
meditated- adjective- carefully thought about or planned
culprit- noun- the guilty one
gloomy-adjective- dull, sad, dreary, depressed
morose- adjective- depressed
incurious- adjective- not interested in
pervaded- verb- spread throughout
uproarious- adjective- tumultuous
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Call of the Wild Glossary: Chapter 2
Civilization- noun- modern life in cities and towns
Primordial- adjective- existing first, basic
Peril- noun- danger
Imperative- adjective- necessary
Wolfish- adjective- wolf like
Vicarious- adjective- endured for somebody else, experienced by imagining
Husky- noun- arctic breed of dogs
Metallic- adjective - shiny, metal like
Swift- adjective- quick
Combatants- noun- fighters
Intent- noun- plan or purpose
Antagonist- noun- opponent; the person causing conflict
Assailants- noun- attacker
Trampled- adjective or verb- run over, stomped on
Swart- adjective- dark complexion
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Cursing- verb- swearing
Bitter- adjective- angry, resentful
Hatred- noun- intense hostility
Draught- noun or adjective- This is the British spelling of draft.
Obedience- noun- following directions
Virtue- noun- honesty
Cunningly-adverb- slyly
Tuition- noun- payment for school
Despatches- noun or verb- This is the British spelling of dispatches (to
send).
Introspective- adjective- thoughtful, thinking carefully
Perpetual- adjective- happening over and over
Malignant- adjective- evil, may spread and cause death
Comradely- adverb- like a friend
Appeasingly- adverb- to make peace by giving in
Appeasement- noun – to make peace by giving in
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Avail- verb- to use or to help
Flank- noun- the side
Writhing- verb- wiggling with pain
diabolically- adjective- evil, hateful
gleaming- adjective- glowing and shining
incarnation- noun- a representation of something
belligerent- adjective- angry
discomfiture- noun- embarrassment, awkwardness
inoffensive- adjective- not harmful
wailing- verb- sobbing, crying
confines- noun- boundaries
gaunt- adjective- tired, weak, pale and thin
prowess- noun- strength and superior skill
peculiarity- noun- strange and out of the ordinary
unwittingly- adverb- not intentional
indiscretion- noun- a mistake involving bad judgment
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apparent- adjective- obvious
vital- adjective- very important
illuminated- adjective – lighted
midst- noun- in the middle or center
bombarded- verb- hit
utensils- noun- tools used for eating
consternation- noun- shock, disbelief
ignominiously- adverb, shameful, despicable
especial- adjective- particular, exceptional
venom- noun- poison
disconsolate- adjective- extremely sad
forlorn- adjective- sad
aimlessly- adverb- without direction
ascended- verb- to move upward
placatingly- adverb- to help make someone less angry
trice- noun- three times
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arduous-adjective- difficult
token- noun- something that represents something or a keepsake
harking- verb - listening
forbears- noun- long dead relative
unduly- adjective- excessively
spasmodically- adverb- occurring at uneven intervals
ferocious- adjective- fierce
courier- noun- a messenger
gladdened- verb- to make happy
despise verb- to hate
passiveness- noun- peaceful
irritable- adjective easily annoyed
retarded- adjective- slowed down
toil- noun or verb – to work
traces- noun- evidence
apt- adjective- likely
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trouncing- verb- to beat somebody
timberline- noun- an area of limited tree growth
glaciers- noun large areas of moving ice
forbiddingly- adverb
craters- noun- large holes in the earth
extinct- adjective- dead, a species having no living members
gee pole- noun A pole attached to the side of the sled, which the driver
(musher) can push against to help the sled go around sharp turns
indispensable- adjective necessary
ravenous – adjective- very hungry
ration- noun- a fixed amount
perpetual- adjective- lasting forever
fastidiousness- noun – demanding personality
dainty- adjective- delicate
remedy- noun- a cure
malingerer – noun- someone who feigns illness
blunderer- noun- one who makes mistakes
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adaptability- noun- able to change in response to circumstances
capacity- noun – what you can take, maximum volume, ability
handicap- noun- a challenge
moral- noun- personal conscience- sense of right and wrong
decivilization- noun- an area that hasn’t been settled
clamor- noun- loud noise
retrogression- noun- to return to worse conditions
callous- adjective – showing no concern for others
loathsome- adjective- horrible
indigestible- adjective- unable to be eaten
nutriment- noun- food
acuteness- noun- serious, severe
conspicuous- adjective- obvious
peril- noun- danger
domesticated- adjective- tamed
primeval- adjective- ancient and original
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cadences- noun- rhythm
Call of the Wild Glossary
Chapter 3
dominant- adjective- in control
primordial- adjective, existing first
deliberateness- noun- on purpose
rashness- noun- acting without thought
precipitate- verb- to start
bleak- adjective- lacking hope
perpendicular- adjective- in a right angle
loath- verb to hate
timid- adjective- shy
sheer- adjective, noun, or verb- complete or thin/transparent, a
change in course, or to cut or swerve
pandemonium- noun- chaos
grub box-noun - the box that hold the food during the trip
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capsized- verb- turned over in an accident
famished - adjective - extremely hungry
unheeded- verb- not listening to advice
din- noun- unpleasant noise
foreleg- noun- front leg
slavered- verb- drooled
adversary- noun- enemy
jugular - adjective- main vein in the neck
goaded- verb- prod
plight- noun- unfortunate condition
warily- adverb- tired, exhausted
mournful - adjective- sad and grieving
contemplation- noun- deep thought
dubiously- adverb- doubtfully
eddies- noun- swirling pools of water
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daunted- adjective- frightened suddenly
resolutely- adverb – feeling strongly about a decision
tendons- noun- the band that connections muscle to bone
conspicuous- adjective- obvious
foe- noun- enemy
rejoinder- noun- an angry reply
pluck verb or noun- take away quickly or bravery
preeminently- adverb- outstanding
sullen-adjective- sad
shirked- verb- run from responsibility
wrath- noun- anger
abjectly- adverb- miserable, despicable
mutiny- noun- rebellion against authority
prostrate- verb- to make weak
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culprits- noun- the guilty one
insubordination- noun – rebellion against authority
jangling- verb- jiggling sound (bells or the sound of metal)
apprehension- noun- dread, fear
strife- noun- stress
ordained- verb- to command
nocturnal- adjective- related to night
eerie- adjective- spooky
aurora borealis- noun- the Northern Lights- a natural light display in
the sky particularly in the high latitude (Arctic and Antarctic) regions,
caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the
high altitude atmosphere
defiance- noun- not following the rules
insidious- adjective- gradual and harmful
solidarity- noun- working together
placatingly- adverb- to act in a way that will diffuse someone’s anger
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menacingly- adverb- threateningly
bedlam- noun- chaos
barbarous- adjective- extremely cruel and uncivilized
futile- adjective- no practical use
avail- noun or verb- use something or help
wraith- noun- ghost
ecstasy- noun- extreme happiness
paradox- noun- something absurd or contradictory
rampant- adjective- growing wildly
exultingly- adverb- triumphantly
flitting- verb- moving about quickly
writhed- verb- twisted or squirming
keenly- adverb- sharply
lolling- verb- relaxing
inexorable- adjective- unstoppable
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Call of the Wild
chapter 4
obdurate- adjective- stubborn
ere- preposition or conjunction- before
virtue- noun – good quality
mercy- noun - compassion
monotonous- adjective- boring
resiliency- noun- able to survive
flounder- verb or noun- to struggle or a fish
lugubriously- adverb- gloomy
remnants- noun – what is left over
exertion- noun- strenuous effort
comrades- noun- companion
convulsive- adjective- jerky
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Call of the Wild chapter 5
wretched- adjective- awful
dwindled- verb- to decrease, to lessen or diminish
deceit- noun- dishonesty
feigned- verb- to fake
earnest- adjective- honest
fatigue- noun- exhaustion
recuperation-noun- healing and recovery
taut- adjective- tight
kin- noun- relatives
congested- adjective- crowded, close together
proportions- noun- part of a whole
salient - adjective- noticeable, striking, relevant
callowness- noun- inexperience
unutterable- adjective- unable to be said or pronounced
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chaffering- verb – haggling
slipshod- adjective- careless
slovenly- adverb- unkempt, sloppy
remonstrance- noun- argument
brutes- noun- bullies
imploringly- adverb- in a begging manner
repugnance- noun- disgust
clannish- adjective- group like
suppress- verb- to hold in or hold back
unwieldy- adjective- not easy to handle
gaiety- noun- joyfulness
inexorable- adjective- unstoppable
superfluous- adjective- more than necessary
averred- verb to state confidently
formidable- adjective- difficult to deal with, frightening
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mongrels- noun- mixed breed dogs
bewildered- adjective- confused
forlorn- adjective- sad
apparent- adjective- obvious
computation- noun- adding
commence- verb- to start
voracious- adjective- very hungry
orthodox- adjective- traditional
quaver- verb- to say with a trembling voice
incompetence- noun- lacking skills
grittily- adverb- with courage
chivalrous- adjective- using manners
impeachment- noun- to accuse an official of an offense
prerogative- noun- privileges
unendurable- noun- impossible to bear, painful to deal with
recital- noun- performance
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galvanized – adjective or verb- to get the action started, coated with metal
innutritious- adjective- lack of nutrients
perambulating – verb- walking about
feebly adverb- weakly
innocuously adverb- harmless
wistfully adverb- thinking with deep sad thoughts
monosyllabic- adjective- simple
terse- adjective- short and tense
sneering- adjective or verb- expression of anger
rouse verb- to wake
irresolutely adverb- not able to decide
inarticulate - adjective- unable to speech clearly
convulsed – adjective or verb- jerky movements
evinced – adjective or verb- show clearly
chaotic - adjective- disorderly
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hysteria- noun- strong, sometimes paranoid emotions
Call of the Wild
chapter 6
Vocabulary
Word
ministrations
Part of Speech
Definition
noun
treatment
demonstrative
adjective
boundless
adjective
Showing a lot of expression and
emotion
Lots of ; limitless
manifested
adjective
Obvious, clear
noun
Healing, resting
pompous
adjective
arrogant
adoration
noun
love
murmur
verb
whisper
eloquent
adjective
Delicate, well manned
vibrant
adjective
Bright, energetic
adverb
respectfully
akin
adjective
similar
feign
verb
To fake
caress
verb
To stroke
Adjective or noun
Nomadic, moving a lot, homeless
noun
bravery
peremptorily
adverb
Expecting to be obeyed
grub-staked
noun
Provisions and gear
chasm
noun
Deep crack or division
adjective
remarkable
hankering
verb
To have a great desire
apprehensions
noun
worries
convalescence
reverently
transient
valor
uncanny
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Vocabulary
Word
malicious
Part of Speech
Definition
adjective
Evil, deliberately harmful
ledge
noun
Rock wall
plethoric
noun
Large amount
quibble
verb
bicker
Verb or noun
To bet or a bet
jubilant
adjective
happy
clamor
Verb or noun
Shout or a loud noise
ebb
verb
To recede or diminish
contagion
noun
Spread of disease
Noun or verb
Strength of character or clench
virility
noun
Masculinity, manliness
conjuration
noun
Magic spell
incoherent
adjective
Hard to understand
Verb or noun
Blurting or foolish talk
fervently
adverb
enthusiasm
frankly
adverb
honestly
adjective
tactless
wager
grit
babble
indiscreet
Call of the Wild Chapter 7
fabled
adjective
Legendary, fiction
30
quest
noun
journey
ancient
adjective
From the historical past
ramshackle
adjective
Run down and broken
verb
Being lazy
adverb
loudly
loafing
riotously
descended
verb
ascended
verb
Headed up
vastness
noun
Great size or amount
melancholy
adjective
sad
obliterated
destroyed
graven
Adjective or
verb
adjective
dictate
verb
To control
concealment
noun
Hiding something
pertinacity
noun
determined
belie
verb
To show to be false
lope
verb
To run in long strides
somber
adjective
serious
twilight
noun
gorge
noun
The time right before sun up and sun
down
Narrow valley
bleak
adjective
Without much hope
watershed
noun
Land that is drained by a river
mournful
adjective
sad
imperiously
adverb
arrogant
vainly
adverb
arrogant
noun
fierce
ferocity
headed down to the ground
carved
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wolverines
noun
Vicious mammal
chaff
noun
Worthless thing
prey
noun
Hunted animal
prowess
noun
Superior skill and courage
adverb
Pride with a victory
apparent
adjective
obvious
massive
adjective
huge
cunning
adjective
Sly, clever
carnivorous
adjective
Meat eating
vigor
noun
Energy and strength
virility
noun
Masculinity, manliness
magnetism
noun
attraction
adjective
Detailed, magnificent
Noun or verb
A rise in the land or to throw
noun
A balance
Adjective or
verb
adjective
Understood or believed
infinitesimal
adjective
Small, close to zero
simultaneous
adjective
At the same time
rampant
adjective
Growing wildly
affirmed
verb
To declare to be true
ptarmigan
noun
Arctic bird
wantonness
noun
Hatefulness, wickedness
lurking
verb
Sneaking around
abundance
noun
Having a lot of something
triumphantly
exquisite
pitch
equilibrium
perceived
sequential
In order
32
rigorous
adjective
strong
noun
A place where rock is mined
palmated
adjective
Split in to parts, webbed
vicious
adjective
violent
bitter
adjective
sharp in taste, angry, very cold
flank
noun
sides
primordial
adjective
Existing first, basic
paroxysms
noun
A sudden burst of emotion
craftily
adverb
Cleverly
dogged
adjective
determined
tireless
adjective
With endless energy
persistent
adjective
Continuing, unrelenting
panther
noun
Large, sleek black wild cat
ambuscade
noun
A trap (or ambush) set for something
peculiarity
noun
Odd or strange thing
menace
noun
A threat
shambled
verb
To walk clumsily, shuffle
desperation
noun
Hopelessness, recklessness
drooped
adjective
To bend limply
dejected
adjective
Very unhappy, disappointed
verb
To lounge in a relaxed way, droop
palpitant
adjective
pulsing
subtler
adjective
Not obvious, understated
certitude
noun
Feelings of certainty
conscious
adjective
Alert, awake, aware
noun
disaster
quarry
lolling
calamity
33
rippling
verb
With waves
swiftly
adverb
quickly
stealthily
adverb
secretly
adjective
Full of variety, numerous
excrescence
noun
Outgrowth, an addition
obscureness
noun
Hard to understand, unknown
overpowering
Adjective or
verb
noun
Irresistible, overwhelming
advent
noun
the arrival, 4 weeks before Christmas
fiend
noun
Evil one
Human form
cessation
Verb or
adjective
noun
carcasses
noun
Skeleton/tissue left on a dead animal
succession
noun
Series in time, following, next in line
pell-mell
noun
Messy disorderly rush
agility
noun
flexibility
discomfited
verb
To make someone confused
gaunt
adjective
Tired, sickly, pale, thin
battle-scarred
adjective
Tired, bruised, weary
preliminary
adjective
First draft
multitudinous
rage
incarnate
Great anger
stopping
34
35
Background Information Call of the Wild
“Old longings nomadic leap,
Chafing at custom’s chain;
Again from its brumal sleep
Wakens the ferine strain.”
Call of the Wild opens with the first quatrain of John Myers O'Hara's poem,
Atavism.The stanza outlines one of the main themes of the novel, that the
main character, Buck, raised in the "sun-kissed" Santa Clara Valley, has
reverted to innate instincts of wolf-like savagery due to his captors' brutality
and their having thrust him into the harsh Alaska environment where The
Law of Club and the Fang reigns supreme.
John Griffith "Jack" London (born John Griffith Chaney, January 12, 1876 –
November 22, 1916) was an American author, journalist, and social activist.
He was a pioneer in the genre of magazine fiction. He was one of the first
fiction writers to obtain worldwide celebrity and a large fortune from his
fiction writing. Besides Call of the Wild, Jack London wrote such favorites as
White Fang, To Build a Fire, and Sea Wolf.
Biographical Information
Jack London’s Mother was Flora Wellman. According to Flora Wellman's
account, as recorded in the San Francisco Chronicle of June 4, 1875, Jack
London’s biological father, William Chaney demanded that she have an
36
abortion. When she refused, he disclaimed responsibility for the child. In
desperation, she shot herself. She was not seriously wounded, but she was
temporarily deranged. After she gave birth, Flora turned the baby over to
ex-slave Virginia Prentiss, who remained a major maternal figure
throughout Jack London's life. Late in 1876, Flora Wellman married John
London, a partially disabled Civil War veteran, and brought her baby John,
later known as Jack, to live with the newly married couple. The family moved
around the San Francisco Bay Area before settling in Oakland, where London
completed grade school.
In 1897, when he was 21 and a student at the University of California,
Berkeley, London searched for and read the newspaper accounts of his
mother's suicide attempt and the name of his biological father. He wrote to
William Chaney, then living in Chicago. Chaney responded that he could not
be London's father because he was impotent. He stated that London's
mother had relations with other men and that she had slandered him when
she said he insisted on an abortion. He concluded the letter with a
statement that he was more to be pitied than London. Jack London was
devastated by his father's rejecting letter. In the months following, he quit
school at Berkeley and went to the Klondike.
London's time in the Klondike was detrimental to his health. Like so many
other men who were malnourished in the goldfields, London developed
scurvy. His gums became swollen, leading to the loss of his four front teeth.
A constant gnawing pain affected his hip and leg muscles, and his face was
stricken with marks that always reminded him of the struggles he faced in
the Klondike.
On August 17, 1897 gold was discovered in Bonanza Creek, a tributary of
the Klondike River. By 1898 about 30,000 prospectors had rushed to the
area to try their luck at panning for gold.
37
The gold mining towns of Skagway and Dyea quickly began to grow. These
were tent cities where miners loaded up their supplies for the over 600
miles of trails to the goldfields. Skagway was at the head of the White Pass
Trail. It was founded by William Moore who had been a steamboat captain.
The White Pass Trail lead out of Skagwag. It was steep for the miners with
their equipment. More than 3000 pack animals died on this trail. Dyea was
three miles away for the head of the Taiya Inlet. The Chilkoot Trail lead
miners out of Dyea to the gold field.
Most miners spent three months packing their equipment up the trail. Each
prospector was required to bring a year's supply of food with them. Once
prospectors hauled their equipment to the lakes, they built or bought boats
to float it downriver to Dawson City. This was approximately 560 miles
away. By 1898 Dawson City had 18,000 people.
By 1900 $22 million dollars worth of gold had been found in the Klondike.
In 1900 the gold was getting harder to find in the Yukon, so many of the
prospectors moved to Alaska to look for gold there. Gold production
completely stopped in 1966. By this time over $250 million in gold had
been found.
Jack London died on November 22, 1916, at the age of 40 from uremia
(kidney failure) aggravated by an accidental morphine overdose. He was in
the late stages of alcoholism at the end of his life.
resources: wikipedia.com and thinkquest.com
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