Vocabulary: Unit 12

Wallace and Grommit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Abjure

After the “accident,” Hutch abjures vegetables and instead looks for cheese (Wensleydale perhaps).

Abjure(v.) to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid, shun

Acrid

The acrid Lord Quartermain believes rabbit pest-control should involve a shotgun.

Acrid(adj.) harsh in taste or odor; sharp in manner or temper

August

Lady Tottington lives in the august splendor of Tottington Hall. Her aristocratic family has lived there for generations.

August(adj.) majestic, inspiring admiration and respect

Callous

By capturing rabbits rather than killing them, Anti-Pesto Pest Control uses a more humane, less callous approach to animal control.

Callous(adj.) emotionally hardened, unfeeling

Clandestine

The clandestine identity of the Were-Rabbit kept everyone guessing.

Clandestine(adj.) secret, concealed; underhanded

Compunction

Reverend Clement Hedges felt compunction for giving the 24-”carrot” bullets to Quartermaine.

Compunction(n.) remorse, regret

Conflagration

The Were-Rabbit’s rampage nearly caused a conflagration at the Giant Vegetable Competition.

Conflagration(n.) a large destructive fire

Elated

Gromit was elated when the Stinking Bishop cheese revived Wallace.

Elated(adj.) in high spirits, jubilant; extremely pleased

Indelible

All of the excitement left festival-goers with indelible memories of this year’s Giant Vegetables Festival.

Indelible(adj.) not able to be erased or removed; memorable

Indulgent

Overwhelmed by her “beauty,” Wallace was extremely indulgent of Lady Tottington and did whatever she asked.

Indulgent(adj.) yielding to the wishes or demands of others

Inveterate

It is well-known that Wallace has an inveterate love of cheese.

Inveterate(adj.) firmly established, long-standing; habitual

Irrelevant

A bouncy castle in the middle of Giant Vegetable Festival seems rather irrelevant, doesn’t it?

Irrelevant(adj.) not to the point; not applicable or pertinent

Nocturnal

The Were-Rabbit is a nocturnal animal; no one has seen it by the light of day.

Nocturnal(adj.) of or occurring in the night; under cover of darkness

Platitude

Wallace and Gromit seem to live by the platitude that a dog is a man’s best friend.

Platitude(n.) a commonplace, stale, or trite remark

Quell

After Anti-Pesto Pest Control failed to quell the Were-Rabbit, Quartermaine was given permission to shoot it.

Quell(v.) to subdue, put down forcibly

Quiescent

The rabbits are finally able to live a quiescent life at Tottington Hall, where the front lawn has become a wildlife sanctuary.

Quiescent(adj.) inactive; at rest

Ruminate

After ruminating on the issue for some time, Wallace attempted to use his Mind-O-Matic machine to brainwash the rabbits.

Ruminate(v.) to meditate, think about at length

Tacit

There is a tacit friendship between Wallace and Gromit, which is convenient since Gromit never speaks.

Tacit(adj.) unspoken, silent; implied, inferred

Tangible

Gromit had tangible proof the rabbits were escaping their pens.

Tangible(adj.) capable of being touched; real, concrete

Trenchant

Quartermaine may have made trenchant statements about rabbits, but there is still one sitting on his head.

Trenchant(adj.) incisive, keen; forceful, effective; cutting, caustic; distinct, clear-cut