Chapters 9-12 (Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry)

caress

to touch in a loving manner

compassion

deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the desire to help

condescending

dealing with a person as though he or she were inferior

crescendo

gradual increase in intensity or loudness

despicable

deserved to be scorned

despondently

in a way that shows great sadness

furrowed

having long trenches or ditches

grimace

to make a sharp contortion or twisting motion to the face.

gruffly

in a brusque or stern manner

immobolized

unable to move

muffle

to wrap or pad in order to deaden (soften) the sound of something

persnickety

very particular about trivial (not important) details

premature

occurring, growing, or existing before an assigned time

resigned

unresisting,, yielding (giving in)

self-consciously

in an ill-at-ease manner (not confident)

vulnerbility

susceptibility, sensitive