Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Vocabulary List Chapters 21-24

a person accused of, charged with, or guilty of a crime or fault

"Who are the culprits? Who did that?"

having a very serious appearance or manner

"And very grim it was to hear in pitchy darkness, loud and clear."

a way of acting or doing that has become fixed by being repeated often

"This sticky habit's bound to send the chewer to a sticky end."

funny because of being ridiculous : ABSURD

"She chewed in church and on the bus; it really was quite ludicrous!"

to speak softly so that words are not clear

"I do wish you wouldn't mumble," said Mr. Wonka.

sticking stubbornly to an opinion or purpose

"I want the gum!" Violet said obstinately.

to do or provide what someone wants or demands even though it is not proper, good, or reasonable

"Who pandered to her every need?"

having a strong disagreeable smell or taste from no longer being fresh

"A bacon rind, some rancid lard, a loaf of bread gone stale and hard."

to have a strong or unpleasant smell

"A rotten nut, a reeky pear, a thing the cat left on the stair."

having or showing good taste or training

"These won't be nearly so refined."

something of little or no value that is thrown away

They just throw it down the rubbish chute.

a harsh reproof

"And all the scolding and the shame should fall upon Veruca Salt?"

to run rapidly from view

Mr. Wonka scuttled across to the far end of the Inventing Room and went out through a small secret door hidden behind a lot of pipes and stoves.

to calm down : COMFORT

"All right my pet," Mrs. Salt said soothingly.

having the interest or attention held by or as if by magic power

Little Charlie Bucket was staring at her absolutely spellbound, watching her huge rubbery lips as they pressed and unpressed with the chewing.

astonishingly large, strong, or great

On the table, there were mounds and mounds of walnuts, and the squirrels were all working away like mad, shelling the walnuts at a tremendous speed.

celebrating victory of success

"There you are!" he cried triumphantly.

to an absolute or extreme degree : to the full extent

"It's utterly impossible," said Veruca Salt.

to move lightly through the air

Delicious smells came wafting through the keyholes, and sometimes little jets of colored steam shot out from the cracks underneath.

to twist (hands) together as a sign of anguish

Mr. Wonka was wringing his hands and saying, "No, no, no, no, no!"