acrid
having a strong and bitter taste
besotted
infatuated
cadre
a small group of people, often devoted to a revolutionary purpose
calabash
a gourd
capricious
prone to sudden, spontaneous changes
facilitate
to make something easier
fag end
a cigarette butt
furtive
secretive
hod
an open bucket on a pole, used for carrying heavy loads
imprecation
a verbal curse
limpid
clear
masochistic
deriving pleasure from pain
officious
overly assertive of one's authority
paroxysm
a seizure of a particular emotion
perambulation
to walk around an area and learn its boundaries
poultice
a medicinal paste, usually made from herbs
recondite
obscure
risible
silly; causing laughter
sedan
in the context of this novel, an enclosed chair, carried by porters and used for transportation
superannuated
retired
