Trifles Glossary

Glossary of Terms

abashed

Synonym for embarrassed

conciliation

Willingness to appease or soothe

coroner

An official in charge of examining non-natural deaths

covert

Hidden from obvious view

disturb

To move or dislocate

fluttery

Restless, irregular and flighty

hollow

Geographically, a minor valley

homestead

To settle land and establish a claim of property, particularly in the case of the pioneers of the American West

knotting

A method of making a quilt, by tying fabric squares together along the edges

petticoat

A skirt worn as undergarment for women

preserves

Food that has been prepared through canning so that it will remain edible after storage

queer

bizarre or out of the ordinary

quilting

One method of making a quilt, by stitching layers of cloth together

reproach

To criticize for wrongdoing

sheriff

The local head of law enforcement

superstitious

Believing in the irrational and the supernatural

tippet

An article of clothing for the shoulders that drapes down the front of the body

trifle

Something of little importance

wiry

Lean but strong, like a wire

wring

To twist with force