A Lesson Before Dying

A Lesson Before Dying Glossary

bloodweed

A kind of deep red flower originally from Africa, also known as the blood lily

chifforobe

A combination dresser and wardrobe, with drawers and space to hang clothes

Creole

A term used for a person of mixed African-American and European descent. In Louisiana at this time, the term referred to people of black and, specifically, Cajun French heritage.

cush-cush

A type of yam grown in the American tropics

derrick

A crane used to lift heavy weights or hold machinery

favor

In the Cajun dialect of the characters, “favor” means “resemble” when used as a verb.

filé

A spice made from sassafras leaves, often used to make gumbo

grinding

As one of the last steps in pecan farming, the people in the quarter grind pecans for packaging and sale

gumbo

A spiced Cajun soup, made with meat and rice

Je t'aime

French for "I love you"

nannan

The Cajun word for godmother

Old Forester

A brand of bourbon

parain

The Cajun word for godfather

praline

Homemade candy

ragball

A modified version of football, played with a ball made of rags

roast nyers

The characters' way of pronouncing "roasting ears" of corn, which Jefferson asks Miss Emma to bring him.

tante

The French and Cajun word for aunt

trusty

An assistant guard at the jail

wool-gathered

A slang term that means "confused"

youman

Jefferson's way of pronouncing the word "human"