'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' BY CHARLES DICKENS: GLOSSARY

SCENE 1

• Christmas Eve: The evening or the whole day before Christmas Day.
• Clerk: A person employed to keep records or perform general tasks in an office, etc.
• Nephew: A son of one's brother or sister.
• Waste: To use up or spend to no profit; squander.
• Kind: Of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person.
• Partner: One who is associated with another; an associate.
• Dead: No longer living.

SCENE 2

• Suddenly: Happening, coming, made, or done quickly or unexpectedly.
• Knocker: A hinged knob, bar, etc., on a door, to use for knocking.
• Meal: Food served and eaten at one time.
• Bell: A hollow metal instrument shaped like a cup that produces a ringing sound when struck.
• Swing: To move (the hand or something held) with a movement back and forth, forward and backward, or round and round.
• Loudly: Marked by high volume of sound.
• Frightened: Scared.
• Chains: A series of metal rings passing through one another, used for hauling, for supporting, or as decoration.
• Believe: To have faith in the truth of.
• Late: Occurring after the usual or proper time.
• Tremble: To shake with short, quick movements, as from fear or cold; quake.
• Striking: Noticeable; conspicuous.

SCENE 3

• Robe: A long, loose or flowing gown or outer garment worn by men or women as ceremonial dress, an official vestment, or garb of office.
• Bright: Giving off or reflecting light.
• Above: In, at, or to a higher place, position, or rank.
• Alone: Separate, apart; by oneself.
• Bring: To carry or cause (someone or something) to come toward the speaker; convey.
• Kind: Having a good nature or way of behaving; compassionate.

SCENE 4

• Warehouse: A building for the storage of goods or merchandise.
• Apprentice: A person who works for another in order to learn a trade.
• Wife: A woman joined in marriage to a man.
• Guest: A person who spends some time at another's home in a social activity, as a visit or party.
• Tormenting: To cause (someone) to feel severe suffering.

SCENE 5

• Husband: A married man.
• Alone: Separate, apart. 
• Dying: About to die.
• Nightcap: A cap of the head, intended to be warm in the bed. 

SCENE 6

• Lies: To be in a horizontal or flat position, as on a bed or the ground; recline (often fol. by down).
• Turkey: The flesh of this bird used as food.

SCENE 7

• Bless: To ask for God's divine favor upon or for.
• Crutch: A staff or support to assist a person in walking, usually having a crosspiece at one end to fit under the armpit.
• Let's drink to: To show one's good wishes by swallowing some wine or other drink.

SCENE 8

• Patience: The ability to control one's feelings in spite of misfortune or pain, without complaining.
• Debt: An obligation to pay or perform something.