<p>The Vocabulary List to “A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune,” by Chris Crutcher emissary |ˈeməˌserē| noun ( pl. -saries) a person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative.</p><p>Conceive: Verb [ trans. ] (often be conceived) 1 become pregnant with (a child) : she was conceived when her father was 49. • [ intrans. ] (of a woman) become pregnant : five months ago Wendy conceived. unscathed |ˌənˈskāðd| adjective [ predic. ] without suffering any injury, damage, or harm : I came through all those perils unscathed. cache |ka sh | noun a collection of items of the same type stored in a hidden or inaccessible place : an arms cache | a cache of gold coins. • a hidden or inaccessible storage place for valuables, provisions, or ammunition. anticipatory |anˈtisəpəˌtôrē| adjective happening, performed, or felt in anticipation of something : an anticipatory flash of excitement. tomfoolery |tämˈfoōl(ə)rē| noun foolish or silly behavior : he was no longer amused by Ozzie's youthful tomfoolery. perverse |pərˈvərs| adjective (of a person or their actions) showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable, often in spite of the consequences :</p><p>Perversity- the state of being perverse (NOUN)</p><p>PLURALITY: noun- the number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority : his winning plurality came from creating a reform coalition. detractor |diˈtraktər| noun a person who disparages someone or something. malady |ˈmalədē| noun ( pl. -dies) a disease or ailment : an incurable malady | figurative the nation's maladies. quirky |ˈkwərkē| adjective ( quirkier , quirkiest ) characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits : her sense of humor was decidedly quirky. diagnostic |ˌdīəgˈnästik| adjective 1 concerned with the diagnosis of illness or other problems : a diagnostic tool. • (of a symptom) distinctive, and so indicating the nature of an illness : there are fifteen infections that are diagnostic of AIDS. retaliate |riˈtalēˌāt| verb [ intrans. ] make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack : the blow stung and she retaliated immediately.</p><p>Retaliatory (adj.) sinew |ˈsinyoō| noun a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament.</p><p>SINEWY (adj.) malice |ˈmaləs| noun the intention or desire to do evil; ill will : I bear no malice toward anybody. exasperate |igˈzaspəˌrāt| verb [ trans. ] irritate intensely; infuriate : this futile process exasperates prison officials reverberate |riˈvərbəˌrāt| verb [ intrans. ] (of a loud noise) be repeated several times as an echo : her deep booming laugh reverberated around the room. antithesis |anˈtiθəsis| noun ( pl. -ses |-ˌsēz|) a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else : love is the antithesis of selfishness. remedial |riˈmēdēəl| adjective giving or intended as a remedy or cure : remedial surgery. • provided or intended for students who are experiencing learning difficulties : remedial education. tributary |ˈtribyəˌterē| noun ( pl. -taries) 1 a river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake : the Illinois River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. monogamy |məˈnägəmē| noun the practice or state of being married to one person at a time. • the practice or state of having a sexual relationship with only one partner. • Zoology the habit of having only one mate at a time.</p>