Handmaid's Tale Vocabulary Words

The following vocabulary words appear in Parts I and II of The Handmaid's Tale. The words should be added to your notebook to study for the vocabulary section of the multiple choice final exam for the novel.

palimpsest: a parchment from which writing has been erased to make room for another text

pedantic: overly concerned with minute details

debase: to reduce in value or dignity
pungent: sharply affecting taste or smell
catkins: drooping cluster of cylindrical flowers

servile: submissive; fawning

surly: rude; unfriendly; bad-tempered

stipple: a painting made with dots or small spots