Vocabulary in A Christmas Carol

Extremely unwilling to spend money; so stingy that one grips every coin as tightly as a fist would grip something it refuses to release.

A revolving stone wheel used to sharpen tools; here used in the phrase 'hand at the grindstone' to mean someone who works hard and relentlessly, with no warmth or generosity.

Greedily longing to possess what belongs to others, or simply craving wealth and possessions far beyond what one needs.

Made or created something by one's own actions over time; here used to mean that Marley built his chain himself through the selfish choices he made during his life.

Fastened or secured something around oneself, as one would buckle on a belt or strap; here meaning Marley willingly put his chain on and kept it there.

Belonging to the living human world, as opposed to the supernatural or spiritual realm; used here to contrast ordinary earthly money with the ghost's timeless perspective.

Something a person worships or values above all else, replacing what should matter most; here Belle means that Scrooge's love of money has become his new god, pushing her aside.

Pushed someone or something out of the position or role they once held, taking their place instead.

The folded or finished end of a shirt or coat sleeve at the wrist; Scrooge uses it to wipe tears from his eyes.

A period of working under an experienced master to learn a trade or profession, usually for low or no pay, in exchange for training and instruction.

Communication or dealings between people or, as used here, contact and interaction with supernatural beings; it does not carry any sexual meaning in this text.

Visions or images of events, used here to mean possible futures that may or may not come true, like shadows cast by things that have not yet happened.

Dizzy with excitement and happiness, so overjoyed that one can barely think straight or keep still.

Complete and permanent avoidance of something; here used humorously to say Scrooge had absolutely no further contact with ghosts or spirits of any kind.

A person who hoards money and refuses to spend it, living poorly despite having wealth, out of an obsessive love of accumulating riches.

A room or building where a merchant or businessman keeps financial records, counts money, and conducts business; the Victorian equivalent of a business office.

The act of being saved from past wrongdoing by changing one's ways; here it means Scrooge's chance to rescue his soul by becoming a better, more generous person.

The forehead; the front of the head above the eyes, where the Ghost says the word 'Doom' is written on the boy Ignorance.

Be on guard against something dangerous or harmful; treat it as a serious warning and stay alert to the threat it poses.

Kind, sort, or class; here it means all others of the same type or nature as Ignorance and Want — every form of that same danger.

Wrapped in a burial cloth called a shroud; here describing a corpse covered and hidden, lying unclaimed and unmourned.

Twisting and pulling with force to take something away; used here to describe the violent, grabbing quality of Scrooge's greed.