Glossary

efflorescence: 1. a flower, the process of blooming 2. the greatest point, at the height of something
"It was clear to the bottom and the bright with the efflorescence of tropical weed and coral. 

uncommunicative: 1. not talking or giving out information 2. not responding
"He passed his tongue across dry lips and scanned the uncommunicative forest. Then again he stole forward and cast this way and that over the ground".
Although this word is quite common, the way it is used in Lord of the Flies is different. Usually uncommunicative is used to describe a person or an animal but here, it is used to describe the island. It makes the statement even more powerful.

contrite: 1. an expression of regret or remorse. 2. the felling of guilt and sorrow from a sin
"Simon's contrite face appeared in the hole"

mimicry: 1. to mimic or imitate someone else for entertaining purposes  2. resemblance to one another
"Jack's voice sounded in butter mimicry".

swathe: this word can also be spelt as swath 1. to wrap or enclose something 2. covering something in layers of material
"Ralph was already clambering over the first smashed swathes of the scar".