hedda gabler x the visit test (vocab)

verandah

noun: a roofed platform along the outside of a house, level w ground floor

settee

noun- a long, upholstered seat for more than one person, w back and arms

parasol

noun- umbrella for sun

chintz

noun- printed multicolor cotton fabric w glazed finish

portmanteau

noun- suitcase

indispensable

adj- absolutely necessary

opaque

adj- not transparent

repose

noun/verb- a state of sleep/rest

irreproachable

adj- beyond criticism; faultless

fortnight

noun- two weeks

imperceptibly

adv- in a way that is so slight, gradual, or subtle

repulsive

adj- arousing intense distaste

epistle

noun- a letter

gesticulate

verb- use gestures, especially dramatic ones, instead if speaking or to emphasize one’s words

parley

noun- a conference between opposing sides in a dispute

sympathetic

adj- feeling, showing, or expressing understanding

flourishing

adj- developing rapidly and successfully; thriving

constituted

verb- be a part of a whole, give legal or constitutional form, establish by law

vocation

noun- an occupation

generality

noun- a statement or principle having general info rather than specific validity or force

escapades

noun- an act or incident involving excitement, daring, or adventure

incomprehensible

adj- not being able to be understood; not intelligible

arrant

adj- complete and utter “what arrant nonsense”

contemptuous

adj- showing disapproval, hatred; scornful

lien

noun- a right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owned by that person is discharged

enigma

noun- a puzzling person, thing, or situation

fleeces

verb- to cheat or swindle

nihilism

noun- the rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless

disenfranchisement

noun- the state of being deprived of a right or privilege

impetuous

adj- doing something quickly without care or thought about consequences

lorgnette

noun- a pair of glasses or opera glasses held in front of a person’s eyes by a long handle at one side

sedan chair

noun- a seat in a cabin on poles, carried by two men

trysting

noun- the action or practice if meeting a lover in private

clotho (allusion)

from greek mythology one of the three fates- she who spins the thread of life

lais (historical figure)

greek courtesan lais of corinth was famous for her beauty, charms, extravagant demands, and sharp tongue- would use her beauty & charm to get money

antinquity

noun- the ancient past, especially the period before the middle ages

prodigal

adj- spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant

opera recitative

noun- a style of solo singing that resembles speech, used in opera to advance the plot

tycoon

noun- a wealthy, powerful businessperson or industrialist

conspicious

adj- easily seen or noticed, obvious

destitute

adj- lacking the basic necessities of life, extremely poor

incitement

noun- the act of encouraging or provoking someone to do something, especially illegal or harmful

minuet

noun- a slow, graceful ballroom dance for two, in triple time, popular in the 17th and 18th centuries

perjury

noun- the act of lying or making false statements under oath

dirge

a somber, mourning song or poem, often played at funerals

affluent

adj- having a great deal of wealth; wealthy

emigrate

verb- to leave one’s country to settles permanently in another

immigrate

verb- to come into a country to live permanently

conceive

verb- to form or imagine an idea in the mind

remarkable

adj- striking, worthy of serious attention

irreclaimable

adj- beyond reform or recovery

melancholy

noun/adj- deep, reflective sadness

parcel

noun/verb- a wrapped package; to wrap for transport

ingenuous

adj- openly innocent; lacking guile

unmentionable

adj- too shameful or scandalous to speak of

superfluous

adj- excessive; more than necessary

fjord

noun/ a long narrow sea inlet between steep cliffs

memento

noun- an object kept as a reminder

rambling

adj- unfocused; wandering in speech or thought

quires

noun- bundles of folded sheets of paper forming part of a manuscript