I know why the caged bird sings (all vocab)

help

abated

abated

To become less intense or widespread (typically of something perceived as hostile or threatening)

lulled

To calm or send to sleep (with soothing sounds or movements)

adversary

One's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute

lurid

Very vivid in color, especially to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect

agitation

The action of disturbing or arousing another

milled

(Of people) To move around in a confused mass

assailed

To make a planned, violent attack on

morose

Sullen and ill-tempered

aversion

A strong dislike

nonchalance

The state of being calm and cool

change of venue

To change the location of

ominous

Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen

chided

To scold or criticize

opulent

Pretentiously rich and luxurious or lavish

dais

A low platform, a formal stage for a podium or throne

pacified

To calm or quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of

decorum

The behavior of having and maintaining good taste and etiquette

pallet

A straw mattress

droll

In a curious or unusual way, provokes dry amusement

pandemonium

A wild or noisy disorder or confusion

eke

To manage to support oneself or make a living with difficulty

pillars

A person or thing known and respected for their reliability

eluded

To evade or escape (from danger in a skillful way)

quandary

A state of uncertainty during a difficult situation

feat

An achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength

query

A question (especially addressed to an official or organization)

flamboyant

Tending to attract attention from one's own confidence and stylishness

rakishly

Having or displaying a dashing, jaunty, or slightly disreputable quality or appearance

gaffe

An unintentional act or remark that results in embarrassment

rancor

Bitterness or resentfulness (especially when long-standing)

heinous

Utterly wicked or evil

recess

A small space created by building a part of a wall further back from the rest

imperative

Of vital, crucial importance

reneged

To go back on a promise

impudent

Not showing due respect to another

servile

Having or showing excessive willingness to serve or please others

infused

To fill, spread through something and be perceived in every part of

sullenness

Bad tempered and sulky

insolently

Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect

tedious

Too long, slow, or dull

jest

A thing said or done for amusement, a joke

thwarted

To prevent someone from accomplishing something

lavishly

In a rich, elaborate, or luxurious manner

unrelenting

Not yielding in strength, severity, or determination

liberally

In large or generous amounts

vied

contend eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something

loathing

A feeling of intense dislike or hatred

waifs

A homeless, neglect, or abandoned person (especially a child)

lofty

Of imposing height

wrath

Extreme anger

affluent

Having a lot of money, wealthy

rapier

A thin, light sharp-pointed sword

arrested

To stop or check the progress or process of something

ludicrous

Foolish, unreasonable, or out of place (amusingly)

aromatic

Having a pleasant and distinctive smell

masochists

A person who enjoys pain or humiliation

benign

In a kind and gentle manner

obliterated

To destroy utterly, to wipe out

berated

To scold or criticize angrily (directly at someone)

oblivious

Unaware or unconcerned

blasphemous

Sacrilegious against god or sacred things

pacifying

To calm an anger, agitation, or excitement of something

calaboose

A prison

palpable

A feeling so intense you can (supposedly) touch it

din

Loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise

pining

To suffer from a broken heart or from the yearning of something

dirge

An expression (song, music, poem, etc) for the dead, typically part of a funeral rite

placatingly

Intention to calm someone's anger or hostility

double entendres

A word or phrase that can have two interpretations, usually with one of them being obscene

regaled

To entertain or amuse another with speech

eerie

Strange and frightening

reminiscences

Stories told about a past event as remembered by the narrator

enigma

A person or thing that is mysterious or puzzling

rivaled

To be comparable or equal to

epicure

A person who takes pleasure in fine food and drink

sacrilegious

Involving or committing the violation or misuse of something sacred

farcical

Ridiculous, relating to farce (tomfoolery)

solicitous

Showing interest or concern

forfeit

To lose or give up

taut

Stretched or pulled tight

gait

A manner of walking

tithed

Pay or give one tenth of one's earnings (Church tax)

incessantly

Without interruption, constantly

wafted

To easily or gently pass through air

invalid

A person made weak or disabled (by illness or injury)

wizened

To shrivel or wrinkle with age

limbo

An uncertain period of awaiting (for a decision or resolution)

aloof

Not friendly or communicative

gauche

Lacking ease or grace (unsophisticated)

animosities

Strong hostilities

gilt

To be covered in a thin layer of gold or silver

belied

To make a lie of

guileless

Innocent and devoid of any knowledge to deceive

blasé

Unimpressed of indifferent to something because it has happened before

herculean

Requiring great strength or effort

bourgeoisie

The middle class, referring to its materialistic values or conventional attitudes

lax

Not strict, severe, or careful enough

brouhaha

A noisy and overexcited reaction or response to something

lucid

Showing an ability to think clearly, especially after a prior period of confusion

cacophony

A harsh, conflicting mixture of sounds