English Literature and Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions extracted directly from the provided reading selections.

drew the line

Put a limit to what one would normally allow or do

made her blood run cold

Made her feel very frightened

awestruck

Filled with wonder

crestfallen

Sad and disappointed

in single file

In a queue

eau de cologne

A type of perfume

boa constrictor

A large, non-venomous snake which wraps itself around its prey

sallied forth

Went ahead confidently

conceited

Very proud of oneself

prowling about

Moving about quietly in order not to be seen or heard

trapdoor

A small, sliding door

Mr Fairfax

The housekeeper at Thornfield Hall

Pilot

The pet dog at Thornfield Hall

Grace Poole

The woman who does the sewing in Thornfield Hall

doleful

Very sad

lugubrious

Sounding sad

composes the nerves

Makes one feel calm

fled affrighted

Vanished as if terrified

marrow-freezing

Extremely frightening

demoniac laugh

Very evil laugh like that of a demon

goblin-laughter

Wicked laugh like that of a goblin (an imaginary creature)

ere long

Before long; soon (old use)

whence

From where (old use)

blue wreaths

Curls or rings of smoke, blue in colour

stupefied

Shocked

ewer

A large, wide-mouthed jug for holding water

deluged

Drenched with water

quenched element

The fire (one of the four elements) that had been extinguished

fulminating strange anathemas

Cursing wildly

transpired

Happened

Saptarishis

The seven great rishis: Kashyapa, Atri, Vasistha, Bharadwaja, Gautama, Vishwamitra and Jamadagni

performing severe austerities and penances

Living a very simple life, with no comfort at all

drought afflicted the land

The earth suffered from a great famine

acidly

With bitterness

was grievously offended

Felt greatly insulted

in an undertone

In a low voice

staff

A long and strong stick

profusely

Greatly

upspringing

Springing up

chaliced flower

Flower in the shape of a chalice (a decorative cup)

torrents

Strong streams of water moving very fast

splintering

Breaking into small fragments

lingeringly

At a slow pace

coral caves

Cave-like structures just above or just below the surface of the sea formed from coral, a hard rock-like substance

endeavour

Sincere effort