Mr. Martin - Jane Eyre Vocab (Michael Lin)

Hints show how the term was used in the book. I double-checked with how each term was used in the book. Certain terms offer multiple definitions or clarifications. This will be updated for each reading assignment.

Lamentable

deplorably bad or unsatisfactory

Torpid

Book Definition: physically inactive, stagnant, motionless

General Definition: mentally or physically inactive; lethargic.

Diffidence

modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence.

Visage

a person's face, with reference to the form or proportions of the features.

Antipathy

a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion.

Pungent

Book Definition: sharply painful

General Definition: having a sharp and caustic quality

Trifle

something of little value, substance, or importance

Ignominy

Book Definition: deep personal humiliation and disgrace

Alternative Definition: disgraceful or dishonorable conduct, quality, or action

Consecration

Book Definition: the state of being declared sacred, holy, or untouchable

Alternative Definition: the state of being inducted into a permanent office with a religious rite

Opprobrium

public disgrace or ill fame that follows from conduct considered grossly wrong or vicious

Consternation

Book Definition: feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected

AI Summarized Definition: a state of overwhelming dismay, alarm, and confusion

Captious

tending to find fault or raise petty objections; unreasonably difficult to please

Tumult

violent agitation of mind or feelings; inner chaos and mental uproar

Noxious

General Definition: physically harmful or destructive to living beings

AI Summarized Definition: harmful, poisonous, or unwholesome to an environment

(both work for the book)

Propensity

an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way.

Sanguine

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.

Interloper

a person who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or are considered not to belong.

Abhor

regard with disgust and hatred.

Artifice

clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others

Precocious

having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual.

Parley

General Definition: a conference between opposing sides in a dispute, especially a discussion of terms for an armistice.

Simplified Definition: negotiations or conversations

Cadence

Book Definition: a sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase.

General Definition: a modulation or inflection of the voice

Insuperable

impossible to overcome

Scapegoat

a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.

Chastisement

physical punishment

the act of rebuking or reprimanding severely

criticism of somebody for doing something wrong.

(all 3 work in the book but most likely the top one)

Execration

an expression of great loathing

cursing or swearing

Homily

a tedious moralizing lecture/discourse

Aversion

a strong dislike or disinclination

Poltroon

an utter coward

Capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

Cessation

the fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.

Refectory

a room used for communal meals in an educational or religious institution.

Redolent

strongly reminiscent or suggestive of.

Animadversion

criticism or censure.

Gloaming

twilight; dusk.

Meed

a deserved share or reward.

Assiduity

constant or close attention to what one is doing.

Truculent

quick to argue or oppose; aggressively defiant.

Solace

Noun: comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.

Verb: give comfort or consolation to.

Perfidious

deceitful and untrustworthy.

Edification

the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually.

Approbation

approval or praise.

Mien

a person's look or manner, especially one of a particular kind indicating their character or mood.

Propriety

the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.

Fervid

intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree.

Construe

interpret (a word or action) in a particular way.

Imbibe

absorb or assimilate (ideas or knowledge).

Ostensible

stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.

Soporific

tending to induce drowsiness or sleep.

Effaced

Standard Definition: made oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous.

Book Definition: erased or removed

Exult

feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation.

Vapid

offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging.

Neophyte

a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief.

Conjecture

Noun: an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

Verb: form an opinion or supposition about (something) on the basis of incomplete information.

Affability

the quality of having a friendly and good-natured manner.

Gregarious

(of a person) fond of company; sociable.

Salubrious

health-giving; healthy.

Sardonic

grimly mocking or cynical.

Assuage

make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.

Lugubrious

looking or sounding sad and dismal.

Confabulation

a filling in of gaps in memory through the creation of false memories by an individual who is affected with a memory disorder (as Korsakoff syndrome) and is unaware that the fabricated memories are inaccurate and false

Saturnine

Book Definition: (of a place or an occasion) gloomy.

General Definition: (of a person or their manner) slow and gloomy.

Anathema

Book Definition:

1. vehement curses or hateful denunciations.

2. (past tense) shunned, cursed, or viewed as inherently loathsome

Standard Definitions:

1. a formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine.

2. something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.

Sagacity

the quality of having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd.

Supercilious

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.

Physiognomy

1. a person's facial features or expression, especially when regarded as indicative of character or ethnic origin.

2. a discredited pseudoscience that claims to determine a person’s inner character, intelligence, or moral traits based on their outward physical appearance, particularly facial features

Poignant

Book Definition: evoking a keenly felt sense of emotion, especially of bittersweet sadness or regret.

Archaic Definition: sharp or pungent in taste or smell.

Propitious

giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable.

Extirpate

root out and destroy completely.

Halcyon

denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.

Insipid

lacking vigor or interest.

Alacrity

brisk and cheerful readiness.

Inextricably

in a way that is impossible to disentangle or separate.

Fractious

Book Definition: irritable and quarrelsome.

Alt Definition: difficult to control; unruly.

Asperity

harshness of tone or manner.

Rescind

revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement).

Augment

make (something) greater by adding to it; increase.

Ascetic

characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.

Austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.

Countenance

Noun: Look, expression, face, or visage

Verb: to extend approval or toleration to

Fervent

having or displaying a passionate intensity.

Languid

1. (of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.

2. weak or faint from illness or fatigue.

Pallid

(of a person's face) pale, typically because of poor health.

Paroxysm

1. a sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity.

2. a sudden recurrence or attack of a disease; a sudden worsening of symptoms.

Taciturn

reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.

Venerate

regard with great respect; revere.