The Bell Jar Vocabulary

sultry

1) hot and humid 2) expressing or arousing sensual desire — especially in reference to a woman's appearance or voice

oblong

an elongated shape — typically of a stretched circle that is longer than an oval

decadent

marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay

verdant

green

antithesis

exact opposite

nondescript

without distinct or individual characteristics — perhaps dull and uninteresting

porous

allowing passage through a barrier

rapt

deeply interested and focused (on something) — often while admiring; deeply moved or filled with intense pleasure

tepid

less heat (or enthusiasm) than might be expected

nonplussed

so surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react; unbothered

insinuate

implying (subtly suggesting) something unpleasant

lithe

graceful and flexible

neurotic

mildly mentally disturbed — usually worrying too much about something

disconsolate

sad beyond comforting

belated

after the expected or usual time

askew

not straight; or not right

dispassionate

unaffected by strong emotion or bias

extricate

remove

conglomerate

different things mixed together that maintain their difference in the mixture; or the resulting mixture

infinitesimal

very tiny; or immeasurably small

inordinate

beyond normal limits

paraphernalia

items that accompany a given activity or object

infatuation

an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something

secrete

produce and discharge small amounts of a substance — especially from biological glands

inertia

a disposition to continue in the same manner — such as sit still and do nothing or continue moving in a particular direction

awry

in improper position; or in an unintended way

conceited

excessively proud of oneself

beguile

deceived through charm or enchantment

sallow

an unhealthy pale of yellowish complexion; or to cause such a complexion

reminiscent

tending to remind one of something; resembling something else

disheartened

discouraged

gaudy

tastelessly showy

peremptory

not allowing contradiction or refusal

strenuous

difficult (requiring much effort)

superfluous

more than is needed, desired, or required

free lunch

from the idiom "There's no such thing as a...," meaning that every benefit, even if apparently free, has a cost

infallible

the quality of never being wrong or making a mistake

stagnant

not circulating or flowing; not changing

baleful

threatening

lobotomy

surgical interruption of nerve tracts to and from the frontal lobe of the brain; often results in marked cognitive and personality changes

blithely

in a carefree and happy manner — often unaware of or ignoring something that should be of concern

pallid

abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color); or anything that lacks energy or liveliness

renounce

formally rejecting, giving up, or turning away from

maxim

a short saying that expresses a general truth or principle

pious

religious

innocuous

not offensive, dangerous, or harmful

platonic

loving, but not in a romantic way (such as a friendship)

veto

to block (prevent) an action

interim

(usually "in the..." = in the meantime) temporary and prior to something else; or the time during the temporary period

myopic

unable to see distant objects clearly; (figuratively): not thinking or understanding beyond immediate effect to future or broader effect

weak-kneed

(informal) lacking courage and unable to make your own decisions

flamboyant

behaving in a confident or exciting way that makes people notice you; brightly colored and easily noticed colorful