Short Story Diction

plume

a feather; a rising column of smoke, dust, or water

brooding

showing deep unhappiness of thought

earnestness

sincere and intense conviction

stave (off)

to prevent

turpentine

solvent for oil paint

draughts

drafts

brute

A savagely violent person or animal

drudgery

unpleasant, dull, or hard work

dint

means; effort

chafe

state of annoyance

rancour

a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

lancet

In Gothic architecture, a tall narrow window ending in a pointed arch.

borne

carried or transported by

petulantly

irritably

scud

loose vapor clouds driven swiftly by the wind

threshed

beat about; moved about violently

puniness

less than normal in size and strength

glib

fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual

staving

delaying

insolence

rude and disrespectful behavior

derisive

ridiculing, mocking

latency

dormant sexual feelings

hitherto

until now

ascendancy

supremacy; domination

parry

to ward off, fend off, evade, avoid

unfettered

free, unrestrained

reproved

scolded

interminably

endless; unceasing

quailed

drew back in fear

atone

to make amends

tyranny

oppressive power

complacency

self-satisfaction; ego or vanity

contritely

sorry; remorseful

keening

wailing

respite

a break; relief

rift

split

huskily

in a hoarse or husky voice

aloof

reserved, distant

haggard

looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering

boded

be an omen of a particular outcome

dubiously

doubtfully

virility

manliness

indignation

anger as a result of something unjust

pauper

an extremely poor person

listlessly

without energy or interest

brood

to be deep in thought; to think over moodily and at length

stupor

daze

contentious

quarrelsome

gelding

castrated male horse

limned

outlined in clear detail; painted or drawn

riveted

join or fasten (plates of metal or other material) with a rivet or rivets.

fallow

plowed but not sowed; uncultivated

gratified

pleased or satisfied

blight

anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation

scourge

a person or thing that causes great trouble or misfortune

sheathed

enclosed in a protective covering

stark

harsh

wan

pale

boding

foretelling

foiled

prevent from succeeding; thwarted

impelled

moved

rime

granular ice tufts

stalwart

strong and sturdy

yielded

to surrender

covert

clandestine; sneaky

implacability

unchanging; obstinance

inured

accustomed; hardened

onslaught

a fierce attack

pettishness

irritability; grumpiness

trebled

tripled

wheeled

turned suddenly

sciatica

inflammation of the sciatic nerve

jaunty

easy and sprightly in manner

catercornering

moving diagonally or sideways

flag

to droop; grow weak

ungainly

awkward, clumsy

steeled

make oneself mentally or emotionally strong in preparation for something difficult or unpleasant.

leered

look or gaze in an unpleasant or malicious way

prudent

acting with or showing care and thought for the future

insolence

rude and disrespectful behavior

clefts

openings, cracks

wheeled

turned quickly

tractably

compliantly

allay

to lessen

transfixed

Rendered motionless with terror, amazement or awe

contracted

drew together; shrunk; condensed

haggard

looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering

indignant

angered at something unjust or wrong

solicitude

a feeling of excessive concern

galvanized

Startled into sudden attention

indulgent

lenient; yielding to desire

lurid

causing shock or horrorp

pining

a feeling of deep longing

reprobate

depraved, vicious, or unprincipled

imperious

domineering; haughty

carnage

the killing of a large number of people

steppe

sparse, dry, treeless grassland

prestige

respect or regard

acclaim

high praise

craven

cowardly