The Things We Carried Vocab

pernicious

wicked, evil, harmful

taut

tighly drawn, tense

truism

- A statement that is obviously true and offers nothing new or interesting

humane

- Having or showing compassion or benevolence

odious

- adj. hateful, horrible

fathom

- to figure out

repudiate

reject

hamlet

small village

solace

comfort

mundane

common, ordinary, boring

rectitude

moral uprightness, righteousness

languish

get weaker, suffer, decay

censure

strong or vehement expression of disapproval

jingo

a person who professes his or her patriotism loudly and excessively, favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy

perdition

ruination of the soul

entrench

to place in a position of strength, establish firmly or solidly

volition

will, choice

topography

detailed mapping or charting of features of relatively small area

elusive

- difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

devout

- deeply religious

ambush

- concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise

insignia

- a badge worn to show official position

artillery

- an army unit that uses big guns

poise

- great coolness and composure under strain

eviscerate

- to remove the entrails of a creature (gut); can also be used to describe when you deprive something of its most important quality.

zeal

- a feeling of strong eagerness

comport

- to behave in a certain manner

ruthless

- without mercy or pity

forthrightly (adv.)

- directly and without evasion; not roundabout

frugal

- avoiding waste

deferment

- act of putting off to a future time

acquiescence

- acceptance without protest

intangible

-incapable of being perceived by the senses, especially touch

cryptic

- having a puzzling terseness

platitude

- quality of being dull; an obvious remark uttered as if it were original.

reticence (n.)

- the trait of being uncommunicative

laxity

- an absence of rigor or strictness

vigil

- a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe