Jane Eyre Chapters 15-38 Vocab SHS English 9-1

abhor

to dislike (someone or something) very much, V

deportment

the way that a person behaves, stands, and moves especially in a formal situation, N

assuage

to make (something, such as an unpleasant feeling) less painful, severe, etc., V

lugubrious

full of sadness or sorrow; very sad especially in an exaggerated or insincere way, Adj

harangue

a forceful or angry speech, to speak to (someone) in a forceful or angry way; to deliver a harangue to (someone), N, V

enigmatic

full of mystery and difficult to understand, Adj

vivacity

quality or state of being happy and lively in a way that is attractive, N

sonorous

having a sound that is deep, loud, and pleasant, Adj

prerogative

a right or privilege; especially a special right or privilege that some people have, N

incredulity

a feeling that you do not or cannot believe or accept that something is true or real, N

sagacious

having or showing an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions, Adj

insipid

not interesting or exciting; dull or boring; lacking strong flavor, Adj

impudence

the quality or state of failing to show proper respect and courtesy; being very rude, N

lassitude

a condition of weariness or debility, fatigue; a condition of listlessness, N

peremptory

having or showing the insulting attitude of people who think that they should be obeyed without question; admitting of no contradiction, Adj

ascetic

practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline, Adj

indolence

inclination to laziness, N

prudence

careful good judgment that allows someone to avoid danger or risks, N

automaton

a machine that can move by itself; a person who acts in a mechanical or machinelike way, N

expiate

to make amends for, V

ascribe

to refer to a supposed cause, source, or author, V

extricate

to free or remove (someone or something) from something (such as a trap or a difficult situation), V

expostulate

to reason earnestly for purposes of dissuasion or remonstrance, V

impetus

a driving force; an impulse, N

inexorable

not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped; relentless, Adj

lucid

very clear and easy to understand; able to think clearly, Adj

incongruous

not harmonious, incompatible; inconsistent within itself, Adj

reverie

daydream; the condition of being lost in thought, N

furtive

done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed, Adj

destitute

extremely poor; without something that is needed or wanted, Adj

eradicate

to remove (something) completely; to eliminate or destroy (something harmful), V

culpable

deserving blame; guilty of doing something wrong, Adj

halcyon

calm, peaceful; very happy and successful, Adj

resolute

very determined; having or showing a lot of determination; bold, steady, Adj

fetter

a chain or shackle for the feet, to restrain from motion, action, or progress; to chain, N, V

superfluous

beyond what is needed; not necessary, Adj

immutable

not capable of or susceptible to change, Adj

infallible

not capable of being wrong or making mistakes; certain to work properly or succeed, Adj

despot

a ruler who has total power and who often uses that power in cruel and unfair ways, N

implacable

not capable of being appeased, significantly changed, or mitigated, Adj

venerate

to feel or show deep respect for (someone or something that is considered great, holy, etc.), V

impropriety

an improper or indecorous act or remark, N

diffidence

the state or quality of being hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence, N

disdain

a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior, to strongly dislike or disapprove of (someone or something), N, V