Heart of Darkness and General Literature Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering literature terms, descriptive language, and nautical terminology from the lecture notes.

Interminable

Having no end or seeming to have no end; endless.

Ascetic

Practicing strict self-discipline and avoiding physical pleasures.

Pacifically

In a peaceful or calm manner.

Benign

Gentle, kind, or not harmful.

Diaphanous

Very light, delicate, and almost transparent.

Venerable

Respected because of age, wisdom, or character.

August

Inspiring respect or admiration; majestic or dignified.

Interloper

Someone who becomes involved in a place or situation where they do not belong.

Immutability

The quality of being unable to change.

Inscrutable

Difficult or impossible to understand.

Propensity

A natural tendency or inclination toward something.

Sepulcher

A burial chamber or tomb.

Somnambulist

A person who walks while sleeping.

Sententiously

In a manner that expresses opinions or moral judgments, often in a pompous way.

Calipers

An instrument used to measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object.

Crania

The plural of cranium; the skulls of humans or animals.

Alienist

A psychiatrist, especially one who evaluates mental conditions.

Imperturbably

In a calm manner that is not easily upset or disturbed.

Erroneous

Containing a mistake; incorrect.

Lugubrious

Looking or sounding very sad or gloomy.

Drollery

Something amusing or comical; humor.

Farcical

Ridiculous or absurd; resembling a comedy.

Declivity

A downward slope or sloping surface.

Recrudescence

The return or worsening of something after it has seemed to disappear.

Meagre

Lacking in quantity or quality; inadequate or small.

Despondently

In a hopeless or discouraged manner.

Alacrity

Cheerful willingness or eagerness.

Prudence

The ability to make careful and wise decisions.

Rapacious / Rapacity

Greedy or excessively eager to take or consume things; rapacity is extreme greed.

Wanton

Reckless, careless, or without concern for consequences.

Uncongenial

Unpleasant, unsuitable, or not agreeable.

Moribund

Near death or no longer active; declining.

Worsted

Defeated or overcome; also a type of tightly twisted wool yarn.

Pestilence

A deadly or widespread infectious disease.

Indissolubly

In a way that cannot be separated or broken apart.

Verily

Truly or certainly.

Uncouth

Rude, awkward, or lacking good manners.

Tumult

A loud, confused disturbance or commotion.

Yokels

People from rural areas who are considered uneducated or unsophisticated.

Volubility

The quality of speaking easily, fluently, and a lot.

Trenchant

Sharp, effective, and forceful in expression.

Imbecile

A foolish or stupid person.

Beguile

To charm, attract, or deceive someone.

Supercilious

Acting as though you are better or more important than others; arrogant.

Prevaricator

A person who avoids telling the truth; a liar.

Emissary

A person sent on a mission or to represent someone else.

Prodigy

A person, especially a young one, with exceptional talent or abilities.

Conflagration

A large and destructive fire.

Indefatigable

Never seeming to get tired; tireless.

Gesticulate

To use hand or arm movements while speaking.

Precipitately

In a hurried, sudden, or reckless manner.

Askew

Crooked, tilted, or out of alignment.

Ostentation

An excessive display of wealth, importance, or possessions.

Folly

Foolishness or a lack of good judgment.

Yawl

A small sailing boat with two masts.

Offing

The part of the sea visible from the shore.

Bow

The front part of a ship or boat.

Aft

Toward the back of a ship.

Nautical

Related to ships, sailors, or navigation.

Estuary

The part of a river where it meets the sea.

Ebb

The movement of the tide away from the shore; to flow backward.

Trireme

An ancient Greek or Roman warship with three rows of oars.

Legionaries

Members of a Roman military legion; soldiers.

Skipper

The captain or person in charge of a ship or boat.

Mizzenmast

The mast located toward the back of a sailing ship.

Barges

Large, flat-bottomed boats used to carry goods.

Sprits

Poles or spars used to support sails on a boat.

Man-of-war

An armed military ship, especially a warship.