Great Gatsby Vocab

feign

verb to make believe; pretend

levity

noun a manner lacking seriousness

elation

noun a feeling or state of great joy or pride; exultant gladness; high spirits

confer

verb 1. to bestow upon as a gift, favor, honor; 2. to consult together

acute

adj. sharp; intense

reproach

noun an object of scorn or contempt

wistfully/wistful

adv/adj full of wishful yearning or longing, often with sadness

supercilious

adj. having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy; cocky

effeminate

adj. having traits, tastes or habits traditionally considered feminine

compulsion

noun a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, esp. one that is irrational or contrary to one's will

extemporize

verb compose, perform, or produce something such as music or a speech without preparation; improvise

retort

verb to reply to, usually in a sharp or retaliatory way

incredulously/incredulous

adv/adj skeptical; disbelieving

reciprocal

adj. given or felt by each toward the other; mutual

contemptuously/contemptuous

adv/adj showing or feeling disapproval or disdain toward something a person considers mean, vile, or worthless; scornful

languidly/languid

adv/adj lacking energy or vitality; weak

unobtrusively/unobtrusive

adv/adj Not undesirably noticeable or obvious

fervent

adj. having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm

vigil

noun a devotional watching, or keeping awake, during the customary hours of sleep

cynical

adj. distrusting, criticizing, or mocking the motives of others; pessimistic; glass is half empty mentality

corroborate

verb to make more certain; confirm

libel

noun a false publication, as in writing, print, signs, or pictures, that damages a person's

Imperative

adj of vital importance; crucial

Sedative

adj tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement

Profound

adj 1. having intellectual depth and insight; 2. extending far below the surface

Transcendent

adj 1. exceeding usual limits; 2. extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience (for example, “transcending the material world” means going beyond the boundaries of our physical realm)

Uninflected

adj Monotonous, without inflection

grotesque gardens

adj. fantastically ugly or absurd; bizarre

solemn

adj. formal; serious; sober; lacking humor or happiness

facet or gleam of beauty

noun aspect, feature

perceptible

adj. noticeable; recognizable

vitality

noun liveliness; energy (physical and/or mental); spirit; vigor

smoldering

adj. burning

discreet

adj. marked by caution, prudence, or modesty and wise self

defer

verb to yield respectfully in judgment or opinion to another [usually followed by “to”; ex: Because she is an accountant, I defer to my mom on questions regarding my taxes.]

muslin

noun delicately woven cotton fabric

indeterminate

adj. indefinite, uncertain; not clear

haughty

adj. proud, cocky, snooty, arrogant

incessant

adj. never

disdain

verb to despise or scorn; noun haughty contempt, extreme dislike; scorn

shiftless

adj. lazy, without ambition

permeate

verb to fill up, seep into; to saturate

innuendo

noun an indirect hint or suggestion about a person or thing, especially of an insulting or an offensive nature

erroneous

adjective incorrect; wrong

denied so vehement/vehemently

adjective/adverb strongly passionate or emotion; often with anger

cordial remarks

adjective friendly; warm

ascertain

verb to determine; to make certain or clear

vacuous

adjective empty; lacking ideas or intelligence; stupid

florid

adj. 1) a healthy reddish color—as in cheeks; 2) elaborately ornate

echolalia

noun immediate, uncontrollable repetition of words spoken by others

jauntiness/jaunty about her movements

noun/adjective perky; confident; carefree

implore

verb to beg urgently

ineptly/inept

adverb/adjective lacking skill; awkward; clumsy

dissension

noun disagreement; difference of opinion

deplorable/deplorably

adjective/adverb causing grief, regret, or disapproval

indignant wives

adjective angry; annoyed

malevolence

noun a desire to harm others; evil

subterfuge

noun a plan that hides the real purpose; a deceptive scheme

insolent smile

adjective boldly rude; disrespectful

bootlegger

noun someone who sells smuggled goods illegally —in the ‘20s it was alcohol

disintegrate

verb to decay; decompose; break up

sporadic

adj periodic; random; happening at irregular intervals

punctilious

adj painstaking; meticulous; strict attention to minute details

disconcerting

adj confusing; disturbing; causing emotional disturbance

evasion

noun avoiding something unpleasant; escaping

retribution

noun something justly deserved; taking revenge or correcting a wrong

sinister

adj evil; bad; wicked

juxtaposition

noun placing two or more things side by side to emphasize the link or contrast

succulent

adj 1) juicy; 2) rich in desirable qualities

elongating [usually elongated]

adj: extended; lengthened

tactless

adj lacking or showing a lack of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others

obliged

verb to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service. (ex: I'm much ____ for the ride.)

scrutinize

verb to examine in detail with careful or critical attention

harrowed

adj distressed

ecstatic

adj of, pertaining to, or characterized by ecstasy; rapturous

defunct

adj no longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning

obstinate

adj Stubbornly adhering to an attitude, opinion, or course of action; stubborn

exultation

noun The act or condition of rejoicing greatly

disheveled

adj hanging loosely or in disorder; unkempt; untidy

transpire

verb to occur; happen; take place

laudable

adj deserving praise; praiseworthy; commendable

insidious

adj attractive or enticing but harmful; intended to entrap

meretricious

adj alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions

robust

adj strong and healthy; hardy; vigorous

ineffable

adj Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable

ramification

noun a development or consequence that complicates a situation

antecedent

noun the history, events, characteristics, etc., of one's earlier life

ingratiate

verb to establish (oneself) in the favor or good graces of others, esp. by deliberate effort (usually followed by with)

senile

adj showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning

perturbed

adj disturbed greatly; uneasy; anxious

septic

adj infected

lethargic

adj drowsy; sluggish; lazy

euphemism

noun an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh (ex: “To pass away” is a _______ for “to die.”)

obtrusive

adj Tending to push self