pygmalion vocab: preface-act ii

despise

look down on with disdain or disgust

accessible

capable of being read with comprehension

phonetic

of or relating to the scientific study of speech sounds

derisive

expressing contempt or ridicule

decipher

convert code into ordinary language

contempt

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

raillery

light teasing

didactic

instructive, especially excessively

accent

usage that is characteristic of a specific group of people

dialect

the usage or vocabulary characteristic of a group of people

unintelligible

not clearly understood or expressed

hubbub

loud confused noise from many sources

hysterical

marked by excessive or uncontrollable emotion

overbearing

having or showing arrogant superiority

pronunciation

the manner in which someone utters a word

sarcastic

expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds

subside

wear off or die down

impertinent

improperly forward or bold

uproarious

marked by boisterous merriment or convulsive laughter

distinction

a differentiating quality

murmur

a low continuous indistinct sound

brogue

a thick and heavy shoe

detestable

offensive to the mind

feeble

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

utter

express in speech

articulate

characterized by clear expressive language

bilious

irritable as if suffering from indigestion

reproduce

recreate a sound, image, idea, mood, atmosphere, etc.

mendacity

the tendency to be untruthful

rebuke

censure severely or angrily

genial

diffusing warmth and friendliness

resign

accept as inevitable

coax

influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging

grievance

a complaint about a wrong that causes resentment

genteel

marked by refinement in taste and manners

courteous

characterized by politeness and gracious good manners

propose

present for consideration, examination, or criticism

deprecate

express strong disapproval of; deplore

resolutely

with firmness

amiable

diffusing warmth and friendliness

modulation

when the loudness, pitch, or tone of the voice is modified

elocution

an expert manner of speaking involving control of voice

remonstrance

the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

term

a statement of what is required as part of an agreement

relent

give in, as to influence or pressure

interfere

get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action

idle

lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility

consent

give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to

exacting

severe and unremitting in making demands

tyrannical

marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior

judicial

belonging or appropriate to the office of a judge

unassailable

immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with

arbitrary

based on or subject to individual discretion or preference

audacity

aggressive or outright boldness

extort

obtain by coercion or intimidation

oblige

provide a service or favor for someone

arrangement

something agreed to

callous

emotionally hardened

evasive

avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger

conviction

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof