Jane Eyre Vocabulary Definitions

avatar

an incarnation or embodiment, as of a quality or concept, a varying

manifestation or aspect of a particular deity, esp. a Hindu deity in human form.

badinage

playful talk.

cachinnation

Convulsive, loud laughter.

cicatrize

To heal by the formation of a cicatrix (scar tissue). To become healed by the formation of a cicatrix (scar tissue).

coruscate

glitter; be brilliant.

deglutition

Swallowing—the act of process of swallowing.

emulous

eager to rival somebody or something; motivated by rivalry.

equipage

Well-equipped carriage; equipment and supplies for expeditions

hostler

engineer; horse minder

inanition

exhaustion due to starvation; lethargy; emptiness.

lachrymose

Crying, sad.

oblation

offering of gift to deity; communion offering; religious or charitable gift.

paroxysm

a sudden outburst of emotion or action; a crisis in or recurrent

intensification of a disease; spasm, convulsion.

pertinacious

determinedly resolute in purpose, belief or action.

phlegmatic

having or suggesting a calm, sluggish temperament, unemotional

ruth

Compassion or pity for another; sorrow or misery about one’s own misdeeds or flaws.

sanguine

of the color of blood, red; ruddy; having the temperament and ruddy

complexion formerly thought to be characteristic of a person dominated by this humor; passionate.

seraglio

Harem—the women’s quarters in a Muslim house, or the women

themselves; palace—a Turkish palace.

sophistical

clever-sounding, but flawed; of sophists.

stile

a step or rung that enables people to climb over a fence or wall.