Language Through Literature Lessons 19-27 Vocabulary

A comprehensive vocabulary list covering advanced English terms and phrases from Lessons 19 to 27 of the Language Through Literature course.

millstone

A heavy stone used for grinding or a heavy burden or weight (figuratively: a burden).

paternity

The state of being a father; fatherhood.

indignation

Anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment or resentment.

repressed

Oppressed, inhibited, or kept under control.

conceive

To become pregnant with or to form a plan or idea in the mind.

fable

A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.

implication

A consequence or a conclusion that is suggested without being explicitly stated.

obduracy

Stubbornness, hard-heartedness, or the quality of being unmoved by persuasion.

abstinence

The practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, such as food or alcohol.

adultery

Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse.

foolproof

Designed to be simple or safe so that it is impossible to misuse or go wrong.

superiority

The state of being superior or better than others.

misguided

Having or showing faulty judgment or reasoning; led astray.

embroidered

Decorated with needlework or, figuratively, exaggerated and embellished with unnecessary details.

dally

To act or move slowly; to waste time or to flirt lightheartedly.

allusion

An indirect or passing reference to something; a hint.

utterly

Completely, totally, or absolutely.

suspicion

A feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true, especially something illegal or dishonest.

selfish

Lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own profit or pleasure.

self-preserving

Driven by the instinct to protect one's own life or safety.

apprehensive

Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

acclaimed

Highly praised or celebrated publicly.

extensively

To a great extent; widely or thoroughly.

crack up

To suffer an emotional or mental breakdown; to collapse under pressure.

gossip

Casual conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed.

bonhomous

Cheerful and friendly; good-natured.

interchangable

Capable of being used or put in place of each other.

worldly-wise

Experienced and practical in the ways of the world; sophisticated.

wryly

In a way that expresses dry, mocking, or understating humor.

cautious

Careful to avoid potential problems or dangers; prudent.

enquire

To ask for information from someone; to investigate.

come over

To move towards a place or to be suddenly affected by a particular feeling.

worse for wear

In poor condition through being used a lot or having undergone an ordeal.

designate

To officially choose or assign someone or something for a specific role or purpose.

swerve off

To change direction abruptly; to deviate from a straight course.

on principle

Based on a belief or moral code, rather than convenience.

having struck the note

Having introduced a particular topic or tone in a conversation.

keenly

In an eager, intense, or sharp manner.

heart of hearts

In one's innermost thoughts or true self.

push off onto you

To transfer a responsibility, task, or burden to another person.

obsolescent

Becoming obsolete; going out of use or fashion.

timid

Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened; shy.

hard to please

Difficult to satisfy; picky or demanding.

fastidiousness

The quality of being very attentive to and concerned about accuracy, detail, or cleanliness.

abstemiousness

The habit of eating and drinking in moderation; self-restraint.

bob up

To appear or emerge suddenly or unexpectedly.

unaffectionate

Not showing fondness or love towards others.

cram into

To force oneself or things into a small or crowded space.

ornate

Elaborately or highly decorated; intricate.

solemn

Formal, dignified, and sincere; serious.

boardroom

A room in which the board of directors of a company or other organization meets.

trifle

A thing of little value or importance; a small amount.

sparsely

Thinly scattered or distributed; in small amounts.

yield

To give way under pressure or to surrender control.

defiantly

In a manner that shows open resistance or bold disobedience.

merely

Just; only; simply.

profoundly

To a very great extent; extremely or showing deep insight.

ledger

A book or other collection of financial accounts of a business.

voracious

Wanting or devouring great quantities of food, information, or items; gluttonous.

receptacle

A hollow object or container used to hold or store something.

solitude

The state or situation of being alone, often by choice.

lodging

Temporary accommodation; a place where one lives or stays.

quadrangles

Four-sided enclosures, typically courtyards surrounded by buildings.

mutton

The meat from a fully grown sheep.

innumerable

Too many to be counted; countless.

petticoat

A light undergarment worn under a skirt or dress.

slam

To shut a door, lid, or window forcefully and loudly.

furious

Extremely angry; full of rage.

intolerable

Unable to be endured or accepted; unbearable.

bitterness

Sharpness of taste or a feeling of deep resentment and anger.

grief

Deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death.

anguish

Severe mental or physical pain or suffering; agony.

pity

The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the misfortunes or suffering of others.

imbecile

A person who behaves in an extremely stupid or foolish way; an idiot.

prude

A person who is easily shocked by matters relating to sex; (note: translated in transcript as prudent/reasonable).

sneer

A mocking smile, remark, or tone that shows contempt.

witty

Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor.

bouncing

Lively, energetic, or moving up and down.

cover girl

A woman whose picture appears on the front cover of a popular magazine.

dormitory

A large bedroom for a number of people, such as in a school or residence hall.

transparent

Allowing light to pass through so objects behind can be seen; easy to see through or perceive.

indestructible

Not able to be destroyed; durable.

perpetual

Never ending or changing; occurring repeatedly.

decadence

Moral or cultural decline as characterized by excessive indulgence in pleasure.

bawl

To shout or weep noisily and unrestrainedly.

agate

A variety of chalcedony gemstone with bands of different colors.

single me out

To pick someone out from a group for special treatment or attention.

devour

To eat hungrily or quickly; to consume greedily.

diminish

To make or become less, smaller, or weaker.

ubiquitous

Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

rapacious

Aggressively greedy or grasping; predatory.

malignancy

The quality of being harmful or evil in nature; or a cancerous growth.

malice

The intention or desire to do evil; ill will.

noxious

Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.

tedious

Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.

yearn

To have an intense feeling of longing for something, typically something that one was lost or been separated from.

plausible

Seeming reasonable or probable; believable.

utter

To say something aloud; or used to emphasize that something is complete or absolute.

irrevocably

In a way that cannot be changed, reversed, or recovered.

detest

To dislike intensely; to hate or loathe.