The Jungle Vocab List

cortege

a formal procession, usually for a funeral

veselija

a lively celebration or feast

viands

food, especially prepared dishes

maudlin

overly sentimental or weakly emotional

incommoding

causing inconvenience or discomfort

pungent

strong, sharp smell or taste

rancid

spoiled or foul-smelling, usually fat or oil

wizened

shriveled with age

fetid

extremely foul-smelling

felicitous

well-chosen; pleasing or apt

colloquy

a formal conversation

parley

a discussion between opposing sides

ptomaines

toxic substances from decaying organic matter

isinglass

a gelatin from fish used to clarify liquids

pepsin

a digestive enzyme in the stomach

albumen

egg white; protein-rich substance

besom

a broom

placard

a posted sign or notice

deference

respectful submission

volubility

talkativeness

ludicrously

ridiculously

laissez-faire

hands-off government or economic policy

caste

a rigid social class system

saltpeter

potassium nitrate used in preservation and explosives

hordes

large unruly crowds

specter

a ghost or looming threat

primeval

ancient; from earliest times

fodder

food for animals or expendable material

alchemist

a person who seeks to transform substances

respite

a short rest or relief

harried

pressed by stress or constant pressure

contingencies

possible future events

redress

correction of a wrong

obstinate

stubborn

impropriety

inappropriate behavior

superfluity

excess beyond what is needed

inexorably

impossible to stop

abyss

a deep void or chasm

penury

extreme poverty

rebuffs

blunt rejections

sprier

more lively or energetic

rebuke

sharp criticism

magnanimity

generosity or nobility of spirit

obdurate

stubbornly resistant

ptarmigan

a grouse-like bird

prestidigitator

a magician using sleight of hand

menagerie

a collection of animals

torpor

physical or mental sluggishness

sordid

dirty or morally degraded

pittance

a very small amount

melee

a chaotic fight

effaced

erased or wiped out

penitential

showing remorse

catechism

a set of questions and answers teaching beliefs

ineffable

too great to be expressed in words

ingot

a cast block of metal

tractable

easy to control or manage

mendicants

beggars

insouciance

casual lack of concern

pugilist

a boxer

prodigiously

to an extraordinary degree

odious

extremely unpleasant or hateful

saturnalia

a time of wild celebration

oligarchy

rule by a small powerful group

contagion

something that spreads rapidly

notorious

famous for bad reasons

labyrinthine

complex and confusing

debauchery

excessive indulgence in vice

vicissitudes

changing conditions of life

plutocrat

a person whose power comes from wealth

impunity

freedom from punishment

verities

accepted truths

balustrade

a railing along stairs or balconies

absinthe

a strong alcoholic drink

obloquy

public disgrace or criticism

juggernaut

an unstoppable force

squalor

filthy living conditions

imperious

arrogant and domineering

prostrate

lying flat or emotionally overwhelmed

fetter

to restrain or shackle

proletariat

the working class

morasses

swamps or confusing situations

wrought

shaped or worked, especially metal

thraldom

slavery or bondage

impervious

unable to be affected

recalcitrant

stubbornly defiant

unregenerate

morally unrepentant

exhorting

strongly urging

incendiary

causing anger or fire

fusillade

a rapid outburst of criticism or gunfire

elucidate

to explain clearly

stygian

dark, gloomy, hellish

debauched

morally corrupted

menials

low-status workers

tomes

large or scholarly books

pettifogging

trivial or petty

chicanery

deceit or trickery

knave

a dishonest or unscrupulous person