Great Expectations Vocab

rampaged

(especially of a large group of people) rush around in a violent and uncontrollable manner

ravenously

In an extremely hungry way, or in a way that shows intense eagerness or desire for something

trenchant

Vigorous or incisive in expression or style

chafe

(of something restrictive or too tight) make (a part of the body) sore by rubbing against it

expectorating

Cough or spit out (phlegm) from the throat or lungs

apprehension

Anxiety or fear that something bad will happen

consternation

Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected

vicariously

In a way that is experienced in the imagination through the actions of another person

oracle

A priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods

patronage

The support given by a patron

disdainfully

To act with disapproval, contempt, or scorn, believing something is unworthy of respect

penitential

Relating to or expressing penitence or penance

melancholy

A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause

insolently

To do something in a rude, disrespectful, or arrogant way

frantic

Wild or distraught with fear, anxiety, or other emotion

felicitous

Well chosen or suited to the circumstances

superciliously

In a way that shows haughty disdain or a sense of superiority

divined

Discover by guesswork or intuition

coarse

Rough or loose in texture and grain

plaintively

Sounding sad or mournful

condescended

Show feelings of superiority by patronizing

alluded

Suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at

scaffold

A raised wooden platform used formerly for the public execution of criminals

assented

Express approval or agreement, typically officially

unscrupulously

In a dishonest or unethical way

surmising

Suppose that something is true without evidence to confirm it

corroborate

Confirm or give support to

imperceptibly

In a way that is very slight, gradual, or subtle, as not to be perceived

aberration

A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically unwelcome

latent

Existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed

imbrued

Stained

encumbered

Restrict or burden in such a way that free action or movement is difficult

obscurely

In a way that is unclear, vague, hard to understand, not well-known or hidden

virtuous

Having or showing high moral standards

clemency

Mercy; lenience

audacious

Showing or willingness to take surprisingly bold risks

alleviated

Make less severe

solicitor

A person who tries to obtain business orders, advertising, etc.

languor

The state of feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness or inertia

compilation

The action or process of producing something, especially a list, book, or report by assembling information

cupidity

Greed for money or possessions

dolefully

In a sad or mournful manner

amphibious

Able to live both on land and in water

dexterously

In a way that shows skill, especially with the hands

incongruity

The state of being out of keeping or inappropriately inconsistent

provincial

Belonging to or characteristic of a specific region; unsophisticated or narrow-minded

subsided

Became less intense, violent, or severe

lethargic

Feeling a lack of energy or interest; sluggish

disparity

A great difference or inequality between things

enlightenment

The state of gaining knowledge or insight; education or understanding

chronic

Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring

thwarted

Prevented someone’s plan or effort from succeeding

adjunct

Something added to another thing but not essential to it

despondent

In low spirits from loss of hope or courage; dejected

temperate

Showing moderation or self-restraint; mild climate or moderate behavior

pacific

Peaceful in character or intent

abhorrence

A feeling of disgust or hatred

dubiously

In a doubtful or uncertain manner

expatriated

Having been sent into exile or living outside one’s native country

extricate

To free someone or something from a constraint or difficulty

feign

To pretend to be affected by something; to fake

delusion

A belief maintained despite being contradicted by reality; a false belief

truculent

Eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant

averse

Having a strong dislike or opposition to something

inexplicable

Unable to be explained or accounted for

tremulous

Shaking or quivering slightly; timid or nervous

vivacity

The quality of being attractively lively and animated

obdurate

Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action; unyielding

irresolute

Showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain

querulous

Complaining in a petulant or whining manner

indelible

Making marks that cannot be removed; impossible to forget or erase

diffidence

Modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence

avarice

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain

relinquished

Voluntarily gave up or surrendered something

interposed

Placed or inserted between one thing and another; intervened

explicit

Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt

rampaged

(especially of a large group of people) rush around in a violent and uncontrollable manner

ravenously

In an extremely hungry way, or in a way that shows intense eagerness or desire for something

trenchant

Vigorous or incisive in expression or style

chafe

(of something restrictive or too tight) make (a part of the body) sore by rubbing against it

expectorating

Cough or spit out (phlegm) from the throat or lungs

apprehension

Anxiety or fear that something bad will happen

consternation

Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected

vicariously

In a way that is experienced in the imagination through the actions of another person

oracle

A priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods

patronage

The support given by a patron

disdainfully

To act with disapproval, contempt, or scorn, believing something is unworthy of respect

penitential

Relating to or expressing penitence or penance

melancholy

A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause

insolently

To do something in a rude, disrespectful, or arrogant way

frantic

Wild or distraught with fear, anxiety, or other emotion

felicitous

Well chosen or suited to the circumstances

superciliously

In a way that shows haughty disdain or a sense of superiority

divined

Discover by guesswork or intuition

coarse

Rough or loose in texture and grain

plaintively

Sounding sad or mournful

condescended

Show feelings of superiority by patronizing

alluded

Suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at

scaffold

A raised wooden platform used formerly for the public execution of criminals