The Yellow Wallpaper

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards created directly from the transcript definitions.

Seldom

not often; rarely

Mere

that is solely or no more or better than what is specified

Ancestral

of, belonging to, inherited from, or denoting an ancestor or ancestors

Colonial

relating to or characteristic of a colony or colonies

Hereditary

(of a title, office, or right) conferred by or based on inheritance

Felicity

intense happiness

Queer

strange; odd

Untenanted

of property) not occupied by a tenant or tenants

Superstition

excessively credulous belief in and reverence for the supernatural

Scoffs

speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way

Assures

tell someone something positively or confidently to dispel any doubts they may have.

Hysterical

deriving from or affected by uncontrolled extreme emotion

Tendency

an inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behavior

Phosphates

a soft drink containing phosphoric acid, soda water, and flavoring.

Tonics

a medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigor or well-being.

Congenial

(of a person) pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one's own

Spite

a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone

Sly

having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature

Stimulus

a thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue

Heirs

a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death

Draught

the British spelling of a draft which is a current of cool air in a room or other confined space

Piazza

the veranda of a house

Solely

not involving anyone or anything else; only

Appetite

a natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, especially for food

Nursery

a room in a house for the special use of young children

Galore

a lot

Gymnasium

a room or building equipped for gymnastics, games, and other physical exercise.

Sprawling

spreading out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way

Flamboyant

(of a person or their behavior) tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness

Dull

lacking brightness

Lame

uninspiring and dull

Plunge

jump or dive quickly and energetically

Outrageous

shockingly bad or excessive

Contradictions

a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another

Repellent

causing disgust or distaste

Revolting

causing intense disgust

Smouldering

the process of burning slowly with smoke but no flame

Lurid

very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect

Sulphur

a yellow combustible nonmetal

Atrocious

horrifyingly wicked

Dreadfully

very badly

Fancies

feel a desire or liking for

Bargain

negotiate the terms and conditions of a transaction

Riotous

having a vivid, varied appearance

Gnarly

gnarled, which means knobbly, rough, and twisted, especially with age

Wharf

a level area where a ship may be moored to load and unload

Stimulating

creating interest or enthusiasm

Vicious

deliberately cruel or violent

Lolls

sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way

Bulbous

fat, round, or bulging

Impertinence

lack of respect; rudeness

Everlastingness

characteristics of never ending

Breadths

the distance or measurement from side to side of something; width

Inanimate

not alive, like objects

Fierce

fashionable or attractive in a bold or striking way

Inharmonious

not forming or contributing to a pleasing whole; discordant

Sticketh

sticky

Perseverance

persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success

Gouged

make (a groove, hole, or indentation) with or as with a sharp tool or blade

Splintered

break or cause to break into small sharp fragments

Plaster

a soft mixture of lime with sand or cement and water for spreading on walls, ceilings, or other structures to form a smooth hard surface when dried

Enthusiastic

having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval

Velvet

a closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, or nylon, that has a thick short pile on one side

Provoking

causing annoyance; irritating

Formless

without a clear or definite shape or structure

Sulk

be uncommunicative and bad-tempered on account of annoyance or resentment

Conspicuous

standing out so as to be clearly visible

Fretful

feeling or expressing distress or irritation

Querulous

complaining in a petulant or whining manner

Dwells

live in or at a specified place

Immovable

not able to be moved

Radiation

divergence out from a central point

Alternation

the repeated occurrence of two things in turn

Repetition

the action of repeating something that has already been said or written

Symmetry

both halves are exactly the same

Debased

reduced in quality or value

Romanesque

resembling Roman stylization

Delirium tremens

a rapid onset of confusion caused by withdrawal from alcohol

Waddling

walk with short steps and a clumsy swaying motion

Fatuity

Weakness or imbecility of mind; stupidity

Diagonally

(of a straight line) joining two opposite corners of a square, rectangle, or other straight-sided shape.

Slanting

slope or lean in a particular direction

Optic

relating to the eye or vision

Wallowing

indulge in an unrestrained way

Horizontally

in a horizontal position or direction

Distinguish

recognize or treat (someone or something) as different

Frieze

a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling

Interminable

endless

Grotesques

a very ugly or comically distorted figure, creature, or image

Headlong

in a rush; with reckless haste

Absurd

wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate

Cod-liver oil

a dietary supplement derived from liver of Atlantic cod

Earnest

resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction

Impressionable

easily influenced because of a lack of critical ability

Numerous

great in number; many

Undulating

having a smoothly rising and falling form or outline

Gloomily

Causing or producing gloom; depressing

Reproachful

expressing disapproval or disappointment.

Fascinating

extremely interesting

Temperament

a person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior