atonement chap 1-3

Garret

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house

Esoteric

understandable only by an enlightened inner circle

Exculpate

pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

cursory

hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough

mundane

found in the ordinary course of events

bode

indicate by signs

reticence

the trait of being uncommunicative

intone

utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically

bohemian

unconventional or nonconformist in appearance and behavior

impart

transmit, as knowledge or a skill

clout

strike hard, especially with the fist

piquancy

the quality of being stimulating or mentally exciting

assent

agreement with a statement or proposal to do something

sidle

move unobtrusively or furtively

flounce

walk in an emphatic or exaggerated way

extrinsic

not forming an essential part of a thing

quaver

give off unsteady sounds

mottled

having spots or patches of color

wan

lacking vitality as from weariness or illness or unhappiness

torpor

inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of energy

affectation

a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display

gilt

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

sinewy

possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful

perverse

deviating from what is considered moral or right or proper

discomfit

cause to lose one's composure

pretense

the act of giving a false appearance

dither

be undecided or uncertain

rebuff

reject outright and bluntly

patina

a fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal

undulate

move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion

parapet

a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony

synchronous

occurring or existing at the same time

melange

a varied mixture or assortment of things

reproof

an act or expression of criticism and censure

decorous

characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste

inflection

the patterns of stress and intonation in a language

leonine

of or characteristic of or resembling a lion

imperiously

in a manner showing arrogant superiority

intimation

a slight suggestion or vague understanding

tableau

any dramatic scene