The Glass Castle Vocabulary

tentatively

(adj) in a hesitant manner

foolhardy

(adj) marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

verge

(noun) the limit beyond which something happens or changes

immortalize

(verb) make famous forever

blasphemy

(noun) profane language

deminutive

(adj) a word that is formed with a suffix to indicate smallness

wheedle

(verb) influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering (synonym: cajole)

evasive

(adj) deliberately vague or ambiguous

corrugated

(adj) shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges

delinquent

(noun) a young offender

cajole

influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering (synonym: wheedle)

pithy

(adj) concise and full of meaning

scuttle

(verb) move about or proceed hurriedly

vagrant

(noun) a wanderer with no established residence or means of support

sodden

(adj) wet through and through; thoroughly wet

wherewithal

(noun) the nevessary means (especially financial means)

preeminent

(adj) greatest in importance, degree, or signoificance

cantankerous

(adj) stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate

relegate

(verb) assign to a lower position

palatial

(adj) relating to or being a large and stately residence

precariously

(adv) in a manner affording no ease or reassurance

ornate

(adj) marked by complexity and richness of detail

luxuriate

(verb) enjoy in excess

gumption

(noun) fortitude and determination

indignant

(adj) angered at something unjust or wrong

pariah

(noun) a person who is rejected from society or home

jeopardy

(noun) a source of danger

conspicuous

(adj) obvious to the eye or mind

tirade

(noun) a speech of violent denounciation

confer

(verb) have a meeting in order to talk something over

gaunt

(adj) very thing, especially from disease, hunger, or cold

irate

(adj) feeling or showing extreme anger

enrapture

(noun) hold spellbound

dilapidated

(adj) in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration

auxiliary

(adj) functioning in a supporting capacity

escapade

(noun) any carefree episode