All The Light We Cannot See Vocab

ramparts

broad embankments surrounding a castle, fort, or city for defense against attack

lavish

extravagant

ravines

deep, narrow valleys

demurs

raise doubts or objections or show reluctance

gibbous

More than half but less than fully illuminated

ardent

very enthusiastic, impassioned

incendiary

combustible, flammable, burning easily

pontificating

to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way

emplacements

a structure on or in which something is firmly placed

scuttled

to run with quick, hasty steps

flak

strong criticism

minuscule

extremely small

abscess

localized collection of pus

riveted

fastened or made firm

lanced

pierced with a sharp instrument

facsimile

a copy or imitation

perforated

pierced with holes

languid

slow, sluggish, listless, weak

reticulated

constructed, arranged, or marked like a net or network

escutcheon

a shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms

corsairs

pirates

menagerie

a variety of animals kept together

frescoes

watercolor paintings done on wet plaster

inclination

tendency

diaphanous

lightweight and transparent

rasp

a harsh, grating noise

subterranean

beneath the ground

paltry

insignificant; worthless

conduits

a pipe, channel, for conveying fluids

corrugated

wrinkled; ridged

intricacy

complexity

pleated

having many flat, narrow folds

periscopic

having a wide field of view

dregs

most worthless part

ordnance

military supplies

brambles

prickly plants or bushes

tenuous

having little substance or strength

drowse

be half asleep; doze intermittently

promontory

land or rock projecting into a body of water

anthracite

the cleanest-burning coal; almost pure carbon

extirpation

wiping out; complete destruction

herbarium

a systematically arranged collection of dried plants

cataract

clouding of the lens of the eye

warder

a watchman or guard

derelict

abandoned, run-down

salvos

a sudden burst

dormer

window projecting from roof

succumb

give in, yield

ruminates

think deeply about something

hewn

strictly conformed

imperturbable

not easily excited; emotionally steady

volution

a rolling or revolving motion

ministrations

the provision of assistance or care

distending

to expand by stretching, as something hollow or elastic

serenely

calmly, peacefully

estuary

the tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream

welter

wallow or roll, toss about, be in turmoil

skeins

lengths of thread or yarn wound in loose, long coils

capsized

overturn in the water

solicitous

concerned and attentive; eager