The Great Gatsby Chapters 1-2 Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions from Chapters 1 and 2 of The Great Gatsby.

Prohibition

The legal prevention of the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages (specifically during the 1920s in the US).

flapper

A fashionable young woman in the 1920s intent on enjoying herself and flouting conventional standards of behavior.

privy

Sharing in the knowledge of something secret or private.

feign

To pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury.

levity

Humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect.

marred

Impaired the appearance or quality of; spoiled or damaged.

clan

A group of close-knit and interrelated families or people with a strong common interest.

grave

Giving cause for alarm; serious or solemn.

conviction

A firmly held belief or opinion.

epigram

A pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way.

sinister

Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.

reproach

The expression of disapproval or disappointment.

fractiousness

The trait of being irritable, quarrelsome, or difficult to control.

supercilious

Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others; arrogant.

languid

Displaying or expressing a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; relaxed and slow.

infinitesimal

Extremely small; infinitely or immeasurably small.

extemporize

To compose or perform something such as music or a speech without preparation; improvise.

vigil

A period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray.

cynical

Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity.

peremptory

Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusque, imperious manner.

oculist

An eye doctor or optometrist/ophthalmologist.

countenance

A person's face or facial expression.

ectoplasm

A supernatural viscous substance supposed to exude from the body of a medium during a trance.

hauteur

Haughtiness, arrogance, or disdainful pride.

incessant

Continuing without pause or interruption.

incredulous(ly)

Unwilling or unable to believe something; skeptical(ly).