The Great Gatsby Vocab

privy

sharing in the knowledge of (something secret or private)

confidence

a secret or private matter told to someone under a condition of trust

levity

lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestless

mar

to damage or spoil to a certain extent; render less perfect, attractive, useful, etc

decencies

things required for a reasonable standard of life

elation

great happiness and euphoria

Teutonic

German

supercilious

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others

effeminate

having or showing qualities that are considered more suited to women than to man; not manly

fractiousness

the tendency to be troublesome and quarrelsome

conscientious

(of a person) wishing to do what is right

imperceptible

impossible to perceive

contemptuous

feeling or expressing deep hatred or disapproval

imperative

crucial

unobtrusive

not noticable or conspicuous

infinitesimal

indefinitely or exceedingly small; minute

extemporize

to speak without preparation; to improvise

devoid

not possessing (something); lacking

coherence

overall sense or understandability

sedative

tending to calm or soothe

rotogravure

a photomechanical printing process

peremptory

leaving no opportunity for refusal or denial (assertive and demanding)

obscure

dark, dim; unclear and not readily seen

oculist

eye doctor

contiguous

touching along a boundary or at a point

sumptuous

extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or extravagant

sensuously

in a way that is pleasing to the senses

vitality

the quality of being lively, strong, and full of energy

interpose

to place between haughtily

countenance

appearance; facial expression

proprietary

owning property

hauteur

arrogance

distain

the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect

strident

loud and harsh

repelled

disgusted

inexhaustible

unable to be used up (not exhaustable)

deft

skillful and quick in movement