Scarlet Letter Vocab Chapters 1-8

beetle-browed

frowning; scowling

ponderous

very heavy; massive

pertains

concerns; has to do with

edifice

a building, especially a large imposing one

inauspicious

not favorable; unlucky

physiognomies

facial features, especially as clues to character

indubitably

unquestionably

heterodox

departing from the usual beliefs; unorthodox

venerable

impressive because of age or historic or religious associations

sumptuary

intended to regulate extravagance on religious or moral grounds

iniquity

wickedness; an unjust or unrighteous act

ignominious

shameful; humiliating

haughty

proud in a scornful way; arrogant

rankles

causes anger or resentment

serene

calm; peaceful

pillory

a device in which a prisoner is locked and exposed to public humiliation

inferred

drawn as a conclusion

contumely

insulting rudeness; scorn

disdainful

proudly aloof; scornful

phantasmagoric

of a rapidly changing series of images

visage

face; facial features

manifest

evident; obvious

heterogeneous

of different origins; not of the same kind

imperceptible

not easily noticeable

sagacity

wisdom; sound judgment

eminent

distinguished; high in rank or position

mien

a person's manner or way of carrying himself or herself

pervaded

spread throughout

amenable

responsive; cooperative

peremptory

absolute; undeniable; final

requital

something given in return

expostulation

strong objection

lurid

vivid in a shocking way; sensational

vivify

to give life to; animate

inscrutable

mysterious; not easily understood

inquisitorial

harshly prying or questioning

repugnance

extreme distaste

exhortation

an earnest warning; a strong urging

contumaciously

disobediently

talisman

an object with magic power; a charm

apprehension

anxious feeling about the future

mutability

changeability

caprice

whim; sudden change of mind

perverse

different from what is considered right; contrary

malicious

spiteful; intentionally harmful

evoked

called forth

inviolable

sacred; not to be injured

labyrinth

maze

impelled

drove; forced; compelled

imperatively

in a demanding way

transgressions

sins; acts that are against the law

unobtrusive

inconspicuous; modest

averred

declared to be true