literature vocab exam 3

clamour (n.)

a loud and continuous noise, especially made by a crowd of people.

efface (v.)

to remove or make something fade so that it cannot be seen.

ardour (n.)

strong enthusiasm or passion for something.

diffident (adj.)

shy and lacking confidence in oneself.

shirk (v.)

to avoid doing something, especially a duty or responsibility.

monotonous (adj.)

boring because of never changing and being always the same.

valour/valiant (n./adj.)

great courage or bravery, especially in battle.

scoff (v.)

to speak about something in a way that shows you think it is silly or not true.

adherent (n.)

someone who supports a particular person, idea, or religion.

serene (adj.)

calm and peaceful, without worry or noise.

ominous (adj.)

suggesting that something bad is going to happen.

commiseration (n.)

a feeling or expression of sympathy for someone’s troubles.

dauntless (adj.)

showing fearlessness and determination.

crimson (adj.)

deep, rich red in color.

harangue (v.)

to speak to someone in a loud, angry, and forceful way for a long time.

jeer (v.)

to laugh at someone or shout unkind things to show lack of respect.

reconnoitre (v.)

to go to a place to find out information about an enemy or the land.

battery (n.)

a group of large guns used together in war.

facetious (adj.)

joking in an inappropriate or silly way about serious things.

heed (v.)

to pay attention to someone’s advice or warning.

amputate (v.)

to cut off a limb or other body part, usually in a medical operation.

vitality (n.)

energy and strength that help someone stay active and alive.

respite (n.)

a short period of rest from something difficult or unpleasant.

impotency (n.)

lack of power or ability to act effectively.

rueful (adj.)

showing or feeling regret or sadness about something done.

vindictive (adj.)

having or showing a strong desire for revenge.

din (n.)

a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.

vanquish (v.)

to defeat someone or something completely in battle or competition.

affable (adj.)

friendly and easy to talk to.

countenance (n.)

a person’s face or facial expression.

fret (v.)

to worry or be anxious about something.

jaded (adj.)

tired or bored, usually after having too much of something.

onslaught (n.)

a very strong or violent attack.

abject (adj.)

extremely bad or miserable; showing no pride or hope.

annihilation (n.)

complete destruction of something.

undaunted (adj.)

not discouraged or frightened by difficulty or danger.

infernal (adj.)

very bad or annoying; relating to hell.

derision (n.)

the act of laughing at someone in a way that shows you think they are stupid.

conciliate (v.)

to do something to make someone less angry or more friendly.

chapel (n.)

a small church, or a small room used for worship.

melancholy (adj.)

very sad or gloomy, often for a long time.

celestial (adj.)

relating to the sky or heaven.

meek (adj.)

quiet and gentle, and not willing to argue or express opinions strongly.

corpse (n.)

a dead body, especially of a person.

specter (n.)

a ghost; something that haunts the mind.

tattered (adj.)

old and torn; in bad condition.

agape (adj.)

with the mouth wide open in surprise or wonder.

sardonic (adj.)

showing that you think someone or something is stupid or deserves no respect; grimly mocking.

plight (n.)

a difficult, unpleasant, or unfortunate situation.

gory (adj.)

involving a lot of blood and violence.

stagger (v.)

to walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.

quaveringly (adv.)

in a shaking or trembling way, especially in the voice.

rite (n.)

a formal ceremony, often religious.

strangle/strangulation (v./n.)

to kill or stop someone’s breathing by squeezing the throat; the act of doing this.

Philippic (n.)

a bitter, angry speech or denunciation.

docile (adj.)

quiet and easy to control; willing to be taught.

grim (adj.)

unpleasant and depressing; stern or serious in appearance.

bleat (v.)

to make a sound like a sheep or goat; to complain in a weak voice.

retreat (v.)

to move back or withdraw from a position, especially in battle.

vindicate/vindication (v./n.)

to clear someone from blame or suspicion; the act of proving someone right.

malediction (n.)

a curse; words intended to bring bad luck.

forlorn (adj.)

very sad and lonely, often because of being deserted or hopeless.

scrutiny (n.)

careful and detailed examination of something.

formidable (adj.)

very powerful or strong, and so difficult to deal with or overcome.

craven (adj.)

extremely cowardly.

unprecedented (adj.)

never having happened or existed before.

burly (adj.)

large and strong in body; heavily built.

writhe (v.)

to twist the body in pain or discomfort.

swoon (v./n.)

to faint or lose consciousness; the act of fainting.

swollen (adj.)

larger than normal, often because of injury or emotion.

reel (v.)

to move or stagger unsteadily, as if about to fall.

ridicule (n./v.)

unkind laughter or remarks that make fun of someone; to make fun of someone.

glibness (n.)

the quality of speaking easily but without thinking carefully or being sincere.

pallid (adj.)

very pale, often in a way that suggests poor health or lack of life.

gaunt (adj.)

very thin, especially because of illness or hunger.

charnel (adj.)

related to dead bodies or a place where they are kept.

petulantly (adv.)

in a bad-tempered, childish, or irritated way.

prowess (n.)

great skill or ability, especially in battle.

disconcerted (adj.)

confused or embarrassed, and not sure what to do.

lugubrious (adj.)

very sad and gloomy, often in an exaggerated way.

condescend/condescension (v./n.)

to behave as if you are more important than others; the attitude of doing this.

pompous (adj.)

behaving or speaking in a very serious and formal way that shows you think you are important.

retribution (n.)

punishment that is considered to be deserved for something wrong.

scorn (n./v.)

a strong feeling that someone or something is not good enough; to feel or show this.

doleful (adj.)

very sad or mournful.

condemn (v.)

to say very strongly that something or someone is wrong or bad; to sentence someone to a punishment.

vent (v.)

to express strong feelings, especially anger, so they are released.

temerity (n.)

foolish or excessive boldness; rash courage.

foe (n.)

an enemy, especially in war.

taunt (v.)

to try to upset someone by insulting or mocking them.

torment/tormentor (v./n.)

to cause someone severe mental or physical suffering; a person who causes such suffering.

lamentation (n.)

an expression of great sorrow or grief.

lull (n.)

a short period of quiet or calm in the middle of noise or activity.

linger (v.)

to stay in a place longer than necessary, often because you do not want to leave.

remonstrance (n.)

a strong protest or complaint.

reposeful (adj.)

calm and restful.

frenzy (n.)

a state of great excitement or wild, uncontrolled activity.

sublime (adj.)

of such beauty, excellence, or grandeur that it inspires great admiration or awe.

stolid (adj.)

showing little or no emotion or interest.

dwindle (v.)

to become gradually smaller or less.