Count of Monte Cristo (CMC) Vocab 1

obsequious (ADJ)

too eager to help or obey someone important

insinuate (VERB)

1: to say something, especially something bad or insulting in an indirect way 2: to gradually make yourself a part of a group, a person's life, etc., often by behaving in a dishonest way

contraband (NOUN)

1: anything prohibited by law from being imported or exported 2: goods imported or exported illegally or smuggled

imperious (ADJ)

having or showing the proud and unpleasant attitude of someone who gives orders and expects other people to obey them

tenacious (ADJ)

1: not easily stopped or pulled apart 2: firm or strong 3: very determined to do something

supplicate (VERB)

to ask for earnestly and humbly

stratum [plural - strata] (NOUN)

1: one of usually many layers of a substance (such as rock) 2: a level of society made up of people of the same rank or position

usurp (VERB)

to take and keep something, such as power, in a forceful or violent way and especially without the right to do so

denounce (VERB)

1: to publicly state that someone or something is bad or wrong 2: to report someone to the police or other authorities for illegal or immoral acts

plebian (ADJ)

the common people

alacrity (ADJ)

1: cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness 2: liveliness; briskness

tempest (NOUN)

1: a violent windstorm, especially one with rain, hail, or snow 2: a violent commotion, disturbance, or tumult

edifice (NOUN)

a large and usually impressive building (such as a church or government building)

fervent

1: having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc. 2: hot; burning; glowing

wrath (NOUN)

1: strong, stern, or fierce anger 2: vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger

reverie (NOUN)

1: a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing 2: a daydream

obstinate (ADJ)

1: sticking stubbornly to an opinion or behavior 2: difficult to deal with or get rid of

assiduous (ADJ)

showing great care, attention, and effort

plaintive (ADJ)

expressing sorrow, especially in sound

covet (VERB)

to wish for greatly or with envy

cupidity (NOUN)

eager or excessive desire for wealth, especially to possess something; greed

coffers (NOUN)

a box or chest, especially one for valuables

effusive

1: extremely or overly emotional 2: pouring out; overflowing

penitent (ADJ)

feeling or showing sadness and guilt for a person's own sins or faults and a desire to make up for them

alight (VERB)

to come or step down from something, such as a vehicle or a horse

prudence (NOUN)

careful good judgment that allows someone to avoid danger or risks

epistle (NOUN)

a letter, especially a formal or an elegant one

caprice (NOUN)

1: a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind or the weather 2: a tendency to change one's mind randomly, without good reason

vendetta (NOUN)

1: a private feud in which the members of the family of a murdered person seek to avenge the murder by killing the slayer or one of the slayer's relatives, especially such vengeance as once practiced in Corsica and parts of Italy 2: any prolonged and bitter feud or rivalry

feign (VERB)

to pretend or fake