Short Story Vocab

Torrent

a sudden large or too large amount, especially one that seems uncontrolled; a large amount of quick-moving water.

Cataclysm

— an event that causes major destruction; a sudden, violent change.

Emasculate

— to make a man feel less male by taking away his confidence or power; to reduce the effectiveness of something.

Pathological

— unable to control one’s behavior, unreasonable; relating to or caused by a disease.

Rancor

— bitter anger or continuing resentment about something in the past.

Resuscitate

— to revive someone from unconsciousness or death.

Furrow

— a trench cut in the soil, especially for planting crops.

Goad

— a pointed stick used to drive animals.

Arroyo

— a gully or washout formed by fast-flowing water.

Lien

— the right to take another’s property if a debt is not discharged.

Cohesion

— the action or fact of forming a united whole; unity.

Intangible

— unable to be touched or physically grasped.

Predilection

— a strong liking or preference for something.

Laden

— heavily loaded or weighed down.

Filigree

— delicate ornamental work made from fine wire; something intricate and detailed.

Bereft

— deprived of something; robbed of possession.

Surreptitious

— acting secretly or stealthily.

Piebald

— marked with different colors.

Nonplussed

— unsure how to react; perplexed.

Redoubtable

— formidable or impressive.

Menial

— not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.

Fortuitous

— happening by chance, often luckily.

Parabellum

— a type of semiautomatic pistol or machine gun.

Diminutive

— a shortened or affectionate form of a name.

Detonation

— a violent explosion or combustion.

Commandeer

— to take by force for military use.

Amenable

— willing to be persuaded.

Destitute

— extremely poor.

Commiserate

— to express sympathy or pity.

Imperious

— assuming power or authority arrogantly.

Implacable

— unable to be calmed or appeased.

Timorous

— nervous or lacking confidence.

Bifurcate —

to split into two branches or parts.

Oblique

— indirect or not straightforward.

Sophism

— a false but clever argument used to deceive.

Crimped

— compressed into folds or ridges.

Valiant

— courageous or determined.

Kerosene

— a type of oil used as fuel for heating or lighting.

Insolent

— rude and disrespectful.

Latrines

— communal toilets or outhouses.

Breviary

— a book containing daily prayers and services in the Roman Catholic Church.

Decanter

— a stoppered container used for serving wine or other liquids.

Simony —

the buying or selling of church privileges.

Tawny

— orange-brown or yellowish-brown in color.

Truculent

— eager to fight or aggressively defiant.

Propagate

— to spread or promote widely.

Saboteur

— a person who deliberately destroys or disrupts something.

Harangue

— a long, aggressive speech.

Sallow

— having a sickly yellow or pale complexion.

Raze

— to completely destroy or demolish.

Gendarme

— a police officer in a French-speaking country.

Coagulate

— to thicken into a mass.

Estuary

— where a river meets the sea or tide.

Listless

— lacking energy or interest.

Fraternize

— to associate closely, especially with an opposing group.

Profusion

— an abundance or large quantity.

Sombre/Somber

— gloomy or dark in mood.

Soppy

— overly sentimental or emotional.

Cumbersome

awkward or difficult to manage.