Jane Eyre Vocab

lachrymose

adj. crying, sad

cicatrize

tr. v. to heal by the formation of a cicatrix (scar tissue). intr. v. to become healed by the formation of a cicatrix

stile

n. a step or rung that enables people to climb over a fence/wall

oblation

n. offering of gift to deity; communion offering

emulous

adj. eager to rival somebody or something; motivated by rivalry

inanition

n. exhaustion due to starvation; lethargy; emptiness

coruscate

intr. v. glitter; be brilliant

sophistical

adj. clever-sounding but flawed

seraglio

n. harem—the women’s quarters in a Muslim house, or the women themselves; palace—a Turkish palace

pertinacious

adj. determinedly resolute in purpose, belief or action

badinage

n. playful talk

hostler

n. engineer; horse minder

deglutition

n. swallowing—the act or process of swallowing

ruth

n. compassion or pity for another; sorrow or misery about one’s own misdeeds or flaws

equipage

n. well-equipped carriage; equipment and supplies for expeditions

cachinnation

n. convulsive, loud laughter

avatar

n. an incarnation or embodiment, as of a quality or concept. Can be a manifestation of a particular deity

phlegmatic

adj. having or suggesting a calm, sluggish temperament, unemotional

paroxysm

n. a sudden outburst of emotion or action. A sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity

sanguine

adj. of the color of blood, red; passionate