Lit Weekly Terms

Trifle

(n) a thing of little value or importance (v) treat (someone or something) without seriousness or respect

Usurp

To take over; to seize or use something without authority

Quintessence

Someone or something that is a classic, most perfect and/or typical example of a quality or class.

Portentous

Foreboding; threatening; sinister; momentous

Dirge

Funeral song; death march

Dole

Lamentation; sadness

Visage

The face or facial expression of a person

Denote

To indicate; to mark; to signal; to mean

Fetters

Chains or shackles attached to the ankles

Importune

To insistently beg; plead

Acolyte

A person who assists in some religious services by carrying out minor duties; one who attends or assists; a follower.

Acrimony

bitterness or ill feeling; harsh or biting sharpness especially of words, manner, or feelings

Whet

To sharpen; to stimulate

Superfluous

Extra; beyond what is needed

Incensed

Angered; infuriated

Cudgel

To beat with a heavy club

Prate

To talk idly; to chatter

Perdition

Eternal damnation; hell

Aloof

distant; indifferent; unapproachable

Eponymous

(of a person) giving their name to something, (of a thing) named after a particular person

absolve

To clear of guilt or free from a promise or responsibility.

Coalesce

To grow old together; to unite; to form a whole

Declaim

To recite something in the style of a public speech; to speak in a loud, theatrical way

Delineate

i. To describe vividly and in detail

ii. To draw an outline of; to represent by drawing

Demagogue

A leader who seeks power by appealing to people’s emotions and prejudices by making false claims

Charlatan

One who falsely claims knowledge or ability

Denizen

An inhabitant, resident, or frequenter of a place.

Imbibe

i. To consume by drinking. ii. To absorb or take in mentally

Clandestine

kept secret or done secretively, especially illicit

Cede

Give up (power or territory)

Prolific

i. (of a plant, animal, or person) producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring ii. Present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful

Cognizant

Having knowledge or being aware of

Penitent

feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant.

Vendetta

A blood feud; a prolonged and bitter feud

Nefarious

Very wicked