Glass Menagerie - Ciccone - Vocab

supercilious

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others

eloquent

fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing

hostility

hostile behavior; unfriendliness or opposition

voile

a thin, plain-weave, semitransparent fabric of cotton, wool, or silk

marquees

a rooflike projection over the entrance to a theater, hotel, or other building

preposterous

contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous

emulate

match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation

slack

not taut or held tightly in position; loose; (of business) characterized by a lack of work or activity; quiet

cotillion

a formal ball, especially one at which debutantes are presented

vestige

a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists

beleaguered

lay siege to; beset with difficulties

rhapsodic

immoderately impassioned or enthusiastic; ecstatic

wincing

reacting with a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body

indolently

wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy

gingerly

in a careful or cautious manner

abates

(of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread

tumult

a loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people

jauntily

Having or expressing a buoyant or self-confident air

aptitude

a natural ability to do something

abashed

to feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed

enrapt

fascinated; enthralled

martyred

(of an attitude or manner) showing feigned or exaggerated suffering to obtain sympathy or admiration

automatism

the performance of actions without conscious thought or intention

emissary

a person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative

implacable

unable to be make (someone) less angry or hostile; relentless; unstoppable

doughboy

a boiled or deep-fried dumpling

matriculating

be enrolled at a college or university

scrim

strong, coarse fabric, chiefly used for heavy-duty lining or upholstery

elegiac

relating to or characteristic of an elegy (a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead)

kimono

a long, loose robe with wide sleeves and tied with a sash, originally worn as a formal garment in Japan and now also used elsewhere as a robe

graver

a burin or other engraving tool

proscenium

the part of a theater stage in front of the curtain

ineluctably

unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable

vivacity

(especially in a woman) the quality of being attractively lively and animated

cloche

a small translucent cover for protecting or forcing outdoor plants

Victrola

1905, trademark of a phonograph, from Victor Talking Machine Co. Coined because it had "a sound suggestive of music," with ending from pianola

specter

a ghost

sublimations

a chemical process where a solid turns into a gas without going through a liquid stage

precipitated

cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely

celotex

a brand of board made of cane fiber, used for insulation or as a vapor barrier, siding, or layer under a roof

archtype

a very typical example of a certain person or thing

pinioned

tie or hold the arms or legs of (someone); cut off the pinion of (a wing or bird) to prevent flight

endowments

an income or form of property given or bequeathed to someone

importunately

persistent, especially to the point of annoyance or intrusion

beseechingly

ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat

averted

turn away (one's eyes or thoughts)

broods

a family of young animals, especially of a bird, produced at one hatching or birth; OR think deeply about something that makes one unhappy

querulous

complaining in a petulant or whining manner

imploringly

beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something

sullenly

bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy

grotesquely

in a comically or repulsively ugly or distorted manner

Spartan

showing the indifference to comfort or luxury traditionally associated with ancient Sparta

provisions

the action of providing or supplying something for use

exhilaration

a feeling of excitement, happiness, or elation

tribulations

a cause of great trouble or suffering

sphinx

a winged monster of Thebes, having a woman's head and a lion's body. It propounded a riddle about the three ages of man, killing those who failed to solve it, until Oedipus was successful, whereupon the Sphinx committed suicide. OR North American - another term for Hawk Moth

ulterior

existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden

chintz

printed multicolored cotton fabric with a glazed finish, used especially for curtains and upholstery

coyly

in an outwardly shy or modest way intended to be alluring

imminent

about to happen; overhanging

ritualistic

relating to or characteristic of rituals followed as part of a religious or solemn ceremony

resist

withstand the action or effect of

domestic

relating to the running of a home or to family relations

bombardments

a continuous attack with bombs, shells, or other missiles

discreet

careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage

unobtrusive

not conspicuous or attracting attention

translucent

(of a substance) allowing light, but not detailed images, to pass through; semitransparent

jonquils

a widely cultivated narcissus with clusters of small fragrant yellow flowers and cylindrical leaves, native to southern Europe and northeastern Africa

incredulously

in a manner indicating disbelief

lyrically

in a manner which expresses emotions in an imaginative and beautiful way

luminous

full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark

revival

an improvement in the condition or strength of something

negligence

failure to take proper care in doing something

engagingly

in a charming and attractive manner

flourish

grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way

propaganda

information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view

candelabrum

a large branched candlestick or holder for several candles or lamps

reverently

with deep and solemn respect

inferiority complex

an unrealistic feeling of general inadequacy caused by actual or supposed inferiority in one sphere, sometimes marked by aggressive behavior in compensation

eclipsed

obscure or block out (light)

tyranny

cruel and oppressive government or rule

aggravated

(of an offense) made more serious by attendant circumstances (such as frame of mind)

decorously

in keeping with good taste and propriety; polite and restrained

macaroons

a light cookie made with egg white, sugar, and usually ground almonds or coconut

reflective

providing a reflection; capable of reflecting light or other radiation

perturbation

anxiety; mental uneasiness; OR a deviation of a system, moving object, or process from its regular or normal state of path, caused by an outside influence

rejuvenated

make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively

acutely

(with reference to something unpleasant or unwelcome) intensely; OR in a way that shows a perceptive understanding or insight

dynamic

(of a process or system) characterized by constant change, activity, or progress

novelty

the quality of being new, original, or unusual

exhalation

the process or action of exhaling

paranoia

suspicion and mistrust of people or their actions without evidence or justification

fragile

easily broken or damaged

differentiation

the action or process of differentiating

convention

a way in which something is usually done, especially within a particular area or activity

sentimental

of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia

blanc mange

a sweet opaque gelatinous dessert made with cornstarch and milk

fugitive

a person who has escaped from a place or is in hiding, especially to avoid arrest or persecution

menagerie

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition; a strange or diverse collection of people or things

annual

occurring once every year