THE GREAT GATSBY TEST (VOCAB)

privy

describes someone who is sharing in the knowledge of something secret or private

revelation

a previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way

scorn

the feeling or belief that someone or something is despicable

riotous

characterized by wild and uncontrolled behavior

elation

great happiness and exhilaration

prominent

important; famous

reproach

the expression of disapproval or disappointment

supercilious

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

incredulously

in a manner indicating disbelief

extemporize

to speak or perform without any preparation or thought

cynical

distrustful of human sincerity or integrity; distrusting of the motives of others

peremptorily

demanding immediate attention in a way that is insistent and arrogant

dismal

depressing and dreary

contiguous

physically touching or next together

sumptuous

splendid and expensive-looking

innumerable

too many to be counted

languid

slow and relaxed; weak-looking

ambiguously

in a way that is open to more than one interpretation

deft

quick in one's movements

tantalize

to torment or tease (someone)

jauntiness

characteristic of being happy, carefree, and confident

swoon

to be emotionally affected with admiration and excitement

corpulent

describes portly and overweight

vacuous

describes thoughtless or mindless

speculation

the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence

vehemently

in an intense, passionate manner

erroneous

incorrect

prodigality

wasteful extravagance in spending, lavish

gaudy

extravagantly bright or showy

ravages

the destructive effects of something

punctilious

describes showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

evasion

a purposefully indirect answer; an excuse

sinister

evil or dishonest

valour (valor)

great courage in the face of danger

haughty

arrogantly superior

obscurely

in a way that is not clear or distinct

somnambulation

walking by a person who is asleep

brood

think deeply about something that makes one unhappy

indignantly

in a manner indicating anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair

underhand

describes something secret, illegal, or deceptive

denizen

an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place

suppressed

describes something as restrained or forcibly restricted

tonic

invigorating substance

defunct

describes no longer existing or functioning

amid

surrounded by; in the middle of

obstinate

stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or decision

confounding

perplexing, bewildering, causing confusion

nebulous

unclear or ill-defined

vitality

the state of being strong, alive, and active

laudable

praiseworthy or commendable

turbulent

characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not controlled or calm

ineffable

describes too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words

ramification

a consequence of an action or event

contingency

a future event or circumstance

ingratiate

to bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them

perturbed

describes feeling concerned or unsettled

oblivion

the state of being unaware of what is happening

saunter

to walk in a slow, relaxed manner

menagerie

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition or an unusual, diverse group of people

venture

to say or do something that requires courage or is risky

villainous

describes wicked or criminal behavior

dilatory

describes slow to act

harrowing

describes extremely agonizing, painful, and distressing

astounded

describes being largely surprised

indiscreet

lacking cautiousness; revealing things that should be kept private

boisterously

marked by or expressive of exuberance; in a rowdy manner

keenly

intensely; in a perceptive manner

relentless

continuing without becoming weaker or less severe; constant; incessant

inviolate

describes intact and unharmed

sensuous

pleasing to the senses rather than the intellect

row

a loud, serious dispute or uproar

sneer

to smile or speak in a mocking manner

libertine

a person, especially a man, who behaves without moral principles

prig

a self-righteously moralistic person who behaves as if superior to others

vicariously

through the experience of another person

rancour (rancor)

a feeling of bitterness and anger

magnanimous

generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person

truculent

describes aggressive, harsh, or threatening

indiscernible

difficult to see or understand

redolent

strongly reminiscent or suggestive of

exasperated

annoyed and irritated

fortuitously

by chance rather than intention

forlorn

describes pitiful and hopeless

pasquinade

a speech or text that is publicized and used to mock or ridicule a person

deranged

describes someone insane and disturbed

superfluous

unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

complacent

describes feeling satisfied with your own abilities or situation without awareness of any deficiencies or shortcomings

retreat

to withdraw or seclude oneself because of a difficult or disagreeable situation

transitory

describes something not permanent

ceaselessly

continuously without pause and without end