Vocabulary From Exit West, Their Eyes Were Watching God & The Things They Carried

A complete list of vocabulary terms and definitions from the literary works Exit West, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and The Things They Carried.

abyss

A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm.

transient

Lasting only for a short time; impermanent.

fragility

The quality of being easily broken or damaged.

cheeky

Impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way.

surreptitiously

In a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention; secretively.

voracious

Wanting or devouring great quantities of food; having a very eager approach to an activity.

irreverent

Showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.

supplication

The action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

subsequently

After a particular thing has happened; afterward.

evince

To reveal the presence of a quality or feeling.

hierarchy

A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked according to status or authority.

brine

Water strongly impregnated with salt.

eviscerate

To deprive something of its essential content; physically, to remove the contents of a body cavity.

sporadically

Occasionally or at irregular intervals; scattered.

hawkish

Advocating an aggressive or warlike policy.

pittance

A very small or inadequate amount of money paid to someone as an allowance or wage.

innocuous

Not harmful or offensive.

tarry

To stay longer than intended; to delay leaving a place.

supple

Bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible.

proliferate

To increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.

intermittently

At irregular intervals; not continuously or steadily.

entreaty

An earnest or humble request.

throng

A large, densely packed crowd of people or animals.

cauterize

To burn the skin or flesh of a wound with a heated instrument or caustic substance to stop bleeding or prevent infection.

succession

A number of people or things sharing a specified characteristic and following one after the other.

forsaken

Abandoned or deserted.

prudent

Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.

amorphous

Without a clearly defined shape or form.

subtle

So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.

impediment

A hindrance or obstruction in doing something.

imminent

About to happen.

chaste

Abstaining from extramarital, or from all, sexual intercourse.

albeit

Although.

impromptu

Done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed.

benevolence

The quality of being well meaning; kindness.

evoke

To bring or recall to the conscious mind.

looming

Appearing as a shadowy form, especially one that is large or threatening.

misgiving

A feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something.

transpire

To occur or happen.

rendezvous

A meeting at an agreed time and place.

sodden

Saturated with liquid, especially water; soaked through.

reproof

An expression of blame or disapproval.

dissolution

The closing down or dismissal of an assembly, partnership, or official body.

mien

A person's look or manner, indicating their character or mood.

unlettered

(Of a person) poorly educated or illiterate.

temerity

Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.

prominence

The state of being important or famous.

gumption

Shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness.

fodder

Food, especially dried hay or feed, for cattle and other livestock.

decorum

Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety.

wallow

To indulge in an unrestrained way in something that creates a pleasurable sensation.

hackles

Erectile hairs along the back of a dog or other animal that rise when it is angry or alarmed.

proffer

To hold out something to someone for acceptance; offer.

dudgeon

A feeling of offense or deep resentment.

commiserate

To express or feel sympathy or pity; sympathize.

confidant

A person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it.

ostentatious

Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.

temporize

To avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time.

broach

To raise a sensitive or difficult subject for discussion.

languish

(Of a person or living thing) to lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble.

abiding

(Of a feeling or memory) lasting a long time; enduring.

ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.

devout

Having or showing deep religious feeling or commitment.

elusive

Difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

frank

Open, honest, and direct in speech or writing.

hedge

A way of protecting oneself against financial loss or other adverse circumstances.

inertia

A tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.

insignia

A badge or distinguishing mark of military rank, office, or membership of an organization.

makeshift

Serving as a temporary substitute; sufficient for the time being.

profound

(Of a state, quality, or emotion) very great or intense.

somber

Dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy.

straggle

To move along slowly, typically in a small irregular group, so as to remain some distance behind others.

intransitive

(Of a verb) not taking a direct object.

lingo

The vocabulary or jargon of a particular subject or group of people.

mortification

Great embarrassment and shame.

negligence

Failure to take proper care in doing something.

tangible

Perceptible by touch.

volition

The faculty or power of using one's will.

wistful

Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing.

zeal

Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.