The Bell Jar Vocab. Unit 1 (Ch. 1-8)

Vocabulary list and definitions from The Bell Jar, Unit 1 (Chapters 1-8).

Fusty (adj.)

stale, musty, or unpleasantly old-smelling

Cadaver (n.)

a dead human body, especially one used for study

Faze (v.)

to disturb, bother, or upset someone's confidence

Materialize (v.)

to appear or come into existence

Antithesis (n.)

the exact opposite of something

Sepulchral (adj.)

suggesting death, a tomb, or the grave

Nondescript (adj.)

ordinary or lacking distinctive qualities

Materialistic (adj.)

concerned mainly with money, possessions, or material things.

Nonplussed (adj.)

so surprised or confused that one doesn't know how to respond

Flabbergasted (adj.)

extremely surprised or astonished

Psychosomatic (adj.)

relating to physical symptoms caused or unfluenced by the mind or emotions

Diffuse (v.)

To spread out or scatter over a wider area

Totalitarian (adj.)

controlling nearly every aspect of people's lives, usually through an authoritarian government

Disquieting (adj.)

causing uneasiness, worry, or discomfort

Coddle (v.)

to treat someone too gently or protectively

Inconsequential (adj.)

unimportant; having little or no effect

Plummet (v.)

to fall or drop very quickly

Dispassionate (adj.)

calm and objective rather than controlled by emotion

Gawky (adj.)

awkward or clumsy, especially because of being tall or physically uncoordinated

Morbid (adj.)

focused on or connected with death, disease, or disturbing subjects