UNIT 1: Jane Eyre Vocabulary (second half)

antipode

the point on the earth that is directly opposite to another point

ape

to imitate or mimic someone’s actions

a clumsy or awkward person

aperture

an opening or hole that lets light, sound, or something else pass through

ascetic

someone who lives a simple, self-disciplined life, avoiding pleasures, usually for religious or spiritual purposes

assiduously

with great care, effort, and attention

caprice

a sudden, unpredictable change in mood, behavior, or decision
whim, impulse

carmine

a deep red color with a hint of purple

consternation

a strong feeling of shock, anxiety, or confusion

corporeal

1. relating to the body

2. something physical or tangible

cynosure

1. a center of attraction or attention

2. something that serves as a guide or focal point

3. the northern constellation Ursa Minor; north star

compass, direction

ebullition

1. a sudden violent outburst of emotion or excitement

2. the act or process or boiling or bubbling up

effaced

1. to erase or wipe out something, especially from a surface or memory

2. to make oneself inconspicuous or humble; to remove oneself from notice

erase, remove, eliminate, vanish, disappear

enervate

to weaken or drain someone of energy, strength, or vitality

weaken, exhaust, fatigue

filial

relating to the relationship between a child and their parents

glen

a narrow valley, usually long, deep, and often with a river running through it

hoar

1. covered with frost

2. gray or white with age

ignoble

1. not honorable in character or purpose, immoral

2. mean, dishonorable, or shameful

importune

to ask or beg persistently and urgently
pester, beg, plead, implore

inanition

1. exhaustion from starvation

2. a state of emptiness

indigence

extreme poverty

inscrutable

difficult to understand

lacerated

torn, cut, or deeply wounded

lea

open grassy field or meadow

oblation

a religious offering

paroxysm

a sudden burst or attack of emotion, activity, or a medical condition
“____ of rage” “____ of laughter”

peremptory

1. insisting on immediate action, leaving no room for denial

2. decisive, commanding in tone

pertinacious

holding firmly to an opinion

poignantly

in a way that deeply affects the emotions; touching

pollard

1. a tree that has had its upper branches cut off to promote more growth

2. to cut off the top branches of a tree in this way

3. a young sheep or lamp that has been shorn

profligate

1. recklessly extravagant or wasteful

2. a person who is wasteful, immoral, or recklessly extravagant

propitiate

1. to win or regain the favor of someone

2. appeasing someone who is angry

prurience

excessive interest in sexual matters

puerile

childish, immature, silly

purloined

stolen or taken dishonestly

quiz

1. a practical joke, challenge

2. to question or test someone

refulgent

shining brightly, radiant

repine

to feel or express discontent, dissatisfaction

to long for something, to complain

reprobation

1. disapproval, condemnation, or rejection of someone for being morally wrong

2. the state of being rejected by God

scintillated

1. to sparkle or shine brightly

2. to sparkle intellectually or emotionally; to be brilliant or lively

sophistical

plausible but misleading; based on clever reasoning that is actually false

superfluous

exceeding what is necessary; extra or unnecessary

sylvan

relating to the woods or forest

timorous

showing or suffering from fear, nervousness, or lack of confidence

timid

torpid

Inactive, sluggish, or lacking energy; mentally or physically numb.

unction

The act of anointing someone with oil as a symbol of blessing, consecration, or healing.

Smooth, flattering, or ingratiating speech or manner; sometimes with a sense of excessive earnestness

vacillating

Wavering between different opinions, actions, or choices; indecisive.