SAT Vocabulary from The Great Gatsby: Key Terms and Definitions

ether

the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the upper regions of space; the upper regions of space; heavens

prodigality

state characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure; state of being a reckless spendthrift

vacuous

emptied of or lacking content; marked by lack of ideas or intelligence

florid

very flowery in style; ornate

corpulent

having a large bulky body; obese

obstetrical

of, related to or associated with childbirth

implore

to beg; beseech

vinous

of, related to or made of wine

ceaselessly

without ending

asunder

into parts

jaunty

sprightly in manner or appearance; lively

punctilious

concerned about precise accordance with detail; careful

somnambulatory

having to do with sleepwalking

molar

tooth with a rounded or flattened surface

benediction

invocation of a blessing

reproach

to express disapproval of

laudable

praiseworthy

meretricious

of or relating to a prostitute; tawdrily attractive

elude

to avoid skillfully; evade

recede

to move back or away; withdraw

feign

to give a false appearance of: induce as a false impression

levity

excessive or unseemly frivolity

colossal

of an exceptional or astonishing degree

supercilious

having or showing arrogant superiority

fractiousness

the state of being quarrelsome, irritable or unruly

wan

suggestive or indicative of weariness, illness, or unhappiness

languidly

in a way that exhibits drooping or flagging, as if from exhaustion

infinitesimal

immeasurably or incalculably small

complacency

self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies

extemporizing

improvising; getting along in a makeshift manner