Vocabulary for The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

At the beginning of class, students are instructed to write down today’s vocabulary words on the reading guide.

Vocabulary List

Melancholy (p. 6)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: a feeling of sadness and quiet reflection
- Usage: Often refers to a deep, persistent sadness that can linger for a long time.
Torrent (p. 8)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: a strong and fast-moving stream of water, liquid, or other substances
- Usage: Can be used metaphorically to describe a rush of emotions or an overwhelming flow of thoughts.
Nemesis (p. 22)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: a long-standing rival or opponent
- Usage: Often used in literature and games to represent an antagonist who is particularly difficult to overcome.
Nonchalance (p. 23)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: an attitude of unconcern or indifference
- Usage: Reflects a sense of casualness regarding serious situations.
Imminent (p. 34)
- Part of Speech: adjective
- Definition: about to happen soon (often used with a bad/scary event)
- Usage: Often used in contexts where something dangerous or unfortunate is expected to occur shortly.
Bootlegger (p. 52)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: a person who makes, distributes, or sells goods illegally
- Usage: Historically associated with the illegal production or distribution of alcohol during Prohibition era.
Vicariously (p. 54)
- Part of Speech: adverb
- Definition: indirectly feeling like you have experienced something by watching or reading about someone else’s life
- Usage: Can describe emotions felt through the experiences of others, often in literature or media.
Discretion (p. 69)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: the ability to behave with free choice OR without attracting too much attention
- Usage: Important in discussions of behavior that requires subtlety to avoid conflict.
Proprietor (p. 73)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: the owner of a business
- Usage: Frequently used in the context of businesses such as restaurants, shops, and hotels.
Lucid (p. 78)
- Part of Speech: adjective
- Definition: clear, aware
- Usage: Often used to describe thoughts or expressions that are easy to understand.
Prudent (p. 93)
- Part of Speech: adjective
- Definition: acting with caution
- Usage: Typically used in discussions of decisions that require forethought and practical wisdom.
Coyly (p. 112)
- Part of Speech: adverb
- Definition: in a shy or modest way, designed to attract interest
- Usage: Describes behavior that is playfully evasive, often in romantic contexts.
Exodus (p. 119)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: a mass departure of people from an area
- Usage: Commonly associated with contexts of migration or evacuation due to crisis or conflict.
Dejected (p. 126)
- Part of Speech: adjective
- Definition: sad, depressed
- Usage: Reflects a state of mind where one feels hopeless or dispirited.
Bewildered (p. 130)
- Part of Speech: adjective
- Definition: very confused
- Usage: Describes a state of confusion that can arise from being overwhelmed by too much information.
Facade (p. 154)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant reality
- Usage: Can refer to both physical structures and metaphorical behaviors where one hides true feelings or motives.
Scrutinize (p. 215)
- Part of Speech: verb
- Definition: to examine or inspect closely and thoroughly
- Usage: Often used in academic contexts or when discussing quality control and detailed evaluations.
Notorious (p. 242)
- Part of Speech: adjective
- Definition: famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed
- Usage: Describes a person or thing that has gained fame for negative or infamous reasons.
Crestfallen (p. 253)
- Part of Speech: adjective
- Definition: sad and disappointed
- Usage: Often used to express disappointment after a significant letdown or failure.
Resignation (p. 263)
- Part of Speech: noun
- Definition: the acceptance of something undesirable but unavoidable
- Usage: Frequently discussed in contexts of coping with difficult situations or losses that cannot be changed.