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The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton

A COMPLETE collection of Vocabulary from The Age of Innocence; FINISHED!!!!

Terms

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obdurate
not to be persuaded; hardhearted or obstinate
penury
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
enumerate
specify individually; to name or list one by one 2. to count
derisive
Mocking; jeering.
axioms
A self-evident or universally recognized truth; a maxim; 2. An established rule, principle, or law. 3. A self-evident principle or one that is accepted as true without proof as the basis for argument; a postulate.
languish
1. To be or become weak or feeble; lose strength or vigor. 2. To exist or continue in miserable or disheartening conditions: languished away in prison. 3. To remain unattended or be neglected: legislation that continued to languish in committee. 4. To become downcast or pine away in longing:. To affect a wistful or languid air, especially in order to gain sympathy.
guileless
free of deceit
temperence
the trait of avoiding excesses
sedentary
requiring sitting or little activity
repugnance
intense aversion
conciliatory
compromising: making or willing to make concessions
reprobate
n. 1. A morally unprincipled person. 2. One who is predestined to damnation. adj. 1. Morally unprincipled; shameless.; tr.v. 1. To disapprove of; condemn.
foundling
a child who has been abandoned and whose parents are unknown
festoon
1. A string or garland, as of leaves or flowers, suspended in a loop or curve between two points. 2. A representation of such a string or garland, as in painting or sculpture.
blighted
affected by blight; anything that mars or prevents growth or prosperity
lucidity
clarity: free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression
depreciate
To lessen the price or value of. 2. To think or speak of as being of little worth; belittle
dissimulation
To disguise (one's intentions, for example) under a feigned appearance; the act of deceiving
interpose
interpose - be or come between
revered
august: profoundly honored
inferiority
the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position, A person lower in rank, status, or accomplishment than another.
dilapidated
bedraggled: in deplorable condition; "a street of bedraggled tenements"; "a broken-down fence"
indolent
Disinclined to exert oneself; habitually lazy
latent
1. Present or potential but not evident or active; lying hidden and not yet developed within a person or thing
semblance
outward or superficial appearance:
epigram
1. A short, witty poem expressing a single thought or observation. 2. A concise, clever, often paradoxical statement.
unmitigated
Not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity; unrelieved: unmitigated suffering. 2. Without qualification or exception; absolute: an unmitigated lie.
anchorage
the condition of being secured to a base
tacit
understood or implied without actually being stated: tacit support; ot spoken: indicated tacit approval by smiling and winking. 2. a. Implied by or inferred from actions or statements
thoroughfare
a way through from one place to anothe
besieged
surrounded by hostile forces
unwonted
out of the ordinary; unusual
opulent
1. Possessing or exhibiting great wealth; affluent. 2. Characterized by rich abundance; luxuriant.
unheeded
noticed but ignored
paradoxically
in a paradoxical manner; "paradoxically, ice ages seem to occur when the sun gets hotter"
inscrutable
cryptic: of an obscure nature
adduce
To cite as an example or means of proof in an argument.; to mention something as evidence
contention
1. The act or an instance of striving in controversy or debate 2. A striving to win in competition; rivalry
versatility
having a wide variety of skills
duplicity
a. Deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech. b. An instance of deliberate deceptiveness; double-dealing. 2. The quality or state of being twofold or double.
plaintive
Expressing sorrow; mournful or melancholy.
sanctity
. Holiness of life or disposition; saintliness. 2. The quality or condition of being considered sacred; inviolability.
intrepid
audacious: invulnerable to fear or intimidation
pharisaic
holier-than-thou: excessively or hypocritically pious; "a sickening sanctimonious smile"
eminence
high status importance owing to marked superiority
transient
one who stays for only a short time; Passing with time; transitory: "the transient beauty of youth" Lydia M. Child. 2. Remaining in a place only a brief time: transient laborers.
efficacious
Producing or capable of producing a desired effect
accretion
an increase by natural growth or addition
insatiable
impossible to satisfy
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain; "keep your cool"
proffered
To proffer means to offer evidence in support of an argument, or elements of an affirmative defense or offense, often at trial
prudery
primness: excessive or affected modesty
promulgate
To make known (a decree, for example) by public declaration; announce officially
unscrupulous
without scruples or principles
bewail
to express great sorrow over; lament
eminence
position of great distinction or superiority: rose to eminence as a surgeon. 2. A rise of ground; a hill.; the state of being well-known and well-respected
crystalline
consisting of or containing or of the nature of crystals
disquisition
a formal written or oral examination of a subject
vestibule
A small entrance hall or passage between the outer door and the interior of a house or building. 2. An enclosed area at the end of a passenger car on a railroad train; anteroom: a large entrance or reception room or area
impregnable
1. unable to be broken into or taken by force: an impregnable fortress 2. unable to be affected or overcome
inculcate
to fix in someone's mind by constant repetition
ineffable
Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable. 2. Not to be uttered; taboo
rapture
1. extreme happiness or delight 2. raptures ecstatic joy: they will be in raptures over the rugged scenery
felicity
1. great happiness and pleasure 2. the quality of being pleasant or desirable:
irrespective
regardless: in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks
elliptic
(of a leaf shape) in the form of an ellipse
invariably
constantly: without variation or change, in every case; "constantly kind and gracious"
philippic
A verbal denunciation characterized by harsh, often insulting language; a tirade.
despotism
Rule by or as if by a despot; absolute power or authority. 2. The actions of a despot; tyranny.
deprecate
1. To express disapproval of; deplore. 2. To belittle; depreciate.
conjugal
Of or relating to marriage or the relationship of spouses.; of marriage: conjugal rights of marriage: conjugal rights
deride
to speak of or treat with contempt or ridicule
imprecation
A curse. imprecate: To invoke evil upon; curse.
laborious
1. Marked by or requiring long, hard work: spent many laborious hours on the project. 2. Hard-working; industrious.
confoundedly
perplexedly: in a perplexed manner
dissimulation
deception: the act of deceiving
reprove
having or showing good judgment; 1. To voice or convey disapproval of; rebuke. 2. To find fault with.
necropolis
A cemetery, especially a large and elaborate one belonging to an ancient city.
affront
treat, mention, or speak to rudely
limpidity
clarity: free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression
vagary
An extravagant or erratic notion or action.
spasmodic
Relating to, affected by, or having the character of a spasm; convulsive.; taking place in sudden short spells; Given to sudden outbursts of energy or feeling; excitable.
resignedly
with resignation and acceptance; in a resigned manner
blowsy
characteristic of or befitting a **** or slattern; used especially of women
ensnare
ensnare - take or catch as if in a snare or trap
capricious
changeable; "a capricious summer breeze"; "freakish weather"
vehement
fierce: marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
conniving
collusive: acting together in secret toward a fraudulent or illegal end
prophetic
foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention
provocation
1. the act of provoking or inciting 2. something that causes indignation or anger
opine
to hold or express an opinion
querulous
1. Given to complaining; peevish. 2. Expressing a complaint or grievance; grumbling
imprudent
not prudent or wise
apotheosis
ideal: model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
truancy
failure to attend (especially school)
insuperable
impossible to surmount
voluble
marked by a ready flow of speech; fluent.
disconcerting
causing an emotional disturbance
pensive
brooding: deeply or seriously thoughtful;
exalt
1. To raise in rank, character, or status; elevate: exalted the shepherd to the rank of grand vizier. 2. To glorify, praise, or honor. 3. To increase the effect or intensity of; heighten: works of art that exalt the imagination. 4. Obsolete To fill with sublime emotion; elate.
clemency
mildness: good weather with comfortable temperatures; A disposition to show mercy, especially toward an offender or enemy. 2. A merciful, kind, or lenient act.
caustic
bitter and sarcastic; acerbic: harsh or corrosive in tone; capable of burning or corroding by chemical action
eloquence
powerful and effective language
portentous
1. Of the nature of or constituting a portent; foreboding: "The present aspect of society is portentous of great change" Edward Bellamy. 2. Full of unspecifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe: "Such a portentous and mysterious monster roused all my curiosity" Herman Melville. 3. Marked by pompousness; pretentiously weighty.
inverted
being in such a position that top and bottom are reversed
interceding
intercede - act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
inexorable
grim: not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty;
dastardly
Old-fashioned mean and cowardly; Cowardly and malicious; base.
fervid
Marked by great passion or zeal: a fervid patriot. 2. Extremely hot; burning.
gilt
a coating of gold or of something that looks like gold
deplore
express strong disapproval of
adipose
Of, relating to, or composed of animal fat; fatty.
irrevocable
incapable of being retracted or revoked
confabulate
1. To talk casually; chat. 2. Psychology To fill in gaps in one's memory with fabrications that one believes to be facts.
enfilade
Gunfire directed along the length of a target, such as a column of troops. 2. A target vulnerable to sweeping gunfire.
proclivity
a natural inclination; "he has a proclivity for exaggeration" ; A natural propensity or inclination; predisposition; Formal a tendency or inclination
hobnob
rub elbows with
abiding
unceasing; "an abiding belief"; "imperishable truths"
heedless
Marked by or paying little heed; unmindful or thoughtless
rudiments
1. rudiments a. the simplest and most basic stages of a subject: the rudiments of painting b. a partially developed version of something: the rudiments of a democratic society
insolvent
a. Unable to meet debts or discharge liabilities; bankrupt. b. Insufficient to meet all debts, as an estate or fund.
extenuate
To lessen or attempt to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of, especially by providing partial excuses
disconcertingly
in a disturbing or embarrassing manner; "he drank some sherry, his eyes disconcertingly keen as he watched her"
adroitness
adeptness: skillful performance or ability without difficulty
conveyance
Old-fashioned a vehicle; 1. The act of conveying.
pervading
To be present throughout; permeate; to spread through or throughout (something)
prolific
Producing offspring or fruit in great abundance; fertile. 2. Producing abundant works or results: a prolific artist.
provincial
unsophisticated or narrow-minded
precipice
An overhanging or extremely steep mass of rock, such as a crag or the face of a cliff. 2. The brink of a dangerous or disastrous situation
probity
Complete and confirmed integrity; uprightness; honesty; integrity
sylvan
a spirit that lives in or frequents the woods
fulminate
To issue a thunderous verbal attack or denunciation:; To explode or detonate. To issue (a denunciation, for example) thunderously. 2. To cause to explode.
self-abasement
penance: voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing
compunction
a feeling of guilt or regret; A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt. See Synonyms at penitence. 2. A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing
temporize
draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
audacity
fearless daring
irresolutely
lacking determination or decisiveness
ruminate
To reflect on over and over again.
inexorable
Not capable of being persuaded by entreaty; relentless: an inexorable opponent; a feeling of inexorable doom; unable to be prevented from continuing or progressing: an inexorable trend
vigilant
s-eyed: carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
wont
1. Accustomed or used; 2. Likely
ascribe
impute: attribute or credit to
dyspepsia
Disturbed digestion; indigestion.
effrontery
Brazen boldness; presumptuousness.
condescension
he trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior
anomalous
deviating from the general or common order or type
providential
heaven-sent: peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention
amorous
1. Strongly attracted or disposed to love, especially sexual love. 2. Indicative of love or sexual desire
patronymic
of or derived from a personal or family name
effulgent
Shining brilliantly; resplendent
resplendent
glorious: having great beauty and splendor
apex
vertex: the highest point (of something)
trenchant
Forceful, effective, and vigorous: a trenchant argument. 2. Caustic; cutting
audacious
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
gentility
breeding: elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
presuppose
presuppose - take for granted or as a given; suppose beforehand
pantomime
mime: act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only
heedless
Marked by or paying little heed; unmindful or thoughtless.
clandestine
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods; "clandestine intelligence operations"
timorous
fearful: timid by nature or revealing timidity
venerable
Commanding respect by virtue of age, dignity, character, or position.
ostentatious
intended to attract notice and impress others
substratum
substrate: a surface on which an organism grows or is attached
felicitations
Congratulations!
platitudes
A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant; 2. Lack of originality; triteness.
tenuous
insignificant or flimsy; having thin consistency; "a tenuous fluid" ; 1. Long and thin; slender
abetted
abet - assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
aigrette
An ornamental tuft of upright plumes, especially the tail feathers of an egret. 2. An ornament, such as a spray of gems, resembling a tuft of plumes.
imperturable
Unflappable, unexcitable, serene, unruffled; marked by extreme calm; serene
wastrel
someone who dissipates resources self-indulgently
bandy
1. a. To toss or throw back and forth. b. To hit (a ball, for example) back and forth. 2. a. To give and receive (words, for example); exchange; o discuss in a casual or frivolous manner; 1. to exchange (words), sometimes in a heated manner
benevolence
disposition to do good
expiate
To make amends or reparation for; atone:
comradeship
chumminess: the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
valetudinarian
N. A sickly or weak person, especially one who is constantly and morbidly concerned with his or her health; ADJ. Chronically ailing; sickly. 2. Constantly and morbidly concerned with one's health.
compunction
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
vagaries
an unpredictable change in a situation or in someone's behaviour
overmaster
To overpower by superior force; overcome.
exigency
1. The state or quality of requiring much effort or immediate action. 2. A pressing or urgent situation.
propinquity
Proximity; nearness. 2. Kinship. 3. Similarity in nature.
judicious
Having or exhibiting sound judgment; prudent.
transmute
To change from one form, nature, substance, or state into another; transform:
antimacassar
A protective covering for the backs of chairs and sofas.
epistolary
written in the form of or carried on by letters or correspondence
lament
o feel or express sorrow or regret (for or over)
smite
. to strike with a heavy blow 2. to affect severely: hunger smites him again 3. to burden with an affliction in order to punish
vociferate
To utter (something) or cry out loudly and vehemently, especially in protest.
amalgamated
amalgamate: joined together into a whole; "United Industries"; "the amalgamated colleges constituted a university"
exalt
1. To raise in rank, character, or status; elevate 2. To glorify, praise, or honor. 3. To increase the effect or intensity of; heighten
impervious
1. Incapable of being penetrated: a material impervious to water. 2. Incapable of being affected: impervious to fear.
cogitate
To take careful thought or think carefully about; ponder
corpulent
excessively fat
irreverent
showing lack of due respect or veneration
recalcitrant
fractious: stubbornly resistant to authority or control
languidly
in a languid and lethargic manner; "the men languidly put on their jackets"
facetious
bantering: cleverly amusing in tone
florid
1. Flushed with rosy color; ruddy. 2. Very ornate; flowery: a florid prose style. 3. Archaic Healthy. 4. Obsolete Abounding in or covered with flowers.
dilettante
A lover of the fine arts; a connoisseur, dabbler: an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
importunate
expressing earnest entreaty; "an importunate job applicant"
thronged
filled with great numbers crowded together
inelastic
Lacking elasticity; unyielding or unadaptable
viceregal
of or relating to a viceroy; A man who is the governor of a country, province, or colony, ruling as the representative of a sovereign
efficacy
Power or capacity to produce a desired effect; effectiveness.
sensuous
taking delight in beauty; "the sensuous joy from all things fair"
imploring
beseeching: begging
purveyor
1. One that furnishes provisions, especially food. 2. One that promulgates something: a purveyor of lies.
languid
1. Lacking energy or vitality; weak: a languid wave of the hand. 2. Showing little or no spirit or animation; listless: a languid mood. 3. Lacking vigor or force; slow: languid breezes.
capacious
large in capacity; "she carried a capacious bag"
scruples
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions; A minute part or amount.
bedizen
To ornament or dress in a showy or gaudy manner.
inadmissible
not allowable or acceptable
triteness
unoriginality as a result of being dull and hackneyed
cultivated
Educated; polished; refined; well-educated 2. (of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing; "cultivated land"
avow
To acknowledge openly, boldly, and unashamedly; confess: avow guilt. 2. To state positively.
guile
craft: shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
histrionic
characteristic of acting or a stage performance; often affected; "histrionic gestures"
ostensible
apparent or seeming; alleged; represented or appearing as such; pretended; "His ostensible purpose was charity, his real goal popularity"
arbiter
someone with the power to settle matters at will
paradox
1. A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true:
hitherto
Until this time; so far: used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time; "So far he hasn't called ..
languor
Lack of physical or mental energy; listlessness. See Synonyms at lethargy. 2. A dreamy, lazy mood or quality; Oppressive quiet or stillness.Noun Literary a pleasant state of dreamy relaxation
reproachful
admonitory: expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
portend
bode: indicate by signs; 1. To serve as an omen or a warning of; presage: black clouds that portend a storm. 2. To indicate by prediction; forecas
precipitate
. To throw from or as if from a great height; hurl downward 2. To cause to happen, especially suddenly or prematurely
broughams
covered carriages used as cabs for the wealthy in Victorian London
monosyllabic
having or characterized by or consisting of one syllable
swarthy
dark-skinned: naturally having skin of a dark color
disintegration
decomposition: in a decomposed state
bastion
1. a projecting part of a fortification 2. a thing or person regarded as defending a principle or way of life
remonstrate
to argue in protest or objection:
admonitory
serving to warn
pantomime
munication by means of gesture and facial expression
apathy
. Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference. 2. Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness.
obstinate
stubborn: tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
sedulous
assiduous: marked by care and persistent effort; "her assiduous attempts to learn French"

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