Great Gatsby, Vocab 1&2
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46 terms
French | English |
|---|---|
riotous | disorderly, uncontrolled, boisterous, loud, reckless |
arresting | something noteworthy, that attracts attention or interest, makes you pause |
affected/unaffected/affection | false, artificial, phony, insincere, trying to impress |
sinister | threatening; evil or dishonest in a mysterious or suspenseful way |
colossal | huge |
wistful | longing or yearning for something one doesn't have |
supercilious | characterized by pride, scorn, or feelings of superiority |
fractious | irritable, unruly, ill-tempered, rebellious |
contemptuous | scornful, disdainful, the quality of despising something |
imperative | absolutely necessary, commanding attention |
languid | drooping, lacking vigor or energy |
banter | light, frivolous back-and-forth discussion or teasing |
complacent | self-satisfied, smug, content with how things are |
extemporize | to improvise, do something in a makeshift way |
cynical | assuming the worst, skeptical of others' motives, jaded, willing to play by corrupt rules |
peremptory | sharp and commanding, intolerant, decisive |
anaemic (anemic) | lacking energy or spirit, sickly, bloodless |
discreet | showing careful judgment in speech or action; at times, respectful of others' feelings |
defer to | to yield respectfully to the thoughts or opinions of others |
haughty | excessively proud, disdainful or contemptuous of others |
rakish | dashing, stylish, snazzy, in a carefree or jaunty way |
attire | to clothe / clothing |
strident | harsh, grating, irritating, loud |
innuendo | indirect suggestion or hint, usually unflattering |
decadent/decadence | in a state of decay or decline, often because of excessive, overindulgent behavior |
prodigal, prodigality | recklessly extravagant, wasteful, lavish, abundant |
staid | sedate, sober, settled |
vacuous | empty, inane, stupid [in the sense of being empty, devoid of ideas] |
tortuous | twisted, winding, marked by bends and turns, circuitous or excessively involved |
florid | flowery (literal), excessively ornate, sometimes tinged with red [a florid face] |
convivial | sociable, merry, jovial, fond of parites |
jaunty | lively, sprightly, carefree, self-confident |
racy | highly distinctive, original, pungent, zesty; common connotation: risqué or suggestive |
subterfuge | a deception, usually in order to escape or evade or conceal |
punctilious | extremely attentive to detail; careful, exact, proper, polite |
incredulous, incredulity | skeptical, shocked, disbelieving |
gaudy | tastelessly bright, ornate or showy |
harrowing | distressing, chilling, frightening |
meretricious | attractive but in a vulgar or deceitful way; superficially appealing but corrupt under the surface [rare word, but major significance where it's used here] |
ineffable | indescribable, unspeakable, unable to be expressed in words |
repose | to place (as confidence or trust) in someone, to entrust, to place somewhere for management or use [other sense of n. or v. has to do with rest, relaxation] |
contingency/contingent upon | something possible under certain conditions; something that happens by chance or accident [our trip to the park is contingent upon the weather] |
ingratiate | to deliberately act in a way to gain favor with someone, to "kiss up" |
inviolate | pure, not violated or profaned, unharmed, untouched |
portentous | adj. having a feeling of sign or warning that something huge and perhaps disastrous is likely to happen; n. a portent |
commensurate | corresponding in size, degree or proportion - or using a similar type of measurement system |
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