Chapter 4 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 4

aberrant (adjective)

Departing from an accepted standard or norm; deviant.

deference (noun)

Humble submission and respect; polite yielding to the opinion or authority of another.

mortified (adjective)

Caused to feel extreme embarrassment or shame.

hypnopaedic (adjective)

Relating to learning or conditioning that occurs during sleep.

decanting (noun)

In the World State, the process of removing artificially grown embryos from their bottles; analogous to birth.

surrogate (noun)

A substitute; something that replaces or stands in for something else.

malcontent (noun)

A person who is dissatisfied and rebellious; one who habitually complains.

condescension (noun)

An attitude of patronizing superiority; disdainful treatment of someone as if they are inferior.

inarticulate (adjective)

Unable to express oneself clearly or effectively in words.

pneumatic (adjective)

Relating to air or gas; in the novel, slang used to describe a physically attractive, curvy woman.

foil (noun)

A literary character whose qualities contrast with those of another character, highlighting differences between them.

legibility (noun)

The quality of being clear enough to read or, metaphorically, to interpret and understand.

heretical (adjective)

Holding an opinion or belief that contradicts established or official doctrine.

embryonic (adjective)

In an early stage of development; rudimentary or undeveloped.

feely (noun)

In the World State, an entertainment film that stimulates the senses of touch and smell in addition to sight and sound.