Book II - Chapter V. The Jackal — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Book II - Chapter V. The Jackal

Bacchanalian

Relating to or characterized by wild, drunken revelry; named after Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

lucrative

Producing a great deal of profit; financially rewarding.

compeers

Equals; persons of the same rank, status, or ability.

unscrupulous

Having or showing no moral principles; willing to act dishonestly to achieve one's goals.

glib

Fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow; speaking smoothly with little thought or preparation.

carousing

Drinking alcohol and enjoying oneself in a noisy, festive way.

dissipated

Overindulging in sensual pleasures; debauched; squandering energy or resources through dissolute living.

precocious

Developed or matured earlier than usual; here used humorously to describe Stryver's belly as prematurely large.

imperative

Of vital importance; absolutely necessary or urgent.

deprecatory

Expressing disapproval or belittlement; mildly apologetic or dismissive.

gainsay

To deny, dispute, or contradict.

apostrophise

To address someone absent or something abstract as if it were present; to deliver a rhetorical aside.

despondency

A state of deep gloom, discouragement, or hopelessness.

florid

Having a red or flushed complexion; also, elaborately ornate.

perseverance

Continued effort and determination despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

mirage

An optical illusion; something that appears real but is unattainable or illusory.