Book II - Chapter VIII. Monseigneur in the Country — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Book II - Chapter VIII. Monseigneur in the Country

postilions (noun)

Riders who guide the horses pulling a carriage, seated on one of the lead horses rather than on the carriage itself.

fagged (verb)

Worked hard; toiled wearily (British usage, now archaic in this sense).

impeachment (noun)

A calling into question; a challenge to someone's integrity, honor, or reputation.

cinderous (adjective)

Resembling or containing cinders; ashy and gritty.

drag (noun)

A heavy brake or skid applied to a carriage wheel to slow its descent on a steep hill.

obsequiousness (noun)

Excessive eagerness to serve or please someone in authority; fawning servility.

drapery (noun)

Cloth or clothing arranged in loose folds; here, the loose fabric of the man's garment.

precipitated (verb)

Threw or hurled oneself headlong; moved suddenly and recklessly.

gossamer (adjective)

Extremely fine, light, and delicate, like cobwebs floating in the air.

felicitously (adverb)

In a manner showing pleasing and apt expression; with self-satisfied ease.

vermin (noun)

People perceived as despicable or worthless; literally, harmful small animals or insects.

veinous (adjective)

Full of prominent veins; showing visible veins (variant spelling of venous, used to emphasize the woman's worn appearance).

malady (noun)

A disease or ailment; here used figuratively to mean the condition of dying from want and poverty.

flambeau (noun)

A large, flaming torch, typically used for outdoor illumination.

Furies (noun (proper))

In Greek mythology, three goddesses of vengeance who pursued and punished wrongdoers; Dickens uses them as symbols of coming retribution.