CHAPTER 36 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from CHAPTER 36

auspicious (adjective)

Conducive to success; favorable; promising.

apoplectic (adjective)

Relating to or resembling a stroke; overcome with extreme emotion, especially anger.

earnest (noun)

A thing intended to serve as a pledge or guarantee of what is to come; a down payment.

fountain-head (noun)

The original or primary source of something.

injudicious (adjective)

Showing very poor judgment; unwise.

portable property (noun phrase)

Movable wealth such as cash, jewelry, or valuables that can be carried on one's person; Wemmick's characteristic phrase.

negativing (verb (present participle))

Denying or rejecting; refusing to accept or acknowledge.

repaired (verb (past tense))

Went to; made one's way to a place.

cease and determine (verb phrase)

A legal phrase meaning to come to a complete end; to terminate entirely.

compromise (verb)

In a legal context, to expose to risk of being discredited or implicated; to put in jeopardy.

sensations (noun (plural))

Widespread feelings of excitement or interest; strong impressions.

Margins (noun (plural))

In Victorian financial slang, a practice of writing up accounts with generous allowances or buffers to make finances appear healthier than they are.

snuffers (noun (plural))

A small device resembling scissors used to extinguish a candle flame or trim its wick.

indignation (noun)

Anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.

shrewdly (adverb)

In a way that shows sharp powers of judgment; astutely and perceptively.