Chapter I — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter I

tenuous (adjective)

Very thin, weak, or slight; lacking substance or strength.

peristyle (noun)

A row of columns surrounding a building or enclosing a court; a columned porch or entrance.

declivity (noun)

A downward slope or inclination of the ground.

fascinator (noun)

A lightweight knitted or crocheted head covering or scarf, popular in the 19th century.

effrontery (noun)

Insolent or impertinent boldness; shameless audacity.

suppleness (noun)

The quality of being flexible, adaptable, or willing to bend to circumstances; can imply craftiness.

sardonically (adverb)

In a grimly mocking or cynical manner.

fatuity (noun)

Pointless foolishness; smug stupidity or complacent self-delusion.

undulations (noun)

Gentle rises and falls in a surface; wavelike formations.

poignancy (noun)

The quality of evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; sharp emotional impact.

incisively (adverb)

In a manner that is clear, sharp, and penetrating; cutting directly to the point.

demurred (verb)

Raised objections or showed reluctance; expressed hesitation or unwillingness.

latent (adjective)

Present but not visible, active, or apparent; existing in a hidden or dormant state.

insinuations (noun)

Indirect or subtle suggestions of something bad or unpleasant; sly implications.

oblique (adjective)

Indirect or evasive; not straightforward or direct in approach.