Chapter I — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter I

armor-plated (adjective)

Covered with hard, protective plates, like a suit of armor; used here to describe the hard shell of Gregor's insect back.

gilt (adjective)

Covered with a thin layer of gold or gold-colored material.

melancholy (adjective)

A deep, persistent sadness or gloominess of mood.

desisted (verb)

Stopped doing something; ceased an action or effort.

malingerers (noun)

People who pretend to be ill or injured in order to avoid work or duty.

plaintive (adjective)

Expressing sorrow or sadness; mournful and melancholy in sound.

enunciating (verb)

Pronouncing words clearly and distinctly.

precursor (noun)

Something that comes before and indicates the approach of something else; a forerunner.

equilibrium (noun)

A state of physical balance; the condition of being evenly balanced.

versed (adjective)

Experienced or skilled in something; knowledgeable about a particular subject.

brusque (adjective)

Abrupt and curt in manner or speech; rudely brief.

indisposition (noun)

A minor illness or feeling of being unwell.

presentiment (noun)

An intuitive feeling about something that is going to happen, especially something unpleasant; a premonition.

pell-mell (adverb)

In a confused, rushed, and disorderly manner.

imminent (adjective)

About to happen very soon; impending.

entreaty (noun)

An earnest or humble request or plea.

manoeuvre (noun)

A movement or series of movements requiring skill and care; a carefully planned action.

fretwork (noun)

Ornamental woodwork made by cutting designs into thin wood with a fine-bladed saw.