Chapter 81 - The Pequod Meets The Virgin — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 81 - The Pequod Meets The Virgin

predestinated (adjective)

Determined or appointed in advance by fate or divine will; foreordained.

invertedly (adverb)

In an inverted or reversed manner; contrarily to what is expected.

indubitably (adverb)

In a way that cannot be doubted; unquestionably and certainly.

incrustations (noun)

Hard coatings or crusts formed on a surface, especially from deposits or growths.

leviathan (noun)

An enormous sea creature; used broadly for anything vast and powerful, especially a whale.

paregoric (noun)

A camphorated tincture of opium formerly used to treat stomach pain and diarrhea.

cumbrous (adjective)

Difficult to manage because of weight or complexity; cumbersome and unwieldy.

diagonically (adverb)

In a diagonal arrangement or direction; at an angle rather than parallel or perpendicular.

spiracle (noun)

The blowhole of a whale or dolphin; an external opening for breathing.

portcullis (noun)

A heavy grated gate that can be raised or lowered; here describing the whale's massive hinged jaw.

loggerheads (noun)

Rounded posts on a whaleboat around which harpoon lines are wound to control their speed.

non-valvular (adjective)

Lacking valves; in anatomy, describing blood vessels without internal flaps to control flow direction.

ulcerous (adjective)

Affected by or resembling an ulcer; having open, inflamed sores.

ponderosity (noun)

The quality of being extremely heavy; great weight or heaviness.

imputable (adjective)

Attributable or ascribable to a particular cause or source.