Chapter 18 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 18

hauteur (noun)

Disdainful pride; haughtiness or arrogance in bearing and attitude.

eclat (noun)

Brilliant display or effect; great success or acclaim; social distinction.

taciturn (adjective)

Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little; habitually silent.

complacency (noun)

Calm satisfaction or contentment, especially with oneself or one's situation (archaic: pleasantness, agreeableness).

probity (noun)

The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.

solicitude (noun)

Care or concern for someone or something; attentive anxiety.

impertinent (adjective)

Not showing proper respect; rude or insolent. Also: not pertinent; irrelevant.

laity (noun)

People who are not members of the clergy; the body of laypeople as opposed to the ordained.

conciliatory (adjective)

Intended or likely to placate or pacify; designed to win goodwill.

preferment (noun)

Promotion or appointment to a position or office, especially in the church.

complaisance (noun)

Willingness to please others; obliging disposition; courtesy.

languor (noun)

A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy or vitality.

felicity (noun)

Intense happiness; great joy; also, the ability to express oneself appropriately.

surmise (noun)

A supposition or guess formed without firm evidence.

self-gratulation (noun)

Self-congratulation; the act of congratulating oneself on one's good fortune.