I - Stave III — Vocabulary
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad — key words and definitions
Vocabulary Words from I - Stave III
- bights
- Loops or slack curves in a rope or chain.
- rapacious
- Aggressively greedy; given to seizing what is not one's own.
- insidious
- Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way but with harmful effects.
- moribund
- At the point of death; in a dying state.
- propitiatory
- Intended to appease or win the favor of a deity or spirit.
- alpaca
- A lightweight fabric woven from the wool of alpaca or a glossy cotton imitation, popular for tropical suits.
- alacrity
- Brisk and eager readiness.
- trenchant
- Vigorous, incisive, or sharply effective; cutting.
- volubility
- The quality of talking fluently, readily, and at length.
- worsted
- A fine, smooth yarn spun from combed long-staple wool.
- despondently
- In a manner showing loss of hope or courage.
- inscrutable
- Impossible to understand or interpret; mysterious.
- trucklebed
- A low bed on wheels that can be stored under a larger bed; a trundle bed.
- deplorable
- Deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad.
- languidly
- In a manner lacking energy or vitality; sluggishly.