Chapter XVII — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter XVII

jalousies (noun)

Louvered window shutters with angled slats, common in tropical and Southern architecture, allowing air to pass through while blocking direct sunlight and rain.

appointments (noun)

Furnishings, fittings, and equipment of a room or building; the decorative elements that complete an interior.

damask (noun)

A rich, reversible fabric woven with elaborate patterns, traditionally made of silk or linen, often used for table linens and draperies.

statuette (noun)

A small statue or figurine, typically ornamental, displayed as a decorative object in a home.

mulatto (noun)

A historical term for a person of mixed white and Black ancestry. Now considered offensive, it reflects the racial classifications prevalent in nineteenth-century Louisiana.

les convenances (noun phrase)

A French phrase meaning social proprieties or conventional customs; the unwritten rules of polite society that govern acceptable behavior.

cruet (noun)

A small glass bottle or container used for holding condiments such as vinegar, oil, or other liquid seasonings at the table.

consternation (noun)

A feeling of anxiety, dismay, or dread that results in confusion or bewilderment.

appeased (adjective)

Made calm or less angry; pacified or soothed, often by meeting a demand or concern partway.

quadroon (noun)

A historical and now offensive term for a person of one-quarter Black ancestry. In Chopin’s Louisiana, quadroon women often served as nursemaids in wealthy Creole households.

entreaty (noun)

An earnest, heartfelt request or plea; an act of begging or imploring someone.

fuming (adjective)

Feeling or showing great anger; seething with indignation or resentment.

indifferently (adverb)

In a manner showing lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; without emotional investment.

tardy (adjective)

Coming or done later than expected or desired; delayed or belated.

witchery (noun)

The quality of being enchanting or bewitching; an atmosphere of magical allure or mysterious charm.

tortuous (adjective)

Full of twists, turns, and bends; winding and complex in shape or form.

indenture (noun)

An indentation, dent, or impression made in a surface. (In this context, used as a noun meaning a mark or dent.)

circlet (noun)

A small circle or ring-shaped object; here referring to the wedding ring.