PART TWO: CHAPTER FORTY - FOUR - My Lord and Lady — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from PART TWO: CHAPTER FORTY - FOUR - My Lord and Lady

salubrious (adjective)

Health-giving; pleasant and conducive to well-being.

covetousness (noun)

An excessive desire to possess something, especially something belonging to another.

dawdling (verb (gerund))

Wasting time by being slow or idle; loitering without purpose.

mercenary (adjective)

Motivated primarily by a desire for financial gain rather than by ideals or ethics.

fastidious (adjective)

Very attentive to matters of cleanliness, accuracy, or good taste; excessively particular.

malicious (adjective)

Intending to do harm; characterized by ill will, though here used playfully to mean mischievous.

gravity (noun)

Seriousness or solemnity of manner; here used to describe a deliberately serious tone adopted for humorous effect.

philanthropic (adjective)

Seeking to promote the welfare of others, especially through generous donations of money to good causes.

blarneying (adjective (participial))

Using flattery or persuasive talk, often insincerely, to gain advantage.

decayed (adjective)

In this context, having fallen from a former state of prosperity or social standing; impoverished gentility.

trump (noun)

An admirable or excellent person; a fine fellow (archaic/informal usage).

simile (noun)

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things, typically using "like" or "as."

matronly (adjective)

Resembling or characteristic of a mature, dignified married woman.

endow (verb)

To provide with a quality, ability, or financial asset; to fund an institution with a permanent source of income.

quizzical (adjective)

Indicating mild or amused puzzlement; questioning in a playful way.