Chapter 8: Gift for the Darkness — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 8: Gift for the Darkness

demure (adjective)

Reserved, modest, and shy in manner or behavior

fervor (noun)

Intense and passionate feeling or enthusiasm

sanctity (noun)

The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or inviolable

befouled (verb (past tense))

Made dirty or impure; contaminated

obscene (adjective)

Offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency

compulsion (noun)

An irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes

derisive (adjective)

Expressing contempt or ridicule; mocking

assimilate (verb)

To absorb and integrate into a wider group or culture

taboo (noun)

A social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or association with a particular person, place, or thing

prophecy (noun)

A prediction of what will happen in the future, often associated with divine or spiritual insight

allegory (noun)

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

furtive (adjective)

Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble

daunting (adjective)

Seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating

grotesque (adjective)

Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted; incongruous or inappropriate to a shocking degree