英文讀書筆記

inclination: an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

bluster: a violent gusty wind

console: give moral or emotional strength to

chapter 6-7

parlour: reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

prattle: idle or foolish and irrelevant talk

tyrannical: of or relating to or associated with or resembling a dictatorship

evince: give expression to

curate: a person authorized to conduct religious worship

degradation: changing to a lower state

reprimand: an act or expression of criticism and censure

flog: beat severely with a whip or rod

contrive: come up with (an idea plan explanation theory or  principle) after a mental effort

hearken: to give heed to; to hear attentively

shawl: cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders

ramble: leisurely walk

shriek: sharp piercing cry

accusation: a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt

abominable: unequivocally detestable

snort: a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt

vociferate: utter in a very loud voice

annihilate: kill in large numbers

chapter 8-10

rapturous: feeling great rapture or delight

zealous: marked by active interest and enthusiasm

lament: a cry of sorrow and grief

dissipation: breaking up and scattering by dispersion

fiend: a cruel wicked and inhuman person

diabolical: extremely evil or cruel

sententious: concise and full of meaning

agitation: a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

torture: extreme mental distress

dilatory: inclined to waste time and lag behind

stern: of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor

chapter 11-20

flinch: draw back as with fear or pain

perishable: liable to perish

malignity: wishing evil to others

propitiate: make peace with

mope: be apathetic gloomy or dazed

pertinacious: stubbornly unyielding

condolence: an expression of sympathy with another's grief

fugitive: someone who flees from an uncongenial situation

caress: touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner

despondency: feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless

epistle: especially a long formal letter

ardent: characterized by intense emotion

transmit: transfer to another

incredulous: not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving

lapse: a break or intermission in the occurrence of something

distraction: mental turmoil

bereavement: state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one

snivel: cry or whine with snuffling

chapter 21-30

obviate: do away with

perplexity: trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

despondency: feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless

pacify: cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

potent: having the power to influence or convince

seclude: keep away from others

fickle: liable to sudden unpredictable change

reiterate: to say state or perform again

despite: lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

soliloquize: talk to oneself

sultry: burning hot; extremely and unpleasantly hot

hazy: filled or abounding with fog or mist

transient: enduring a very short time

bequeath: leave or give by will after one's death

contemplation: a long and thoughtful observation

compulsory: required by rule

chapter 31-34

chuck: pat or squeeze fondly or playfully especially under the chin

revelation: the speech act of making something evident

denial: the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)

emulous: eager to surpass others

devastate: devastate or ravage

abode: housing that someone is living in

superintend: watch and direct

delusion: the act of deluding; deception by creating illusory ideas

sidle: move sideways

scrutinize: to look at critically or searchingly

defiance: a hostile challenge

disparagement: a communication that belittles somebody or something

magnanimity: liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit

personification: a person who represents an abstract quality