A Study In Scarlet Flashcards
Convalescent
(Of a person) recovering from an illness or medical treatment.
“A convalescent child”
Synonym: recuperating
Noun: convalescents benefit from relaxation
Emaciated
Abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
Synonyms: thin, skeletal, bony, wasted, thin as a rake
Exuberance
The quality of being full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness; ebullience.
“A sense of youthful ebullience.”
Commiserate
To feel or express sorrow or sympathy for, empathise with, pity.
“They commiserated with him over the loss of his job.”
Kith and kin
Friends and relatives
Bemoan
Express discontent or sorrow over (something).
“It was no use bemoaning her lot”
Mealy-mouthed
Afraid to speak frankly or straightforwardly.
“Mealy-mouthed excuses”
Vista
A pleasing view.
“Sweeping lawns and landscaped vistas”
Sere and yellow
Sere and yellow are descriptive of an autumn leaf. Thus “in the sere and yellow” is a metaphor for being near the end of one’s life. In the quoted passage, it is used to mean that he has not yet entered the autumn of his life, and is yet fit and hale.
Sere (also, sear) - dried and withered, carries much the same significance as yellow in this specific metaphoric context. Like autumn leaves, an old person’s skin may be yellow and withered.
Well, if a man can stride four and a-half feet without the smallest effort, he can’t be quite in the sere and yellow.
I have liv’d long enough: my way of life
Is fall’n into the sear, the yellow leaf;
And that which should accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not.
Condone
Pardon or overlook.
Comes from the Latin verb condonare, which means to absolve.
Sometimes used to mean approve of or encourage
Depravity
Moral corruption; wickedness
“A tale of depravity hard to credit”
Allay
Diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, or worry)
“The report attempted to educate the public and allay fears”
Crone
A stock character in folklore and fairy tale, an ugly old woman. In some stories, she is disagreeable, malicious, or sinister in manner, often with magical or supernatural associations that can make her either helpful or obstructing.
Cravat
A neckband, the forerunner of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie, originating from 17th century military unit known as the croats
Ulster
Worn by men in the bustle period as an overcoat with a cape
