Pride and Prejudice Vocab 1 Flashcards
verisimilitude
n. the appearance or semblance of truth; likelihood; probability
inherent
adj. existing in someone or something as a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute; belonging by nature or habit; intrinsic
caprice
n. a sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action; a sudden, usually unpredictable condition, change, or series of changes; a disposition to do things impulsively
discretion
n. the power or right to decide or act according to one’s own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice; the quality of being discreet, esp. with reference to one’s own actions or speech; prudence or decorum
circumspection
n. circumspect observation or action; caution; prudence. Adj. Circumspect: watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent; well-considered
mien
n. air, bearing, or demeanor, as showing character, feeling, etc.
candour
n. the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness; freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality
affectation
n. an effort to appear to have a quality not really or fully possessed; the pretense of actual possession; conspicuous artificiality of manner or appearance; effort to attract notice by pretense, assumption, or any assumed peculiarity; a trait, action, or expression characterized by such artificiality
ostentation
n. pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance; display intended to impress others
ductility
n. (of a metal, such as gold or copper) able to be drawn out into wire; able to be molded; pliant; plastic; easily led or influenced; tractable
fastidious
adj. excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please; requiring or characterized by excessive care or delicacy; painstaking
supercilious
adj. haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression; arrogant; scornful
felicity
n. the quality or state of being happy; an instance of happiness; a pleasing manner or quality especially in art or language
satirical
adj. censorious; critical (in Austen’s use);
characterized by the use of satire (noun): the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc
pedantic
adj. ostentatious in ones learning
propriety
n. conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners; appropriateness to the purpose or circumstances
archly
adv. playfully roguish or mischievous; cunning; crafty; sly
insipid
adj. without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid; dull
reverie
n. a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing; a daydream; a fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea; [Music. an instrumental composition of a vague and dreamy character]
