Sense and Sensibility vocab Flashcards
Sanguine
Definition: anticipating the best : marked by eager hopefulness : ardently or confidently optimistic
Sentence: In seasons of cheerfulness, no temper could be more cheerful than hers, or possess, in a greater degree, that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself
Imprudence
Definition: the state of being imprudent: (not marked by wisdom or judiciousness ( sound judgement); unwise) lack of caution, circumspection, or due regard to consequence
sentence: assisted by the still greater imprudence of sitting in her wet
shoes and stockings—given Marianne a cold so violent…
Forbearance
Definition: Self-control, restraint tolerance
Sentence: Elinor wished that the same forbearance could have extended towards
herself, but that was impossible, and she was obliged to listen, day after day, to the indignation of them all (pg.185)
Gratification
Definition: : an act or instance of satisfying or pleasing
Sentence: The house was large and handsome ; and the Middletons
lived in a style of equal hospitality and elegance. The former was for Sir John’s gratification, the latter for that of his lady ( pg. 27)
Unaffected
Definition: Without insincerity
Sentence: The Miss Dashwoods were young, pretty,and unaffected. (pg. 28)
Insipidity
Definition: Lacking Flavor
Sentence: preserved from the frightful solitude which had threatened her.The insipidity of the meeting was exactly such as Elinor had expected ; it produced not one novelty of thought or expression; and nothing could be less interesting than the whole of their discourse both in the dining parlour and drawing-room (pg.124)
Insinuations
Definition: stealthy or indirect hinting or suggestion
Sentence: She was remarkably quick in the discovery of attachments, and had enjoyed the advantage of raising the blushes and the vanity of many a young lady by insinuations of her power over such a young man. ( pg. 31)
Vanity
Definition: exaggerated self-love : inflated pride in oneself or in one’s appearance, attainments, performance, possessions, or successes : hunger for praise or admiration : conceit, vainglory
Sentence: Lady Middleton piqued herself upon the elegance of her table, and of all her domestic arrangements ; and from this kind of vanity was her greatest enjoyment in any of their parties. (pg.48)
Languid
Definition: drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaustion : lacking vigor : weak
Sentence: But a day spent in sitting shivering over the fire with a book in her
hand, which she was unable to read, or in lying, weary and languid, on a sofa, did not speak much in favour of her amendment ( pg. 274)
Languid ( alternate definition)
Definition: sluggish in character or disposition : dull, listless
sentence: How cold, how composed, were their last adieus ! How languid their conversation the last evening of their being together !
Exigence
Definition: the quality or state of exacting or requiring immediate aid or action : pressing, critical
sentence: One consolation, however, remained for them, to which the exigence
of the moment gave more than usual propriety,—it was that of running with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill which led immediately to their garden gate. (pg.35)
Propriety
Definition: Conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals
Sentence: One consolation, however, remained for them, to which the exigence
of the moment gave more than usual propriety,—it was that of running with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill which led immediately to their garden gate. (pg.35)
Undiscerning
Definition: Lacking judgment, insight. or taste
Sentence: If their praise is censure, your censure maybe praise, for they are not more undiscerning than you are prejudiced and unjust. (pg,44)
Candor/candour
Definition: unreserved, honest, or sincere expression : frankness, candidness
Sentence: I Perhaps,’ said Willoughby, ‘ his observations may have extended to the existence of nabobs, gold mohrs, and palanquins.’I may venture to say that his observations have stretched much further than your candour. But why should you dislike him?’ (pg.44)
Artful:
Definition: artificial OR crafty and deceitful ( adroit in taking advantage usually unfairly )
Sentence: Could he ever be tolerably
happy with Lucy Steele ; could he, were his affection for herself out of the question, with his integrity, his delicacy, and
well-informed mind, be satisfied with a wife like her—illiterate, artful, and selfish? (pg. 121)
adroit
Definition: marked by shrewdness, craft, resourcefulness, readiness at devising, or physical skill and address so that one is enabled to cope with difficulty or danger
Curricle
Definition: carriage
Prescience
Definition: the human faculty or quality of being able to anticipate the occurrence or nature of future events : foresight
Sentence: I felt an immediate satisfaction and interest in the event, which nothing but a kind of prescience of what happiness I should experience from it can account for. ( pg. 64)
Sagacity
Definition: keenness of discernment or penetration with soundness of judgment : ability to see what is relevant and significant
sentence: Margaret’s sagacity was not always displayed in a way so satisfactory to her sister. When Mrs. Jennings attacked her one evening at the Park, to give the name of the young man who was Elinor’s particular favourite, which had been long a
matter of great curiosity to her, Margaret answered by looking at her sister, and saying, ‘ I must not tell, may I, Elinor ?’
Cavil
Definition: a captious frivolous picayune (of little value, paltry measly) objection : quibble
Sentence: You will tell me, I know, that this may or may not have happened ; but I will listen to no cavil, unless you can point out any other method of understanding the affair as satisfactory as this. (Pg. 69)
Expedient
Definition: characterized by suitability, practicality, and efficiency in achieving a particular end : fit, proper, or advantageous under the circumstances ( NECESSARY)
Sentence: It may be proper to conceal their engagement (if they are engaged) from Mrs. Smith ; and if that is the case, it must be highly expedient for Willoughby to be but little in Devonshire at present. (pg.70)
incurring
Definition: ( intransitive verbs) To meet or fall in with (as an inconvenience) : become liable or subject to : bring down upon oneself
Sentence: fter a proper resistance on the part of Mrs. Ferrars, just so violent and so steady as to preserve her from that reproach which she always seemed fearful of incurring, the reproach of being too amiable, Edward was admitted to her presence and pronounced to be again her son. ( pg.335)
fastidious
Definition: overly difficult to please : overly nice or delicate in matters of taste
Sentence: That Marianne, fastidious as she was, thoroughly acquainted withMrs. Jennings’s manners, and invariably disgusted by them,should overlook every inconvenience of that kind, should disregard whatever must be most wounding to her irritable feelings, in her pursuit of one object, was such a proof, so strong, so full of the importance of that object to her… ( pg. 134)
Abstruse
Definition: difficult to comprehend or understand
Sentence: But I had no inclination for the law, even in this less abstruse study of it which my family approved. (pg. 90)
recondite
Definition: difficult to comprehend or understand
droll
Definition: having a humorous, whimsical, or odd character
Sentence: ‘ It would be something remarkable, now,’ he continued,
1 something droll, if Fanny should have a brother and a sister settling at the same time. And yet it is not very unlikely.’ ( pg. 197)
filigree
Definition: Ornamentation, embellishment
Sentence: ‘you are not going to finish poor little Anna-Maria’s basket this evening; for I am sure it must hurt your eyes to work filigree by candlelight. (pg. 124)
alacrity
Definition: brisk and cheerful readiness
Sentence: Lucy directly drew her work-table near her, and reseated herself with an alacrity and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she could taste no greater delight than in making a filigree basket for a spoilt child. (pg.125)
coxcomb
Definition: a vain conceited foolish usually male person that is falsely proud of his achievements and foppish or finical about his dress
Sentence: ‘ Do you know Mr. Robert Ferrars ? ‘ asked Elinor. ‘Not at all —I never saw him; but I fancy he is veryunlike his brother—silly, and a great coxcomb. ( pg. 128)
Ardour/ardor
Definition: warmth or heat of emotion, feeling, or sentiment (passion, spirit)
Sentence:He was exactly formed to engage Marianne’s heart ; for with all this, he joined not only a captivating person, but a natural ardour of mind which was now roused and increased by the
example of her own, and which recommended him to her
affection beyond everything else. (pg.41)”
barouche
Definition: carriage
Collation
Definition: a light, informal meal
sentence:…Lady Middleton had given a small dance, of eight or nine couple, with two violins, and a mere sideboard
collation. (pg. 147)”
Saunter
Definition: walk in a slow, relaxed manner
perverse
Definition: turned away from what is right or good : corrupt, wicked
gout
Definition: swelling of the joints
Impetuous
Definition: done without thought
sentence: with the same steady
conviction and affectionate counsel on Elinor’s side, the same
impetuous feelings and varying opinions on Marianne’s, as
before. ( pg. 173)
obstinate
Definition: : pertinaciously adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course : not yielding to reason, arguments, or other means
officious
Definition: volunteering one’s services where they are neither asked nor needed : meddlesome
intrinsically
definition: naturally
compunction
Definition: deep unease caused by knowledge of guilt
Sentence:e had just compunction enough for having done nothing for his sisters himself, to be exceedingly anxious that everybody else should do a great deal (pg.200)”
scruple
definition: doubt or hesitation on moral grounds
Sedulously
Definition: in a way that shows dedication or resilience
Demure
definition: reserved, shy
Indigence
Definition: extreme poverty
Magnanimity
Definition: a nobility of feeling that is superior to meanness, pettiness, or jealousy and that disdains revenge or retaliation : generosity of mind
sentence: To see Marianne I felt would be dreadful ; and I even doubted
whether I could see her again and keep to my resolution. In
that point, however, I undervalued my own magnanimity, as the event declared ; for I went, I saw her, and saw her miserable, and left her miserable ; (pg. 289)
exultation
definition: rejoicing
Impudent
Definition: marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others : insolent
ardent
passionate, warm
assent
Definition: the expression of approval or agreement
sangfroid
Definition: composure or coolness, sometimes excessive, as shown in danger or under trying circumstances
avail
definition: help or benefit
sentence: All that Mrs. Ferrars could say to make him put an end to the engagement, assisted too, as you may well suppose,
by my arguments and Fanny’s entreaties, was of no avail. (pg. 233)
Tete a tete
definition: a private conversation between two people
gravity
Definition: extreme or alarming importance OR seriousness
epicure
definition: a person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink
diffident
definition: modest or shy because of a lack of self confidence
Sentnence: ( of Mr. Palmer) She liked him, however, upon the whole, much better than shehad expected, and in her heart was not sorry that she could like him no more ; not sorry to be driven by the observation of his epicurism, his selfishness, and his conceit, to rest withc omplacency on the remembrance of Edward’s generous temper,simple taste, and diffident feelings. (pg. 272)
stupor
Definition: a state of near unconsciousness or insensibility
succour/ succor
definition: assistance and support in times of hardship or distress
circumspect
definition: wary and unwilling to take risks
sentence: The event has proved that I was a cunning fool, providing with great circumspection for a possible opportunity of making myself contemptible and
wretched for ever ( pg. 187)
libertine
Definition: : one that is markedly unrestrained especially by convention or morality especially : one leading a dissolute life
Setnence: that because she was injured she was irreproachable, and because/ was a libertine she must be a saint.
