The Dutch House Flashcards
Vestige
a very small sign of something that has almost disappeared or stopped existing
“I was close enough to smell the …………….. of her shampoo.”
Confluence
- a place where two rivers join 2.
a situation in which two or more things come together: „Her face was a confluence of circles: round eyes, rounded cheeks, round mouth, a small rounded nose.”
Glower
To look angrily at someone: “There were women …………..(+ing) in my direction and then looking pointedly up at their bags. There were other able-bodied men on the train, but they were used to me.“
Droop
To hang downwards: „She nodded slightly, holding my gaze in a lock so that I could plainly see the slight …………… in her left eyelid, a defect that would have passed unnoticed had it not been for an episode of intense staring.“
Furtive /ˈfɜː(r)tɪv/
Done quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed:
“I did everything that was required of me while keeping a …………. list of the buildings I passed that were for sale: asking price, selling price, weeks on the market.“
Subjugate
/ˈsʌbdʒʊɡeɪt/
to defeat a place or a group of people and force them to obey you;
“wanting to do it, but it turned out I was part of a long and noble tradition of self-…………(+tion)“
attending
working as a doctor in a hospital or similar and having overall responsibility for patients’ treatment as well as supervising treatment given by interns, residents, and fellows: „while the ……….. droned on about my bankable talent.”
Snow
mislead or charm (someone) with elaborate and insincere words (US slang): „Well, don’t let her …………. you.” He spoke as if we were alone in the room. “This is serious business.“
Repercussion
a bad effect that something has, usually lasting for a long time
“I could make a mistake fixing something, a toilet say, without mortal …………..”
Vantage point /ˈvɑːntɪdʒ ˌpɔɪnt/
A position from which you can see things well: „„It did not feel strange to see the world from this …………. point, nor did it make any difference.“
reminiscent
/ˌremɪˈnɪs(ə)nt/
reminding you of people or experiences in your past: „the little one dressed like a doll, the tall one still ………….. of Death.“
crumple (up)
to crush something such as paper or cloth so that it forms untidy folds, or to be crushed in this way: “I always imagined the house would die without us. I don’t know, I thought it would ………… up. Do houses ever die of grief?“
untenable /ʌnˈtenəb(ə)l/
Impossible to continue because of serious problems, opposition, or criticism: „When she lived there the only person she could feel sorry for was herself.” She pulled the smoke in and then emptied her lungs of smoke. “That was ………..“
Penance /ˈpenəns/
1
punishment or suffering that you accept, especially because of your religious beliefs, to show that you are sorry for something bad that you have done: „You have to serve those who need to be served, not just the ones who make you feel good about yourself. Andrea’s my ………… for all the mistakes.“
