The Handmaids Tale 2 Flashcards
enshroud
to cover (something or someone) in a way that makes seeing or understanding difficult
whir
to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with a whir
enclave
an area with people who are different in some way from the people in the areas around it
pry
to raise, move, or pull apart with a lever
blasphemy
great disrespect shown to God or to something holy
totemic
belief in kinship with or a mystical relationship between a group or an individual and a totem
animation
a lively or excited quality
obstinately
refusing to change your behavior or your ideas
apparitions
a ghost or spirit of a dead person
gleeful
a strong feeling of happiness
patronize
to adopt an air of condescension toward
futile
pointless or useless
prude
a person who is easily shocked or offended by things that do not shock or offend other people
makeshift
a usually crude and temporary expedient
decamp
to leave a place suddenly and secretly
prodigal
carelessly and foolishly spending money, time
semaphore
a system used for sending signals by using two flags that are held in your hands
perversion
something that improperly changes something good
posse
a large group often with a common interest
regiment
to organize rigidly especially for the sake of regulation or contro
etching
a picture made by putting ink on an etched piece of metal and then pressing paper against the metal
precocity
having or showing the qualities or abilities of an adult at an unusually early age
approbation
an act of approving formally or officially
animosity
a strong feeling of dislike or hatred
voraciously
excessively eager
gluttony
the act or habit of eating or drinking too much
furtive
done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed
diffidently
lacking confidence : not feeling comfortable around people
terse
brief and direct in a way that may seem rude or unfriendly
sensuous
affecting the senses in a pleasing way
flippant
lacking proper respect or seriousness
conjure
to summon a devil or spirit by invocation or incantation
obliterate
to destroy (something) completely so that nothing is left
abasement
to lower in rank, office, prestige, or esteem
spectacle
a very impressive show
stoop
to bend down or over
porous
having small holes that allow air or liquid to pass through
implacable
not capable of being changed
sect
a religious group that is a smaller part of a larger group and whose members all share similar beliefs
repentant
the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings
loiter
to remain in an area when you do not have a particular reason to be there
skein
a long piece of yarn or thread that is loosely wound
manacle
neither one of a set of two metal rings designed to lock around a person’s wrists or ankles
smouldering
to burn slowly without flames but usually with smoke
despicable
very bad or unpleasant
garland
a ring or rope that is made of leaves, flowers, or some other material and that is used as a decoration
affable
friendly and easy to talk to
ploy
a clever trick or plan that is used to get someone to do something or to gain an advantage over someone
palpable
obvious and noticeable
coquettishly
a woman who likes to win the attention or admiration of men but does not have serious feelings for them
rogue
a man who is dishonest or immoral
deft
able to do something quickly and accurately
ostentation
an unnecessary display of wealth, knowledge, etc., that is done to attract attention, admiration, or envy
covet
to want (something that you do not have) very much
deign
to do something that you think you should not have to do because you are too important
appease
to make (a pain, a problem, etc.) less painful or troubling
flit
to move or fly quickly from one place or thing to another
wraith
shadow
luxuriate
o enjoy something that is appealingly rich or relaxing
dissipation
the process of slowly disappearing or becoming less
subservience
very willing or too willing to obey someone else
equivocal
having two or more possible meanings
bestow
to give (something) as a gift or honor
querulous
complaining in an annoyed way
perennially
existing or continuing in the same way for a long time
plebian
a common person
loll
to hang loosely or laxly
chaste
morally pure or decent
gaiety
a happy and lively quality
subvert
to secretly try to ruin or destroy a government, political system, etc.
cordoned
to form a protective or restrictive cordon around
susurration
a whispering sound
prurient
having or showing too much interest in sex
balm
something that gives comfort or support
anomaly
something that is unusual or unexpected : something anomalous
rejoice
to feel or show that you are very happy about something
recant
to publicly say that you no longer have an opinion or belief that you once had
usurp
to take and keep (something, such as power) in a forceful or violent way and especially without the right to do so
ignominious
causing disgrace or shame
coercion
to make (someone) do something by using force or threats
precarious
not safe, strong, or steady
evasive
not honest or directe
emanate
to come out from a source
contingency
something (such as an emergency) that might happen
maudlin
showing or expressing too much emotion especially in a foolish or annoying way
prudish
the behavior or thinking of people who are too easily shocked or offended
mauve
a light or medium purple color
procure
to get possession of
inscrutable
difficult to understand
deferential
a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something
lurid
causing shock or disgust
scrounge
to persuade someone to give you (something) for free
dismay
to cause (someone) to feel very worried, disappointed, or upset
truant
one who neglect duty
gawk
to stare at someone or something in a rude or stupid way
sprightliness
full of life and energy
jocularity
habitually jolly
decorous
: correct and polite in a particular situation
raspy
having a rough, harsh sound
sulky
angry or upset about something and refusing to discuss it with others
scant
very small in size or amount
assimilated
to be taken
bedraggle
to wet thoroughly
apathetic
not having or showing much emotion or interest
lurch
to loiter about a place furtively
conspicuously
very easy to see or notice
peremptory
used to describe an order, command
vanity
the quality of people who have too much pride in their own appearance, abilities, achievements, etc.
fatalistic
the belief that what will happen has already been decided and cannot be changed
volition
the power to make your own choices or decisions
gallantry
very brave behavior
