the handmaids tale Flashcards
pungent
having a sharply strong taste or smell:
palimpsest
something that has changed over time and shows evidence of that change
garlands
a ring or rope that is made of leaves, flowers, or some other material and that is used as a decoration
yearning
a tender or urgent longing
insatiability
incapable of being satisfied
cattle prod
a device that is used to make cattle move by giving them an electric shock
wreath
something that is shaped like a circle
rummage
to search for something especially by moving and looking through the contents of a place
debase
to lower the value or reputation of
defiant
refusing to obey something or someone
averted
to turn away or aside (as the eyes) in avoidance
tantalizing
possessing a quality that arouses or stimulates desire or interest
decorum
correct or proper behavior that shows respect and good manners
pedant
a person who annoys other people by correcting small errors and giving too much attention to minor details
reproach
an expression of rebuke or disapproval (noun)
servile
of or befitting a slave or a menial position
whimsical
unusual in a playful or amusing way : not serious
undulating
having a wavy surface, edge, or markings
wheedle
to persuade someone to do something or to give you something by saying nice things
conspiratorial
suggesting that something secret is being shared
nondescript
not easily described
demurely
quiet and polite
ravenous
very hungry
obscenity
relating to sex in an indecent or offensive way
covet
to want (something that you do not have) very much
blatant
very obvious and offensive
pious
deeply religious : devoted to a particular religion
sedate
slow and relaxed
admissible
able to be admitted or allowed;
retroactive
effective from a particular date in the past
anachronisms
an error in chronology
eccentric
tending to act in strange or unusual ways
gloat
to show in an improper or selfish way that you are happy with your own success or another person’s failure
meek
having or showing a quiet and gentle nature : not wanting to fight or argue with other people
bereaved
sad because a family member or friend has recently died
chalice
a special cup for holding wine
quagmire
a difficult, precarious, or entrapping position
tremulous
haking slightly especially because of nervousness, weakness, or illness
treacherous
not able to be trusted : showing that someone cannot be trusted
ingratiate
to gain favor or approval for (yourself) by doing or saying things that people like
lugubrious
full of sadness or sorrow
stagnant
not active, changing, or progressing
bludgeon
to hit with heavy impact
mutilate
to cause severe damage to
covertly
made, shown, or done in a way that is not easily seen or noticed : secret or hidden
compose
to come together to form or make
coy
having a shy or sweetly innocent quality that is often intended to be attractive or to get attention
lithe
moving in an easy and graceful way
plaintive
expressing suffering or sadness
subdued
lacking in vitality, intensity, or strength
cavern
a large cave
whim
a sudden wish, desire, decision
wreathe
to surround or cover
withered
to become dry and weak
grope
to search for something by reaching or touching usually with your fingers in an awkward way
genial
friendly and cheerful
acquisitive
having a strong desire to own or acquire more things
innocuous
not likely to bother or offend anyone
ornate
covered with decorations *adj
incendiary
designed to cause fires
avid
having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something:
copulate
to have sexual intercourse
frivolity
a lack of seriousness :
vanity
something that is vain, empty, or valueless
decree
an official order given by a person with power or by a government
rancid
having a strong and unpleasant smell or taste from no longer being fresh
ajar
slightly open
thicket
a group of bushes or small trees that grow close together
delusion
: a belief that is not true : a false idea
litanies
a tedious recital or repetitive series:
incubate
to keep (something) in the proper conditions for development
proclamation
the act of saying something in a public, official, or definite way : the act of proclaiming something
stern
very serious especially in an unfriendly way
revile
to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way
queer
worthless
vindicate
to show that (someone) should not be blamed for a crime, mistake, etc. : to show that (someone) is not guilty
menace
a dangerous or possibly harmful person or thing
beseech
to beg (someone) for something
repentance
to feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or
meddle
to become involved in the activities and concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted
voluptuous
giving pleasure to the senses
emaciate
to waste away physically
endearing
inspiring affection:
subversive
to secretly try to ruin or destroy a government, political system, etc.
trivial
common
perfunctory
used to describe something that is done without energy or enthusiasm because of habit or because it is expected
uncouth
behaving in a rude way
indecorous
conflicting with accepted standards of good conduct or good taste
compunction
a feeling of guilt or regret
ignominious
causing disgrace or shame
defunct
no longer existing or being used
foreboding
a feeling that something bad is going to happen
