Glossary of Terms
abject: extremely humble
abnegation: the renouncing of something
accrete: become bigger by adding to what is already there
arras: tapestry curtain
augmenting: increasing in intensity
augur: a soothsayer or prophet
baleful: threatening
beholden: under an obligation to someone, because of something helpful that person has done
brusque: abrupt, blunt or curt
catholic: all-embracing, universal
chiaroscuro: artistic use of light and shade
concomitant: happening at the same time
consternation: a feeling of shocked dismay
cultivator: a farming tool or machine for breaking up soil
defunctive: dead; not functional
diffidence: a lack of self-confidence
dissimulation: the act of disguising or hiding one's true feelings, thoughts or intentions
dissolute: indulging in physical pleasures and vice to an extent that is considered immoral or harmful
dubious: possibly dishonest or immoral
equinoxes: twice-yearly events when the sun crosses the equator
evocation: a recreation of an event or feeling from the past
fatuously: with a lack of intelligence and awareness
hale: fit, strong and in good health
immanent: existing within or inherent in something
immemorial: so old that it seems always to have existed
immolated: destroyed as part of a ritual of sacrifice
implacable: impossible to pacify or appease
inert: motionless
interminable: seemingly endless
irascible: showing anger
latent: existing but in an underdeveloped or unexpressed form
lean-to: an outbuilding with a sloping roof resting against the wall of a larger building
malinger: pretend to be ill to avoid doing work
mendacity: deliberate untruthfulness
meretricious: seemingly plausible, but actually false
monstrance: in Christianity, a container for consecrated bread
palpable: so intense as to be almost able to be felt physically
perspicuous: clearly expressed and easily comprehensible
purlieus: districts or areas on the outskirts of a city or town
purloin: steal something, especially such that another's trust is broken
rampart: a fortified embankment
ratiocination: strictly logical thinking
redolent: aromatic
ruefulness: a feeling of regret
sardonic: disdainfully mocking
serge: a strong cloth usually made of wool
sheering: swerving from a course
shirk: avoid carrying out of responsibility
sibilance: a hissing sound
somnolence: sleepiness; quietness characterized by little or no activity
sonorous: sounding with loud, deep and clear tones
spurious: not genuine; different from what it claims to be
stave: a long thin piece of wood, usually sealed together with several others
surreptitious: characterized by stealth or secretiveness
suspire: to draw in breath
unflagging: remaining strong and unchanging
vacuous: lacking ideas, intelligence, or meaningful occupation
vernal: happening in the spring
ClassicNote on Light In August
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