Light In August Glossary

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