The Varieties of Religious Experience Glossary

by William James

The Varieties of Religious Experience Glossary

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by people who wish to remain anonymous

Trepidation

A state of being anxious or nervous when attempting to do something

Antecedents

Previous circumstances

Sagacity

Level-headedness or wisdom

Vitriol

Something not sweet, but rather bitter or biting

Melancholy

Being downhearted

Appellation

Designation

Postulate

An assumption or putting forward a suggestion

Acquaintance

Social contact

Ecclesiastical

Clerical or religious doctrine

Dogmatic

Assertive or being inflexible to change

Volition

Choice or desire to do something

Acquiesce

To comply and agree to something

Felicitous

To be fortunate, lucky or blessed

Impalpable

Something that is nonexistent

Obliteration

Eradication

Contrivance

A plot or a plan to do a particular task

Transcendent

To inspire or uplift

Sauntering

Walking

Pernicious

Being harmful or destructive

Efficacious

Effective

Update this section!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this section.

Update this section

After you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.