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Monday, April 23, 2018

Top ten words commonly found in classic literature

The first time I attempted to read a classic as a young teen, I kept a running list of words to look up and figure out the meaning of, since I was having a hard time following the story line.;) Here are a few words that are just fun to use that where more common in the classics.

1. Vex
-disturb, especially by minor irritations
"It would vex me, indeed, to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard."

2. Rapture
-a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion (we don't usually use it in this context)
"Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.

3. Surmise
-infer from incomplete evidence
They attacked him in various ways--with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all, and they were at last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, Lady Lucas.

4. Supercilious
-having or showing arrogant superiority to
For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody.

5. Pedaantic
-marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached.

6. Reverie
-an abstracted state of absorption
"I can guess the subject of your reverie."

7. Stricture
-severe criticism
What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"

8. Trifling
-not worth considering
People do not die of little trifling colds.

9. Solicitude
-a feeling of excessive concern
When breakfast was over they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they showed for Jane.

10. Impute
-attribute or credit to
"I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday.
Impute
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18 comments:

  1. Nice twist on the theme today. You picked some interesting words. My TTT

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    1. I probably could of had even more fun with it if I had more time.;) The time got away from me!

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  2. Ooh I love your list this week. Very fancy!

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  3. "Vex" is such a fun word - though definitely one you don't see in modern literature. :)

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    1. It is such a fun word! We should work on bringing it back.;)

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  4. I feel like I should use supercilious more in my every day conversations lol -- excellent and educational take on this week's TTT!

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    1. I feel like I need to actually apply these now, try to figure out how to use one a day in conversation. lol.

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  5. I agree with you, Verushka. Supercilious is such a pretty word even if the meaning of it isn't so friendly.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!

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    1. I agree! I'm trying to figure out how to use it in every day conversation, since it's a fun one to say.;)

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  6. What a twist on the list this Tuesday! Awesome. I love learning new words.

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    1. Me too! I just need to do a better job of using them now that I know them.;)

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  7. This reminds me of studying for the GRE. I had to learn a lot of these words. :)

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  8. Oh I love what you did with the prompt! It never even occurred to me to think about what was inside the book. I probably would have gotten too obsessed with it if I did though.

    My TTT My TTT https://wp.me/p3ftwe-VS

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    1. This could of taken a long time if I were looking for actual words that were used a lot in classic literature.

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  9. A proper literature list-how unique!!
    https://justmeandmyblogreviews.blogspot.com/2018/04/top-ten-tuesday-ten-frequently-used.html

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