FRANKENSTEIN – VOCABULARY MEMO
VOLUME 1
Chapter 1 Page 33 Indefatigable – unable to be tired out Disposition – a person’s usual frame of mind or a habit of a person, acquired tendency Page 34 Sustenance – means of sustaining health, life, nourishment, livelihood (means of maintenance) Adversity – distress, affliction, hardship or an unfortunate event/incident Interment – burial, esp. with ceremonial rites Doating – (same as to ‘dote’) meaning to love to an excessive or foolish degree Page 35 Hitherto – until this time, to this place or point (archaic word) Page 36 Disconsolate – sad beyond comfort, dejected Penury – extreme poverty, scarcity Page 37 Chamois – it’s a sure-footed goat antelope (soft suede leather was formerly made from the hide of this animal); a yellow to greyish yellow colour Apparition – an appearance of a ghostlike figure, the act of being visible
Chapter 2 Page 38 Ardour – feelings of great intensity and warmth, fervour; eagerness and great zeal Page 39 Caprice – whims; or a sudden change in attitude, behaviour etc (AN: in this case, I’m guessing the novel is referring to the first definition- ‘whims’) Filial – (adjective) of, resembling, or suitable to a son or daughter Page 40 Predilection – a predisposition, preference or bias Inclemency – harsh, severe, stormy, tempestuous Apathy – absence of interest of or enthusiasm for things that are generally considered interesting or moving (absence of emotion) Page 41 Chimerical – wildly fanciful, imaginary; indulging in fantasies Avidity – with great keen and enthusiasm Imbued – to instil or inspire (with ideals, principles etc) Tyros – a novice or beginner Lineaments – distinctive characteristics or features Citadel – a strongly fortified building or place of safety (AN: how it relates to the quote in the book ‘citadel of nature’ I have no idea)
Repined – to have been fretful or low-spirited through discontent Averred – to have stated positively, to allege as a fact or prove to be true
Page 42 Slough – despair or degradation Multifarious – having many parts of variety Ardent – expressive of intense desire or emotion; passionate Page 43 Galvanism – refers to electricity, esp. when produced by chemical means as in a cell/battery. In Medical terms, it refers to treatment involving the application of electric currents to tissues
Chapter 3 Page 48 Chimeras – according to Greek mythology, it’s a fire-breathing monster with a head of a lion, body of a goat and tail of a serpent – a fabulous beast made up of parts from various other animals. It also means a grotesque product of the imagination. In Biology terms, it’s an organism, esp. a cultivated plant, consisting of at least two genetically different kinds of tissue as a result of mutation, grafting, etc (AN: I’m so confused why M. Shelley used this weird word in the quotes below, I think the definition ‘grotesque product of the imagination’ is most likely being referred to) ‘I was required to exchange chimeras of boundless grandeur for realities of little worth’ and on page 49 the quote, ‘that the elixir of life is a chimera.’ Page 49 Panegyric – a public formal commendation (meaning with praise & approval) Mien- a person’s manner, bearing or appearance, expressing personality or mood Affability – warmth & friendliness; easy to converse with, approachable Page 50 Deference –compliance with the will/wishes of another; courteous regard; respect
Chapter 4 Page 51 Physiognomy – a person’s features/characteristic expression considered as an indication of personality; the art or practice of judging character from facial features Dogmatism – characterised by making authoritative or arrogant assertions/opinions Pedantry – being in the display of useless knowledge or minute observance of petty rules/details Abstruse – not easy to understand Page 53 Minutiae – small, precise or trifling details Page 54 Infallible – not liable to error, failure, completely dependable and trustworthy Precepts – a rule or principle for action, a guide or rule for morals; a direction esp. for technical operation Incessantly – not ceasing, continual Page 55 Emaciated – to become abnormally thin
Page 56 Procrastinate – to put of an action until a later time; delay
Chapter 5 Page 59 Lassitude – physical or mental weariness Dante – it’s the name of an Italian poet famous for an allegorical account of his journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Page 63 Convalescence – gradual return to health after illness, injury or an operation, the period during which such recovery occurs
Chapter 6 Page 66 Placid – easy-going, docile, having a calm nature Page 67 Vivacity – liveliness, exuberance, full of high spirits and animation Vacillating – inclined to waver, indecisive (unable to make up your mind) Page 71 Salubrious – favourable to health; wholesome, respectable, decent, hygienic, healthy Page 72 Ingenuity – inventive talent, cleverness; Archaic Meaning: frankness, honesty & candour (AN: I personally think it’s referring to the archaic meaning and not the first definition) Page 76 Cabriolet – a small two-wheeled horse drawn carriage with two seats and a folding hood Decisive – influential, conclusive, characterised by the ability to make decisions; resolute Page 77 Promontory – a high point of land esp. of rocky coast that juts out into the area Page 78 Precipices – the steep sheer face of a cliff OR crag or a precarious (unstable & risky) situation
Chapter 8 Page 83 Infamy – the state or condition of being infamous; an infamous act or event Ignominious – disgraceful, causing public shame, dishonourable, humiliating Exculpated – to free from blame or guilt, to pardon, acquit, to exonerate (the antonym: convict) Execrated – loathed, detested, abhorred, to have cursed and damned a person/thing Page 85 Timorous – fearful or timid
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Means it holds religious connotations – directly to do with the Church
Page 88 Absolution – release from guilt, obligation, or punishment ® Besieged – to have crowded round victim to bring about surrender; to overwhelm with requests or queries Excommunication – to sentence (a member of the church) to exclusion from the communion of believers & from privileges & public prayers of the church ® Obdurate – not easily moved by feelings, hard-hearted; impervious to persuasion esp. to moral persuasion Perdition – another word for hell, (Christianity) a final & irrevocable spiritual ruin ® Page 90 Inexorable – not able to be moved by entreaty or persuasion; relentless Unhallowed – not consecrated or holy; sinful or profane (irreligious, wicked, sacrilegious)
VOLUME 2
Chapter 1 Page 93 Complacency – a feeling of satisfaction; smugness Fortitude – strength & firmness of mind; resolute endurance Page 94 Fiend – the devil; Satan Page 95 Obscure – unclear or abstruse, vague or indefinite Efface – to obliterate, rub out and eradicate Sacrilege – the misuse of anything regarded as sacred or as worthy of extreme respect Page 97 Ephemeral – lasting only for a short time, momentary Epoch – a point in time beginning a new or distinctive period Impetuous – liable to act without consideration; rash & impulsive Page 98 Fettered –restrained & confined Pallid – lacking colour, brightness or vigour
Chapter 2 Page 100 Ascent – an upward slope, incline or gradient Precipitous – resembling a precipice (see V1, Ch 6, Pg 78); also means very steep & hasty Page 103 Recompense – to pay or reward for service; to compensate for a loss Commiserate – to feel or express sympathy/compassion Page 104 Odious – offensive, repugnant (revolting, hideous, vile etc)
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Chapter 3 Page 108 Debilitated – to make feeble, weaken Page 109 Purloined – to take dishonestly; steal Incommoded – to bother, disturb or to make inconvenient
Chapter 5 Page 122 Scion – a descendent, heir, or young member of a family (AN: I believe the novel is referring to the first definition) Abject – utterly wretched or hopeless, miserable, forlorn and dejected Page 123 Vagabond – a person with no fixed home; an idle wandering beggar or thief Coarser – lacking refinement, rough in texture, structure etc
Chapter 6 Page 125 Flagrant – blatant; glaring; outrageous Page 127 Indelibly – permanently, lastingly, for always Infantile – childishly immature Emulation – the act of imitating; the effort or desire to equal or surpass another or others; jealous rivalry (Archaic Meaning) Page 129 Expostulate – to argue or reason with Mandate – an official or authoritative instruction or command
Chapter 7 Page 130 Leathern – (Archaic) made of or resembles leather Portmanteau – a large travelling case made of stiff leather Hovel – a ramshackle dwelling place; an open shed for livestock, carts etc Page 133 Indelible – incapable of being erased or obliterated Sagacity – foresight, discernment, or keen perception, ability to make good judgement VOLUME 3
Chapter 1 Page 159 Sedulous – constant or persistent in use or attention; assiduous; diligent Indolence – disliking work or effort, laziness, idleness, torpor (inactive)
Page 160 Variegated – displaying differently coloured spots, patches, streaks etc
Chapter 3 Page 171 Sophisms – an argument that is deliberately invalid, specious (false, inaccurate, sham) or misleading Page 174 Insuperable – incapable of being overcome; insurmountable Spectre – a ghost, phantom, apparition; a mental image of something unpleasant or menacing Page 177 Debility – weakness or infirmity (frailty, ill health)
Chapter 4 Page 186 Assizes – (formerly set in England & Wales) the sessions, usually held 4 times a year, of the principal court in each country, exercising civil & criminal jurisdiction attended by itinerant (wandering, travelling) judges, replaced in 1971 by crown courts. Page 187 Torpor – similar to indolence: inactive, sluggish, and lethargic Inquietude – restlessness, uneasiness or anxiety
Chapter 5 Page 196 Artifice – crafty or subtle deception
Chapter 6 Page 201 Oar – a long shaft of wood for propelling a boat by rowing, having a broad blade that is dipped into and pilled against the water Acme – the culminating point, as of achievement or excellence; summit/peak
Chapter 7 Page 211 Disencumbered – to free from encumbrances (difficulties) Page 212 Imprecations – swearing, maledictions, curses, to invoke or bring down (evil, curse) Page 213 Posterity – future or succeeding generations Destitute – lacking the means of sustenance; totally impoverished
Page 216 Deputation – the act of appointing a person or body of people to represent or at on behalf of other Immured – to enclose within walls; imprison; to shut oneself away from society Page 219 Adversary – a person or group who that is hostile to someone; enemy Paramount – of the greatest importance & significance; pre-eminent (unsurpassed) Page 223 Opprobrium – the state of being abused or scornfully criticised; a cause of disgrace or ignominy Page 224 Contumely – scornful or insulting language or behaviour Page 225 Conflagration – a large destructive fire; to be burnt up
