Gatsby Ch. 2-3 Vocabulary Flashcards

Front

Oculist

Back

A medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the eye. Example: The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic — their retinas are one yard high.

Front

Proprietary

Back

Relating to ownership or an owner. Example: She came in with such a proprietary haste and looked around so possessively at the furniture.

Front

Hauteur

Back

Overbearing pride with a superior manner toward inferiors. Example: The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur.

Front

Mincing

Back

Affectedly dainty or refined. Example: "My dear," she told her sister in a high mincing shout, "most of these fellas will cheat you every time."

Front

Prodigality

Back

Excessive spending. Example: Laughter is easier, minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word.

Front

Vehemently

Back

In a forceful manner. Example: He denied so vehemently any knowledge of his movements that I slunk off in the direction of the cocktail table.

Front

Staid

Back

Characterized by dignity and propriety. Example: Instead of rambling, this party had preserved a dignified homogeneity and represented the staid nobility of the countryside.

Front

Impetuously

Back

In an impulsive or hasty way; without taking precautions. Example: "What do you think?" he demanded impetuously.

Front

Vacuous

Back

Devoid of significance or point. Example: A celebrated tenor had sung in Italian, and vacuous bursts of laughter rose toward the summer sky.

Front

Provincial

Back

Lacking sophistication or worldliness. Example: But young men didn’t — at least in my provincial inexperience — drift coolly out of nowhere and buy a palace on Long Island Sound.