Vocabulary list for Other Rivers by Peter Hessler part 2

Rigorous

  • Definition: Extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate.
  • Example: The scientist conducted rigorous tests to ensure the accuracy of the results.

Cavernous

  • Definition: Like a cavern in size, shape, or atmosphere; vast and empty.
  • Example: The old warehouse had a cavernous interior that echoed with every step.

Disembark

  • Definition: Leave a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
  • Example: The passengers began to disembark from the plane as soon as it landed.

Rehearsal

  • Definition: A practice or trial performance of a play or other work for later public performance.
  • Example: The actors attended daily rehearsals to prepare for the upcoming play.

Nuance

  • Definition: A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
  • Example: She noticed the nuance in his voice that indicated he was upset.

Kafkaesque

  • Definition: Characteristic or reminiscent of the oppressive or nightmarish qualities of Franz Kafka’s fictional world.
  • Example: The bureaucracy was so Kafkaesque that it seemed impossible to navigate.

Instinctive

  • Definition: Relating to or prompted by instinct; done automatically without conscious thought.
  • Example: His instinctive reaction was to jump out of the way of the oncoming car.

Excruciating

  • Definition: Intensely painful.
  • Example: She felt excruciating pain in her leg after the fall.

Toll

  • Definition: A charge payable for permission to use a particular bridge or road.
  • Example: The toll for crossing the bridge was $5.
  • Definition: The number of deaths or casualties.
  • Example: The toll from the earthquake was devastating.

Tollbooth

  • Definition: A booth where drivers must pay to use a bridge or road.
  • Example: They stopped at the tollbooth to pay the fee before continuing on the highway.

Adamantly

  • Definition: In a way that suggests one will not be persuaded to change one’s mind; firmly and resolutely.
  • Example: She adamantly refused to change her plans.

Scaffold

  • Definition: A temporary structure used to support workmen and materials during the construction or repair of a building.
  • Example: The workers erected a scaffold to reach the higher parts of the building.

Scaffolding

  • Definition: The materials used to create a scaffold.
  • Example: The scaffolding was set up around the old building for renovation.

Meticulous

  • Definition: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
  • Example: She was meticulous in her preparation for the presentation.

Odyssey

  • Definition: A long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience.
  • Example: Their road trip across the country turned into an odyssey of unexpected discoveries.

Occupant

  • Definition: A person who resides or is present in a house, vehicle, seat, etc., at a given time.
  • Example: The previous occupant of the apartment left it in pristine condition.

Brigade

  • Definition: A large body of troops.
  • Example: The fire brigade arrived quickly to put out the blaze.

Placebo

  • Definition: A substance with no therapeutic effect, used as a control in testing new drugs.
  • Example: The patients in the control group were given a placebo.

Straggler

  • Definition: Someone who strays or falls behind from a group.
  • Example: The tour guide made sure no stragglers were left behind.

Pouch

  • Definition: A small bag or flexible container.
  • Example: She kept her coins in a small leather pouch.

Hem

  • Definition: The edge of a piece of cloth or clothing that has been turned under and sewn.
  • Example: She adjusted the hem of her dress to make it shorter.

Holster

  • Definition: A holder for carrying a handgun or other firearm, typically made of leather and worn on a belt or shoulder strap.
  • Example: The officer drew his gun from the holster.

Perfunctory

  • Definition: Carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.
  • Example: He gave a perfunctory nod and went back to his work.

Mandatory

  • Definition: Required by law or rules; compulsory.
  • Example: Attendance at the meeting is mandatory for all employees.

Embark

  • Definition: Go on board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
  • Example: They embarked on their journey early in the morning.

Doggedly

  • Definition: In a manner that shows tenacity and grim persistence.
  • Example: She doggedly pursued her goal despite many setbacks.

Proletariat

  • Definition: Workers or working-class people, regarded collectively.
  • Example: The revolution aimed to improve the conditions of the proletariat.

Complacent

  • Definition: Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.
  • Example: He grew complacent after years of success, ignoring potential risks.

Deferral

  • Definition: The action or fact of putting something off to a later time; postponement.
  • Example: They requested a deferral of the project deadline.

Plummet

  • Definition: Fall or drop straight down at high speed.
  • Example: The stock prices began to plummet after the announcement.

Tour

  • Definition: A journey for pleasure in which several different places are visited.
  • Example: They went on a tour of the historical landmarks.

Ventilator

  • Definition: An appliance or aperture for ventilating a room or other space.
  • Example: The hospital room was equipped with a ventilator.

Unanimous

  • Definition: (Of two or more people) fully in agreement.
  • Example: The committee made a unanimous decision to approve the project.

Syllabus

  • Definition: An outline of the subjects in a course of study or teaching.
  • Example: The teacher handed out the syllabus on the first day of class.

Accredited

  • Definition: Officially recognized or authorized.
  • Example: The university is accredited by a national educational body.

Brandish

  • Definition: Wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.
  • Example: He brandished the sword to intimidate his opponent.

Virological

  • Definition: Relating to the study of viruses and viral diseases.
  • Example: The virological research provided new insights into the virus’s behavior.

Monger

  • Definition: A person who promotes a specified activity, situation, or feeling, especially one that is undesirable or discreditable.
  • Example: The fear-monger spread false information to create panic.

Pontificate

  • Definition: Express one’s opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic.
  • Example: He likes to pontificate about politics at every gathering.

Remedy

  • Definition: A medicine or treatment for a disease or injury.
  • Example: The doctor prescribed a remedy for her allergies.

Phatic Communication

  • Definition: Communication that serves a social function, such as small talk.
  • Example: They engaged in phatic communication about the weather before the meeting.

Claustrophobic

  • Definition: (Of a person) suffering from claustrophobia.
  • Example: She felt claustrophobic in the small, crowded room.

Nonchalantly

  • Definition: In a casually calm and relaxed manner.
  • Example: He nonchalantly shrugged off the criticism.

Swerve

  • Definition: Change or cause to change direction abruptly.
  • Example: The car had to swerve to avoid hitting the deer.

Turnstile

  • Definition: A mechanical gate consisting of revolving horizontal arms that allow only one person at a time to pass through.
  • Example: They passed through the turnstile to enter the stadium.

Compound

  • Definition: A thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture.
  • Example: The chemical compound was essential for the experiment.

Incremental

  • Definition: Relating to or denoting an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale.
  • Example: The project progressed through incremental improvements.

Reek

  • Definition: Smell strongly and unpleasantly; stink.
  • Example: The garbage bin began to reek after being left out in the sun.

Paunch

  • Definition: A large or protruding belly.
  • Example: He had a noticeable paunch after years of sedentary work.

Implemented

  • Definition: Put (a decision, plan, agreement, etc.) into effect.
  • Example: The new policy was implemented immediately.

Crouch

  • Definition: Adopt a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down, typically to avoid detection or to defend oneself.
  • Example: They had to crouch behind the bushes to avoid being seen.

Grim

  • Definition: Forbidding or uninviting.
  • Example: The news of the disaster was grim.

Vigilant

  • Definition: Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
  • Example: The guards remained vigilant throughout the night.

Prickly

  • Definition: Covered in prickles.
  • Example: The prickly bushes made it hard to walk through the forest.

Implement

  • Definition: A tool, utensil, or other piece of equipment, especially as used for a particular purpose.
  • Example: The gardener used a variety of implements to tend to the plants.

Commiseration

  • Definition: Sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; compassion.
  • Example: They offered their commiserations to the family of the deceased.

Puddle

  • Definition: A small pool of liquid, especially of rainwater on the ground.
  • Example: The children loved to splash in the puddles after the rain.

Tending

  • Definition: Regularly or frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic.
  • Example: He was tending to the garden when we arrived.

Eavesdrop

  • Definition: Secretly listen to a conversation.
  • Example: She was caught eavesdropping on their private discussion.

Municipality

  • Definition: A city or town that has corporate status and local government.
  • Example: The municipality organized a community cleanup event.

Stranded

  • Definition: Left without the means to move from somewhere.
  • Example: The storm stranded many travelers at the airport.

Contestant

  • Definition: A person who takes part in a contest or competition.
  • Example: Each contestant hoped to win the grand prize.

Aficionado

  • Definition: A person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime.
  • Example: He is a true aficionado of classical music.

Boulder

  • Definition: A large rock, typically one that has been worn smooth by erosion.
  • Example: They had to climb over a huge boulder to continue on the trail.

Weary

  • Definition: Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.
  • Example: She was weary after a long day of work.

Flair

  • Definition: A special or instinctive aptitude or ability for doing something well.
  • Example: She has a flair for languages and can speak several fluently.

Reprimand

  • Definition: A formal expression of disapproval.
  • Example: He received a reprimand for his careless behavior.

Novel

  • Definition: New or unusual in an interesting way.
  • Example: The scientist presented a novel approach to the problem.

Sloshed

  • Definition: Drunk.
  • Example: He got sloshed at the party and had to be driven home.

Wobbling

  • Definition: Move unsteadily from side to side.
  • Example: The table was wobbling because one of the legs was shorter.

Dolly

  • Definition: A small platform on wheels used for holding heavy objects.
  • Example: They used a dolly to move the heavy furniture.

Trundle

  • Definition: Move or cause to move slowly and heavily, typically in a noisy or uneven way.
  • Example: The old cart trundled down the cobblestone street.

Omen

  • Definition: An event regarded as a portent of good or evil.
  • Example: The appearance of the comet was seen as a bad omen.

Rippled

  • Definition: (Of water) form or flow with small waves on the surface.
  • Example: The wind rippled the surface of the lake.

Wavelike

  • Definition: Resembling or characteristic of waves.
  • Example: The wavelike motion of the grass in the wind was mesmerizing.

Whisk

  • Definition: Take or move (someone or something) in a particular direction suddenly and quickly.
  • Example: He was whisked away to a secret location.

Condo

  • Definition: A building or complex of buildings containing a number of individually owned apartments or houses.
  • Example: They decided to buy a condo in the city.

Detox

  • Definition: A process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances.
  • Example: She went to a wellness retreat for a detox.

Bogeyman

  • Definition: An imaginary evil spirit or being used to frighten children.
  • Example: The story of the bogeyman scared the children.

Arable

  • Definition: (Of land) used or suitable for growing crops.
  • Example: The farmers worked hard to make the arable land productive.

Muleteer

  • Definition: A person who drives mules.
  • Example: The muleteer led his pack animals along the narrow trail.

Condominium

  • Definition: A building or complex of buildings containing a number of individually owned apartments or houses.
  • Example: They live in a high-rise condominium downtown.

Cringe

  • Definition: Bend one’s head and body in fear or in a servile manner.
  • Example: She cringed at the sound of the dentist’s drill.

Obsolete

  • Definition: No longer produced or used; out of date.
  • Example: The technology quickly became obsolete.

Intelligentsia

  • Definition: Intellectuals or highly educated people as a group, especially when regarded as possessing culture and political influence.
  • Example: The new policy was supported by the intelligentsia.

Diminutive

  • Definition: Extremely or unusually small.
  • Example: She had a diminutive stature but a powerful presence.

Presumptuous

  • Definition: (Of a person or their behavior) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.
  • Example: It was presumptuous of him to assume he would get the job.

Rampant

  • Definition: (Especially of something unwelcome) flourishing or spreading unchecked.
  • Example: The rumors ran rampant throughout the town.

Entrenched

  • Definition: (Of an attitude, habit, or belief) firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; ingrained.
  • Example: The entrenched practices of the company were hard to reform.

Keel

  • Definition: (Of a boat or ship) turn over on its side; capsize.
  • Example: The strong winds caused the sailboat to keel over.

Dismissive

  • Definition: Feeling or showing that something is unworthy of consideration.
  • Example: He was dismissive of her suggestions.

Ordeal

  • Definition: A painful or horrific experience, especially a protracted one.
  • Example: The survivors recounted their harrowing ordeal.

Sodden

  • Definition: Saturated with liquid, especially water; soaked through.
  • Example: The ground was sodden after the heavy rain.

Lieutenant

  • Definition: A deputy or substitute acting for a superior.
  • Example: The lieutenant took charge in the captain’s absence.

Prosperous

  • Definition: Successful in material terms; flourishing financially.
  • Example: The region is home to many prosperous businesses.

Dynamo

  • Definition: A machine for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy; a generator.
  • Example: The old dynamo still generated electricity for the farm.

Prognosis

  • Definition: The likely course of a disease or ailment.
  • Example: The doctor gave a positive prognosis for her recovery.

Complexion

  • Definition: The natural color, texture, and appearance of a person’s skin, especially of the face.
  • Example: She had a clear and radiant complexion.

Taut

  • Definition: Stretched or pulled tight; not slack.
  • Example: The rope was taut and ready for climbing.

Leave a comment

Trending