Vocabulary—The Great Gatsby—Ch. 4-6
Chapter 4
Knickerbocker—loose-fitting trousers gathered at the knee or calf; a resident of New York
Fluctuate—to change continually; to shift back and forth;
Sporadic—occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated
Divine Retribution—supernatural punishment by a deity or god in response to some human action
Rajah—an Indian king or prince
Elicit—to evoke or draw out a response from someone in reaction to an action or question
Valor—great courage in the face of danger, especially battle
Somnambulatory—related to sleep walking; going through the motions
Denizen—an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place; one who frequents a particular place
Jaunty—having a lively, cheery, and self-confident manner
Chapter 5
Rout—a disorderly retreat of defeated troops; a disorderly crowd of people
Suppress—to prevent the expression of a feeling or idea; to put to an end using force
Innumerable—a large number; too many to be counted; countless
Ecstatic—feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement
Reproach—to speak to someone in a way that expresses disapproval or disappointment
Serf—a person bound to the land and subject to the will of its owner
Obstinate—inflexible; stubborn; not yielding
Exult—to show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the result of a success
Hulking—heavy and clumsy; large; bulky
Nebulous—unclear; vague; ill-defined
Chapter 6
Laudable—deserving praise; commendable
Insidious—harmful but enticing; intended to entrap or trick
Repose—to be lying or kept in a particular place; a state of rest or sleep
Debauch—to corrupt; to destroy moral purity; to indulge in excessive eating or drinking
Antecedent—a thing or event that comes before another; previous or existing before
Ingratiate—to bring oneself in favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them
Perturb—to disturb greatly; to make uneasy or anxious
Dilatory—slow to act; tending to be late
Desolate—barren or laid waste; deserted; uninhabited; in a state of bleak emptiness
Elusive—difficult to find, catch, or achieve