Dracula Vocabulary List 1
1.
distinct ADJ 1: distinguished as not being the same; not identical; separate (sometimes followed by from): <His private
and public lives are distinct.> 2: different in nature or quality; dissimilar (sometimes followed by from): <Gold is distinct
from iron.> 3: clear to the senses or intellect; plain; unmistakable: <The ship appeared as a distinct silhouette.> 4:
unquestionably exceptional or notable: <a distinct honor>
Example: There is a distinct difference between green bell peppers and serrano chile peppers – one is sweet and mild, while the other will almost
burn your tongue off.
Dracula: “In the population of Transylvania there are four distinct nationalities[…]” (1)
2.
brigand NOUN a bandit, especially one of a band of robbers in mountain or forest regions
Example: The train was attacked by a band of brigands, who robbed the passengers of all their money.
Dracula: “On the stage they would be set down at once as some old Oriental band of brigands.” (3)
3.
havoc NOUN great destruction or devastation; ruinous damage
Example: Havoc broke out when the electricity went out and the lights went dark, and everyone screamed and ran around frantically.
Dracula: Fifty years ago a series of great fires took place, which made terrible havoc on five separate occasions.” (3)
4.
implore VERB to beg urgently or piteously, as for aid or mercy; beseech; entreat
Example: The guilty man implored the jury not to sentence him to jail, crying and telling them that he had to work to support his children.
Dracula: “Finally she went down on her knees and implored me not to go […]” (4)
5.
idolatrous ADJ 1: worshiping idols 2: blindly adoring
Example: Shawn is almost idolatrous in his love for Apple products – he thinks that Steve Jobs, the founder of the company, is a god.
Dracula: “She then rose and […] taking a crucifix from her neck offered it to me. I did not know what to do, for, as an English Churchman, I
have been taught to regard such things as in some measure idolatrous […]” (4)
a. idol NOUN 1: an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed 2
(in the Bible) an image of a deity other than God, or the deity itself 3: any person or thing regarded with blind
admiration, adoration, or devotion: <Madame Curie had been her childhood idol>
6.
crucifix NOUN 1: a cross with the figure of Jesus crucified upon it 2: any cross
Example: Many churches have a large crucifix at the front, behind the altar.
Dracula: “She then rose and […] taking a crucifix from her neck offered it to me.” (4)
7.
polyglot NOUN 1: a mixture or confusion of languages 2: a person who speaks, writes, or reads a number of languages
3: a book, especially a Bible, containing the same text in several languages
Example: To work at the United Nations, you need to be a polyglot, capable of speaking to people from many different countries in their native
language.
Dracula: “I could hear a lot of words often repeated, queer words, for there were many nationalities in the crowd; so I quietly got my polyglot
dictionary from my bag and looked them out.” (5)
8.
rift NOUN 1: an opening made by splitting, cleaving, etc.; fissure; cleft; chink 2: a break in friendly relations: <a rift
between two people; a rift between two nations> 3: a difference in opinion, belief, or interest that causes such a break in
friendly relations 4: a geological fault
Example: During the American Civil War, there was a great rift between citizens from the North and the South.
Dracula: “Here and there seemed mighty rifts in the mountains, through which, as the sun began to sink, we saw now and again the white gleam
of falling water.” (6)
9.
serpentine ADJ 1: of, characteristic of, or resembling a serpent, as in form or movement 2: having a winding course, as
a road; sinuous 3: shrewd, wily, or cunning
Example: Although it was only a short distance up the mountain, the path was so serpentine that all the winding back and forth left me
exhausted.
Dracula: “as we wound on our serpentine way […]” (6)
10. bay VERB to howl, especially with a deep, prolonged sound, as a hound on the scent
Example: When his mother told him that he could not have another cookie before dinner, Stevie bayed with frustration.
Dracula: “The baying of the wolves sounded nearer and nearer […]” (10)
11. impalpable ADJ 1: not palpable; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch; intangible 2: difficult for the mind
to grasp readily or easily
Example: Although love is impalpable, it can be one of the most powerful forces on earth.
Dracula: “As he swept his long arms, as though brushing aside some impalpable obstacle, the wolves fell back and back further still.” (11)
12. uncanny ADJ 1: having or seeming to have a supernatural or inexplicable basis; beyond the ordinary or normal;
extraordinary <uncanny accuracy; an uncanny knack of foreseeing trouble> 2: mysterious; arousing superstitious fear or
dread; uncomfortably strange
Example: Francine began to suspect that Gustavo might be a vampire when she realized the uncanny fact that in 30 years, he never seemed to
age.
Dracula: “This was all so strange and uncanny that a dreadful fear came upon me […]” (11)
13. prodigious ADJ 1: extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc. <a prodigious research grant> 2: wonderful
or marvelous <a prodigious feat> 3: abnormal; monstrous
Example: Since he had not eaten all day, by dinner time Michael had a prodigious appetite.
Dracula: “I could not help but notice his prodigious strength.” (12)
14. solicitor NOUN (in England and Wales) a member of that branch of the legal profession whose services consist of
advising clients, representing them before the lower courts, and preparing cases for lawyers to try in the higher courts
Example: In England, a person who wants to be a solicitor only goes to law school for one or two years, and then works as an apprentice in a law
office.
Dracula: “Was this a customary incident in the life of a solicitor’s clerk sent out to explain the purchase of a London estate to a foreigner?” (12)
15. grim ADJ 1: stern and admitting of no appeasement or compromise <grim determination; grim necessity> 2: of a
sinister or ghastly character; repellent <a grim joke> 3: having a harsh, surly, forbidding, or morbid air <a grim man but a
just one; a grim countenance> 4: fierce, savage, or cruel <War is a grim business.>
Example: My mother’s grim expression told me that she had bad news for me.
Dracula: “a grim sort of smile […]” (15)
16. fortify VERB 1: to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works 2: to make
strong; impart strength or vigor to <to fortify oneself with a good breakfast> 3: to increase the effectiveness of, as by
additional ingredients <to fortify a diet with vitamins; to fortify a lotion with lanolin> 4: to strengthen mentally or morally
<to be fortified by religious faith>
Example: Juliette fortifies her milk with protein powder every morning, in an attempt to build muscle.
Dracula: “I was not sleepy, as the long sleep yesterday had fortified me […]” (20)
17. preternatural ADJ 1: out of the ordinary course of nature; exceptional or abnormal <preternatural powers> 2: outside
of nature; supernatural
Example: Dogs and cats seem to have a preternatural ability to detect whether a person is good or bad.
Dracula: “All at once we heard the crow of a cock coming up with preternatural shrillness through the clear morning air […]” (20)
18. diffuse ADJ 1: characterized by great length or discursiveness in speech or writing; wordy 2: widely spread or scattered;
dispersed
Example: The candle diffused the scent of cinnamon all over the room.
Dracula: “I began to fear as I wrote in this book that I was getting too diffuse; but now I am glad I went into detail from the first […]” (21)
19. salutation NOUN 1: the act of saluting or greeting 2: a word or phrase serving as the prefatory greeting in a letter or
speech, as “Dear Sir” in a letter or “Ladies and Gentlemen” in a speech.
Example: The teenagers gave each other high-fives as a form of salutation.
Dracula: “Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, and heard the Count’s voice saying to me, ‘Good morning’ [….] Having answered the Count’s
salutation, I turned to the glass again […]” (21)
20. bauble NOUN a showy, usually cheap, ornament; trinket; gewgaw.
Example: Sara dug through the piles of old jewelry and baubles at the garage sale.
Dracula: “Then seizing the shaving glass, he went on: ‘[…] It is a foul bauble of man’s vanity. Away with it!” (21)
21. conviction NOUN 1: a fixed or firm belief <No clever argument, no persuasive fact or theory could make a dent in his
conviction in the rightness of his position.> 2: the act of convicting someone, as in a court of law; a declaration that a
person is guilty of an offense 3: the act of convincing a person by argument or evidence.
Example: Rhonda was so firm in her conviction that it would not rain that she did not bring a raincoat on her hike, and consequently got soaked
when the afternoon shower started.
Dracula: “I rushed up and down the stairs, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find; but after a little the conviction of my
helplessness overpowered all other feelings.” (23)
22. yoke NOUN 1: a device for joining together a pair of draft animals, especially oxen, usually consisting of a crosspiece
with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal 2: an agency of oppression, subjection, servitude, etc. 3:
something that couples or binds together; a bond or tie
Example: Vishwa is yoked to his job as a corporate accountant until he can pay off his college loans, but after that, he wants to become a teacher.
Dracula: “‘[W]e threw off the Hungarian yoke, we of the Dracula blood were free amongst their leaders, for our spirit would not brook that we
were not free.’” (25)
23. stint VERB to be frugal; get along on a scanty allowance <Don't stint on the food. They stinted for years in order to
save money.>
Example: Grandma never stints on dessert when we go to visit her – she always piles us with cookies, cake, ice cream, and candy.
Dracula: “‘I have not stinted.’” (27)
24. precipice NOUN 1: a cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical, or overhanging face 2: a situation of great peril
Example: India and Pakistan have been on the precipice of war for the past thirty years; they each have nuclear weapons pointed at one another.
Dracula: “On the latter side [of the castle], as well as the former, there was a great precipice.” (30)
25. impregnable ADJ 1: strong enough to resist or withstand attack; not to be taken by force, unconquerable <an
impregnable fort> 2: not to be overcome or overthrown <an impregnable argument>
Example: Fort Knox, where America’s gold reserves are held, is almost impregnable.
Dracula: “The castle was built on the corner of a great rock, so that on three sides it was quite impregnable […]” (30)
26. coquette NOUN a woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to win their admiration and affection; flirt
Example: All of the young gentlemen at the Maynard County Ball were in love with Annette, a brunette coquette.
Dracula: “The fair girl shook her head coquettishly […]” (32)
27. ecstasy NOUN 1: rapturous delight 2: an overpowering emotion or exaltation; a state of sudden, intense feeling 3: the
frenzy of poetic inspiration 4: mental transport or rapture from the contemplation of divine things
Example: Some people say that meditating gives them a sense of ecstasy, as though this world were a paradise.
Dracula: “I closed my eyes in languorous ecstasy […]” (32)
28. ribald ADJ vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking, abusive, or irreverent; scurrilous
Example: When you apply for a job, you should make sure that all of your jokes are tasteful, not ribald, to avoid offending a potential employer.
Dracula: “The fair girl, with a laugh of ribald coquetry, turned to answer him […]” (33)
29. garb NOUN 1: a fashion or mode of dress, especially of a distinctive, uniform kind <in the garb of a monk.> 2: wearing
apparel; clothes 3: outward appearance or form
Example: The man was wearing a long white coat, and because of his garb, I assumed he was a doctor.
Dracula: “It was a new shock to me to find that he had on the suit of clothes which I had worn whilst travelling here […] There could be no
doubt as to his quest, and in my garb, too!” (37)
30. dogged ADJ persistent in effort; stubbornly tenacious <a dogged worker>
Example: Getting to the Olympics takes dogged commitment to one’s sport; you have to practice for many hours a day, monitor everything you eat,
and develop a deeply competitive attitude.
Dracula: “I thought I would watch for the Count’s return, and for a long time sat doggedly at the window.” (38)
Dracula – Vocabulary List 1 Practice Quiz
bauble
bay
brigand
conviction
coquette
crucifix
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
diffuse
distinct
dogged
ecstasy
fortify
garb
grim
havoc
idolatrous
impalpable
implore
impregnable
polyglot
precipice
preternatural
prodigious
ribald
rift
salutation
serpentine
solicitor
stint
uncanny
yoke
Charlene wore a small, golden __________ on a chain around her neck as a symbol of her Christian faith.
The children __________-d/ed their parents to buy them a dog by saying they didn’t want anything else for their birthdays and
promising to take care of it themselves.
The two sisters could not be more different; Kassandra is studious and serious, while Magdalena is a bit of a/an __________ who loves
attention from boys.
The glow from the nightlight __________-d/ed all over the room, so that Marco could see that there weren’t any monsters hiding.
The enormous __________ that is the Grand Canyon was carved from millions of years of erosion from the Colorado River.
When travelling to another country, it is important to learn some basic __________-s; saying “Bonjour!” or “Buenos dias!” instead of
“Hello!” can go a long way towards making foreign friends.
Sonia has a/an __________, unhealthy obsession with Bruno Mars – she even got his name tattooed on her arm.
Kevin was so excited about the party that it took a/an __________ effort not to tell Ralph and spoil the surprise.
The five-year-old’s mismatched __________ - a tutu, a raincoat, and a flannel shirt – suggested that her parents had allowed her to dress
by herself that morning.
When Mr. Huff asked his daughter where she had been all night, her __________ answer made him think that she was hiding
something.
Haley is a bit of a/an __________ - she speaks English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Ricardo gave up chocolate, his favorite food, for six weeks during Lent, so his first bar of Hershey’s after Easter was pure __________.
The restaurant tried to save money by charging diners for water and giving them each only one small napkin, but their __________-ing
backfired because people no longer wanted to eat there.
Harriet thought that practicing law would be a rewarding career, so she hoped to one day move to London and become a/an
__________.
Ravens are attracted to anything shiny, and will not hesitate to snatch a/an __________ from a person and bring it up to their nests.
Although everyone attempted to be happy on the first Christmas after Grandma passed away, we couldn’t help but feel __________
without the sound of her laughter and the smell of her gingerbread cookies.
My friend Tom bears such a/an __________ resemblance to Barack Obama that people often stop him on the street to ask for his
autograph.
Katherine demonstrated a/an __________ commitment to vegetarianism – even when her friends tempted her with bacon, she refused
and ate only eggplant.
The film was rated PG-13 because some people thought that its __________ sense of humor was not appropriate for small children.
The circus audience gasped as the tightrope walker approached the __________ of the platform, 50 feet above the ground.
The dogs began to __________ sadly when they realized they were not going for a walk, but instead to the vet for their annual checkup.
Although I didn’t believe that the fortune teller had any special powers, she demonstrated a/an __________ knowledge of secrets I had
never told anyone.
Rhett Butler had a reputation as an unreliable, scandalous __________, but in reality he was a kind gentleman.
Many people think that twins have the same personality, but often times they have very __________, different characters.
Getting through medical school takes __________ effort – you have to be willing to study hard and work long hours.
The crowd erupted in complete __________ after the fire alarm in the mall went off – people were running and screaming, and no one
knew what was happening.
I had a/an __________ that my grandfather was watching over me on the day I graduated from high school, even though he had passed
away two years earlier.
Many people warned them that it was foolish to __________ their lives together at such a young age, but Mandy and Casper insisted on
getting married when they were both still 18 years old.
The lawyer worked hard to help her client, who was accused of theft, avoid a/an __________ in court.
Esmeralda tried to __________ her windows by nailing boards over them before the hurricane hit.
______ out of 30 correct
practice quiz score: ______
Scoring:
30 = 100 29 = 97 28 = 93 27 = 90 26 = 87 25 = 83 24 = 80 23 = 77 22 = 73 21 = 70 20 = 67
19 = 63 18 = 60 17 = 57 16 = 53 15 = 50 14 = 47 13 = 43 12 = 40 11 = 37 10 = 33 9 = 30
8 = 27 7 = 23 6 = 20 5 = 17 4 = 13 3 = 10 2 = 7 1 = 3 0 = 0
answers: 1: crucifix 2: implore 3: coquette 4: diffuse 5: rift 6: salutations 7: idolatrous 8: prodigious 9: garb 10: serpentine 11: polyglot 12: ecstasy
13: stint 14: solicitor 15: bauble 16: grim 17: uncanny 18: impregnable 19: ribald 20: precipice 21: bay 22: preternatural 23: brigand
24: distinct 25: dogged 26: havoc 27: impalpable 28: yoke 29: conviction 30: fortify