A View From the Bridge

A View From the Bridge Glossary

tenement

A single-family apartment in a larger building, usually occupied by the working-class

aggravate

To annoy or irritate

sparse

In short supply

divulge

To reveal, especially the truth

squabble

Fight or argue

recourse

An act or the action of resorting or turning to a person or thing for help, advice, protection, etc.

snitch

To tell on someone; often refers to telling the police that someone has broken a law

longshoreman

A person who works on the piers and docks, loading and unloading ships

piazza

an open public area surrounded by buildings; a town square

arias

songs in operas sung by one person

bel canto

operatic singing originating in 17th century and 18th century Italy and stressing ease, purity, and evenness of tone production and an agile and precise vocal technique

racket

a fraudulent scheme

imperious

acting in a powerful or proud way

deference

a quality of showing respect for someone or something

razzes

teases

transfixed

in a state of not being able to look away

pugnaciously

in a manner showing a willingness to fight or quarrel

degraded

talked down to, made small, broken down

perversely

done in a wrongheaded, stubborn, or inappropriate fashion

formality

an official rule that has to be complied with

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