The Circus Animals' Desertion

The Circus Animals' Desertion Glossary

stilted

stiff and self-conscious

burnished

polished, enhanced

chariot

ancient horse-drawn carriage

enumerate

list, itemize, expand upon

Oisin

a mythical Irish hero; also the subject of Yeats's first epic poem

allegorical

containing allegory

allegory

a story, poem, or picture intended to represent an abstract idea

gaiety

joy, lightheartedness

repose

rest, relax

embittered

angered

adorn

decorate

courtly

royal, dignified

bosom

breast, chest

intervened

interrupted, came between intending to change the course of events

fanaticism

extremism

Cuchulain

a hero in the Ulster Cycle, a series of Irish fairytales written in the first century

engross

absorb, consume

mound

lump, hill

refuse

relics, ruins

raving

rambling wildly and incoherently

foul

awful, disgusting, pungent

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