The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch Glossary

riposte

a sharp, quick, clever reply

proclivity

an inclination or tendency towards acting or liking something, especially something morally wrong

ostentatious

attention-seeking; designed to attract attention or inspire envy; pretentious or overly gaudy display

ignominious

dishonorable; causing or deserving of shame

capricious

given to impulsive or unpredictable behavior; fickle

obstinate

stubbornly refusing to change ones ideas, opinions, or actions

edify

to improve, benefit, or instruct, especially religiously or morally

dyspeptic

indigestion; in extended usage, irritability or annoyance (related to indigestion)

Francis of Assisi

patron saint of Italy, along with Saint Catherine of Siena, who was a Catholic friar, deacon and preacher

pallet

a bundle of straw; a makeshift or temporary bed

gregarious

outgoing; sociable; fond of the company of others

gossamer

a fine film of cobwebs, especially in autumn; something thin, light, or delicate

goad

to spur or provoke in order to elicit a reaction; to urge an animal on

cache

a collection of items stored in a secure hiding place

avocation

hobby

propinquity

nearness, closeness; kinship

pugilism

boxing; fighting

extant

not lost or destroyed; currently in existence

annals

a yearly record of events

tenacious

unwilling to accept defeat; holding onto something especially firmly

pilfer

to steal, especially small things or things of relatively little value

patrician

belonging to the aristocracy

desultory

disconnected; lacking order

desiccate

to remove the moisture from or dry; to emotionally or intellectually drain

apprise

to notify; to inform

aplomb

self-assurance, self-confidence

mirth

gladness, amusement, cheerfulness

maudlin

self-pitying; overly sentimental

indolent

to avoid effort or activity

idolatry

to worship an idol or false image

baleful

destructive, harmful or menacing

nonplussed

bewildered, surprised, unsure how to act

inane

foolish; silly

assiduous

perseverant, constant; showing attention or care

feint

a pretend or deceptive move

supercilious

behaving superior to others

spurious

illegitimate; false or not to be trusted

ebullient

enthusiastic, excited or cheerful; boiling or bubbling up

beatific

showing or producing bliss; bestowing holy bliss, blessing

jaunty

cheerful, lively manner

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