The Life of Olaudah Equiano

The Life of Olaudah Equiano Glossary

abhorrence

the act of utterly loathing or hating

alacrity

cheerful promptness and eagerness

animadversion

harsh criticism, usually censorious in nature

approbation

approval

avaricious

greedy

chilblains

a swelling and inflammation of the extremities, such as hands or feet, caused by exposure to cold

dexterity

skill, quickness, and grace in physical activity

enumerate

to spell out; to list; to count

execrations

curses

fetters

something that confines a person, such as chains

imputation

attribution; insinuation

inducement

a motive to compel one to do something

iniquity

wickedness; sinfulness

interposition

something that gets in the way of something else; an intervention

inveigle

to entice; to win over by flattery or praise

invidious

obnoxious; causing discontent

laudable

worthy of being praised, commended

manumission

formal emancipation from the bondage of slavery

obeisance

the acknowledgment of another's power or superiority

oblations

religious offerings, such as sacrifices

odoriferous

yielding a fragrance; full of a scent

pressgang

a band of military men who boarded ships during the Seven Years War' to force able British men to fight for the Crown against the French; the process was called impressment

sable

black

sagacious

wise

supplications

humble entreaties; sincere begging

trepan

to ensnare; trick

unfeigned

genuine; authentic

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