Walt Whitman: Poems

Walt Whitman: Poems Glossary

accoutrements

(n. pl.) a soldier's outfit other than weapons and clothing; additional items of dress or equipment

aplomb

(n.) self-confidence or assurance, especially in a demanding situation

apparition

(n.) a ghost or ghostlike image of a person

carbine

(n.) a light, automatic rifle

contrariety

(n.) opposition or inconsistency between two or more things

corpulent

(adj.) fat (to describe a person)

corroborate

(v. trans.) to confirm or give support to (a statement, theory or finding)

delectation

(n.) pleasure and delight

disintegrated

(v. intrans.) weakened or broken apart

expostulation

(n.) strong disapproval or disagreement

foetor

(n.) (also fetor) a strong, foul smel

foundry

(n.) a workshop or factory for casting metal

frivolous

(adj.) carefree and not serious (to describe a person)

frolicsome

(adj.) lively and playful

fructify

(v. trans.) to make something fruitful or productive

illustrious

(adj.) well known, respected, and admired for past achievements

impalpable

(adj.) unable to be felt by touch; not easily comprehended

insatiate

(adj.) never satisfied

lamentable

(adj.) full of or expressing sorrow or grief; unfortunate; regrettable

meanness

(n.) lack of quality or good appearance; shabbiness; inferiority

novice

(n.) a person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation

oscillating

(v. intrans.) wavering between extremes of opinion, action, or quality

plodding

(v. intrans.) walking slowly with heavy steps; working slowly at a dull task

promenade

(n.) a paved public walk

retrospective

(adj.) looking back on or dealing with past events or situations

reveille

(n.) a signal sounded to wake personnel in the armed forces, usually played on a bugle or drum

robust

(adj.) strong and healthy; vigorous (to describe a person)

serpentine

(adj.) of or like a serpent or snake; winding and twisting like a snake

sinewy

(adj.) well-muscled

sordid

(adj.) involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; dirty or squalid

tremulous

(adj.) shaking or quivering slightly; timid, nervous

trestle

(n.) a framework consisting of a horizontal beam supported by two pairs of sloping legs, used in pairs to support a flat surface - like a tabletop

tympanum

(n.) a drum

unmitigated

(adj.) absolute, unqualified

wharves

(n. pl.) level quayside areas to which ships may be moored to load and unload

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