Gone With the Wind Vocab, Lesson 6

Lesson 6

These are some words from Gone with the Wind. Some were brand-new to me. Others just merited looking up and getting to know them better.

Lesson 1 started here.

abortifacients, p 233—advertisements for . . . private diseases, abortifacients and restoratives for lost manhood
—an agent (as a drug) that induces abortion
First Known Use of abortifaciaent, 1873

insouciance, p 324—their apparent insouciance in the face of falling shells and shorter rations
—lighthearted unconcern; nonchalance

dewlaps, p 326—the skin of his pink face hung down in loose folds like the dewlaps of a bulldog
—loose skin hanging under the neck of an animal

contretemps, p 330—about Rhett showing up when Scarlett was talking to Ashley: Evidently he had forgotten the contretemps, or pretended to have forgotten it
—an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation; dispute, argument

presaged, p 333—presaged a declaration of love
— foretell, predict

victoria, p 354—Mrs. Elsing, standing up in the front of her victoria, reigns in one hand, whip in the other
—a low four-wheeled pleasure carriage for two with a folding top and a raised seat in front for the driver (from Queen Victoria)

Fury, p 354—as she lashed the horse like a Fury
— capitalized : any of the avenging deities in Greek mythology who torment criminals and inflict plagues

fetid, p 354—among soldiers waiting for care: until the fetid stench almost nauseated her
—having a heavy offensive smell

gabble, p 362—Scarlet would gabble something until Melanie
—to talk fast or foolishly, jabber

wraith, p 362—Prissy, scurrying like a black wraith, lit a lamp
—ghost, specter

gibing, p 378—“Take a good look at them,” came Rhett’s gibing voice.
gibed, p 382—His drawling voice gibed in her ears
—to utter taunting words, to deride or tease with taunting words