Selena Yasmin Sapphire Galadriel Seay-Reynolds

Odyssey Vocabulary (Fitzgerald translation)

Book 1:
harried—adj. harassed
regale—v. to entertain
relent—v. to yield
flout—v. to scoff or jeer
ambrosia—n. the food and drink of the gods, those who ate became immortal
din—n. commotion
engender—v. beget, have children
guile—n. trickery, shrewdness

Book 2:
muster—v. to bring together
lavish—v. to squander
ravenous—adj. famished
beeve—n. cow
carouse—v. to engage in noisy or drunken social gathering
squander—v. to waste
lament—v. to mourn
audacity—adj. fearless daring
taut—adj. pulled or drawn tight
havoc—n. chaos
malice—n. malevolence
pillage—v. to plunder
parley—v. to discuss, as between enemies
lucid—adj. clear, understandable
prudence—n. discretion

Book 3:
begrudge—v. hold against
bane—n. something causing misery or death
insidious—adj. beguiling, harmful
brazen—adj. bold, shameless
bier—n. a coffin stand
bedeck—v. decorate
libation—n. drink
numinous—adj. related to the presence of a deity
lithe—adj. gentle, mild, easeful

Book 4:
surfeit—v. to indulge, replete
dissemble—to feign, deceive
canny—adj. witty
infallible—adj. incapable of failure or error
venerable—adj. impressive (because of age), august, wise, sagely
quell—v. silence
feign—v. fake
promontory—n. a naturally high point, like a cliff
appease—v. satisfy
impeccable—adj. perfect
Toby played the sonata impeccably—everything was perfectly in key and in time, and
every single note was correct.
abhor—v. loathe
 Selena Yasmin Sapphire Galadriel Seay-Reynolds
I absolutely loathe paper mache; it’s the most difficult material I’ve ever been forced to
work with.

Book 5:
douse—v. quench, subdue
The volunteer fire department quickly arrived and doused the blaze.
ornate—adj. decorated
Her veil was ornate, with lace, silken threads, beads, and gems.
pungent—intense (smelling)
Andrew’s cologne is so pungent that if you’re even around him for too long, you’ll smell
like it, too!
desolation—n. solitude
After being declared insane for his brightly colored leg-wear, Malvolio sat in his cell in
desolation.
mandate—v./n. order
The mandate states that yellow tights are expressly prohibited in the kingdom, and that
anyone found with such fancily attired legs be imprisoned.
guile—n. craft, trickery
Maria, master of guile, concocted a plan so crafty that the others would be sure to fall for
it.
versatile—adj. changeable, diverse
His versatile personality made him very unpredictable and difficult to be around.
adversity—n. misfortune or affliction
After all the adversity she’d faced at sea, it seemed that Viola might be able to enjoy some
peace and quiet in Illyria.
ballast—n. something that gives stability, physical or emotional
After years of turmoil, the ballast of a steady income calmed Valentine and began to bring
some stability into his life.
bestow—v. give
“I now bestow upon you the title of Duke Orsino!” the king proclaimed.
ruse—n. a deceptive maneuver (to avoid capture)
The best criminals often have accomplices, who create a ruse to distract the authorities’
attention away from the actual crime.
vigil—n. watch: purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
Fearful of thieves or wild animals during the night, the campers decided to individually
take turns as vigil so that the others could sleep.

Book 6:
oblivion—n. total forgetfulness or the state of being disregarded or forgotten
After a long, bad day at work, Antonio sought the peaceful oblivion of sleep.
gentry—n. the most powerful members of a society
During the French Revolution, most of the royalty and gentry were executed, by the
“commoners.”
deference—n. complaisance: a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
Her constant deference to Olivia in the argument was especially obnoxious after she had
told me that she’d side with me.

Book 7:
expedient—adj. simple, easy, quick
At this point, the most expedient solution to this conflict is simply to start over.
founder—v. fall through, fail utterly
Due to a lack of communication and preparation, the company’s plans foundered.
abashed—adj. uneasy, self-conscious, embarrassed, ashamed
Being a modest person, Sebastian felt abashed by the others’ excessive praise.
 Selena Yasmin Sapphire Galadriel Seay-Reynolds
Book 8:
impertinence—adj. imprudence, extraneous, insolent, ill-mannered, irrelevant
Her impertinence earned her a reputation as insolent and ill-mannered.
ponderous—adj. heavy, slow, laborious, clumsy, or wieldy (because of weight), extremely
dull or boring
Despite her efforts, Bianca found school far too ponderous to concentrate.
emulous—adj. eager to surpass others, ambitious or competitive
Cassio’s emulous nature helped him to rise to the position of lieutenant, easily surpassing
Iago and all other competition.
affront—v./n. slight, insult, treat, mention or speak to rudely
So preposterous were Iago’s affronts that Othello was at first unsure as to whether the
accusations were serious or part of a bad joke.
prowess—n. art, skillfulness, expertise
Her prowess in mathematics earned her a scholarship to MIT.
indecorous—adj. lacking propriety and good taste in manners and conduct
He had always been known to be quite polite, but his recent actions had begun to earn
him a new reputation as an indecorous oaf.
proffer—v./n. offer
Desdemona proffered her own apologies and begged forgiveness, despite the fact that she
had done nothing wrong.
prevail—v. predominate, prove superior, use persuasion successfully
Emilia prevailed upon him to reconsider his accusations and listen to reason, but he would
not.

Book 9:
formidable—adj. extremely impressive in strength or excellence, inspiring fear
blunder—v./n. commit a faux pas or make a serious mistake, fumble
filigree—n. delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver)

Book 10:
prodigious—adj. colossal, portentous, exceeding
beguile—v. influence by slyness, capture, attract
bower—v./n. to enclose in a bower, or an arbor (a framework that supports climbing plants)
cower—v. huddle, crouch or curl up
entice—v. provoke someone to do something through (often false promises or persuasion
disconsolate—adj. inconsolable

Book 11:
assuage—v. pacify, quench, satisfy, relieve, calm
cairn—n. a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path
implacable—adj. incapable of being placated, adamant, immovable
somber—adj. drab, grave, or gloomy
rancor—n. resentment, malignity, or spite
bereft—adj. lacking, deprived, stripped, or robbed of, bereaved
forlorn—adj. marked by or showing hopelessness, abandoned, deserted, miserable
impalpable—adj. intangible, imperceptible to the senses or mind
pyre—n. wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
relent—v. to yield
indomitable—adj. impossible to subdue
disperse—v. to scatter, distribute loosely, break up, or separate
roster—n. roll, a list of names
calamitous—adj. disastrous, “black” (as in “Black Friday”… or the black plague…)
manifest—v./adj. attest, provide evidence for, reveal its presence or make an appearance, or
apparent, clearly revealed to the mind, senses, or judgment
pandemonium—n. chaos, a state of extreme confusion and disorder
 Selena Yasmin Sapphire Galadriel Seay-Reynolds

Book 12:
timorous—adj. fearful, afraid, timid
travail—n. arduous or painful labor, work, effort
maelstrom—n. whirlpool
dire—adj. desperate, fraught with extreme danger, nearly hopeless, awful
insidious—adj. beguiling but harmful, intended to entrap
restitution—n. damages, a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury, the act of
restoring something to its original state

Book 13:
benison—n. a spoken blessing, beatitude, benediction
felicity—n. happiness
embark—v. set out (on), venture, go on board
slumber—v./n. sleep
hoist—v. to raise or haul up
benign—adj. not dangerous (to health), pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence,
kindness of disposition or manner
conveyance—n. transition of information, something that serves as a means of transportation
unencumbered—adj. not burdened with cares or responsibilities
trove—n. as in ‘treasure trove…’
tally—v./n. keep score, match, run, total, count, score, reckoning
plunder—v./n. sack, steal, rape, pillage, loot
confiscation—n. expropriation, seizure (of something)
murky—adj. cloudy, dark, gloomy, dim, obscure, indistinct, hard to see through
shroud—v./n. cover, sheet, pall (usually as in ‘burial shroud…’)
asylum—n. refuge, a shelter from danger or hardship
famished—adj. extremely hungry, ravenous
contrive—v. to plan, invent, project, devise
forlorn—adj. marked by or showing hopelessness, abandoned, deserted, miserable
cache—v./n. hoard, save, store, a hidden storage space
crux—n. the most important point
forestall—v. prevent, keep from happening or arising, make impossible, hinder, foil, anticipate
contemptible—adj. deserving of contempt or scorn
traverse—v. to travel across or pass over
colloquium—n. a gathering of scholars to discuss a given topic

Book 14:
pelt—v./n. cast, hurl, throw, pour, fur or hide
bliss—n. a state of extreme happiness
zeal—n. ardor, excessive fervor to do or accomplish something
plausible—adj. apparently reasonable, valid, truthful, realistic
stout—adj. portly, stalwart, hardy, or dependable
derelict—n./adj. a person without job, home, or property or bedraggled, worn down
singe—v. to scorch, burn superficially or lightly
amenities—n. comforts, things that make you feel comfortable or at ease
ominous—adj. baleful, threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments, ill

Book 15:
rouse—v. bestir, agitate, awaken, rout out
chattel—n. tangible, movable property
restive—adj. uneasy, tense, edgy, impatient
imperious—adj. disdainful, domineering, arrogant, or overbearing
estuary—n. the wide part of a river where it nears the sea, where fresh and salt water mix
deft—adj. skilful in physical movements, quick and neat in action
 Selena Yasmin Sapphire Galadriel Seay-Reynolds
dally—v. to behave carelessly or indifferently, waste time
minion—n. a servile or fawning dependant, a sycophantic follower
peril—n. hazard, a source of danger, risk or riskiness

Book 16:
quandary—n. predicament, dilemma
rancor—n. resentment, malignity, or spite
lithe—adj. gentle, mild, easeful
vengeance—n. the act of taking revenge, retaliation
conjure—v. raise, summon into action or bring into existence, bid, conspire
brawl—v./n. to quarrel noisily, angrily, or disruptively, fight, bash, an uproarious party
shirk—v. to avoid, avoid dealing with, fiddle
infatuated—adj. enamored, marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
sanction—v./n. approve, give authority or permission to, formal and explicit approval
ravage—v./n. harry, make a pillaging or destructive raid on (a place), lay waste to, or (usually
plural) a destructive action, as in “the ravages of time”

Book 17:
dole—v./n. a share of money, food, or clothing, or to hand this out
dispense—v. to distribute, administer, or bestow, grant a dispensation or exemption
respite—n. reprieve, a brief interval of rest or relieve
mendicant—n./adj. a friar or beggar, or practicing beggary
strife—n. discord, bitter conflict
qualm—n. scruple, uneasiness about the fitness of an action, queasiness
mortified—adj. embarrassed, made to feel uncomfortable because of shame or wounded
pride
intact—adj. undamaged in any way
lucid—adj. clear, understandable
disposition—n. your usual mood, inclination, a natural or acquired habit or characteristic
tendency in a person or thing, disposal

Book 18:
insatiable—adj. impossible to satisfy
farce—v./n. to fill with a stuffing while cooking or a comedy characterized by broad satire and
improbable situations
venture—v./n. proceed somewhere (despite the risk of possible dangers), guess, speculation,
put at risk, an undertaking
indignity—n. an affront to one’s dignity or self-esteem
discretion—n. freedom to act or judge on one’s own, free will, knowing how to avoid
embarrassment or distress, delicacy, refined taste, tact,
newfangled—adj. contemptibly modern, unfamiliar, or different
compunction—n. a feeling of deep regret, remorse
goad—v. to spur, give heart or courage to, prod, needle
blithe—adj. lacking or showing a lack of due concern, carefree, happy, lighthearted

Book 19:
vivacity—n./adj. the state of being vivacious, characterized by high spirits and animation,
lively, vigorous
maudlin—adj. bathetic, effusively or insincerely emotional, sentimental, self-pitying
bier—n. a coffin stand
endow—v. to give qualities or abilities to
zenith—n. the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary
sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
impervious—adj. unaffected or unable to be affected by, impenetrable, impermeable,
immune to damage or effect
 Selena Yasmin Sapphire Galadriel Seay-Reynolds
callow—adj. young and inexperienced
lavish—v. to squander

Book 20:
augury—n. an omen or prediction, foreboding, prophecy
perverse—adj. contrary, depraved
impediment—n. hindrance, obstruction
cuff—v. hit with the hand
buffeted—adj. pounded or hit repeatedly by storms or adversities, battered
patrimony—n. birthright, status, or tangible asset (usually inherited), property or money
viper—n. snake

Book 21:
rove—v. to move about aimlessly or without any destination (often in search of food or
employment)
boon—n./adj. blessing, benefit, favor, gift or very close and convivial
align—v. to bring into proper or desirable coordination correlation
abide—v. bide, dwell, put up with
resolute—adj. firm in purpose or belief, unyielding, determined
coddled—v./adj. cook in nearly boiling water, pamper, indulge, to be pampered or indulged
goad—v. to spur, give heart or courage to, prod, needle
interpose—v. to be or come between, introduce, interject, intervene
disrepute—n. loss or want of reputation, ill character, disesteem, discredit
dither—v. to act nervously, be undecided, uncertain, agitated
disdain—v./n. reject, to hold in contempt, contempt, condescension

Book 22:
wily—adj. crafty, sly, cunning
embossed—adj. brocaded, embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or
embroidery
runnel—n. rivulet, a small stream
ashen—adj. pale, wan, pallid, like ashes
entrails—n. the internal organs (of an animal, especially the intestines)
restitution—n. damages, a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury, the act of
restoring something to its original state
glower—v. look at with a fixed gaze, frown, glare
implacable—adj. incapable of being placated, adamant, immovable
honed—adj. made sharp, more accurate or precise
portal—n. a (grand and imposing) entrance
guise—n. an artful or simulated semblance, a customary way of speaking or acting, custom,
fashion, manner, behavior, practice
mettle—n. heart, inner strength, spirit, courage, valor
unscathed—adj. unharmed, uninjured
recess—v./n. adjourn, deferral, respite, inlet
baleful—adj. deadly or sinister, threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

Book 23:
avail—v./n. use to one’s advantage, be useful to, take or use, a means of serving
pliant—adj. plastic, capable of being influenced or formed, ductile, elastic, bendable
clot—v./n. change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state, curdle, clog
winnow—v. to blow on, cull out, separate grain from chaff

Book 24:
threnody—n. dirge, a song or hymn of mourning
unguent—n. ointment
 Selena Yasmin Sapphire Galadriel Seay-Reynolds
wheedle—v. influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering, to cajole or attempt to
persuade by flattery, blandishment
promontory—n. a naturally high point, like a cliff
sally—v./n. sortie, venture, or a witty remark
arbiter—n. someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue