Jude the Obscure: Part Fifth

by Thomas Hardy
Jude Fawley dreams of becoming a scholar, but he is thwarted by his working-class background and an ill-fated marriage. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Part First, Part Second, Part Third, Part Fourth, Part Fifth, Part Sixth

Here are links to our lists for other works by Thomas Hardy: The Return of the Native, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Mayor of Casterbridge
15 words 69 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. trepidation
    a feeling of alarm or dread
    Sue jumped aside in trepidation.
  2. apprehensive
    mentally upset over possible misfortune or danger
    As she read the four-square undertaking, never before seen by her, into which her own and Jude's names were inserted, and by which that very volatile essence, their love for each other, was supposed to be made permanent, her face seemed to grow painfully apprehensive.
  3. jocund
    full of or showing high-spirited merriment
    And I hope 'twill be a jocund wedding for ye in all respects this time.
  4. irrevocable
    incapable of being retracted
    However different our reasons are, we come to the same conclusion: that for us particular two, an irrevocable oath is risky.
  5. bifurcation
    a separation into two branches
    Out of this bifurcation and reunion there used to arise among wheeled travellers, before railway days, endless questions of choice between the respective ways.
  6. idiosyncrasy
    a behavioral attribute peculiar to an individual
    Cartlett's interest in Jude whatever it might have been when Arabella was new to him, had plainly flagged since her charms and her idiosyncrasies, her supernumerary hair-coils, and her optional dimples, were becoming as a tale that is told.
  7. conjecture
    the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence
    But although the smouldering maternal instinct was strong enough in her to lead her to quash her husband's conjecture, she was not disposed on second thoughts to be more candid than necessary.
  8. tacit
    implied by or inferred from actions or statements
    Scrutinizing them narrowly from the rear she noticed that Jude's hand sought Sue's as they stood, the two standing close together so as to conceal, as they supposed, this tacit expression of their mutual responsiveness.
  9. morosely
    in a sullen, moody manner
    "Silly fools — like two children!" Arabella whispered to herself morosely, as she rejoined her companions, with whom she preserved a preoccupied silence.
  10. mien
    a person's appearance, manner, or demeanor
    When they came back they let it be understood indirectly, and with total indifference and weariness of mien, that they were legally married at last.
  11. reprobate
    a person without moral scruples
    "It is droll, after all," she said, "that we two, of all people, with our queer history, should happen to be here painting the Ten Commandments! You a reprobate, and I — in my condition...O dear!"
  12. innuendo
    an indirect and usually malicious implication
    Sue silently took her companion's hand, and with eyes on each other they heard these passing remarks — the quaint and mysterious personality of Father Time being a subject which formed a large ingredient in the hints and innuendoes.
  13. ecclesiastical
    of or associated with a church
    I am sickened of ecclesiastical work now; and I shouldn't like to accept it, if offered me!
  14. gluttonous
    given to excess in consumption of especially food or drink
    "Now, don't you give way to gluttonous desires, my child," said the woman in weeds reprovingly.
  15. pretentious
    intended to attract notice and impress others
    By and by her attention was arrested by a little stall of cakes and ginger-breads, standing between the more pretentious erections of trestles and canvas.
Created on Mon Jun 27 20:27:51 EDT 2016 (updated Thu Jul 31 18:19:39 EDT 2025)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.