Crime and Punishment: Part 2

by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
A classic of Russian literature, this novel explores the psyche of a poor young man who plots to murder and rob a wealthy pawnbroker. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6–Epilogue

Here is a link to our lists for An Honest Thief by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. trepidation
    a feeling of alarm or dread
    When he reached the turning into the street, in an agony of trepidation he looked down it...at the house...and at once averted his eyes.
  2. askance
    with suspicion or disapproval
    He looked askance and rather indignantly at Raskolnikov; he was so very badly dressed, and in spite of his humiliating position, his bearing was by no means in keeping with his clothes.
  3. disconcerted
    having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
    The angry assistant superintendent was obviously disconcerted.
  4. contemptuously
    without respect; in a disdainful manner
    "Yes, yes. I perfectly agree with you. But allow me to explain..." Raskolnikov put in again, still addressing Nikodim Fomitch, but trying his best to address Ilya Petrovitch also, though the latter persistently appeared to be rummaging among his papers and to be contemptuously oblivious of him.
  5. revulsion
    intense aversion
    Raskolnikov fancied that the head clerk treated him more casually and contemptuously after his speech, but strange to say he suddenly felt completely indifferent to anyone's opinion, and this revulsion took place in a flash, in one instant.
  6. effusion
    an unrestrained expression of emotion
    It was not the meanness of his sentimental effusions before Ilya Petrovitch, nor the meanness of the latter's triumph over him that had caused this sudden revulsion in his heart.
  7. repugnance
    intense aversion
    Yet he could not overcome his sense of repugnance.
  8. coherence
    logical, orderly, and consistent relation of parts
    It's summer now, so I've been buying summer things—warmer materials will be wanted for autumn, so you will have to throw these away in any case... especially as they will be done for by then from their own lack of coherence if not your higher standard of luxury.
  9. melodramatic
    characteristic of acting or a stage performance
    "Why, because everything fits too well...it's too melodramatic."
  10. complacent
    contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
    Even his own, perhaps too complacent, consciousness of the agreeable improvement in his appearance might have been forgiven in such circumstances, seeing that Pyotr Petrovitch had taken up the role of fiancé.
  11. inveterate
    habitual
    "It might be explained by our inveterate impracticality."
  12. jaunty
    having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air
    He felt strangely attracted by the singing and all the noise and uproar in the saloon below....someone could be heard within dancing frantically, marking time with his heels to the sounds of the guitar and of a thin falsetto voice singing a jaunty air.
  13. apathy
    an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
    Raskolnikov looked on with a strange sensation of indifference and apathy.
  14. admonition
    cautionary advice about something imminent
    The priest stepped back and turned to say a few words of admonition and consolation to Katerina Ivanovna on leaving.
  15. resolutely
    showing firm determination or purpose
    "Enough," he pronounced resolutely and triumphantly. "I've done with fancies, imaginary terrors and phantoms! Life is real! haven't I lived just now? My life has not yet died with that old woman!"
Created on Wed Oct 09 12:21:49 EDT 2013 (updated Wed Jul 16 10:46:05 EDT 2025)

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