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Vocabulary from "Crime and Punishment" Part V, Chapters I-III

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  1. hitch
    any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
    He was particularly irritated by the owner of the flat which had been taken in view of his approaching marriage and was being redecorated at his own expense; the owner, a rich German tradesman, would not entertain the idea of breaking the contract which had just been signed and insisted on the full forfeit money, though Pyotr Petrovitch would be giving him back the flat practically redecorated.
  2. forfeit
    lose the right to or lose by some error, offense, or crime
    He endured anguish at that moment, and if it had been possible to slay Raskolnikov instantly by wishing it, Pyotr Petrovitch would promptly have uttered the wish.
  3. endure
    undergo or be subjected to
    He had heard of Andrey Semyonovitch, who had once been his ward, as a leading young progressive who was taking an important part in certain interesting circles, the doings of which were a legend in the provinces.
  4. parsimony
    extreme stinginess
    He, like everyone, had heard that there were, especially in Petersburg, progressives of some sort, nihilists and so on, and, like many people, he exaggerated and distorted the significance of those words to an absurd degree.
  5. omniscient
    knowing, seeing, or understanding everything
    Even if he had been certain that all the progressives were fools like him, it would not have allayed his uneasiness.
  6. nihilist
    someone who rejects all theories of morality
    He was rather soft-hearted, but self-confident and sometimes extremely conceited in speech, which had an absurd effect, incongruous with his little figure.
  7. contingency
    the state of being dependent on something
    He had tried expounding to him the system of Fourier and the Darwinian theory, but of late Pyotr Petrovitch began to listen too sarcastically and even to be rude.
  8. allay
    lessen the intensity of or calm
    The fact was he had begun instinctively to guess that Lebeziatnikov was not merely a commonplace simpleton, but, perhaps, a liar, too, and that he had no connections of any consequence even in his own circle, but had simply picked things up third-hand; and that very likely he did not even know much about his own work of propaganda, for he was in too great a muddle.
  9. incongruous
    lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
    It must be noted, by the way, that Pyotr Petrovitch had during those ten days eagerly accepted the strangest praise from Andrey Semyonovitch; he had not protested, for instance, when Andrey Semyonovitch belauded him for being ready to contribute to the establishment of the new "commune," or to abstain from christening his future children, or to acquiesce if Dounia were to take a lover a month after marriage, and so on.
  10. dupe
    fool or hoax
    It must be noted, by the way, that Pyotr Petrovitch had during those ten days eagerly accepted the strangest praise from Andrey Semyonovitch; he had not protested, for instance, when Andrey Semyonovitch belauded him for being ready to contribute to the establishment of the new "commune," or to abstain from christening his future children, or to acquiesce if Dounia were to take a lover a month after marriage, and so on.
  11. expound
    add details to clarify an idea
    It must be noted, by the way, that Pyotr Petrovitch had during those ten days eagerly accepted the strangest praise from Andrey Semyonovitch; he had not protested, for instance, when Andrey Semyonovitch belauded him for being ready to contribute to the establishment of the new "commune," or to abstain from christening his future children, or to acquiesce if Dounia were to take a lover a month after marriage, and so on.
  12. propaganda
    information that is spread to promote some cause
    Pyotr Petrovitch so enjoyed hearing his own praises that he did not disdain even such virtues when they were attributed to him.
  13. commune
    share or interact intimately with
    Andrey Semyonovitch who hardly ever had any money walked about the room pretending to himself to look at all those bank notes with indifference and even contempt.
  14. abstain
    refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something
    But the "humane" Andrey Semyonovitch ascribed Pyotr Petrovitch's ill-humour to his recent breach with Dounia and he was burning with impatience to discourse on that theme.
  15. acquiesce
    agree or express agreement
    But the "humane" Andrey Semyonovitch ascribed Pyotr Petrovitch's ill-humour to his recent breach with Dounia and he was burning with impatience to discourse on that theme.
  16. disdain
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
    But the "humane" Andrey Semyonovitch ascribed Pyotr Petrovitch's ill-humour to his recent breach with Dounia and he was burning with impatience to discourse on that theme.
  17. indifference
    the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care
    He had something progressive to say on the subject which might console his worthy friend and "could not fail" to promote his development.
  18. humane
    marked by concern with the alleviation of suffering
    "I should think not, after giving her a thrashing!
  19. breach
    an opening, especially a gap in a dike or fortification
    "It's all slander and nonsense!" cried Lebeziatnikov, who was always afraid of allusions to the subject.
  20. discourse
    an extended communication dealing with some particular topic
    You've heard it wrong; it's a libel.
  21. console
    give moral or emotional strength to
    I am not so stupid... though, of course, there is fighting... there won't be later, but at present there is... confound it!
  22. thrash
    give a beating to
    In our present society it is not altogether normal, because it is compulsory, but in the future society it will be perfectly normal, because it will be voluntary.
  23. flustered
    thrown into a state of agitated confusion
    Setting aside the general question of chastity and feminine modesty as useless in themselves and indeed prejudices, I fully accept her chastity with me, because that's for her to decide.
  24. slander
    words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
    She listened attentively to an account of the workmen's associations in France, too.
  25. libel
    a false and malicious publication
    "You are always thinking of something unpleasant," he cried with aversion.
  26. confound
    be confusing or perplexing to
    And tell me, please, what do you find so shameful even in cesspools?
  27. compulsory
    required by rule
    I merely hinted at her obtaining temporary assistance as the widow of an official who had died in the service—if only she has patronage... but apparently your late parent had not served his full term and had not indeed been in the service at all of late.
  28. modesty
    formality and propriety of manner
    God will repay you for it," faltered Sonia, gazing intently at Pyotr Petrovitch.
  29. chastity
    abstaining from sexual relations
    And although I cannot, I confess, in principle sympathise with private charity, for it not only fails to eradicate the evil but even promotes it, yet I must admit that I saw your action with pleasure—yes, yes, I like it."
  30. attentively
    in a thoughtful manner
    It is very probable, too, that Katerina Ivanovna longed on this occasion, at the moment when she seemed to be abandoned by everyone, to show those "wretched contemptible lodgers" that she knew "how to do things, how to entertain" and that she had been brought up "in a genteel, she might almost say aristocratic colonel's family" and had not been meant for sweeping floors and washing the children's rags at night.
  31. aversion
    a feeling of intense dislike
    She was heartily sick of him before the end, though she had declared at first that she could not have got on without this "serviceable and magnanimous man."
  32. novice
    someone new to a field or activity
    It must be noted that when Katerina Ivanovna exalted anyone's connections and fortune, it was without any ulterior motive, quite disinterestedly, for the mere pleasure of adding to the consequence of the person praised.
  33. cesspool
    a covered cistern for waste water and sewage
    The party consisted of the Pole, a wretched looking clerk with a spotty face and a greasy coat, who had not a word to say for himself, and smelt abominably, a deaf and almost blind old man who had once been in the post office and who had been from immemorial ages maintained by someone at Amalia Ivanovna's.
  34. habitual
    commonly used or practiced
    It needed the utmost delicacy, the greatest nicety, but she has managed things so that that fool, that conceited baggage, that provincial nonentity, simply because she is the widow of a major, and has come to try and get a pension and to fray out her skirts in the government offices, because at fifty she paints her face (everybody knows it)... a creature like that did not think fit to come, and has not even answered the invitation, which the most ordinary good manners required!
  35. detain
    cause to be slowed down or delayed
    It needed the utmost delicacy, the greatest nicety, but she has managed things so that that fool, that conceited baggage, that provincial nonentity, simply because she is the widow of a major, and has come to try and get a pension and to fray out her skirts in the government offices, because at fifty she paints her face (everybody knows it)... a creature like that did not think fit to come, and has not even answered the invitation, which the most ordinary good manners required!
  36. absurdity
    the state or quality of being ridiculous
    Sonia knew that this would comfort Katerina Ivanovna, would flatter her and gratify her pride.
  37. patronage
    the business given to an establishment by its customers
    The worst of it was his good nature made him trust all sorts of disreputable people, and he drank with fellows who were not worth the sole of his shoe.
  38. falter
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
    To my thinking that drunken commissariat clerk is a great deal cleverer, anyway one can see that he has addled his brains with drink, but you know, these foreigners are always so well behaved and serious....
  39. eradicate
    destroy completely, as if down to the roots
    This was the first time she had spoken to him of the project, and she launched out into the most alluring details.
  40. distress
    a state of adversity
    Though Katerina Ivanovna tried to appear to be disdainfully unaware of it, she raised her voice and began at once speaking with conviction of Sonia's undoubted ability to assist her, of "her gentleness, patience, devotion, generosity and good education," tapping Sonia on the cheek and kissing her warmly twice.
  41. merriment
    activities that are enjoyable or amusing
    At that moment, Amalia Ivanovna, deeply aggrieved at taking no part in the conversation, and not being listened to, made one last effort, and with secret misgivings ventured on an exceedingly deep and weighty observation, that "in the future boarding-school she would have to pay particular attention to die Wäsche, and that there certainly must be a good dame to look after the linen, and secondly that the young ladies must not novels at night read."
  42. genteel
    marked by refinement in taste and manners
    At that moment, Amalia Ivanovna, deeply aggrieved at taking no part in the conversation, and not being listened to, made one last effort, and with secret misgivings ventured on an exceedingly deep and weighty observation, that "in the future boarding-school she would have to pay particular attention to die Wäsche, and that there certainly must be a good dame to look after the linen, and secondly that the young ladies must not novels at night read."
  43. aristocratic
    belonging to or characteristic of the nobility
    He stood scanning the party with severe and vigilant eyes.
  44. magnanimous
    noble and generous in spirit
    In the opposite case I shall be compelled to have recourse to very serious measures and then... you must blame yourself."
  45. contented
    satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
    I'll go to our Sovereign, to our Sovereign, to our gracious Tsar himself, and throw myself at his feet, to-day, this minute!
  46. exalted
    of high moral or intellectual value
    I know nothing about it," she cried with a heartrending wail, and she ran to Katerina Ivanovna, who clasped her tightly in her arms, as though she would shelter her from all the world.
  47. abominably
    in an offensive and hateful manner
    You see, I don't believe it!" she cried in the face of the obvious fact, swaying her to and fro in her arms like a baby, kissing her face continually, then snatching at her hands and kissing them, too, "you took it!
  48. provincial
    associated with an administrative district of a nation
    The agonised, wasted, consumptive face, the parched blood-stained lips, the hoarse voice, the tears unrestrained as a child's, the trustful, childish and yet despairing prayer for help were so piteous that everyone seemed to feel for her.
  49. fray
    wear away by rubbing
    Compassionate and, so to say, commiserating these people, I am ready to overlook it even now in spite of the personal insult lavished upon me!
  50. gratify
    make happy or satisfied
    "How vile!" a loud voice cried suddenly in the doorway.
  51. imbecile
    a person of subnormal intelligence
    Pyotr Petrovitch indeed seemed almost dumbfounded for the first moment.
  52. disreputable
    lacking respectability in character, behavior or appearance
    Could it be simply to conceal it from me, knowing that my convictions are opposed to yours and that I do not approve of private benevolence, which effects no radical cure?
  53. addled
    confused and vague; used especially of thinking
    When Lebeziatnikov finished his long-winded harangue with the logical deduction at the end, he was quite tired, and the perspiration streamed from his face.
  54. alluring
    highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
    He had spoken with such vehemence, with such conviction that everyone obviously believed him.
  55. disdainfully
    without respect
    All this you understand was with the object of dividing me from my mother and sister, by insinuating that I was squandering on unworthy objects the money which they had sent me and which was all they had.
  56. aggrieve
    cause to feel distress
    A final rupture took place and he was turned out of the house.
  57. misgiving
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
    Our judges are not so blind and... not so drunk, and will not believe the testimony of two notorious infidels, agitators, and atheists, who accuse me from motives of personal revenge which they are foolish enough to admit....
  58. vigilant
    carefully observant or attentive
    Sonia, timid by nature, had felt before that day that she could be ill-treated more easily than anyone, and that she could be wronged with impunity.
  59. recourse
    act of turning to for assistance
    As though that godless calumny was not enough—this vile creature attacks me!
  60. sovereign
    a nation's ruler usually by hereditary right
    Amalia Ivanovna raged about the room, shrieking, lamenting and throwing everything she came across on the floor.
  61. parabola
    a symmetrical, approximately U-shaped curve
    But from the right pocket a piece of paper flew out and describing a parabola in the air fell at Luzhin's feet.
  62. heartrending
    causing or marked by grief or anguish
  63. sway
    move back and forth
    You see, I don't believe it!" she cried in the face of the obvious fact, swaying her to and fro in her arms like a baby, kissing her face continually, then snatching at her hands and kissing them, too, "you took it!
  64. piteous
    deserving or inciting a feeling of sympathy and sorrow
    The agonised, wasted, consumptive face, the parched blood-stained lips, the hoarse voice, the tears unrestrained as a child's, the trustful, childish and yet despairing prayer for help were so piteous that everyone seemed to feel for her.
  65. commiserate
    feel or express sympathy or compassion
    Compassionate and, so to say, commiserating these people, I am ready to overlook it even now in spite of the personal insult lavished upon me!
  66. vile
    morally reprehensible
    "How vile!" a loud voice cried suddenly in the doorway.
  67. dumbfounded
    as if rendered speechless with astonishment and surprise
    Pyotr Petrovitch indeed seemed almost dumbfounded for the first moment.
  68. benevolence
    disposition to do good
    Could it be simply to conceal it from me, knowing that my convictions are opposed to yours and that I do not approve of private benevolence, which effects no radical cure?
  69. harangue
    a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
    When Lebeziatnikov finished his long-winded harangue with the logical deduction at the end, he was quite tired, and the perspiration streamed from his face.
  70. emaciated
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
    He could not, alas, even express himself correctly in Russian, though he knew no other language, so that he was quite exhausted, almost emaciated after this heroic exploit.
  71. vehemence
    intensity or forcefulness of expression
    He had spoken with such vehemence, with such conviction that everyone obviously believed him.
  72. pique
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
    You are lying and slandering from some spite against me, simply from pique, because I did not agree with your free-thinking, godless, social propositions!"
  73. insinuate
    suggest in an indirect or covert way; give to understand
    All this you understand was with the object of dividing me from my mother and sister, by insinuating that I was squandering on unworthy objects the money which they had sent me and which was all they had.
  74. squander
    spend thoughtlessly; throw away
    All this you understand was with the object of dividing me from my mother and sister, by insinuating that I was squandering on unworthy objects the money which they had sent me and which was all they had.
  75. rupture
    the act of making a sudden noisy break
    A final rupture took place and he was turned out of the house.
  76. insolence
    the trait of being rude and impertinent
    Seeing that his accusation of Sonia had completely failed, he had recourse to insolence:
  77. infidel
    a person who does not acknowledge your god
    Our judges are not so blind and... not so drunk, and will not believe the testimony of two notorious infidels, agitators, and atheists, who accuse me from motives of personal revenge which they are foolish enough to admit....
  78. brandish
    move or swing back and forth
    But the commissariat clerk was unwilling to let him off so easily: he picked up a glass from the table, brandished it in the air and flung it at Pyotr Petrovitch; but the glass flew straight at Amalia Ivanovna.
  79. impunity
    exemption from punishment or loss
    Sonia, timid by nature, had felt before that day that she could be ill-treated more easily than anyone, and that she could be wronged with impunity.
  80. calumny
    a false accusation of an offense
    As though that godless calumny was not enough—this vile creature attacks me!
  81. lament
    a cry of sorrow and grief
    Amalia Ivanovna raged about the room, shrieking, lamenting and throwing everything she came across on the floor.
Created on Wed Oct 09 19:37:33 EDT 2013 (updated Fri Oct 11 16:17:25 EDT 2013)

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