The Gift of the Magi - Vocabulary Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

In the story The Gift of the Magi, what is the meaning of the phrase "Bulldozing"?

Intimidating or bullying, possibly in a subtle way.

What does the phrase "The silent imputation of parsimony" mean?

Feeling embarrassed for being stingy, even if no one directly accuses you of it.

What is the meaning of the word "Instigates"?

To cause something to happen

Define "Predominating"

Being the most prominent or dominant Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for something to "Subside"?

Become less intense or prominent. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "Beggar description" mean?

Something is so extraordinary or shocking that it is impossible to describe adequately Signup and view all the answers

Explain the meaning of "Mendicancy Squad"

A group of police officers whose job is to limit begging Signup and view all the answers

What is a "Vestibule"?

A lobby or small hallway located next to the entrance of a building Signup and view all the answers

What does "Coax" mean?

To gently persuade someone to do something Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "Appertaining thereunto" mean?

Belong to, or be related to Signup and view all the answers

What is a "Pier-glass"?

A mirror Signup and view all the answers

Define "Agile"

Able to move quickly and gracefully Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "Rapid sequence of longitudinal strips" mean?

Seeing only parts of something at a time, as if looking through a series of narrow vertical slices Signup and view all the answers

What does the word "Cascade" mean?

Flow downwards like a waterfall, often in a continuous and uninterrupted manner Signup and view all the answers

Explain the meaning of "Faltered"

To lose strength or momentum, become weak or unsteady Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "Tripped by on rosy wings" mean?

Feeling very excited and happy, as if flying on a cloud Signup and view all the answers

What does "Ransacking" mean?

Thoroughly searching through something, often in a hurried or chaotic manner, to find something specific Signup and view all the answers

What is a "Fob chain"?

A chain that is attached to a pocketwatch Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "Meretricious ornamentation" mean?

Something that appears attractive or valuable but is ultimately superficial and lacks true substance Signup and view all the answers

What does "Intoxication" mean?

The state of being drunk or intoxicated Signup and view all the answers

What do the phrases "Prudence and reason" represent?

Self-discipline and the ability to make thoughtful and reasoned decisions Signup and view all the answers

What are the "Ravages made by generosity added to love"?

The difficult consequences that can result from being too generous, especially when motivated by love Signup and view all the answers

Define "Truant schoolboy"

A boy who skips school without permission Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "As a setter at the scent of quail" mean?

This phrase describes a hunting dog completely focused on the scent of its prey, similar to how a setter dog will freeze and point when it smells game. Signup and view all the answers

What does "Wriggled" mean?

To twist and turn the body, often in a small or wriggling motion Signup and view all the answers

Define "Laboriously"

Taking a lot of time and effort, often with difficulty Signup and view all the answers

What's a "Trance"?

A dream-like or altered state of consciousness, often characterized by a lack of awareness of surroundings and a sense of detachment from reality Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the phrase "Discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object"?

Paying careful attention to something that might seem unimportant or insignificant Signup and view all the answers

Who are the "Magi"?

The Three Wise Men who visited baby Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh Signup and view all the answers

What does "Ecstatic scream of joy" mean?

A loud, unrestrained expression of extreme happiness and excitement. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "Necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat" mean?

This means that the situation requires someone to immediately provide comfort and support to someone in need Signup and view all the answers

Explain the meaning of "Lamely related to you"

Not very well connected or relevant to the person addressed Signup and view all the answers

What is a "Chronicle"?

A historical record of events in the order in which they happened Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'bulldozing' in the context of the story?

In this story, "bulldozing" means being a little bullying. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'the silent imputation of parsimony' mean in the context of the story?

It means feeling embarrassed for being stingy, even though no one explicitly says it. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'instigates' mean in this study companion?

It means to cause something to happen. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'predominating' mean in this study companion?

It means being the most important or prominent. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'subsiding' mean in this study companion?

It means becoming less or diminishing. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'beggar description' mean in this study companion?

It means something is impossible or very difficult to describe. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'mendicancy squad' mean in this study companion?

It means a police squad that tries to limit begging. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vestibule' mean in this study companion?

It means a lobby next to the outer door of a building. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'coax' mean in this study companion?

It means to persuade someone gently to do something. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'appertaining thereunto' mean in this study companion?

It means belonging to something. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'pier-glass' in this study companion?

It is a mirror. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'rapid sequence of longitudinal strips' mean in this study companion?

It means seeing only parts of something at a time, as if it were moving quickly. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'faltered' mean in this study companion?

It means to lose strength or momentum. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'tripped by on rosy wings' mean in this study companion?

It means being very excited and happy. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ransacking' mean in this study companion?

It means searching thoroughly and with haste to find something. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'fob chain' in this study companion?

It is a chain attached to a pocketwatch. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'meretricious ornamentation' mean in this study companion?

It means something that is superficially attractive but lacks real substance or value. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'intoxication' mean in this study companion?

It means being drunk. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'prudence and reason' mean in this study companion?

It means self-discipline. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ravages made by generosity added to love' mean in this study companion?

It means the challenges caused by generosity fueled by love. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'truant schoolboy' mean in this study companion?

It means a boy who skips school. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'as a setter at the scent of quail' mean in this study companion?

It means a hunting dog completely focused on finding quail. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'wriggled' mean in this study companion?

It means to twist and turn. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'laboriously' mean in this study companion?

It means requiring a lot of time and effort. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object' mean in this study companion?

It means to carefully examine something that is not important. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the 'Magi' mentioned in this study companion?

They are the Three Wise Men. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ecstatic scream of joy' mean in this study companion?

It means a very happy and excited outburst. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat' mean in this study companion?

It means requiring the immediate use of all the things that bring comfort from the one who owns the apartment. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lamely related to you' mean in this study companion?

It means not very well explained or connected to you. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'chronicle' mean in this study companion?

It means the order in which events happened. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'silent imputation of parsimony' as it relates to the characters in 'The Gift of the Magi'?

Their subconscious understanding of their financial limitations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely reason O. Henry uses the phrase 'tripped by on rosy wings' to describe the characters' happiness?

To emphasize the contrast between their joyful feelings and their real-life struggles. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Bulldozing

A little bit of bullying in the story.

Silent imputation of parsimony

Feeling embarrassed for being stingy, even if no one says it.