The Great Gatsby Chapter 1 Vocab

Questions and Answers

In consequence, I'm _________ to reserve all judgments.

inclined

What does 'inclined' mean?

Feel willing or favorably disposed toward (an action, belief, or attitude).

Most of the confidences were unsought- frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation, or a hostile _______ when I realized by some unmistakable sign that an intimate revelation was quivering on the horizon.

levity

What does 'levity' mean?

Humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect. Signup and view all the answers

My family have been ________, well-to-do people in this Middle Western city for three generations.

prominent Signup and view all the answers

What does 'prominent' mean?

Important; famous. Signup and view all the answers

I had that familiar ________ that life was beginning over again with the summer.

conviction Signup and view all the answers

What does 'conviction' mean?

A firmly held belief or opinion. Signup and view all the answers

This isn't just an ________—life is much more successfully looked at from a single window, after all.

epigram Signup and view all the answers

What does 'epigram' mean?

A pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way. Signup and view all the answers

Jut out into the most __________ body of salt water in the Western Hemisphere, the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound.

domesticated Signup and view all the answers

Their house was even more _________ than I expected, a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay.

elaborate Signup and view all the answers

What does 'elaborate' mean?

Involving many carefully arranged parts or details; detailed and complicated in design and planning. Signup and view all the answers

Two shining _______ eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward.

arrogant Signup and view all the answers

What does 'arrogant' mean?

Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities. Signup and view all the answers

There was a touch of _________ contempt in it, even toward people he liked.

paternal Signup and view all the answers

What does 'paternal' mean?

Showing a kindness and care associated with a father; fatherly. Signup and view all the answers

Turning me around by one arm, he moved a broad flat hand along the front vista, including in its sweep a sunken Italian garden, a half acre of deep, _______ roses.

pungent Signup and view all the answers

What does 'pungent' mean?

Having a sharply strong taste or smell. Signup and view all the answers

She hinted in a murmur that the _______ of the balancing girl was Baker.

surname Signup and view all the answers

What does 'surname' mean?

A hereditary name common to all members of a family, as distinct from a given name. Signup and view all the answers

Evidently it surprised her as much as it did me, for she yawned and with a series of rapid, _____ movements stood up into the room.

deft Signup and view all the answers

What does 'deft' mean?

Neatly skillful and quick in one's movements. Signup and view all the answers

She was a slender, small-breasted girl, with an erect carriage, which she ________ by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet.

accentuated Signup and view all the answers

What does 'accentuated' mean?

Make more noticeable or prominent. Signup and view all the answers

Before I could reply that he was my neighbor dinner was announced; wedging his tense arm ________ under mine, Tom Buchanan compelled me from the room.

imperatively Signup and view all the answers

What does 'imperatively' mean?

The nature of or expressing a command; commanding. Signup and view all the answers

That's what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great, big, hulking physical _______ of a ----.

specimen Signup and view all the answers

What does 'specimen' mean?

An example of something such as a product or piece of work, regarded as typical of its class or group. Signup and view all the answers

Sometimes she and Miss Baker talked at once, unobtrusively and with a bantering ________ that was never quite chatter.

inconsequence Signup and view all the answers

What does 'inconsequence' mean?

Characterized by lack of proper sequence in thought, speech, or action. Signup and view all the answers

After an _________ hesitation he included Daisy with a slight nod, and she winked at me again.

infinitesimal Signup and view all the answers

What does 'infinitesimal' mean?

Extremely small. Signup and view all the answers

There was something pathetic in his concentration, as if his _________, more acute than of old, was not enough to him any more.

complacency Signup and view all the answers

What does 'complacency' mean?

A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. Signup and view all the answers

Miss Baker and I exchanged a short glance consciously ______ of meaning.

devoid Signup and view all the answers

What does 'devoid' mean?

Entirely lacking or free from. Signup and view all the answers

A ________ impassioned murmur was audible in the room beyond, and Miss Baker leaned forward unashamed, trying to hear.

subdued Signup and view all the answers

What does 'subdued' mean?

Quiet and rather reflective or depressed. Signup and view all the answers

The murmur trembled on the verge of ________, sank down, mounted excitedly, and then ceased altogether.

coherence Signup and view all the answers

What does 'coherence' mean?

The quality of being logical and consistent and the quality of forming a unified whole. Signup and view all the answers

I couldn't guess what Daisy and Tom were thinking, but I doubt if even Miss Baker, who seemed to have mastered a certain hardy ________, was able utterly to put this fifth guest's shrill metallic urgency out of mind.

scepticism Signup and view all the answers

What does 'scepticism' mean?

The theory that certain knowledge is impossible. Signup and view all the answers

To a certain _________ the situation might have seemed intriguing—my own instinct was to telephone immediately for the police.

temperament Signup and view all the answers

What does 'temperament' mean?

A person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Tom and Miss Baker, with several feet of twilight between them, strolled back into the library, as if to a _______ beside a perfectly tangible body.

vigil Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vigil' mean?

A period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray. Signup and view all the answers

I saw that turbulent emotions possessed her, so I asked what I thought would be some ______ questions about her little girl.

sedative Signup and view all the answers

What does 'sedative' mean?

Promoting calm or inducing sleep. Signup and view all the answers

Her eyes flashed around her in a defiant way, rather like Tom's, and she laughed with thrilling _____.

scorn Signup and view all the answers

What does 'scorn' mean?

The feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable; contempt. Signup and view all the answers

The instant her voice broke off ceasing to _______ my attention, my belief, I felt the basic insincerity of what she had said.

compel Signup and view all the answers

What does 'compel' mean?

Force or oblige (someone) to do something. Signup and view all the answers

I know now why her face was familiar - its pleasing ________ expression had looked out at me from many rotogravure pictures of the sporting life at Asheville and Hot Springs and Palm Beach.

contemptuous Signup and view all the answers

What does 'contemptuous' mean?

Showing contempt; scornful. Signup and view all the answers

As I started my motor Daisy _________ called: 'Wait!'

peremptorily Signup and view all the answers

What does 'peremptorily' mean?

Leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative. Signup and view all the answers

Something was making him nibble at the edge of stale ideas as if his sturdy physical _______ no longer nourished his peremptory heart.

egotism Signup and view all the answers

What does 'egotism' mean?

The practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively because of an undue sense of self-importance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary from The Great Gatsby Chapter 1

Inclined: Expresses a tendency or willingness to do something, either in judgment or action.
Levity: Refers to lightness or humor, often in relation to serious matters, implying a lack of respect.
Prominent: Pertains to someone who is important or famous, often reflecting social status.
Conviction: A firm belief or opinion that can signify renewed beginnings or fresh perspectives.
Epigram: A concise, clever remark that conveys ideas humorously or wittily.
Domesticated: Describes a state of being adapted to living with humans, often relating to environments or landforms.
Elaborate: Indicates something detailed or complex in design, often related to structures or plans.
Arrogant: Represents someone who has an inflated sense of self-importance, often leading to aggressive behavior.
Paternal: Denotes a fatherly quality, suggesting kindness tempered with condescension.
Pungent: Associated with strong smells or tastes, often vibrant or intense in nature.
Surname: Refers to the family name, distinguishing familial ties.
Deft: Describes skillful and quick movements, often in a physical context.
Accentuated: Means to make something more noticeable, highlighting features or attributes.
Imperatively: Connotes a command or strong necessity, often used in imperative statements.
Specimen: An example or sample that exemplifies a certain quality or characteristic.
Inconsequence: Characterized by lack of meaningful structure in thought or conversation, conveying a sense of casualness.
Infinitesimal: Refers to something extremely small, often used in scientific or mathematical contexts.
Complacency: Reflects a self-satisfied state, often ignoring potential problems or decline.
Devoid: Indicates a complete absence of something, emphasizing emptiness or lack.
Subdued: Describes a state of quiet or restrained emotion, often melancholic.
Coherence: The quality of being logical and consistent, essential for clear communication.
Scepticism: The theory that certain knowledge is unattainable, reflecting doubt or disbelief.
Temperament: Suggests an individual's inherent nature that influences behavior and emotional responses.
Vigil: A period of watchfulness or wakefulness, often to keep guard or pray.
Sedative: Refers to something that induces calmness or promotes sleep.
Scorn: A feeling of disdain or contempt, often directed towards perceived worthlessness.
Compel: To force or obligate someone to take action or adhere to a directive.
Contemptuous: Shows disdain or scorn, reflecting a negative view of others.
Peremptorily: Pertains to a commanding force where refusal is not accepted.
Egotism: Characterized by an excessive focus on oneself, underscoring an inflated self-importance.

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Enhance your vocabulary with this flashcard quiz focused on Chapter 1 of 'The Great Gatsby.' Each card presents a key word and its definition, helping you grasp important terms and their meanings in the context of the text. Perfect for students looking to delve deeper into Fitzgerald's language.