Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Fun Words and Quotes from Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

I started reading Cloud Atlas tonight. As I looked up the new and unfamiliar words like Sheog, I found a blog that featured words from the first ten pages. Then it stopped. Thus I write and record to look up and clarify the words of Cloud Atlas.
pusillanimity- lack of courage or determination; timidity

guerno- ???

penurious- extremely poor; poverty-stricken 

bilged- to break a hole in the bilge of; the lowest point of a ship's inner hull

ordure- something regarded as vile or abhorrent


vassals- a person in a subordinate position to another

Chatham Island- the largest island of the Chatham Islands group, in the south Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island

fecundated- fertilize; make fruitful

"Peace, though beloved of our Lord, is a cardinal virtue only if your neighbors share your conscience."

extirpation- local extinction 

"The merciful plowing shoots a trusty horse grown too old for service."

ameliorate- make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better

aborgate- repeal or do away with; evade

renege- go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract


"As many truths as men."

simulacrums- an image or representation of someone or something

bestirs- makes a physical or mental effort

salt-horse - salted beef

despotism- the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way

victualing- providing with food

Aesculapian- relating to medicine or physicians

befell- to happen or occur

circumambulating- walk all the way around

mollyhawk- a medium-sized albatross 

diaphanous fog- light, delicate, translucent 

nebulous quilts- in the form of a cloud or haze; hazy

summery pillows- characteristic of or suitable for summer

bosky- wooded, covered by trees or bushes

hawser- a thick rope or cable for mooring a ship

ketch- a two-masted sailboat

fo'c'sle- the forward part of a ship below the deck, traditionally used as the crew's living quarters

thitherwards- toward that place

tempest- a violent storm; tumult, uproar

usurous- practicing usury (the illegal action of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest

jackwood- a rainforest tree of Eastern Australia whose bark is dark brown or reddish-brown and often scaly

bowsprit- a spar extending forward from a ship's bow, to which the forestays are fastened

pique- interest or curiosity

lamentable- deplorable bad or unsatisfactory 

commodious- roomy and comfortable 

Friday is a Jonah amongst sailors; Jonah meaning bad luck

fripperies- showy or unnecessary ornaments

appurtenances- an accessory or other item associated with a particular activity or style of living

spectra of powders- spectrums or bands of colors, as seen in a rainbow 

unguents- soft greasy or viscous substances used as ointments or for lubrication

furtive- attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to troubles; secretive

gratis- without charge; free

trice- in a moment; very quickly

desiderata- something that is needed or wanted

pillory- a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, in which an offender was imprisoned

affright- frightened 

gaoler- someone who guards prisoners

certitude- absolute certainty or conviction that something is the case

cacophony- a harsh discordant mixture of sounds

alarum- alarm

arrack- an alcoholic liquor typically distilled from the sap of the coconut palm or from rice

dolorous- feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress

"Pain is strong, aye- but friends' eyes, more strong."

pidgin- denoting a simplified form of a language

vicissitudes- a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant 

scrofula- a disease with swollen glands, probably a form of tuberculosis 

subjugation- the action of bringing someone or something under domination or control

condign- (of punishment or retribution) appropriate to the crime or wrongdoing; fitting and deserved 

storiated- decorated with historical, legendary, or emblematic designs

putative- generally considered or reputed to be

bestir- make a physical or mental effort; exert or rouse oneself

arras- a rich tapestry, typically hung on the walls of a room or used to conceal an alcove

"To fool a judge, feign fascination, but to bamboozle the whole court, feign boredom."

percipience- good understanding of things; perceptiveness

lunatick- lunatic, one who is foolish, dangerous, crazy

odiously- in an offensive and hateful manner

admixture- a mixture

laphrydictic ???

valetudinarian- a person who is unduly anxious about their health

"My doctor is an uncut diamond of thr first water."

Lethean- causing oblivion or forgetfulness of the past

"Homer lulls me"

phosphorescence- light emitted by a substance without combustion or perceptible heat

sinnet- braided cordage in flat, round, or square form

supernuminaires- exceeding the usual, stated, or prescribed number

satyr- a male nature spirit with ears and a tail resembling a horse

erudite- having or showing great knowledge 

mal de mar- another phrase meaning seasickness

bon gré mal gré-.good grace, bad grace; like it or not; willingly or not

harum-scarum - reckless; impetuoud

Delphic- ambiguous

astraddle- with the legs stretched widely on each side of

End page 39

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