The Poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson Glossary

The Poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson Glossary

compensation

A recompense or reward

nemesis

One’s greatest enemy

threnody

An elegy or lamentation for the dead

forbearance

Patience or self-control

dirge

A funereal song

intellect

One’s brain power or ability to think critically

bastion

A stronghold; a fortress

quintessence

The embodiment of the character of a person or thing

havoc

A state of chaos and mayhem

amulet

A good luck charm

deluge

A torrential overflow

feign

To pretend or fake

turbulent

Marked by unpredictability

propitious

Bearing the potential for bringing good luck

inexorable

Unstoppable or unavoidable

ominous

Menacing and capable of instilling fear

haughty

Arrogant or conceited

eloquence

Expressed with great craft and ability to communicate

celestial

Heavenly; otherworldly

endure

To withstand for a prolonged period

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