Persepolis Vocabulary

Persepolis        vocabulary
“Introduction”
assimilated- to take in and incorporate as one's own; to absorb; to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust
wielded- to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating; to use (a weapon, instrument, etc.) effectively
fundamentalism- (in this case) - a movement favoring strict observance of the teachings of the Koran and Islamic law;
strict adherence to the fundamental principles of any set of beliefs
fanaticism- fanatical character, spirit, or conduct
“The Veil”
obligatory (3)- required as a matter of obligation; mandatory
decadence (4)- unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.
avant-garde (6)- the advance group in any field, especially in the visual, literary, or musical arts, whose works are characterized chiefly by unorthodox and experimental methods
predecessor (7)- a person who precedes another in an office, position, etc.; something succeeded or replaced by something else
celestial (8)- pertaining to the sky or visible heaven, or to the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere, as in celestial body
“The Bicycle”
perpetrated (15)- to commit
“The Water Well”
degenerate (18)- to fall below a normal or desirable level in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate
secular (20)- of or relating to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal
cultivated (23)- cultured, refined, or educated ; prepared and used for raising crops
rabble- a disorderly crowd; mob
bleak- bare, desolate, and often windswept
“Persepolis”
frivolities (28)- the quality or state of being frivolous (self-indulgently carefree)
cadaver (31)- a dead body, especially a human body to be dissected; corpse
“The Letter”
jackals (34)- any of several nocturnal wild dogs of the genus Canis, that scavenge or hunt in packs
“The Party”
effigy (41)- a representation or image, especially sculptured, as on a monument
phenomena (44)- anything that can be perceived as an occurrence or fact by the senses; any remarkable occurrence or person
euphoria (45)- a state of intense happiness and self-confidence
“The Heroes”
subversive (47)- tending or intending to subvert or overthrow, destroy, or undermine an established or existing system, especially a legally constituted government or a set of beliefs
diabolical (55)- having the qualities of a devil; devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked
“Moscow”
“The Sheep”
proletariat (69)- the class of wage earners, especially those who earn their living by manual labor or who are dependent for support on daily or casual employment; the working class
“The Trip”
decreed (73)- to order, adjudge, or ordain by decree (an edict, law, etc, made by someone in authority)
astray- out of the right way; off the correct or known road, path, or route
emanates (74)- to flow out, issue, or proceed, as from a source or origin; come forth; originate
progressive (75)- favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters
chador- the traditional garment of Muslim and Hindu women, consisting of a long, usually black or drab-colored cloth or veil that envelops the body from head to foot and covers all or part of the face
stupor- suspension or great diminution of sensibility, as in disease or as caused by narcotics, intoxicants, etc.
“The F-14s”
Coup d’etat (82)- a sudden and decisive action in politics, especially one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force
“The Jewels”
intolerable (93)- not tolerable; unendurable; insufferable
“The Key”
carnal (94)- pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites; sensual
flagellated (96)- to whip; scourge; flog; lash
carnage (101)- the slaughter of a great number of people, as in battle; butchery; massacre
“The Wire”
instinctive (104)- prompted by or resulting from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned
“The Cigarette”
belligerent (115)- of warlike character; aggressively hostile; bellicose
“The Passport”
blunt (119)- having an obtuse, thick, or dull edge or point; rounded; not sharp
CREEPY (121)- having or causing a creeping sensation of the skin, as from horror or fear
“Kim Wilde”
permissive (131)- habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove or forbid
“The Shabbat”
ballistic (135)- denoting or relating to the flight of projectiles after power has been cut off, moving under their own momentum and the external forces of gravity and air resistance
fatalism (137)- the acceptance of all things and events as inevitable; submission to fate
circumspect- watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent
“The Diary”
veritable (144)- true, as a statement or tale
dowry (146)- the money, goods, or estate that a wife brings to her husband at marriage
“The Soup”
incompetent (157)- not competent; lacking qualification or ability; incapable
capital- material wealth owned by an individual or business enterprise
bicker- to engage in petulant or peevish argument; wrangle
“Pasta”
anarchist (173)- a person who seeks to overturn by violence all constituted forms and institutions of society and government, with no purpose of establishing any other system of order in the place of that destroyed
cretin - a stupid, obtuse, or mentally defective person
perennial- lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring
epoch (174)- a particular period of time marked by distinctive features, events, etc.
emancipated (175)- freed, as from slavery or bondage
insolent (178)- boldly rude or disrespectful; contemptuously impertinent; insulting
volition (179)- the act of willing, choosing, or resolving
“The Pill”
indignant (180)- feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base
platonic (183)- an intimate companionship or relationship, especially between two persons of the opposite sex, that is characterized by the absence of sexual involvement;
“The Vegetable”
lackeys (191)- a servile follower; a person who is treated like a servant
peons- a farm worker or unskilled laborer; day laborer
fickleness- likely to change, especially due to caprice, irresolution, or instability; casually changeable
epitome (195)- a typical example of a characteristic or class; embodiment;
“The Horse”
communal (198)- used or shared in common by everyone in a group
appeased (201)- to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe
“Hide and Seek”
transcendental (218)- being beyond ordinary or common experience, thought, or belief; supernatural
nonchalance (219)- the state or quality of being nonchalant; cool indifference or lack of concern; casualness
“The Croissant”
profoundly (226)- penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding
“The Veil” p2
condemn (237)- to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of; censure
prostrate (238)- to cast (oneself) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration
banal (241)- devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite
nihilist (244)- total rejection of established laws and institutions
“The Return”
reciprocal (246)- given or felt by each toward the other; mutual
sordid (252)- morally ignoble or base; vile
cynical (253)- distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; like or characteristic of a cynic
fidelity (255)- strict observance of promises, duties, etc.
“The Joke”
inane (260)- lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly
“Skiing”
muddled (271)- to mix up in a confused or bungling manner; jumble
calamity (272)- a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury
“The Exam”
qualms (278)- an uneasy feeling or pang of conscience as to conduct; compunction
nostalgic (280)- experiencing or exhibiting nostalgia, a sentimental or wistful yearning for the happiness felt in a former place, time, or situation
“The Makeup”
Reproached- to find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame; censure
“The Convocation”
melancholy (292)- a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression
chauvinism (293) - aggressive or fanatical patriotism; enthusiastic devotion to a cause; smug irrational belief in the superiority of one's own sex, etc.
obscurantism (293)- opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge
amoral (293)- not involving questions of right or wrong; without moral quality; neither moral nor immoral
intransigence (294)- the state or quality of being intransigent, or refusing to compromise or agree; inflexibility
“The Socks”
Pretext-something that is put forward to conceal a true purpose or object; an ostensible reason; excuse
disparity (305)- lack of similarity or equality; inequality; difference
“The Wedding”
existentialist – one who practices existentialism, a philosophical attitude that stresses the individual's unique position as a self-determining agent responsible for the authenticity of his or her choices.
“The Satellite”
indoctrination -the act of indoctrinating, or teaching or inculcating a doctrine, principle, or ideology, especially one with a specific point of view
procured (375) - to obtain or get by care, effort, or the use of special means

“The End”

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