The Diamond Necklace — Vocabulary
Guy de Maupassant
translated by: McMaster, Henderson, Quesada, et.al.
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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reflectreflect → reflects:thinks carefully
At the beginning of this passage, the author reflects on her life as a waitress.more
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She reflected several seconds, making her calculations and wondering also what sum she could ask without drawing on herself an immediate refusal and a frightened exclamation from the economical clerk.1 more
reflect → reflected:thought carefully
Show general definition for reflect (as in: I want to reflect on it.) think carefully -- possibly aloud or in writing
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contrastnotable difference
The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more
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He threw over her shoulders the wraps he had brought, the modest wraps of common life, the poverty of which contrasted with the elegance of the ball dress.
contrast → contrasted:was notably different
Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
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tapestrytapestry → tapestries:rug-like artworks -- often hung on a wall for display
The Lady and the Unicorn is the modern title given to the six tapestries that are considered to be among the greatest artworks of the Middle Ages.more
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...she thought of dainty dinners, of shining silverware, of tapestry that peopled the walls with ancient personages and with strange birds flying in the midst of a fairy forest;1 more
a heavy fabric with a woven picture that is hung on a wall for display
Show general definition for tapestry (as in: the tapestry hangs in the museum) rug-like artwork -- often hung on a wall for display
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perceivesee (become aware of)
I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.more
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But one Sunday, having gone to take a walk in the Champs Elysees to refresh herself after the labors of the week, she suddenly perceived a woman who was leading a child.
perceive → perceived:saw (became aware of)
Show general definition for perceive (as in: though blind, can perceive light) to become aware of -- especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
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comprisedmade up (composed of)
The university is comprised of six colleges.more
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She danced with rapture, with passion, intoxicated by pleasure, forgetting all in the triumph of her beauty, in the glory of her success, in a sort of cloud of happiness comprised of all this homage, admiration, these awakened desires and of that sense of triumph which is so sweet to woman's heart.
made up of
Show general definition made up of (composed of); or included
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dictatedictate → dictated:said out loud for the purpose of recording

(in this case, the implication is that the secretary is writing down what is said and will type it up later as a letter to send)
She dictated a letter to her secretary.more
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She wrote at his dictation.
dictate → dictation:saying out loud for the purpose of recording
Show general definition for dictate (as in: dictate a letter) say out loud for the purpose of recording
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oppressoppress → oppressive:uncomfortable (weighs heavily on the senses or spirit)
The heat is oppressive.more
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...who sleep in the big armchairs, made drowsy by the oppressive heat of the stove.
oppress → oppressive:uncomfortable (weighing heavily on the senses or spirit)
Show general definition for oppress (as in: oppressive heat) to make uncomfortable (weigh heavily on the senses or spirit)
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peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more
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The sight of the little Breton peasant who did her humble housework aroused in her despairing regrets and bewildering dreams.
used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country:  a person of low income, education, and social standing
Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country:  a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
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chagrinbad feeling such as embarrassment or disappointment
I bragged about how good our team was and then, much to my chagrin, we lost.more
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Then they went from jeweler to jeweler, searching for a necklace like the other, trying to recall it, both sick with chagrin and grief.
bad feeling due to a mistake
Show general definition a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance -- especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
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impoverishimpoverish → impoverished:made poor
Bad economic policy has impoverished the country.more
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She had become the woman of impoverished households—strong and hard and rough.
Show general definition make someone poorer; or make something less valuable
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supplemoving and bending easily
Yoga keeps my body supple.more
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Natural ingenuity, instinct for what is elegant, a supple mind are their sole hierarchy, and often make of women of the people the equals of the very greatest ladies.†
Show general definition moving and bending easily -- sometimes used figuratively to indicate mental flexibility when adapting to different conditions
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obligationduty
Although she had no legal obligation, she wanted to help him.more
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He gave notes, took up ruinous obligations, dealt with usurers and all the race of lenders.
obligation → obligations:duties
Show general definition a duty
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askewnot straight (not in proper alignment)
She came out of the water with her glasses askew but still on her head.more
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With frowsy hair, skirts askew and red hands, she talked loud while washing the floor with great swishes of water.
not straight
Show general definition not straight (not in proper alignment)

or:

(when used figuratively) not right, or not as planned
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odiousworthy of hate
Though they think the country's government is odious, they're unwilling to help topple it for fear of the consequences.more
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She came to know what heavy housework meant and the odious cares of the kitchen.
extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate
Show general definition extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate
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delicacya rare and expensive type of food
Chocolate covered ants are a delicacy of Columbia's Guane Indians.more
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Mathilde suffered ceaselessly, feeling herself born to enjoy all delicacies and all luxuries.
delicacy → delicacies:things of high quality -- such as expensive foods
Show general definition for delicacy (as in: eat the delicacy) something that is rare or expensive -- usually a prized food
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dowrymoney or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage
She was given her inheritance in the form of a dowry.more
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She had no dowry, no expectations, no way of being known, understood, loved, married by any rich and distinguished man; so she let herself be married to a little clerk of the Ministry of Public Instruction.
Show general definition in some societies, money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage

or less formally: money or property a bride brings to a marriage
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ingenuitythe ability to solve problems in smart creative ways
It will take more than ingenuity to clean this up. We're going to have to admit our mistake.more
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Natural ingenuity, instinct for what is elegant, a supple mind are their sole hierarchy, and often make of women of the people the equals of the very greatest ladies.
ability to solve problems in smart creative ways
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privationlack of basic things needed to live in a satisfactory manner
The blockade is causing widespread privation.more
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He compromised all the rest of his life, risked signing a note without even knowing whether he could meet it; and, frightened by the trouble yet to come, by the black misery that was about to fall upon him, by the prospect of all the physical privations and moral tortures that he was to suffer, he went to get the new necklace, laying upon the jeweler's counter thirty-six thousand francs.
privation → privations:things that are lacking which are needed to live in a satisfactory manner
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despaira feeling of hopelessness
Don't give in to despair.more
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They went toward the Seine in despair, shivering with cold.2 more
hopelessness
Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
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howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more
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Madame Loisel knew the horrible existence of the needy. She bore her part, however, with sudden heroism. That dreadful debt must be paid.1 more
in spite of that
Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2.  Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.