Monday, April 23, 2018

Top ten words commonly found in classic literature

The first time I attempted to read a classic as a young teen, I kept a running list of words to look up and figure out the meaning of, since I was having a hard time following the story line.;) Here are a few words that are just fun to use that where more common in the classics.

1. Vex
-disturb, especially by minor irritations

2. Rapture
-a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion (we don't usually use it in this context)

3. Surmise
-infer from incomplete evidence

4. Supercilious
-having or showing arrogant superiority to

5. Pedaantic
-marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning

6. Reverie
-an abstracted state of absorption
"I can guess the subject of your reverie."

7. Stricture
-severe criticism
What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"

8. Trifling
-not worth considering
People do not die of little trifling colds.

9. Solicitude
-a feeling of excessive concern

10. Impute
-attribute or credit to


  1. Nice twist on the theme today. You picked some interesting words. My TTT

    1. I probably could of had even more fun with it if I had more time.;) The time got away from me!

  2. Ooh I love your list this week. Very fancy!

  3. "Vex" is such a fun word - though definitely one you don't see in modern literature. :)

    1. It is such a fun word! We should work on bringing it back.;)

  4. I feel like I should use supercilious more in my every day conversations lol -- excellent and educational take on this week's TTT!

    1. I feel like I need to actually apply these now, try to figure out how to use one a day in conversation. lol.


  5. I agree with you, Verushka. Supercilious is such a pretty word even if the meaning of it isn't so friendly.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!

    1. I agree! I'm trying to figure out how to use it in every day conversation, since it's a fun one to say.;)

  6. What a twist on the list this Tuesday! Awesome. I love learning new words.

    1. Me too! I just need to do a better job of using them now that I know them.;)

  7. This reminds me of studying for the GRE. I had to learn a lot of these words. :)

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

  8. Oh I love what you did with the prompt! It never even occurred to me to think about what was inside the book. I probably would have gotten too obsessed with it if I did though.

    My TTT My TTT

    1. This could of taken a long time if I were looking for actual words that were used a lot in classic literature.

  9. A proper literature list-how unique!!

    1. Thanks! And thank you for stopping by.