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New words to me

I do not have as vast a vocabulary as some, but here are some words I've come across so far in a translation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky : Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics) that I didn't know. These are contained within the first two chapters.

slaked- to cause disintegration of (lime) by treatment with water

erstwhile- former; of times past

jobber- a wholesale merchant, esp. one selling to retailers

nankeen- a firm, durable, yellow or buff fabric, formerly made from a natural-colored Chinese cotton

oleaginous- having the nature or qualities of oil

blackguard- a low, contemptible person; scoundrel

magnanimous- generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness

Lisa
13 years ago

Comments



I read that book fairly recently as well...I didn't know "nankeen" (but figured it to be some kind of cloth material from context)...and I have often seen "slaked" used in terms of "slaking one's thirst"...I had no idea it meant "to cause disintegration of (lime) by treatment with water"...interesting (you learn something new everyday!)
Rebel Sun
13 years ago

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