Three Men in a Boat- Vocabulary List
This is a list of 10 interesting words that I found in Three Men in a Boat. This book was published in the late 1800's and so has many interesting words from Victorian English.
1. seedy- worn and shabby. The word seedy was first used in 1739. It comes from the word seed, probably in reference to the appearance of a flowering plant.
Sentence usage: She became uneasy as we reached a seedy neighbourhood.
2. giddiness- a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall down. The word giddiness comes from the adjective "giddy". It was first used in the late 14c.
Sentence usage: I had a feeling of giddiness when I realized that we would not stop walking until we reached our destination.
3. detained- to keep from proceeding by holding them back. Detain originally comes from the Latin word detinere which means "hold off or keep back". Detain was first used in the early 15th century.
Sentence usage: The corruption and crime in a country must not detain it.
4. residing- have one's permanent home in a particular place. Residing originally comes from the Latin word residentem. Residing was first used in the late 14c.
Sentence usage: One- half of the population resides in the suburbs.
5. eloquent- fluent or persuasive in speaking. This word originally comes from the Latin word eloquentem. Eloquent was first used in the late 14c.
Sentence usage: The most successful advocates in the world are mostly eloquent pleaders.
6. odour- a distinctive smell. Odour derives from the Latin word odor which means "a smell, a scent". Odour was first used in c. 1300.
Sentence usage: The odour of stale food is heavy and disagreeable.
7. perspiration- the process of sweating. This word derives from the Latin word perspirare which means blow or breathe constantly. People started using this word in the 1610's.
Sentence usage: She was so frightened that perspiration started trickling down her neck rapidly.
8. ruffian- a violent person, who is usually involved in crime. Ruffian was probably influenced from the Italian word ruffiano. However, it is not certain from where the word originated. Ruffian was first used in the 1530's.
Sentence usage: His daughter was murdered by a ruffian who lives down the street.
9. ostentation- the pretentious or showy display of one's wealth and luxury. The word "ostentation" originally derives from the Latin word ostentationem which means "showing exhibition, vain display". Ostentation was first used in the mid- 15c.
Sentence usage: His huge house filled with precious show-pieces was a form of ostentation.
10. queer- strange or unusual. Queer was probably from Scotland or originates from a Low German word- quer which means oblique, perverse or odd. Queer was first used in c. 1500.
Sentence usage: Loud and queer noises came from the neighbouring house.
Check your knowledge about these vocabulary words by playing the quiz given below.
https://quizlet.com/_1d27ga
(copy and paste this link in a new tab)
1. seedy- worn and shabby. The word seedy was first used in 1739. It comes from the word seed, probably in reference to the appearance of a flowering plant.
Sentence usage: She became uneasy as we reached a seedy neighbourhood.
2. giddiness- a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall down. The word giddiness comes from the adjective "giddy". It was first used in the late 14c.
Sentence usage: I had a feeling of giddiness when I realized that we would not stop walking until we reached our destination.
3. detained- to keep from proceeding by holding them back. Detain originally comes from the Latin word detinere which means "hold off or keep back". Detain was first used in the early 15th century.
Sentence usage: The corruption and crime in a country must not detain it.
4. residing- have one's permanent home in a particular place. Residing originally comes from the Latin word residentem. Residing was first used in the late 14c.
Sentence usage: One- half of the population resides in the suburbs.
5. eloquent- fluent or persuasive in speaking. This word originally comes from the Latin word eloquentem. Eloquent was first used in the late 14c.
Sentence usage: The most successful advocates in the world are mostly eloquent pleaders.
6. odour- a distinctive smell. Odour derives from the Latin word odor which means "a smell, a scent". Odour was first used in c. 1300.
Sentence usage: The odour of stale food is heavy and disagreeable.
7. perspiration- the process of sweating. This word derives from the Latin word perspirare which means blow or breathe constantly. People started using this word in the 1610's.
Sentence usage: She was so frightened that perspiration started trickling down her neck rapidly.
8. ruffian- a violent person, who is usually involved in crime. Ruffian was probably influenced from the Italian word ruffiano. However, it is not certain from where the word originated. Ruffian was first used in the 1530's.
Sentence usage: His daughter was murdered by a ruffian who lives down the street.
9. ostentation- the pretentious or showy display of one's wealth and luxury. The word "ostentation" originally derives from the Latin word ostentationem which means "showing exhibition, vain display". Ostentation was first used in the mid- 15c.
Sentence usage: His huge house filled with precious show-pieces was a form of ostentation.
10. queer- strange or unusual. Queer was probably from Scotland or originates from a Low German word- quer which means oblique, perverse or odd. Queer was first used in c. 1500.
Sentence usage: Loud and queer noises came from the neighbouring house.
Check your knowledge about these vocabulary words by playing the quiz given below.
https://quizlet.com/_1d27ga
(copy and paste this link in a new tab)
Seedy neighbourhood giddiness Perspiration disagreeable odour