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WUTHERING HEIGHTS

Webster’s Thesaurus Edition for PSAT®, SAT®, GRE®, LSAT®,


GMAT®, and AP® English Test Preparation

Emily Brontë

PSAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board and the National Merit Scholarship
Corporation neither of which sponsors or endorses this book; SAT is a registered trademark of the College
Board which neither sponsors nor endorses this book; GRE, AP and Advanced Placement are registered
trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which neither sponsors nor endorses this book, GMAT is a
registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council which is neither affiliated with this book
nor endorses this book, LSAT is a registered trademark of the Law School Admissions Council which neither
sponsors nor endorses this product. All rights reserved.
Wuthering Heights
Webster’s Thesaurus Edition for PSAT®, SAT®, GRE®, LSAT®,
GMAT®, and AP® English Test Preparation

Emily Brontë

PSAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board and the National Merit
Scholarship Corporation neither of which sponsors or endorses this book; SAT® is a registered
trademark of the College Board which neither sponsors nor endorses this book; GRE®, AP® and
Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which neither
sponsors nor endorses this book, GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management
Admissions Council which is neither affiliated with this book nor endorses this book, LSAT® is a
registered trademark of the Law School Admissions Council which neither sponsors nor endorses
this product. All rights reserved.
ICON CLASSICS

Published by ICON Group International, Inc.


7404 Trade Street
San Diego, CA 92121 USA

www.icongrouponline.com

Wuthering Heights: Webster’s Thesaurus Edition for PSAT®, SAT®, GRE®, LSAT®, GMAT®, and AP®
English Test Preparation

This edition published by ICON Classics in 2005


Printed in the United States of America.

Copyright ©2005 by ICON Group International, Inc.


Edited by Philip M. Parker, Ph.D. (INSEAD); Copyright ©2005, all rights reserved.

All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a
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academic research. Such reproduction requires confirmed permission from ICON Group
International, Inc.

PSAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board and the
National Merit Scholarship Corporation neither of which sponsors or endorses this book;
SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Board which neither sponsors nor endorses
this book; GRE®, AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the
Educational Testing Service which neither sponsors nor endorses this book, GMAT® is a
registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council which is neither
affiliated with this book nor endorses this book, LSAT® is a registered trademark of the Law
School Admissions Council which neither sponsors nor endorses this product. All rights
reserved.

ISBN 0-497-01042-9
iii

Contents
PREFACE FROM THE EDITOR .......................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER I ....................................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER II ...................................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER III ................................................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER IV ................................................................................................................... 35
CHAPTER V .................................................................................................................... 43
CHAPTER VI ................................................................................................................... 47
CHAPTER VII .................................................................................................................. 55
CHAPTER VIII ................................................................................................................. 67
CHAPTER IX ................................................................................................................... 77
CHAPTER X .................................................................................................................... 95
CHAPTER XI ................................................................................................................. 113
CHAPTER XII ................................................................................................................ 125
CHAPTER XIII ............................................................................................................... 139
CHAPTER XIV ............................................................................................................... 151
CHAPTER XV ................................................................................................................ 161
CHAPTER XVI ............................................................................................................... 171
CHAPTER XVII .............................................................................................................. 177
CHAPTER XVIII............................................................................................................. 195
CHAPTER XIX ............................................................................................................... 205
CHAPTER XX ................................................................................................................ 211
CHAPTER XXI ............................................................................................................... 219
CHAPTER XXII.............................................................................................................. 237
CHAPTER XXIII............................................................................................................. 245
CHAPTER XXIV............................................................................................................. 255
CHAPTER XXV.............................................................................................................. 265
CHAPTER XXVI............................................................................................................. 269
CHAPTER XXVII............................................................................................................ 275
CHAPTER XXVIII........................................................................................................... 289
CHAPTER XXIX............................................................................................................. 297
CHAPTER XXX.............................................................................................................. 303
CHAPTER XXXI............................................................................................................. 311
iv
CHAPTER XXXII............................................................................................................ 317
CHAPTER XXXIII........................................................................................................... 329
CHAPTER XXXIV .......................................................................................................... 339
GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................... 351
Emily Brontë 1

PREFACE FROM THE EDITOR

Designed for school districts, educators, and students seeking to maximize performance on
standardized tests, Webster’s paperbacks take advantage of the fact that classics are frequently
assigned readings in English courses. By using a running thesaurus at the bottom of each page, this
edition of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë was edited for students who are actively building
their vocabularies in anticipation of taking PSAT®, SAT®, AP® (Advanced Placement®), GRE®,
LSAT®, GMAT® or similar examinations.1

Webster’s edition of this classic is organized to expose the reader to a maximum number of
synonyms and antonyms for difficult and often ambiguous English words that are encountered in
other works of literature, conversation, or academic examinations. Extremely rare or idiosyncratic
words and expressions are given lower priority in the notes compared to words which are “difficult,
and often encountered” in examinations. Rather than supply a single synonym, many are provided
for a variety of meanings, allowing readers to better grasp the ambiguity of the English language,
and avoid using the notes as a pure crutch. Having the reader decipher a word’s meaning within
context serves to improve vocabulary retention and understanding. Each page covers words not
already highlighted on previous pages. If a difficult word is not noted on a page, chances are that it
has been highlighted on a previous page. A more complete thesaurus is supplied at the end of the
book; Synonyms and antonyms are extracted from Webster’s Online Dictionary.

Definitions of remaining terms as well as translations can be found at www.websters-online-


dictionary.org. Please send suggestions to websters@icongroupbooks.com

The Editor
Webster’s Online Dictionary
www.websters-online-dictionary.org

1
PSAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board and the National Merit
Scholarship Corporation neither of which sponsors or endorses this book; SAT® is a registered
trademark of the College Board which neither sponsors nor endorses this book; GRE®, AP® and
Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which neither
sponsors nor endorses this book, GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management
Admissions Council which is neither affiliated with this book nor endorses this book, LSAT® is a
registered trademark of the Law School Admissions Council which neither sponsors nor endorses
this product. All rights reserved.
Emily Brontë 3

CHAPTER I

1801. - I have just returned from a visit to my landlord - the solitary


neighbour that I shall be troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In
all England, I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely
removed from the stir of society. A perfect misanthropist's heaven: and Mr.
Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us. A
capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when I
beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows, as I rode up,
and when his fingers sheltered themselves, with a jealous resolution, still further
in his waistcoat, as I announced my name.%
'Mr. Heathcliff?' I said.
A nod was the answer.
'Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honour of calling as
soon as possible after my arrival, to express the hope that I have not
inconvenienced you by my perseverance in soliciting the occupation of
Thrushcross Grange: I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts - '
'Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,' he interrupted, wincing. 'I should not
allow any one to inconvenience me, if I could hinder it - walk in!'
The 'walk in' was uttered with closed teeth, and expressed the sentiment, 'Go
to the Deuce:' even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathising
movement to the words; and I think that circumstance determined me to accept

Thesaurus
announced: (adj) proclaimed, cheerfulness. ANTONYMS: (n) vacillation,
declared. hinder: (v) impede, resist, check, cowardice, indecision, indifference.
beheld: (adj) visual. hamper, obstruct, curb, handicap, soliciting: (n) traffic, suit; (adj)
brows: (n) brow. delay; (n, v) bar; (adj) posterior, hind. petitory, petitioning.
desolation: (n) devastation, misery, ANTONYMS: (v) help, facilitate, uttered: (adj) expressed, express,
destruction, depression, grief, assist, prompt, encourage, promote, verbalised, verbalized, vocal, explicit,
wretchedness, bleakness, loneliness, allow, support, accelerate. oral; (v) spoke, quoth, said.
waste, ruin; (adj, n) desertion. leant: (adj) inclined. waistcoat: (n) CHUDDER, barbe,
ANTONYMS: (n) ecstasy, joy, perseverance: (n) endurance, tenacity, garment, jerkin, jubbah, oilskins,
productiveness, fertileness, resolution, constancy, fortitude, pilot jacket, pajamas, cardigan,
fecundity, cheer, fruitfulness, assiduity, industry, doggedness, singlet, talma jacket.
preservation, hopefulness, firmness, persistence, determination. warmed: (adj) warmer, warm, baked.
4 Wuthering Heights

the invitation: I felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly


reserved than myself.%
When he saw my horse's breast fairly pushing the barrier, he did put out his
hand to unchain it, and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway, calling, as
we entered the court, - 'Joseph, take Mr. Lockwood's horse; and bring up some
wine.'
'Here we have the whole establishment of domestics, I suppose,' was the
reflection suggested by this compound order. 'No wonder the grass grows up
between the flags, and cattle are the only hedge- cutters.'
Joseph was an elderly, nay, an old man: very old, perhaps, though hale and
sinewy. 'The Lord help us!' he soliloquised in an undertone of peevish
displeasure, while relieving me of my horse: looking, meantime, in my face so
sourly that I charitably conjectured he must have need of divine aid to digest his
dinner, and his pious ejaculation had no reference to my unexpected advent.
Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's dwelling. 'Wuthering'
being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to
which its station is exposed in stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they
must have up there at all times, indeed: one may guess the power of the north
wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the
end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one
way, as if craving alms of the sun. Happily, the architect had foresight to build it
strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended
with large jutting stones.
Before passing the threshold, I paused to admire a quantity of grotesque
carving lavished over the front, and especially about the principal door; above
which, among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys, I
detected the date '1500,' and the name 'Hareton Earnshaw.' I would have made a
few comments, and requested a short history of the place from the surly owner;
but his attitude at the door appeared to demand my speedy entrance, or
complete departure, and I had no desire to aggravate his impatience previous to
inspecting the penetralium.
Thesaurus
charitably: (adv) benevolently, kindly, n) longing; (adj) eager. ANTONYMS: peevish: (adj) fretful, fractious,
sympathetically, beneficently, (n) disgust, hatred, distaste, morose, testy, irascible, moody,
altruistically, humanely, repulsion, aversion, apathy, captious, petulant, cross,
philanthropicly, munificently, disinclination; (adj) unconcerned, cantankerous, touchy.
openhandedly, liberally, disinterested. unchain: (v) release, free, unbind,
humanitarianly. ANTONYMS: (adv) exaggeratedly: (adv) hyperbolically, unfasten, emancipate, unloose, loose,
unkindly, ungenerously, harshly. extravagantly, melodramatically, unbar, unbolt, undo, unravel.
conjectured: (adj) supposed, hyperbolicly, inflatedly, ANTONYMS: (v) lock, confine, fetter.
opinionative. pretentiously, artificially, undertone: (n) undercurrent, murmur,
craving: (n) appetite, addiction, sensationally, immoderately, tinge, nuance, whisper, suggestion,
appetence, eagerness, hankering, yen, theatrically, histrionically. implication, connotation, overtone,
hunger; (n, v) desire, appetency; (adj, ANTONYM: (adv) slightly. association, hint.
Emily Brontë 5

One stop brought us into the family sitting-room, without any introductory
lobby or passage: they call it here 'the house' pre- eminently. It includes kitchen
and parlour, generally; but I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen is forced
to retreat altogether into another quarter: at least I distinguished a chatter of
tongues, and a clatter of culinary utensils, deep within; and I observed no signs
of roasting, boiling, or baking, about the huge fireplace; nor any glitter of copper
saucepans and tin cullenders on the walls. One end, indeed, reflected splendidly
both light and heat from ranks of immense pewter dishes, interspersed with
silver jugs and tankards, towering row after row, on a vast oak dresser, to the
very roof. The latter had never been under-drawn: its entire anatomy lay bare to
an inquiring eye, except where a frame of wood laden with oatcakes and clusters
of legs of beef, mutton, and ham, concealed it. Above the chimney were sundry
villainous old guns, and a couple of horse-pistols: and, by way of ornament,
three gaudily-painted canisters disposed along its ledge. The floor was of
smooth, white stone; the chairs, high-backed, primitive structures, painted green:
one or two heavy black ones lurking in the shade. In an arch under the dresser
reposed a huge, liver-coloured bitch pointer, surrounded by a swarm of
squealing puppies; and other dogs haunted other recesses.%
The apartment and furniture would have been nothing extraordinary as
belonging to a homely, northern farmer, with a stubborn countenance, and
stalwart limbs set out to advantage in knee- breeches and gaiters. Such an
individual seated in his arm-chair, his mug of ale frothing on the round table
before him, is to be seen in any circuit of five or six miles among these hills, if
you go at the right time after dinner. But Mr. Heathcliff forms a singular contrast
to his abode and style of living. He is a dark- skinned gipsy in aspect, in dress
and manners a gentleman: that is, as much a gentleman as many a country
squire: rather slovenly, perhaps, yet not looking amiss with his negligence,
because he has an erect and handsome figure; and rather morose. Possibly, some
people might suspect him of a degree of under-bred pride; I have a sympathetic
chord within that tells me it is nothing of the sort: I know, by instinct, his reserve
springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling - to manifestations of
mutual kindliness. He'll love and hate equally under cover, and esteem it a
Thesaurus
frothing: (adj) foamy, bubbling, tenderness, compassion, charity, frowsy, messy, disheveled; (adv)
effervescent, bubbly, spumous, consideration, helpfulness. slatternly. ANTONYMS: (adj) clean,
spumy, effervescing, sudsy, agitated; ANTONYMS: (n) indifference, neat, diligent.
(n) effervescence, scum. reserve, cruelty. squealing: (adj) squeaky, screaky,
inquiring: (adj) inquisitive, quizzical, showy: (adj, v) pretentious, brilliant; screechy, creaky, creaking; (n)
interested, analytical, probing, (adj) gaudy, garish, flashy, loud, betrayal, state's evidence.
intrusive; (adj, n) questioning; (v) flamboyant, dashing, gay; (adj, n) utensils: (n) gear, equipment, tackle,
inquire; (n) enquiry, question, magnificent, fine. ANTONYMS: (adj) apparatus, hardware.
examination. ANTONYM: (adj) tasteful, restrained, discreet, plain, villainous: (adj, v) base, infamous, vile,
uninquiring. dull, quality. black, shameful; (adj) heinous,
kindliness: (n) friendliness, geniality, slovenly: (adj) careless, untidy, sloppy, atrocious, depraved, wicked, evil,
amiability, grace, benignancy, mercy, frowzy, dowdy, unkempt, negligent, vicious.
6 Wuthering Heights

species of impertinence to be loved or hated again. No, I'm running on too fast: I
bestow my own attributes over-liberally on him. Mr. Heathcliff may have
entirely dissimilar reasons for keeping his hand out of the way when he meets a
would-be acquaintance, to those which actuate me. Let me hope my constitution
is almost peculiar: my dear mother used to say I should never have a comfortable
home; and only last summer I proved myself perfectly unworthy of one.%
While enjoying a month of fine weather at the sea-coast, I was thrown into
the company of a most fascinating creature: a real goddess in my eyes, as long as
she took no notice of me. I 'never told my love' vocally; still, if looks have
language, the merest idiot might have guessed I was over head and ears: she
understood me at last, and looked a return - the sweetest of all imaginable looks.
And what did I do? I confess it with shame - shrunk icily into myself, like a
snail; at every glance retired colder and farther; till finally the poor innocent was
led to doubt her own senses, and, overwhelmed with confusion at her supposed
mistake, persuaded her mamma to decamp. By this curious turn of disposition I
have gained the reputation of deliberate heartlessness; how undeserved, I alone
can appreciate.
I took a seat at the end of the hearthstone opposite that towards which my
landlord advanced, and filled up an interval of silence by attempting to caress
the canine mother, who had left her nursery, and was sneaking wolfishly to the
back of my legs, her lip curled up, and her white teeth watering for a snatch. My
caress provoked a long, guttural gnarl.
'You'd better let the dog alone,' growled Mr. Heathcliff in unison, checking
fiercer demonstrations with a punch of his foot. 'She's not accustomed to be
spoiled - not kept for a pet.' Then, striding to a side door, he shouted again,
'Joseph!'
Joseph mumbled indistinctly in the depths of the cellar, but gave no
intimation of ascending; so his master dived down to him, leaving me VIS-A-VIS
the ruffianly bitch and a pair of grim shaggy sheep-dogs, who shared with her a
jealous guardianship over all my movements. Not anxious to come in contact
with their fangs, I sat still; but, imagining they would scarcely understand tacit

Thesaurus
actuate: (n, v) incite, instigate; (v) deform, frown, gnash, quetch, snap; ANTONYMS: (adv) precisely,
impel, move, motivate, trigger, (n) knot, burl. audibly, coherently, distinctly.
induce, drive, stir; (n) provoke, heartlessness: (n) coldheartedness, ruffianly: (adj) atrocious, brutal,
animate. ANTONYMS: (v) impede, hardheartedness, callousness, ruffianlike, ruffianish, physically
deter, stop. mercilessness, unkindness, atrocity, toughened, hard, bad, violent; (adv)
attributes: (n) nature, property. pitilessness, brutality, malice, brutally, blackguardly, abusive.
decamp: (v) bolt, Levant, break camp, meanness, coldness. ANTONYMS: vocally: (adv) verbally, noisily,
absquatulate, escape, desert, leave, (n) sensitivity, humanity. vowelly, sungly, stridently,
skip, vamoose, scram, flee. indistinctly: (adv) vaguely, dimly, phonically, loudly, phonetically,
fangs: (v) tentacle, tenaculum, nail, hazily, mistily, inarticulately, chorally, in words, raucously.
hook, unguis, teeth; (n) clutches. shadowily, obscurely, unclearly, ANTONYM: (adv) quietly.
gnarl: (v) grumble, growl, bark, croak, fuzzily, confusedly, ambiguously. wolfishly: (adv) esuriently, edaciously.
Emily Brontë 7

insults, I unfortunately indulged in winking and making faces at the trio, and
some turn of my physiognomy so irritated madam, that she suddenly broke into
a fury and leapt on my knees. I flung her back, and hastened to interpose the
table between us. This proceeding aroused the whole hive: half-a-dozen four-
footed fiends, of various sizes and ages, issued from hidden dens to the common
centre. I felt my heels and coat-laps peculiar subjects of assault; and parrying off
the larger combatants as effectually as I could with the poker, I was constrained
to demand, aloud, assistance from some of the household in re-establishing
peace.%
Mr. Heathcliff and his man climbed the cellar steps with vexatious phlegm: I
don't think they moved one second faster than usual, though the hearth was an
absolute tempest of worrying and yelping. Happily, an inhabitant of the kitchen
made more despatch: a lusty dame, with tucked-up gown, bare arms, and fire-
flushed cheeks, rushed into the midst of us flourishing a frying-pan: and used
that weapon, and her tongue, to such purpose, that the storm subsided
magically, and she only remained, heaving like a sea after a high wind, when her
master entered on the scene.
'What the devil is the matter?' he asked, eyeing me in a manner that I could ill
endure, after this inhospitable treatment.
'What the devil, indeed!' I muttered. 'The herd of possessed swine could
have had no worse spirits in them than those animals of yours, sir. You might as
well leave a stranger with a brood of tigers!'
'They won't meddle with persons who touch nothing,' he remarked, putting
the bottle before me, and restoring the displaced table. 'The dogs do right to be
vigilant. Take a glass of wine?'
'No, thank you.'
'Not bitten, are you?'
'If I had been, I would have set my signet on the biter.' Heathcliff's
countenance relaxed into a grin.

Thesaurus
don't: (adv) not; (n) taboo, prohibition. in; (adj, v) intermeddle. aspect, physnomy , metoposcopy.
effectually: (adv) efficaciously, lusty: (adj) energetic, stout, lustful, vexatious: (adj) annoying, pesky,
effectively, validly, adequately, corpulent, potent, virile, vigorous, troublesome, tiresome, galling,
potently, tellingly, strongly, hearty, sturdy, bouncing, dynamic. irritating, untoward, thorny,
decisively; (adj) nicely, fully, head ANTONYM: (adj) feeble. burdensome, pestiferous, vexing.
and shoulders. ANTONYM: (adv) phlegm: (n) indifference, impassivity, ANTONYMS: (adj) aiding, assisting,
ineffectually. impassiveness, lethargy, helpful, soothing.
insults: (adj) insulting; (n) abuse, sluggishness, dullness, stolidity, winking: (n) twinkling, wink, blink,
swearing. sputum, languor, inactivity; (adj) New York minute, jiffy, instant,
interpose: (v) interject, insert, mucus. nictation, nictitation, trice, blink of an
interpolate, intercede, intervene, physiognomy: (n) face, kisser, phiz, eye; (adj) pink ribbons.
meddle, intrude, tamper, step in, butt visage, mug, look, brow, contour, yelping: (n) cry, wapping.
8 Wuthering Heights

'Come, come,' he said, 'you are flurried, Mr. Lockwood. Here, take a little
wine. Guests are so exceedingly rare in this house that I and my dogs, I am
willing to own, hardly know how to receive them. Your health, sir?'
I bowed and returned the pledge; beginning to perceive that it would be
foolish to sit sulking for the misbehaviour of a pack of curs; besides, I felt loth to
yield the fellow further amusement at my expense; since his humour took that
turn. He - probably swayed by prudential consideration of the folly of offending
a good tenant - relaxed a little in the laconic style of chipping off his pronouns
and auxiliary verbs, and introduced what he supposed would be a subject of
interest to me, - a discourse on the advantages and disadvantages of my present
place of retirement. I found him very intelligent on the topics we touched; and
before I went home, I was encouraged so far as to volunteer another visit to-
morrow. He evidently wished no repetition of my intrusion. I shall go,
notwithstanding. It is astonishing how sociable I feel myself compared with
him.%

Thesaurus
auxiliary: (adj, n) assistant, accessory, compendious, succinct, pithy, deviltry, devilment, misconduct,
adjunct, subsidiary; (adj) ancillary, compact, taciturn, laconical, misdemeanour.
additional, extra, secondary, summary, short. ANTONYM: (adj) prudential: (adj) discreet, economical.
supplementary; (n) adjutant, aide. voluble. sociable: (adj) outgoing, affable,
ANTONYMS: (n) chief, principal; loth: (adj) disinclined, averse, amicable, genial, congenial, cordial,
(adj) primary. reluctant, unwilling, indisposed, companionable, amiable, gracious,
chipping: (n, v) spalling; (n) flaking, antipathetical, antipathetic, not agreeable; (adj, n) social.
buffalo chip, breakage, splintering, content, shy of, repugnant; (v) averse ANTONYMS: (adj) unfriendly,
bit, chip shot, check. from. reserved, lonely, introvert,
flurried: (adj) frightened, agitated; (v) misbehaviour: (n) indecency, discourteous, frosty, hostile,
gallied. indecorum, liberty, indiscretion, inhospitable, disagreeable, shy,
laconic: (adj) curt, brief, terse, delinquency, devilry, familiarity, inaccessible.
Emily Brontë 9

CHAPTER II

YESTERDAY afternoon set in misty and cold. I had half a mind to spend it
by my study fire, instead of wading through heath and mud to Wuthering
Heights. On coming up from dinner, however, (N.B. - I dine between twelve and
one o'clock; the housekeeper, a matronly lady, taken as a fixture along with the
house, could not, or would not, comprehend my request that I might be served at
five) - on mounting the stairs with this lazy intention, and stepping into the
room, I saw a servant-girl on her knees surrounded by brushes and coal-scuttles,
and raising an infernal dust as she extinguished the flames with heaps of
cinders. This spectacle drove me back immediately; I took my hat, and, after a
four-miles' walk, arrived at Heathcliff's garden-gate just in time to escape the
first feathery flakes of a snow-shower.%
On that bleak hill-top the earth was hard with a black frost, and the air made
me shiver through every limb. Being unable to remove the chain, I jumped over,
and, running up the flagged causeway bordered with straggling gooseberry-
bushes, knocked vainly for admittance, till my knuckles tingled and the dogs
howled.
'Wretched inmates!' I ejaculated, mentally, 'you deserve perpetual isolation
from your species for your churlish inhospitality. At least, I would not keep my
doors barred in the day-time. I don't care - I will get in!' So resolved, I grasped
the latch and shook it vehemently. Vinegar-faced Joseph projected his head from
a round window of the barn.

Thesaurus
admittance: (n) access, accession, dust, powder, residue, slag; (adj) ladylike, wifely, sedate, matronlike,
introduction, door, matriculation, mother, scoriae, precipitate. maidenly, anile, female.
inlet, permit, entrance, entree, entry, infernal: (adj) devilish, fiendish, straggling: (adj) rambling, straggly,
input. diabolical, demonic, damned, cursed, spread, few, trailing, untidy,
bordered: (adj) fringed, edged, blasted, unholy, wicked; (adj, v) vagabond, sprawly, sprawled.
delimited, surrounded. diabolic, satanic. ANTONYM: (adj) compact.
churlish: (adj) rude, rough, impolite, inhospitality: (n) unsociability, vainly: (adv) uselessly, futilely,
loutish, gruff, curt, abrupt, brusque, frostiness, aloofness, coldness, fruitlessly, conceitedly, in vain,
blunt, brutish, discourteous. coolness, dreariness, gloominess, worthlessly, abortively, bootlessly,
ANTONYMS: (adj) agreeable, civil, surliness, unfriendliness, desolation. arrogantly, unproductively; (adj, adv)
courteous, nice, polite. ANTONYM: (n) friendliness. foolishly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
cinders: (n) cinder, dust, ash, flue matronly: (adj) grave, womanly, fruitfully, successfully, effectively.
10 Wuthering Heights

'What are ye for?' he shouted. 'T' maister's down i' t' fowld. Go round by th'
end o' t' laith, if ye went to spake to him.'
'Is there nobody inside to open the door?' I hallooed, responsively.%
'There's nobbut t' missis; and shoo'll not oppen 't an ye mak' yer flaysome
dins till neeght.'
'Why? Cannot you tell her whom I am, eh, Joseph?'
'Nor-ne me! I'll hae no hend wi't,' muttered the head, vanishing.
The snow began to drive thickly. I seized the handle to essay another trial;
when a young man without coat, and shouldering a pitchfork, appeared in the
yard behind. He hailed me to follow him, and, after marching through a wash-
house, and a paved area containing a coal-shed, pump, and pigeon-cot, we at
length arrived in the huge, warm, cheerful apartment where I was formerly
received. It glowed delightfully in the radiance of an immense fire,
compounded of coal, peat, and wood; and near the table, laid for a plentiful
evening meal, I was pleased to observe the 'missis,' an individual whose
existence I had never previously suspected. I bowed and waited, thinking she
would bid me take a seat. She looked at me, leaning back in her chair, and
remained motionless and mute.
'Rough weather!' I remarked. 'I'm afraid, Mrs. Heathcliff, the door must bear
the consequence of your servants' leisure attendance: I had hard work to make
them hear me.'
She never opened her mouth. I stared - she stared also: at any rate, she kept
her eyes on me in a cool, regardless manner, exceedingly embarrassing and
disagreeable.
'Sit down,' said the young man, gruffly. 'He'll be in soon.'
I obeyed; and hemmed, and called the villain Juno, who deigned, at this
second interview, to move the extreme tip of her tail, in token of owning my
acquaintance.

Thesaurus
delightfully: (adv) pleasantly, missis: (n) wife, missus, lady, mistress, luster, lustre, beam, brightness,
enchantingly, exquisitely, gladly, matron, married woman. effulgence, sparkle, light; (adj, n)
charmingly, finely, sweetly, mute: (adj) dumb, silent, inarticulate, brilliancy. ANTONYMS: (n)
deliciously, beautifully, merrily; (adv, dummy, tongueless; (v) muffle, darkness, gloominess.
v) happily. ANTONYMS: (adv) dampen, deaden, hush; (adj, v) quiet, shouldering: (n) assumption.
unattractively, horribly, disagreeably. dull. ANTONYMS: (adj) talkative, shouted: (adj) screamed, loud.
gruffly: (adv) sullenly, hoarsely, speaking, spoken; (v) amplify. vanishing: (n) disappearance,
harshly, abruptly, roughly, huskily, paved: (adj) cobbled. vanishment, dissipation; (adj) dying,
bluffly, grumpily, throatily, coarsely, pitchfork: (v) bolt, fulminate, drive, fleeting, momentary, breaking up,
rudely. ANTONYMS: (adv) kindly, sling, branch; (n) hayfork, hand tool, declining, diminishing, dissolving,
politely, gently, smoothly, tactfully. shakefork. evanescent. ANTONYMS: (adj)
hend: (adj) hendy. radiance: (n) gleam, glory, brilliance, thriving, increasing.
Emily Brontë 11

'A beautiful animal!' I commenced again. 'Do you intend parting with the
little ones, madam?'
'They are not mine,' said the amiable hostess, more repellingly than
Heathcliff himself could have replied.%
'Ah, your favourites are among these?' I continued, turning to an obscure
cushion full of something like cats.
'A strange choice of favourites!' she observed scornfully.
Unluckily, it was a heap of dead rabbits. I hemmed once more, and drew
closer to the hearth, repeating my comment on the wildness of the evening.
'You should not have come out,' she said, rising and reaching from the
chimney-piece two of the painted canisters.
Her position before was sheltered from the light; now, I had a distinct view of
her whole figure and countenance. She was slender, and apparently scarcely
past girlhood: an admirable form, and the most exquisite little face that I have
ever had the pleasure of beholding; small features, very fair; flaxen ringlets, or
rather golden, hanging loose on her delicate neck; and eyes, had they been
agreeable in expression, that would have been irresistible: fortunately for my
susceptible heart, the only sentiment they evinced hovered between scorn and a
kind of desperation, singularly unnatural to be detected there. The canisters
were almost out of her reach; I made a motion to aid her; she turned upon me as
a miser might turn if any one attempted to assist him in counting his gold.
'I don't want your help,' she snapped; 'I can get them for myself.'
'I beg your pardon!' I hastened to reply.
'Were you asked to tea?' she demanded, tying an apron over her neat black
frock, and standing with a spoonful of the leaf poised over the pot.
'I shall be glad to have a cup,' I answered.
'Were you asked?' she repeated.
'No,' I said, half smiling. 'You are the proper person to ask me.'

Thesaurus
beholding: (n) fusion, seeing, visual repellingly: (adv) severely, revoltingly. unluckily: (adv) unfortunately,
perception, look. scornfully: (adv) disdainfully, inauspiciously, lucklessly, unhappily,
flaxen: (adj) flaxy, fair, blond, light, disparagingly, haughtily, untowardly, unsuccessfully, alas,
pale, golden, arenaceous, sandy, derogatorily, condescendingly, regrettably, ill-fatedly, tragically,
farinaceous; (n) blonde. contumeliously, sneeringly, haplessly. ANTONYM: (adv) luckily.
girlhood: (n) adolescence, boyhood, arrogantly, sarcastically, derisively, wildness: (n) fierceness, ferocity,
maidenhood, youth, babyhood, mockingly. ANTONYM: (adv) savageness, abandon, rage,
youthhood, maidhood, age. humbly. extravagance, ferociousness,
miser: (n) stinginess, curmudgeon, spoonful: (n) mouthful, handful, intensity, vehemence; (v) wilderness;
hunks, muckworm, niggard, armful, cochleare, tablespoonful, (n, v) waste. ANTONYMS: (n)
skinflint, cheapskate, parsimony, dose, containerful, blob, capful, taste; tameness, order, meekness,
moneygrubber, Jew, miserliness. (adj) thimbleful. gentleness, caution, orderliness.
12 Wuthering Heights

She flung the tea back, spoon and all, and resumed her chair in a pet; her
forehead corrugated, and her red under-lip pushed out, like a child's ready to
cry.%
Meanwhile, the young man had slung on to his person a decidedly shabby
upper garment, and, erecting himself before the blaze, looked down on me from
the corner of his eyes, for all the world as if there were some mortal feud
unavenged between us. I began to doubt whether he were a servant or not: his
dress and speech were both rude, entirely devoid of the superiority observable in
Mr. and Mrs. Heathcliff; his thick brown curls were rough and uncultivated, his
whiskers encroached bearishly over his cheeks, and his hands were embrowned
like those of a common labourer: still his bearing was free, almost haughty, and
he showed none of a domestic's assiduity in attending on the lady of the house.
In the absence of clear proofs of his condition, I deemed it best to abstain from
noticing his curious conduct; and, five minutes afterwards, the entrance of
Heathcliff relieved me, in some measure, from my uncomfortable state.
'You see, sir, I am come, according to promise!' I exclaimed, assuming the
cheerful; 'and I fear I shall be weather-bound for half an hour, if you can afford
me shelter during that space.'
'Half an hour?' he said, shaking the white flakes from his clothes; 'I wonder
you should select the thick of a snow-storm to ramble about in. Do you know
that you run a risk of being lost in the marshes? People familiar with these
moors often miss their road on such evenings; and I can tell you there is no
chance of a change at present.'
'Perhaps I can get a guide among your lads, and he might stay at the Grange
till morning - could you spare me one?'
'No, I could not.'
'Oh, indeed! Well, then, I must trust to my own sagacity.'
'Umph!'
'Are you going to mak' the tea?' demanded he of the shabby coat, shifting his
ferocious gaze from me to the young lady.

Thesaurus
abstain: (v) desist, forbear, avoid, give assiduities, assiduousness, attention, ramble: (n, v) journey, stroll, saunter,
up, eschew, withhold, cease, decline, ardour, tenacity, industriousness, wander, roam, meander, excursion,
fast, neglect; (adj, v) deny oneself. persistence, perseverance, intentness. hike, tramp, walk, promenade.
ANTONYMS: (v) consume, yield, bearishly: (adv) boorishly, gruffly, ANTONYM: (v) settle.
use, surrender, partake, indulge, churlishly. unavenged: (adj) unwroken, not
imbibe, persist, vote, eat. erecting: (n) construction, building, revenged; (v) unresented.
according: (adj) pursuant, consonant, erection. ANTONYM: (adj) avenged.
equal, agreeable, harmonious, feud: (n) dispute, competition, blood uncultivated: (adj) savage, ignorant,
conformable, consistent, feud, conflict, disagreement, feoff; (n, uneducated, wild, fresh, uncivilized,
corresponding, respondent; (adv) v) contest, quarrel, affray, fight; (v) rude, untutored, uncultured, artless,
correspondingly, accordingly. battle. ANTONYMS: (v) truce; (n) lowbrow. ANTONYMS: (adj)
assiduity: (n) application, diligence, peace, harmony, accord. cultivated, familiar, refined.
Emily Brontë 13

'Is HE to have any?' she asked, appealing to Heathcliff.%


'Get it ready, will you?' was the answer, uttered so savagely that I started.
The tone in which the words were said revealed a genuine bad nature. I no
longer felt inclined to call Heathcliff a capital fellow. When the preparations
were finished, he invited me with - 'Now, sir, bring forward your chair.' And we
all, including the rustic youth, drew round the table: an austere silence
prevailing while we discussed our meal.
I thought, if I had caused the cloud, it was my duty to make an effort to
dispel it. They could not every day sit so grim and taciturn; and it was
impossible, however ill-tempered they might be, that the universal scowl they
wore was their every-day countenance.
'It is strange,' I began, in the interval of swallowing one cup of tea and
receiving another - 'it is strange how custom can mould our tastes and ideas:
many could not imagine the existence of happiness in a life of such complete
exile from the world as you spend, Mr. Heathcliff; yet, I'll venture to say, that,
surrounded by your family, and with your amiable lady as the presiding genius
over your home and heart - '
'My amiable lady!' he interrupted, with an almost diabolical sneer on his
face. 'Where is she - my amiable lady?'
'Mrs. Heathcliff, your wife, I mean.'
'Well, yes - oh, you would intimate that her spirit has taken the post of
ministering angel, and guards the fortunes of Wuthering Heights, even when
her body is gone. Is that it?'
Perceiving myself in a blunder, I attempted to correct it. I might have seen
there was too great a disparity between the ages of the parties to make it likely
that they were man and wife. One was about forty: a period of mental vigour at
which men seldom cherish the delusion of being married for love by girls: that
dream is reserved for the solace of our declining years. The other did not look
seventeen.

Thesaurus
cherish: (v) care for, nurture, treasure, fiendish, wicked, satanic, atrocious, ANTONYMS: (n, v) grin.
entertain, cultivate, bosom, prize, evil. solace: (n) consolation, relief, balm,
esteem, harbor; (n, v) hug, foster. ill-tempered: (adj) morose, sour, cross, solacement; (v) console, allay, relieve,
ANTONYMS: (v) hate, scorn, reject, crabby, churlish, moody, grouchy, recreate; (n, v) ease, cheer, support.
denounce, despise, neglect. mean, huffy, angry, hot. ANTONYMS: (n) distress, grief.
delusion: (n) hallucination, deception, ministering: (adj) assisting, helpful, taciturn: (adj) silent, quiet, reserved,
cheat, chimera, misunderstanding, latreutical, ministrative, ministrant. uncommunicative, speechless,
mirage, trick, fallacy, error, presiding: (adj) president, dominant, secretive, mute, withdrawn, distant,
aberration, falsehood. ANTONYMS: administrative. mum, incommunicative.
(n) comprehension, fact, truth. scowl: (n, v) glare, grimace, roar, ANTONYMS: (adj) wordy, voluble,
diabolical: (adj) diabolic, demoniac, sneer; (v) glower, pout, lower, sulk; communicative, forthcoming, fluent,
demonic, infernal, hellish, unholy, (adj) black looks, mumps; (n) growl. open.
14 Wuthering Heights

Then it flashed on me - 'The clown at my elbow, who is drinking his tea out
of a basin and eating his broad with unwashed hands, may be her husband:
Heathcliff junior, of course. Here is the consequence of being buried alive: she
has thrown herself away upon that boor from sheer ignorance that better
individuals existed! A sad pity - I must beware how I cause her to regret her
choice.' The last reflection may seem conceited; it was not. My neighbour struck
me as bordering on repulsive; I knew, through experience, that I was tolerably
attractive.%
'Mrs. Heathcliff is my daughter-in-law,' said Heathcliff, corroborating my
surmise. He turned, as he spoke, a peculiar look in her direction: a look of
hatred; unless he has a most perverse set of facial muscles that will not, like those
of other people, interpret the language of his soul.
'Ah, certainly - I see now: you are the favoured possessor of the beneficent
fairy,' I remarked, turning to my neighbour.
This was worse than before: the youth grew crimson, and clenched his fist,
with every appearance of a meditated assault. But he seemed to recollect himself
presently, and smothered the storm in a brutal curse, muttered on my behalf:
which, however, I took care not to notice.
'Unhappy in your conjectures, sir,' observed my host; 'we neither of us have
the privilege of owning your good fairy; her mate is dead. I said she was my
daughter-in-law: therefore, she must have married my son.'
'And this young man is - '
'Not my son, assuredly.'
Heathcliff smiled again, as if it were rather too bold a jest to attribute the
paternity of that bear to him.
'My name is Hareton Earnshaw,' growled the other; 'and I'd counsel you to
respect it!'
'I've shown no disrespect,' was my reply, laughing internally at the dignity
with which he announced himself.

Thesaurus
beneficent: (adj) benevolent, kind, modest, insecure, meek, selfless, speculation, assumption.
philanthropic, good, gracious, unassuming. ANTONYMS: (n) knowledge,
munificent, merciful, generous, corroborating: (v) confirm; (adj) measurement.
eleemosynary, bounteous; (n) kindly. corroborant. tolerably: (adv) well enough, passably,
boor: (n) yokel, Goth, peasant, paternity: (n) parenthood, source, acceptably, reasonably, enough,
countryman, clown, barbarian, tike, authorship, origin, beginning, moderately, to a tolerable degree,
tyke, rustic, lout, Boer. ANTONYMS: relationship, parentage, genesis, pretty, to an adequate degree; (adj,
(n) intellectual, smoothy. provenance, consanguinity, family adv) somewhat; (adj) pretty well.
conceited: (adj) arrogant, cocky, vain, relationship. ANTONYMS: (adv) unbearably,
boastful, proud, smug, affected, surmise: (n, v) guess; (v) suppose, intolerably, unacceptably,
assuming, egotistical, haughty, suspect, presume, imagine, divine, unreasonably, insufficiently,
pompous. ANTONYMS: (adj) doubt; (n) hypothesis, supposition, inadequately.
Emily Brontë 15

He fixed his eye on me longer than I cared to return the stare, for fear I might
be tempted either to box his ears or render my hilarity audible. I began to feel
unmistakably out of place in that pleasant family circle. The dismal spiritual
atmosphere overcame, and more than neutralised, the glowing physical
comforts round me; and I resolved to be cautious how I ventured under those
rafters a third time.%
The business of eating being concluded, and no one uttering a word of
sociable conversation, I approached a window to examine the weather. A
sorrowful sight I saw: dark night coming down prematurely, and sky and hills
mingled in one bitter whirl of wind and suffocating snow.
'I don't think it possible for me to get home now without a guide,' I could not
help exclaiming. 'The roads will be buried already; and, if they were bare, I
could scarcely distinguish a foot in advance.'
'Hareton, drive those dozen sheep into the barn porch. They'll be covered if
left in the fold all night: and put a plank before them,' said Heathcliff.
'How must I do?' I continued, with rising irritation.
There was no reply to my question; and on looking round I saw only Joseph
bringing in a pail of porridge for the dogs, and Mrs. Heathcliff leaning over the
fire, diverting herself with burning a bundle of matches which had fallen from
the chimney-piece as she restored the tea-canister to its place. The former, when
he had deposited his burden, took a critical survey of the room, and in cracked
tones grated out - 'Aw wonder how yah can faishion to stand thear i' idleness un
war, when all on 'ems goan out! Bud yah're a nowt, and it's no use talking -
yah'll niver mend o'yer ill ways, but goa raight to t' divil, like yer mother afore
ye!'
I imagined, for a moment, that this piece of eloquence was addressed to me;
and, sufficiently enraged, stepped towards the aged rascal with an intention of
kicking him out of the door. Mrs. Heathcliff, however, checked me by her
answer.

Thesaurus
afore: (adv) ahead, along, before, hilarity: (adj, n) mirth, merriment; (n) sorrowful: (adj) melancholy, doleful,
forwards, formerly, beforehand, delight, exhilaration, cheerfulness, sad, rueful, lugubrious, gloomy,
previously; (adj) erewhile, aforehand, joy, jollity, gaiety, happiness, dreary, grievous, piteous, unhappy,
theretofore, preceding. laughter, fun. ANTONYMS: (n) mournful. ANTONYMS: (adj)
eloquence: (n) style, fluency, oratory, boredom, despondency, misery. cheerful, content, joyful, successful.
rhetoric, articulateness, expression, neutralised: (adj) neutral. suffocating: (adj) choking, oppressive,
volubility, persuasiveness, articulacy, pail: (n) bucketful, jug, tub, pailful, smothering, close, stifling,
facundity, way with words. cannikin, pails, skeel, tankard, pot, suffocative, suffocatingly, suffocate,
ANTONYM: (n) inarticulateness. pipkin, vessel. sultry, stifle, overpowering.
exclaiming: (n) deuce, Dickens, rascal: (n) villain, rapscallion, monkey, whirl: (n, v) spin, turn, eddy, roll,
ejaculation, exclaim, devil, miscreant, knave, scoundrel, scamp, wheel, twist, swirl; (v) reel, gyrate; (n)
interjection, ecphonesis. rogue, varlet, vagabond, brat. go, fling.
16 Wuthering Heights

'You scandalous old hypocrite!' she replied. 'Are you not afraid of being
carried away bodily, whenever you mention the devil's name? I warn you to
refrain from provoking me, or I'll ask your abduction as a special favour! Stop!
look here, Joseph,' she continued, taking a long, dark book from a shelf; 'I'll show
you how far I've progressed in the Black Art: I shall soon be competent to make
a clear house of it. The red cow didn't die by chance; and your rheumatism can
hardly be reckoned among providential visitations!'
'Oh, wicked, wicked!' gasped the elder; 'may the Lord deliver us from evil!'
'No, reprobate! you are a castaway - be off, or I'll hurt you seriously! I'll have
you all modelled in wax and clay! and the first who passes the limits I fix shall -
I'll not say what he shall be done to - but, you'll see! Go, I'm looking at you!'
The little witch put a mock malignity into her beautiful eyes, and Joseph,
trembling with sincere horror, hurried out, praying, and ejaculating 'wicked' as
he went. I thought her conduct must be prompted by a species of dreary fun;
and, now that we were alone, I endeavoured to interest her in my distress.%
'Mrs. Heathcliff,' I said earnestly, 'you must excuse me for troubling you. I
presume, because, with that face, I'm sure you cannot help being good-hearted.
Do point out some landmarks by which I may know my way home: I have no
more idea how to get there than you would have how to get to London!'
'Take the road you came,' she answered, ensconcing herself in a chair, with a
candle, and the long book open before her. 'It is brief advice, but as sound as I
can give.'
'Then, if you hear of me being discovered dead in a bog or a pit full of snow,
your conscience won't whisper that it is partly your fault?'
'How so? I cannot escort you. They wouldn't let me go to the end of the
garden wall.'
'YOU! I should be sorry to ask you to cross the threshold, for my
convenience, on such a night,' I cried. 'I want you to tell me my way, not to
SHOW it: or else to persuade Mr. Heathcliff to give me a guide.'

Thesaurus
carried: (adj) conveyed, imported. modelled: (adj) patterned. perverted; (n) scoundrel.
castaway: (adj, n) outcast, pariah; (adj) praying: (n) prayer. rheumatism: (n) arthritis, atrophic
rejected, shipwrecked, pilgarlic; (n) providential: (adj) lucky, happy, arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid
recreant, defaulter, abject, derelict, divine, fortuitous, opportune, arthritis; (v) lumbago, podagra,
abandoned person, heretic. miraculous, favorable, blessed, otalgia, neuralgia, earache,
good-hearted: (adj) benign, good- seasonable; (adj, v) auspicious; (v) cephalalgia, odontalgia, sciatica.
natured, kindly, kindhearted. propitious. ANTONYM: (adj) troubling: (adj) worrying, disquieting,
malignity: (n) malevolence, unfortunate. distressing, distressful, disconcerting,
malignance, venom, animosity, reprobate: (adj, n) profligate, alarming, perturbing, bad, annoying,
enmity, hatred, evil, rancor, spite, miscreant; (adj) depraved, immoral, sad, worrisome. ANTONYM: (adj)
malignancy, hate. ANTONYM: (n) corrupt, dissolute; (v) censure, reassuring.
benignity. condemn, reproach; (adj, v) went: (v) walked, proceeded.
Emily Brontë 17

'Who? There is himself, Earnshaw, Zillah, Joseph and I. Which would you
have?'
'Are there no boys at the farm?'
'No; those are all.'
'Then, it follows that I am compelled to stay.'
'That you may settle with your host. I have nothing to do with it.'
'I hope it will be a lesson to you to make no more rash journeys on these
hills,' cried Heathcliff's stern voice from the kitchen entrance. 'As to staying here,
I don't keep accommodations for visitors: you must share a bed with Hareton or
Joseph, if you do.'
'I can sleep on a chair in this room,' I replied.%
'No, no! A stranger is a stranger, be he rich or poor: it will not suit me to
permit any one the range of the place while I am off guard!' said the unmannerly
wretch.
With this insult my patience was at an end. I uttered an expression of
disgust, and pushed past him into the yard, running against Earnshaw in my
haste. It was so dark that I could not see the means of exit; and, as I wandered
round, I heard another specimen of their civil behaviour amongst each other. At
first the young man appeared about to befriend me.
'I'll go with him as far as the park,' he said.
'You'll go with him to hell!' exclaimed his master, or whatever relation he
bore. 'And who is to look after the horses, eh?'
'A man's life is of more consequence than one evening's neglect of the horses:
somebody must go,' murmured Mrs. Heathcliff, more kindly than I expected.
'Not at your command!' retorted Hareton. 'If you set store on him, you'd
better be quiet.'
'Then I hope his ghost will haunt you; and I hope Mr. Heathcliff will never
get another tenant till the Grange is a ruin,' she answered, sharply.

Thesaurus
accommodations: (n) house, housing, rapidity, speed, bustle, hastiness, considered, deliberate, prudent,
lodging, habitat. quickness. ANTONYMS: (n) delay, modest, slow, responsible, patient.
befriend: (v) friend, help, assist, patience, forethought, caution. unmannerly: (adj) impolite,
sustain, promote, patronize, back, haunt: (n, v) resort, ghost; (n) den, unmannered, uncivil, impertinent,
uphold; (n, v) favor; (adj) friendly; (n) hangout, home; (v) pursue, follow, insolent, ill-mannered, discourteous,
take in hand. ANTONYMS: (v) shun, stalk, afflict, persecute; (adj) harass. ungracious, rustic, disrespectful,
ignore, neglect, reject. rash: (adj, n) foolhardy, hasty, churlish.
compelled: (adj) forced, obligate, precipitate, eruption; (adj) imprudent, visitors: (n) visitation.
enforced, constrained, responsible, reckless, impetuous, heedless, wretch: (n) victim, villain, scoundrel,
answerable, unwilling, destined. audacious, sudden; (adj, adv) reprobate, reptile, miscreant, martyr,
haste: (n, v) hurry, dash, dispatch, thoughtless. ANTONYMS: (adj) object of compassion, poor devil,
rush; (n) celerity, expedition, cautious, careful, sensible, wise, prey, wreak.
18 Wuthering Heights

'Hearken, hearken, shoo's cursing on 'em!' muttered Joseph, towards whom I


had been steering.%
He sat within earshot, milking the cows by the light of a lantern, which I
seized unceremoniously, and, calling out that I would send it back on the
morrow, rushed to the nearest postern.
'Maister, maister, he's staling t' lanthern!' shouted the ancient, pursuing my
retreat. 'Hey, Gnasher! Hey, dog! Hey Wolf, holld him, holld him!'
On opening the little door, two hairy monsters flew at my throat, bearing me
down, and extinguishing the light; while a mingled guffaw from Heathcliff and
Hareton put the copestone on my rage and humiliation. Fortunately, the beasts
seemed more bent on stretching their paws, and yawning, and flourishing their
tails, than devouring me alive; but they would suffer no resurrection, and I was
forced to lie till their malignant masters pleased to deliver me: then, hatless and
trembling with wrath, I ordered the miscreants to let me out - on their peril to
keep me one minute longer - with several incoherent threats of retaliation that, in
their indefinite depth of virulency, smacked of King Lear.
The vehemence of my agitation brought on a copious bleeding at the nose,
and still Heathcliff laughed, and still I scolded. I don't know what would have
concluded the scene, had there not been one person at hand rather more rational
than myself, and more benevolent than my entertainer. This was Zillah, the stout
housewife; who at length issued forth to inquire into the nature of the uproar.
She thought that some of them had been laying violent hands on me; and, not
daring to attack her master, she turned her vocal artillery against the younger
scoundrel.
'Well, Mr. Earnshaw,' she cried, 'I wonder what you'll have agait next? Are
we going to murder folk on our very door-stones? I see this house will never do
for me - look at t' poor lad, he's fair choking! Wisht, wisht; you mun'n't go on so.
Come in, and I'll cure that: there now, hold ye still.'

Thesaurus
copestone: (n) stretcher, coping stone, hoot, giggle, cackle; (n) belly laugh, miscreant, crook, rapscallion, varlet,
a culmination, finishing touch. horselaugh, laughter; (v) cachinnate, scalawag.
devouring: (adv) devouringly; (adj) roar. ANTONYM: (v) cry. unceremoniously: (adv) casually,
esurient, edacious, avid, greedy, hearken: (v) hark, harken, attend, familiarly, easily, offhandedly,
voraginous, ravenous; (n) fire. listen, hear, heed, list, listen in, listen abruptly, ungraciously, uncivilly,
extinguishing: (n) quenching, dampen to, regard, look out. curtly, closely, intimately, cozily.
out, extermination, stamp out, postern: (n) gate, ostiary, portal, ANTONYMS: (adv) attentively,
conclusion, extinguished, porch, wicket, vestibule, trapdoor, carefully, distantly, formally.
experimental extinction, ending, threshold, back door; (adj, n) rear; virulency: (n) spitefulness, bad feeling,
destruction, defunctness, complete (adj) side. malignity, spite, peeve, resentment,
annihilation. scoundrel: (n, v) rascal; (n) knave, bad blood, resentfulness, extreme
guffaw: (n, v) laugh, chuckle, snicker, blackguard, cad, villain, ruffian, hostility, gall, grudge.
Emily Brontë 19

With these words she suddenly splashed a pint of icy water down my neck,
and pulled me into the kitchen. Mr. Heathcliff followed, his accidental
merriment expiring quickly in his habitual moroseness.%
I was sick exceedingly, and dizzy, and faint; and thus compelled perforce to
accept lodgings under his roof. He told Zillah to give me a glass of brandy, and
then passed on to the inner room; while she condoled with me on my sorry
predicament, and having obeyed his orders, whereby I was somewhat revived,
ushered me to bed.

Thesaurus
dizzy: (adj) giddy, silly, faint, ANTONYMS: (adj) occasional, misery, gloom, seriousness,
frivolous, light, vertiginous, infrequent, mild, irregular, despondency, boredom.
brainsick, featherbrained, flighty, exceptional, erratic, abnormal, perforce: (n) on compulsion; (adv)
muzzy; (v) daze. ANTONYMS: (adj) innovative. needs.
alert, balanced, intelligent, poised, lodgings: (n) digs, accommodation, predicament: (n) dilemma, fix, plight,
rational, steady, sober, serious. domiciliation, lodging, billet, crisis, difficulty, mess, quandary,
expiring: (adj) moribund, failing. housing, quarters, residence, pad, case, category, impasse; (n, v)
ANTONYM: (adj) well. living quarters, launchpad. condition.
habitual: (adj, n) common, frequent, merriment: (n) fun, amusement, splashed: (adj) dabbled, bespattered,
usual; (adj) chronic, conventional, cheerfulness, hilarity, glee, jollity, besplashed, spattered, marked,
confirmed, accustomed, natural, frolic, gaiety, happiness, festivity; unclean, dirty, splattered,
commonplace, everyday, ordinary. (adj, n) mirth. ANTONYMS: (n) distributed, showy, dotted.
Emily Brontë 21

CHAPTER III

WHILE leading the way upstairs, she recommended that I should hide the
candle, and not make a noise; for her master had an odd notion about the
chamber she would put me in, and never let anybody lodge there willingly. I
asked the reason. She did not know, she answered: she had only lived there a
year or two; and they had so many queer goings on, she could not begin to be
curious.%
Too stupefied to be curious myself, I fastened my door and glanced round
for the bed. The whole furniture consisted of a chair, a clothes-press, and a large
oak case, with squares cut out near the top resembling coach windows. Having
approached this structure, I looked inside, and perceived it to be a singular sort
of old- fashioned couch, very conveniently designed to obviate the necessity for
every member of the family having a room to himself. In fact, it formed a little
closet, and the ledge of a window, which it enclosed, served as a table. I slid
back the panelled sides, got in with my light, pulled them together again, and felt
secure against the vigilance of Heathcliff, and every one else.
The ledge, where I placed my candle, had a few mildewed books piled up in
one corner; and it was covered with writing scratched on the paint. This writing,
however, was nothing but a name repeated in all kinds of characters, large and
small - CATHERINE EARNSHAW, here and there varied to CATHERINE
HEATHCLIFF, and then again to CATHERINE LINTON.

Thesaurus
closet: (n) cupboard, cubicle, cell, spotted, decayed; (adj, v) fusty; (adj) astonished, bewildered, astounded,
latrine, bathroom, wardrobe, water trite. dumbfounded, stupid, confused,
closet; (adj) clandestine, confidential, obviate: (v) avert, preclude, avoid, flabbergasted, dumfounded, groggy.
secret, private. ANTONYM: (adj) exclude, debar, eliminate, forestall, ANTONYMS: (adj) precise,
open. prevent, foreclose, rule out, stave off. unimpressed.
fashioned: (adj) formed, featured, queer: (adj) fantastic, odd, eccentric, vigilance: (n) caution, alertness,
fictitious, intentional, bent, wrought. funny, curious, gay, peculiar, strange, prudence, attention, watchfulness,
fastened: (adj) tied, fast, buttoned, quaint, fishy, outlandish. surveillance, jealousy, vigil, watch,
closed, tight, secure, pinned, binding, ANTONYMS: (adj) conventional, circumspection; (adj) vigilant.
empight, steady, firm. ANTONYMS: normal, well. ANTONYMS: (n) carelessness,
(adj) unfastened, unbuttoned. squares: (n) square. indiscretion, negligence,
mildewed: (v) moldy, rusty, seedy, stupefied: (adj) stunned, amazed, inattentiveness, recklessness.
22 Wuthering Heights

In vapid listlessness I leant my head against the window, and continued


spelling over Catherine Earnshaw - Heathcliff - Linton, till my eyes closed; but
they had not rested five minutes when a glare of white letters started from the
dark, as vivid as spectres - the air swarmed with Catherines; and rousing myself
to dispel the obtrusive name, I discovered my candle-wick reclining on one of the
antique volumes, and perfuming the place with an odour of roasted calf-skin. I
snuffed it off, and, very ill at ease under the influence of cold and lingering
nausea, sat up and spread open the injured tome on my knee. It was a
Testament, in lean type, and smelling dreadfully musty: a fly-leaf bore the
inscription - 'Catherine Earnshaw, her book,' and a date some quarter of a
century back. I shut it, and took up another and another, till I had examined all.
Catherine's library was select, and its state of dilapidation proved it to have been
well used, though not altogether for a legitimate purpose: scarcely one chapter
had escaped, a pen-and-ink commentary - at least the appearance of one -
covering every morsel of blank that the printer had left. Some were detached
sentences; other parts took the form of a regular diary, scrawled in an unformed,
childish hand. At the top of an extra page (quite a treasure, probably, when first
lighted on) I was greatly amused to behold an excellent caricature of my friend
Joseph, - rudely, yet powerfully sketched. An immediate interest kindled within
me for the unknown Catherine, and I began forthwith to decipher her faded
hieroglyphics.%
'An awful Sunday,' commenced the paragraph beneath. 'I wish my father
were back again. Hindley is a detestable substitute - his conduct to Heathcliff is
atrocious - H. and I are going to rebel - we took our initiatory step this evening.
'All day had been flooding with rain; we could not go to church, so Joseph
must needs get up a congregation in the garret; and, while Hindley and his wife
basked downstairs before a comfortable fire - doing anything but reading their
Bibles, I'll answer for it - Heathcliff, myself, and the unhappy ploughboy were
commanded to take our prayer-books, and mount: we were ranged in a row, on
a sack of corn, groaning and shivering, and hoping that Joseph would shiver too,
so that he might give us a short homily for his own sake. A vain idea! The

Thesaurus
detestable: (adj) hateful, abhorrent, impairment. perfumatory.
damnable, odious, offensive, initiatory: (adj) initiative, first, ploughboy: (n) plowboy, child, male
despicable, execrable, horrible, inaugural, maiden, preliminary, child, boy.
infamous; (adj, v) cursed; (adj, adv) introductory, inceptive, incipient, unformed: (adj) shapeless, amorphous,
atrocious. ANTONYMS: (adj) foremost, rudimentary, elementary. unfashioned, formless, crude,
admirable, adorable, sweet, loveable, kindled: (adj) enkindled, lighted, lit, unlabored, unpolished, unwrought,
lovable, likable, delightful, cherished, burning. unfledged, inchoate, embryonic.
honorable, desirable, nice. listlessness: (n) lethargy, apathy, ANTONYMS: (adj) distinct, mature.
dilapidation: (n) disrepair, languor, lassitude, inertia, disregard, vapid: (adj) flat, tasteless, dull, bland,
devastation, desolation, torpidity, torpor, ennui, boredom, stale, tame, jejune, uninteresting,
deterioration, ruin, collapse, neglect, fatigue. frigid, dead, lifeless. ANTONYM:
decrepitude, waste, destruction, perfuming: (adj) emitting perfume, (adj) sharp.
Emily Brontë 23

service lasted precisely three hours; and yet my brother had the face to exclaim,
when he saw us descending, "What, done already?" On Sunday evenings we
used to be permitted to play, if we did not make much noise; now a mere titter is
sufficient to send us into corners.%
'"You forget you have a master here," says the tyrant. "I'll demolish the first
who puts me out of temper! I insist on perfect sobriety and silence. Oh, boy!
was that you? Frances darling, pull his hair as you go by: I heard him snap his
fingers." Frances pulled his hair heartily, and then went and seated herself on her
husband's knee, and there they were, like two babies, kissing and talking
nonsense by the hour - foolish palaver that we should be ashamed of. We made
ourselves as snug as our means allowed in the arch of the dresser. I had just
fastened our pinafores together, and hung them up for a curtain, when in comes
Joseph, on an errand from the stables. He tears down my handiwork, boxes my
ears, and croaks:
'"T' maister nobbut just buried, and Sabbath not o'ered, und t' sound o' t'
gospel still i' yer lugs, and ye darr be laiking! Shame on ye! sit ye down, ill
childer! there's good books eneugh if ye'll read 'em: sit ye down, and think o' yer
sowls!"
'Saying this, he compelled us so to square our positions that we might receive
from the far-off fire a dull ray to show us the text of the lumber he thrust upon
us. I could not bear the employment. I took my dingy volume by the scroop, and
hurled it into the dog- kennel, vowing I hated a good book. Heathcliff kicked his
to the same place. Then there was a hubbub!
'"Maister Hindley!" shouted our chaplain. " Maister, coom hither! Miss
Cathy's riven th' back off 'Th' Helmet o' Salvation,' un' Heathcliff's pawsed his fit
into t' first part o' 'T' Brooad Way to Destruction!' It's fair flaysome that ye let 'em
go on this gait. Ech! th' owd man wad ha' laced 'em properly - but he's goan!"
'Hindley hurried up from his paradise on the hearth, and seizing one of us by
the collar, and the other by the arm, hurled both into the back-kitchen; where,
Joseph asseverated, "owd Nick would fetch us as sure as we were living: and, so
comforted, we each sought a separate nook to await his advent. I reached this
Thesaurus
coom: (n) anticlinal valley. bedlam, brouhaha; (n, v) racket, prate.
exclaim: (v) call out, call, shout, cry brawl. ANTONYM: (n) calm. riven: (adj) broken.
out, ejaculate, clamor, outcry, scream, lumber: (n) timber, wood; (adj, n) sobriety: (n) temperance, seriousness,
shout out, speak, vociferate. jumble, rubbish; (v) log, trail; (adv, v) soberness, graveness, abstinence,
handiwork: (n) handicraft, creation, plod; (adj) junk, litter, huddle, earnestness, composure, sedateness,
production, handcraft, product, disarray. staidness; (adj, n) gravity; (adj)
handwork, work, produce, design, nook: (n) angle, niche, recess, hole, rationality. ANTONYMS: (n) excess,
performance; (v) workmanship. coign, bay, compartment, oriel, cove, drunkenness, flippancy.
hither: (adv) here, whither, refuge, haven. titter: (n, v) laugh, chuckle, snigger,
hitherward, thither. palaver: (v) chatter, babble, coax, chortle, twitter, gurgle, snort, guffaw;
hubbub: (n) commotion, uproar, gabble, clack; (n, v) talk; (n) gab, (v) snicker; (n) laughter, quiet
disorder, din, noise, bustle, tumult, negotiation, cajolery, flattery; (adj, v) laughter.
24 Wuthering Heights

book, and a pot of ink from a shelf, and pushed the house-door ajar to give me
light, and I have got the time on with writing for twenty minutes; but my
companion is impatient, and proposes that we should appropriate the
dairywoman's cloak, and have a scamper on the moors, under its shelter. A
pleasant suggestion - and then, if the surly old man come in, he may believe his
prophecy verified - we cannot be damper, or colder, in the rain than we are here.'

******

I suppose Catherine fulfilled her project, for the next sentence took up
another subject: she waxed lachrymose.%
'How little did I dream that Hindley would ever make me cry so!' she wrote.
'My head aches, till I cannot keep it on the pillow; and still I can't give over. Poor
Heathcliff! Hindley calls him a vagabond, and won't let him sit with us, nor eat
with us any more; and, he says, he and I must not play together, and threatens to
turn him out of the house if we break his orders. He has been blaming our father
(how dared he?) for treating H. too liberally; and swears he will reduce him to
his right place - '

******

I began to nod drowsily over the dim page: my eye wandered from
manuscript to print. I saw a red ornamented title - 'Seventy Times Seven, and
the First of the Seventy-First.' A Pious Discourse delivered by the Reverend
Jabez Branderham, in the Chapel of Gimmerden Sough.' And while I was, half-
consciously, worrying my brain to guess what Jabez Branderham would make of
his subject, I sank back in bed, and fell asleep. Alas, for the effects of bad tea and
bad temper! What else could it be that made me pass such a terrible night? I

Thesaurus
ajar: (v) dissentient, unclosed, slowly, dreamily, languorously. unfriendly. ANTONYMS: (adj)
unstopped, wide open, out of tune; ANTONYM: (adv) vigorously. cheerful, gentle, pleasant, courteous,
(adj) open, gaping, partly open, not ornamented: (adj) embellished, easygoing, friendly.
closed. beautified, fancy, flowery, ornate, swears: (n) swearing.
began: (v) Gan. adorned, bedecked, decked, treating: (adj) remedial.
damper: (n) check, cooler, silencer, festooned, feathered, florid. vagabond: (n, v) tramp; (adj, n)
constraint, device, marplot, hinderer, scamper: (v) dash, sprint, dart, scuttle, vagrant; (v) roam, stray, wander,
killjoy, muffler, shock absorber, skitter, skip, bustle, hasten, bolt; (n, v) range, ramble; (n) outcast, bum,
absorber. run; (n) haste. wanderer, nomad. ANTONYMS: (n)
drowsily: (adv) sleepily, lethargically, surly: (adj) sullen, grumpy, peevish, inhabitant, resident; (adj) settled.
somnolently, lazily, dozily, crusty, churlish, grouchy, gruff, waxed: (adj) resembling wax, soft,
indolently, sluggishly, soporifically, morose; (adj, n) harsh, rude; (adj, adv) waxen; (v) wex.
Emily Brontë 25

don't remember another that I can at all compare with it since I was capable of
suffering.%
I began to dream, almost before I ceased to be sensible of my locality. I
thought it was morning; and I had set out on my way home, with Joseph for a
guide. The snow lay yards deep in our road; and, as we floundered on, my
companion wearied me with constant reproaches that I had not brought a
pilgrim's staff: telling me that I could never get into the house without one, and
boastfully flourishing a heavy-headed cudgel, which I understood to be so
denominated. For a moment I considered it absurd that I should need such a
weapon to gain admittance into my own residence. Then a new idea flashed
across me. I was not going there: we were journeying to hear the famous Jabez
Branderham preach, from the text - 'Seventy Times Seven;' and either Joseph, the
preacher, or I had committed the 'First of the Seventy-First,' and were to be
publicly exposed and excommunicated.
We came to the chapel. I have passed it really in my walks, twice or thrice; it
lies in a hollow, between two hills: an elevated hollow, near a swamp, whose
peaty moisture is said to answer all the purposes of embalming on the few
corpses deposited there. The roof has been kept whole hitherto; but as the
clergyman's stipend is only twenty pounds per annum, and a house with two
rooms, threatening speedily to determine into one, no clergyman will undertake
the duties of pastor: especially as it is currently reported that his flock would
rather let him starve than increase the living by one penny from their own
pockets. However, in my dream, Jabez had a full and attentive congregation;
and he preached - good God! what a sermon; divided into FOUR HUNDRED
AND NINETY parts, each fully equal to an ordinary address from the pulpit,
and each discussing a separate sin! Where he searched for them, I cannot tell.
He had his private manner of interpreting the phrase, and it seemed necessary
the brother should sin different sins on every occasion. They were of the most
curious character: odd transgressions that I never imagined previously.
Oh, how weary I grow. How I writhed, and yawned, and nodded, and
revived! How I pinched and pricked myself, and rubbed my eyes, and stood up,

Thesaurus
boastfully: (adv) proudly, conceitedly, arid, declining, fading, poor, fleetly. ANTONYMS: (adv) later,
arrogantly, vaingloriously, unhealthy. eventually.
pretentiously, braggartly, big, journeying: (adj) itinerant, wayfaring, stipend: (n) salary, pay, earnings,
crowingly, thrasonically, pompously, vagabond; (n) excursion, digression, allowance, remuneration, wage,
bigly. expedition, travelling, movement, compensation, pension, reward, fee,
cudgel: (n) bludgeon, truncheon, stick, outing, passage, pilgrimage. grant.
staff, switch, mace, baton; (v) beat, peaty: (adj) turfy, soggy, boggy, thrice: (adv) three times, thirdly.
bat, hit, drub. muddy, swampy, turbinaceous, wearied: (adj) jaded, tired, spent,
flourishing: (adj) thriving, palmy, combustible. ANTONYM: (adj) dry. fatigued, weary, prostrate, limp,
healthy, successful, luxuriant, speedily: (adj, adv) quickly, quick, haggard, shattered, worn, fatigate.
booming, verdant, lush, auspicious, immediately; (adv) rapidly, promptly, writhed: (adj) crooked, writhen,
favorable, rich. ANTONYMS: (adj) hastily, swiftly, fast, apace, hurriedly, distorted, twisted.
26 Wuthering Heights

and sat down again, and nudged Joseph to inform me if he would EVER have
done. I was condemned to hear all out: finally, he reached the 'FIRST OF THE
SEVENTY-FIRST.' At that crisis, a sudden inspiration descended on me; I was
moved to rise and denounce Jabez Branderham as the sinner of the sin that no
Christian need pardon.%
'Sir,' I exclaimed, 'sitting here within these four walls, at one stretch, I have
endured and forgiven the four hundred and ninety heads of your discourse.
Seventy times seven times have I plucked up my hat and been about to depart -
Seventy times seven times have you preposterously forced me to resume my
seat. The four hundred and ninety-first is too much. Fellow-martyrs, have at
him! Drag him down, and crush him to atoms, that the place which knows him
may know him no more!'
'THOU ART THE MAN!' cried Jabez, after a solemn pause, leaning over his
cushion. 'Seventy times seven times didst thou gapingly contort thy visage -
seventy times seven did I take counsel with my soul - Lo, this is human
weakness: this also may be absolved! The First of the Seventy-First is come.
Brethren, execute upon him the judgment written. Such honour have all His
saints!'
With that concluding word, the whole assembly, exalting their pilgrim's
staves, rushed round me in a body; and I, having no weapon to raise in self-
defence, commenced grappling with Joseph, my nearest and most ferocious
assailant, for his. In the confluence of the multitude, several clubs crossed;
blows, aimed at me, fell on other sconces. Presently the whole chapel resounded
with rappings and counter rappings: every man's hand was against his
neighbour; and Branderham, unwilling to remain idle, poured forth his zeal in a
shower of loud taps on the boards of the pulpit, which responded so smartly
that, at last, to my unspeakable relief, they woke me. And what was it that had
suggested the tremendous tumult? What had played Jabez's part in the row?
Merely the branch of a fir-tree that touched my lattice as the blast wailed by, and
rattled its dry cones against the panes! I listened doubtingly an instant; detected

Thesaurus
absolved: (adj) exculpated, exempt, doubtingly: (adv) distrustfully, panes: (n) Fauni.
exonerated, cleared, vindicated, skeptically, suspiciously, sceptically, preposterously: (adv) absurdly,
guiltless; (v) quit. uncertainly, questioningly, ludicrously, nonsensically, foolishly,
confluence: (n) meeting, concurrence, hesitantly, cynically, apprehensively, crazily, silly, senselessly,
junction, assembly, union, conflux, incredulously; (adj) doubting. outrageously, inordinately,
crowd, convergence, coming ANTONYM: (adv) optimistically. derisorily; (adj, adv) monstrously.
together, aggregation; (v) corrivation. exalting: (adj) exalt, ennobling, ANTONYM: (adv) impressively.
ANTONYM: (n) split. inspiring, humane, generous, self-defence: (n) self-defense.
contort: (v) twist, bend, deform, warp, exhilarating, dignifying, courageous, visage: (n) face, look, mug,
wring, wrench, falsify, curl, mangle, benevolent, abundant. physiognomy, expression, kisser,
make faces, deface. ANTONYMS: (v) gapingly: (adv) openly, agapely, appearance, aspect, brow, smiler,
straighten, unbend, untwist, smile. oscitantly, vastly, widely. forehead.
Emily Brontë 27

the disturber, then turned and dozed, and dreamt again: if possible, still more
disagreeably than before.%
This time, I remembered I was lying in the oak closet, and I heard distinctly
the gusty wind, and the driving of the snow; I heard, also, the fir bough repeat its
teasing sound, and ascribed it to the right cause: but it annoyed me so much,
that I resolved to silence it, if possible; and, I thought, I rose and endeavoured to
unhasp the casement. The hook was soldered into the staple: a circumstance
observed by me when awake, but forgotten. 'I must stop it, nevertheless!' I
muttered, knocking my knuckles through the glass, and stretching an arm out to
seize the importunate branch; instead of which, my fingers closed on the fingers
of a little, ice-cold hand! The intense horror of nightmare came over me: I tried
to draw back my arm, but the hand clung to it, and a most melancholy voice
sobbed, 'Let me in - let me in!' 'Who are you?' I asked, struggling, meanwhile, to
disengage myself. 'Catherine Linton,' it replied, shiveringly (why did I think of
LINTON? I had read EARNSHAW twenty times for Linton) - 'I'm come home:
I'd lost my way on the moor!' As it spoke, I discerned, obscurely, a child's face
looking through the window. Terror made me cruel; and, finding it useless to
attempt shaking the creature off, I pulled its wrist on to the broken pane, and
rubbed it to and fro till the blood ran down and soaked the bedclothes: still it
wailed, 'Let me in!' and maintained its tenacious gripe, almost maddening me
with fear. 'How can I!' I said at length. 'Let ME go, if you want me to let you in!'
The fingers relaxed, I snatched mine through the hole, hurriedly piled the books
up in a pyramid against it, and stopped my ears to exclude the lamentable
prayer. I seemed to keep them closed above a quarter of an hour; yet, the instant
I listened again, there was the doleful cry moaning on! 'Begone!' I shouted. 'I'll
never let you in, not if you beg for twenty years.' 'It is twenty years,' mourned
the voice: 'twenty years. I've been a waif for twenty years!' Thereat began a
feeble scratching outside, and the pile of books moved as if thrust forward. I
tried to jump up; but could not stir a limb; and so yelled aloud, in a frenzy of
fright. To my confusion, I discovered the yell was not ideal: hasty footsteps
approached my chamber door; somebody pushed it open, with a vigorous hand,
and a light glimmered through the squares at the top of the bed. I sat
Thesaurus
disagreeably: (adv) nastily, rejoice. maddening: (adj) exasperating,
unappealingly, offensively, gusty: (adj) blustery, stormy, windy, annoying, aggravating, irritating,
cheerlessly, badly, distastefully, blowy, tempestuous, squally, dirty, galling, trying, vexing, madden,
objectionably, unsympathetically. blustering, blusterous, airy, bothersome, crazy, vexatious.
ANTONYMS: (adv) agreeably, inclement. ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasing,
sweetly, warmly, attractively. airless. soothing, satisfying.
disturber: (n) troubler. ice-cold: (adj) frigid, frozen. shiveringly: (adv) shudderingly,
gripe: (n) complaint; (adj, v) catch; (n, importunate: (adj) annoying, exigent, shivering, quiveringly, shakingly,
v) beef, moan, bellyache, grasp, pressing, insistent, bothersome, tremulously.
grumble, whine, protest; (adj, n, v) pestiferous, pestilent, instant, waif: (v) waive; (adj) jetsam; (n)
clutch; (v) complain. ANTONYMS: obdurate, demanding, pleading. ragamuffin, prize, nuts, godsend,
(v) appreciate, compliment, agree, ANTONYM: (adj) feeble. waift, urchin, youngster, hobo, weft.
28 Wuthering Heights

shuddering yet, and wiping the perspiration from my forehead: the intruder
appeared to hesitate, and muttered to himself. At last, he said, in a half-whisper,
plainly not expecting an answer, 'Is any one here?' I considered it best to confess
my presence; for I knew Heathcliff's accents, and feared he might search further,
if I kept quiet. With this intention, I turned and opened the panels. I shall not
soon forget the effect my action produced.%
Heathcliff stood near the entrance, in his shirt and trousers; with a candle
dripping over his fingers, and his face as white as the wall behind him. The first
creak of the oak startled him like an electric shock: the light leaped from his hold
to a distance of some feet, and his agitation was so extreme, that he could hardly
pick it up.
'It is only your guest, sir,' I called out, desirous to spare him the humiliation
of exposing his cowardice further. 'I had the misfortune to scream in my sleep,
owing to a frightful nightmare. I'm sorry I disturbed you.'
'Oh, God confound you, Mr. Lockwood! I wish you were at the - '
commenced my host, setting the candle on a chair, because he found it
impossible to hold it steady. 'And who showed you up into this room?' he
continued, crushing his nails into his palms, and grinding his teeth to subdue the
maxillary convulsions. 'Who was it? I've a good mind to turn them out of the
house this moment?'
'It was your servant Zillah,' I replied, flinging myself on to the floor, and
rapidly resuming my garments. 'I should not care if you did, Mr. Heathcliff; she
richly deserves it. I suppose that she wanted to get another proof that the place
was haunted, at my expense. Well, it is - swarming with ghosts and goblins!
You have reason in shutting it up, I assure you. No one will thank you for a
doze in such a den!'
'What do you mean?' asked Heathcliff, 'and what are you doing? Lie down
and finish out the night, since you ARE here; but, for heaven's sake! don't repeat
that horrid noise: nothing could excuse it, unless you were having your throat
cut!'

Thesaurus
confound: (v) bewilder, baffle, ANTONYMS: (n) nerve, bravery, flinging: (n) casting, cast.
nonplus, perplex, astonish, puzzle, daring, determination. subdue: (adj, n, v) conquer; (v)
amaze, astound, mistake; (adj, v) desirous: (adj) wistful, avid, overpower, crush, defeat, quell,
confuse, stupefy. ANTONYMS: (v) ambitious, greedy, longing, eager, quash, suppress, restrain; (n, v)
explain, clarify, comfort, lose, hungry, covetous, envious, agog; (adj, reduce; (adj, v) repress; (adv, v)
distinguish; (n) understanding. v) willing. ANTONYMS: (adj) control. ANTONYMS: (v) incite,
convulsions: (n) convulsion, spasm, undesirous, reluctant, undesiring, enliven, resist, submit.
epilepsy, eclampsia, mirth. unconcerned. swarming: (adj) full, crowded, alive,
cowardice: (n) dastardliness, doze: (n, v) snooze, sleep, slumber, packed, populous, sensitive, thick; (v)
poltroonery, pusillanimity, fear, drowse, siesta, forty winks, rest; (v) dense, crowded to suffocation,
spirit, cravenness, timidity, catnap, nod, coma, nod off. serried, closely packed.
fearfulness, base fear, cowardship. ANTONYM: (v) wake. ANTONYMS: (adj) clear, deserted.
Emily Brontë 29

'If the little fiend had got in at the window, she probably would have
strangled me!' I returned. 'I'm not going to endure the persecutions of your
hospitable ancestors again. Was not the Reverend Jabez Branderham akin to you
on the mother's side? And that minx, Catherine Linton, or Earnshaw, or
however she was called - she must have been a changeling - wicked little soul!
She told me she had been walking the earth these twenty years: a just
punishment for her mortal transgressions, I've no doubt!'
Scarcely were these words uttered when I recollected the association of
Heathcliff's with Catherine's name in the book, which had completely slipped
from my memory, till thus awakened. I blushed at my inconsideration: but,
without showing further consciousness of the offence, I hastened to add - 'The
truth is, sir, I passed the first part of the night in - ' Here I stopped afresh - I was
about to say 'perusing those old volumes,' then it would have revealed my
knowledge of their written, as well as their printed, contents; so, correcting
myself, I went on - 'in spelling over the name scratched on that window-ledge. A
monotonous occupation, calculated to set me asleep, like counting, or - '
'What CAN you mean by talking in this way to ME!' thundered Heathcliff
with savage vehemence. 'How - how DARE you, under my roof? - God! he's
mad to speak so!' And he struck his forehead with rage.%
I did not know whether to resent this language or pursue my explanation;
but he seemed so powerfully affected that I took pity and proceeded with my
dreams; affirming I had never heard the appellation of 'Catherine Linton' before,
but reading it often over produced an impression which personified itself when
I had no longer my imagination under control. Heathcliff gradually fell back
into the shelter of the bed, as I spoke; finally sitting down almost concealed
behind it. I guessed, however, by his irregular and intercepted breathing, that he
struggled to vanquish an excess of violent emotion. Not liking to show him that
I had heard the conflict, I continued my toilette rather noisily, looked at my
watch, and soliloquised on the length of the night: 'Not three o'clock yet! I could
have taken oath it had been six. Time stagnates here: we must surely have
retired to rest at eight!'

Thesaurus
affirming: (adj) predicative, predicant, ANTONYM: (n) angel. raiment, drapery, guise, trim, John,
assertory; (n) confirmation. inconsideration: (n) hastiness, lavatory, privy, bathroom.
appellation: (n) designation, imprudence, rashness, vanquish: (v) overcome, overpower,
denomination, title, name, nickname, thoughtlessness, inattention, crush, beat, rout, subjugate, thrash,
epithet, moniker, term, appellative, bluntness, unkindness, giddiness, overthrow, trounce, subdue; (adj, v)
cognomen, degree. levity, carelessness, indiscretion. conquer. ANTONYMS: (v) surrender,
changeling: (n) tyke, child, youngster, ANTONYM: (n) consideration. fail.
tike, tiddler, shaver, nipper, nestling, minx: (n) flirt, hussy, vamp, vehemence: (n) force, violence, fury,
mooncalf, gobemouche, jobbernowl. jackanapes, malapert, mink, slut, passion, eagerness, strength,
fiend: (n) monster, devil, fanatic, jade, quean, woman, bitch. impetuosity, enthusiasm, fierceness,
brute, deuce, incubus, goblin, ogre, personified: (adj) embodied. heat, fervor. ANTONYMS: (n)
enthusiast, daemon, addict. toilette: (n) dress, costume, attire, indifference, meekness, serenity.
30 Wuthering Heights

'Always at nine in winter, and rise at four,' said my host, suppressing a


groan: and, as I fancied, by the motion of his arm's shadow, dashing a tear from
his eyes. 'Mr. Lockwood,' he added, 'you may go into my room: you'll only be in
the way, coming down- stairs so early: and your childish outcry has sent sleep to
the devil for me.'
'And for me, too,' I replied. 'I'll walk in the yard till daylight, and then I'll be
off; and you need not dread a repetition of my intrusion. I'm now quite cured of
seeking pleasure in society, be it country or town. A sensible man ought to find
sufficient company in himself.'
'Delightful company!' muttered Heathcliff. 'Take the candle, and go where
you please. I shall join you directly. Keep out of the yard, though, the dogs are
unchained; and the house - Juno mounts sentinel there, and - nay, you can only
ramble about the steps and passages. But, away with you! I'll come in two
minutes!'
I obeyed, so far as to quit the chamber; when, ignorant where the narrow
lobbies led, I stood still, and was witness, involuntarily, to a piece of superstition
on the part of my landlord which belied, oddly, his apparent sense. He got on to
the bed, and wrenched open the lattice, bursting, as he pulled at it, into an
uncontrollable passion of tears. 'Come in! come in!' he sobbed. 'Cathy, do come.
Oh, do - ONCE more! Oh! my heart's darling! hear me THIS time, Catherine, at
last!' The spectre showed a spectre's ordinary caprice: it gave no sign of being;
but the snow and wind whirled wildly through, even reaching my station, and
blowing out the light.%
There was such anguish in the gush of grief that accompanied this raving,
that my compassion made me overlook its folly, and I drew off, half angry to
have listened at all, and vexed at having related my ridiculous nightmare, since it
produced that agony; though WHY was beyond my comprehension. I
descended cautiously to the lower regions, and landed in the back-kitchen,
where a gleam of fire, raked compactly together, enabled me to rekindle my
candle. Nothing was stirring except a brindled, grey cat, which crept from the
ashes, and saluted me with a querulous mew.

Thesaurus
brindled: (adj, v) brinded; (adj) tabby, gush: (n, v) flood, flow, spurt, jet, reinforce, rejuvenate, relume,
dappled, speckled, patchy, pied, discharge, stream, rush, surge; (n) relumine, renew, renovate, restore,
striped, streaked, spotted, piebald. burst, effusion; (v) course. stimulate.
caprice: (n) fancy, fantasy, humor, querulous: (adj) petulant, irritable, sentinel: (n) sentry, lookout, watch,
quirk, freak, notion, impulse, fit, fretful, discontented, tetchy, watchman, scout, picket, patrol,
capriccio, fad, vagary. ANTONYMS: complaining, fractious, touchy, cross, lookout man, guardian, outlook,
(n) plan, strategy, blueprint, reality. grumpy, grouchy. protector.
compactly: (adv) solidly, succinctly, raving: (adj, v) wild; (adj) frantic, unchained: (adj) unreined,
closely, thickly, tightly, firmly, delirious, furious, mad, insane; (adj, unmuzzled, uncurbed, freed,
heavily, neatly, pithily, concisely, n) madness, distraction, rage; (n) unbound, unfettered, untied,
trimly. ANTONYMS: (adv) loosely, rabid, delirium. unsubject, ungoverned, unenthralled,
sparsely, awkwardly. rekindle: (v) revive, refresh, revitalize, unenslaved.
Emily Brontë 31

Two benches, shaped in sections of a circle, nearly enclosed the hearth; on


one of these I stretched myself, and Grimalkin mounted the other. We were both
of us nodding ere any one invaded our retreat, and then it was Joseph, shuffling
down a wooden ladder that vanished in the roof, through a trap: the ascent to
his garret, I suppose. He cast a sinister look at the little flame which I had
enticed to play between the ribs, swept the cat from its elevation, and bestowing
himself in the vacancy, commenced the operation of stuffing a three-inch pipe
with tobacco. My presence in his sanctum was evidently esteemed a piece of
impudence too shameful for remark: he silently applied the tube to his lips,
folded his arms, and puffed away. I let him enjoy the luxury unannoyed; and
after sucking out his last wreath, and heaving a profound sigh, he got up, and
departed as solemnly as he came.%
A more elastic footstep entered next; and now I opened my mouth for a
'good-morning,' but closed it again, the salutation unachieved; for Hareton
Earnshaw was performing his orison SOTTO VOCE, in a series of curses directed
against every object he touched, while he rummaged a corner for a spade or
shovel to dig through the drifts. He glanced over the back of the bench, dilating
his nostrils, and thought as little of exchanging civilities with me as with my
companion the cat. I guessed, by his preparations, that egress was allowed, and,
leaving my hard couch, made a movement to follow him. He noticed this, and
thrust at an inner door with the end of his spade, intimating by an inarticulate
sound that there was the place where I must go, if I changed my locality.
It opened into the house, where the females were already astir; Zillah urging
flakes of flame up the chimney with a colossal bellows; and Mrs. Heathcliff,
kneeling on the hearth, reading a book by the aid of the blaze. She held her hand
interposed between the furnace-heat and her eyes, and seemed absorbed in her
occupation; desisting from it only to chide the servant for covering her with
sparks, or to push away a dog, now and then, that snoozled its nose
overforwardly into her face. I was surprised to see Heathcliff there also. He
stood by the fire, his back towards me, just finishing a stormy scene with poor

Thesaurus
astir: (adj) agog, lively, wakeful; (adv) emergence, departure, emersion, interposed: (adj) interjacent,
afoot, abroach, about; (v) sparkling, emission, way out, dissilience; (v) intercedent, intervenient,
up the qui vive, wrought up. emerge. ANTONYMS: (n) entry, parenthetical, intermediate colors,
ANTONYM: (adj) asleep. ingress. mediate.
chide: (n, v) censure, reprimand, footstep: (n) pace, footfall, track, orison: (n) invocation, intercession,
blame; (v) rebuke, admonish, chasten, footmark, vestige, tread, trail, stride, supplication, benediction, request,
lecture, scold, reproach, chastise, degree; (n, v) step, action. rogation, communion, entreaty,
reprove. ANTONYMS: (v) praise, impudence: (adj, n) boldness, brass; (n) commination, collect, blessing.
laud, commend, compliment, cheek, gall, audacity, impertinence, salutation: (n, v) salute; (n) reception,
approve. insolence, face, cheekiness, hail, hello, welcome, address,
civilities: (n) propriety. effrontery, assurance. ANTONYMS: compliment, hullo, recognition,
egress: (n) exit, egression, outlet, door, (n) cowardice, reticence. interpellation, pax.
32 Wuthering Heights

Zillah; who ever and anon interrupted her labour to pluck up the corner of her
apron, and heave an indignant groan.%
'And you, you worthless - ' he broke out as I entered, turning to his daughter-
in-law, and employing an epithet as harmless as duck, or sheep, but generally
represented by a dash - . 'There you are, at your idle tricks again! The rest of
them do earn their bread - you live on my charity! Put your trash away, and find
something to do. You shall pay me for the plague of having you eternally in my
sight - do you hear, damnable jade?'
'I'll put my trash away, because you can make me if I refuse,' answered the
young lady, closing her book, and throwing it on a chair. 'But I'll not do
anything, though you should swear your tongue out, except what I please!'
Heathcliff lifted his hand, and the speaker sprang to a safer distance,
obviously acquainted with its weight. Having no desire to be entertained by a
cat-and-dog combat, I stepped forward briskly, as if eager to partake the warmth
of the hearth, and innocent of any knowledge of the interrupted dispute. Each
had enough decorum to suspend further hostilities: Heathcliff placed his fists,
out of temptation, in his pockets; Mrs. Heathcliff curled her lip, and walked to a
seat far off, where she kept her word by playing the part of a statue during the
remainder of my stay. That was not long. I declined joining their breakfast, and,
at the first gleam of dawn, took an opportunity of escaping into the free air, now
clear, and still, and cold as impalpable ice.
My landlord halloed for me to stop ere I reached the bottom of the garden,
and offered to accompany me across the moor. It was well he did, for the whole
hill-back was one billowy, white ocean; the swells and falls not indicating
corresponding rises and depressions in the ground: many pits, at least, were
filled to a level; and entire ranges of mounds, the refuse of the quarries, blotted
from the chart which my yesterday's walk left pictured in my mind. I had
remarked on one side of the road, at intervals of six or seven yards, a line of
upright stones, continued through the whole length of the barren: these were
erected and daubed with lime on purpose to serve as guides in the dark, and also
when a fall, like the present, confounded the deep swamps on either hand with

Thesaurus
anon: (adv) directly, immediately, daubed: (adj) beplastered, covered, nickname, moniker, sobriquet, title,
early, readily, soon, instantly, again, greasy. picture, byname, byword.
forthwith, promptly, shortly, rath. decorum: (n) propriety, gentility, impalpable: (adj) imperceptible,
billowy: (adj) rolling, puffy, stormy, decorousness, dignity, fitness, shadowy, invisible, efflorescent,
surging. manners, correctness, ceremony, gritty, insubstantial, incorporeal,
cat-and-dog: (adj) quarrelsome. properness, politeness, grace. inscrutable, ethereal,
damnable: (adj) cursed, damned, ANTONYMS: (n) impoliteness, inapprehensible, elusive.
abominable, hateful, accursed, rudeness, informality, indecorum, ANTONYMS: (adj) tangible, definite.
devilish, infernal, disgusting, sinful, impropriety, indecency, corruption, partake: (v) deal, touch, share,
deplorable, offensive. ANTONYMS: abandon, vulgarity. consume, attend, eat, taste, receive,
(adj) commendable, laudable, epithet: (n) name, cognomen, communicate, join, have.
praiseworthy. appellation, denomination, ANTONYM: (v) refrain.
Emily Brontë 33

the firmer path: but, excepting a dirty dot pointing up here and there, all traces
of their existence had vanished: and my companion found it necessary to warn
me frequently to steer to the right or left, when I imagined I was following,
correctly, the windings of the road.%
We exchanged little conversation, and he halted at the entrance of
Thrushcross Park, saying, I could make no error there. Our adieux were limited
to a hasty bow, and then I pushed forward, trusting to my own resources; for the
porter's lodge is untenanted as yet. The distance from the gate to the grange is
two miles; I believe I managed to make it four, what with losing myself among
the trees, and sinking up to the neck in snow: a predicament which only those
who have experienced it can appreciate. At any rate, whatever were my
wanderings, the clock chimed twelve as I entered the house; and that gave
exactly an hour for every mile of the usual way from Wuthering Heights.
My human fixture and her satellites rushed to welcome me; exclaiming,
tumultuously, they had completely given me up: everybody conjectured that I
perished last night; and they were wondering how they must set about the
search for my remains. I bid them be quiet, now that they saw me returned, and,
benumbed to my very heart, I dragged up-stairs; whence, after putting on dry
clothes, and pacing to and fro thirty or forty minutes, to restore the animal heat, I
adjourned to my study, feeble as a kitten: almost too much so to enjoy the
cheerful fire and smoking coffee which the servant had prepared for my
refreshment.

Thesaurus
adieux: (n) farewell. tenement. tumultuously: (adv) turbulently,
benumbed: (adj) torpid, asleep, stiff, kitten: (n) cat, foal, kitty, colt, foetus; tempestuously, violently,
insensible, dull, dead, numbed, (v) teem, flower, fructify, bear fruit, uproariously, boisterously,
hardened, drugged, uninterested, farrow, EAN. tumultuarily, noisily, furiously,
cold. pacing: (n) accelerando, andante, loudly, agitatedly; (adj, adv) madly.
excepting: (conj, prep) but, bar; (n, prep) allegro, allegretto, pace, walk, tempo, untenanted: (adj) vacant, uninhabited.
except for, exclusive of; (prep) aside musical time, maneuvering alongside ANTONYM: (adj) occupied.
from, besides, apart from, barring, another vessel, cardiac pacing. wanderings: (n) peregrination.
excluding, with the exception of; (v) perished: (adj) decayed, emperished, whence: (adv) wherefrom, hence,
saving. ANTONYM: (prep) including. rotting, annihilated, fallen, lost, because, for, why, wherefore, how,
grange: (n) farm, farmhouse, toft, moldy, nonexistent, putrefied, dead, then, then thence so, how comes it,
hacienda, granary, messuage, decomposed. how happens it.
Emily Brontë 35

CHAPTER IV

WHAT vain weathercocks we are! I, who had determined to hold myself


independent of all social intercourse, and thanked my stars that, at length, I had
lighted on a spot where it was next to impracticable - I, weak wretch, after
maintaining till dusk a struggle with low spirits and solitude, was finally
compelled to strike my colours; and under pretence of gaining information
concerning the necessities of my establishment, I desired Mrs. Dean, when she
brought in supper, to sit down while I ate it; hoping sincerely she would prove a
regular gossip, and either rouse me to animation or lull me to sleep by her talk.%
'You have lived here a considerable time,' I commenced; 'did you not say
sixteen years?'
'Eighteen, sir: I came when the mistress was married, to wait on her; after she
died, the master retained me for his housekeeper.'
'Indeed.'
There ensued a pause. She was not a gossip, I feared; unless about her own
affairs, and those could hardly interest me. However, having studied for an
interval, with a fist on either knee, and a cloud of meditation over her ruddy
countenance, she ejaculated - 'Ah, times are greatly changed since then!'
'Yes,' I remarked, 'you've seen a good many alterations, I suppose?'
'I have: and troubles too,' she said.

Thesaurus
commenced: (v) began, Gan; (adj) fussy. ANTONYMS: (adj) viable, subsistence, requirement, bread.
initiate, present. feasible, possible, accustomed. rouse: (v) provoke, excite, arouse,
countenance: (n) aspect, expression, lighted: (adj) illuminated, lit, light, kindle, awaken, instigate, actuate,
brow, complexion; (n, v) face, ablaze, bright, ignited, burn, burning, disturb, move, agitate, incite.
sanction, support, favor; (v) allow, ignite, kindled, lighten. ANTONYMS: (v) dampen,
tolerate, uphold. ANTONYMS: (v) lull: (n, v) calm, quiet, hush, rest, dishearten, suppress, douse, inhibit,
reject, oppose, discourage, pause; (adj, v) assuage, pacify, stifle, quench.
disapprove, prohibit. tranquilize; (v) allay, still; (n) peace. ruddy: (adj) cherry, rubicund, rosy,
impracticable: (adj) unfeasible, ANTONYMS: (v) waken; (n) activity, flushed, florid, sanguine, reddish,
infeasible, impractical, unrealistic, intensification. glowing, blooming, crimson; (adj,
unworkable, impervious, unusable, necessities: (n) supplies, necessity, adv) blushing.
unattainable, useless; (v) crotchety, essential, wants, support, sixteen: (n) large integer.
36 Wuthering Heights

'Oh, I'll turn the talk on my landlord's family!' I thought to myself. 'A good
subject to start! And that pretty girl-widow, I should like to know her history:
whether she be a native of the country, or, as is more probable, an exotic that the
surly INDIGENAE will not recognise for kin.' With this intention I asked Mrs.
Dean why Heathcliff let Thrushcross Grange, and preferred living in a situation
and residence so much inferior. 'Is he not rich enough to keep the estate in good
order?' I inquired.%
'Rich, sir!' she returned. 'He has nobody knows what money, and every year
it increases. Yes, yes, he's rich enough to live in a finer house than this: but he's
very near - close-handed; and, if he had meant to flit to Thrushcross Grange, as
soon as he heard of a good tenant he could not have borne to miss the chance of
getting a few hundreds more. It is strange people should be so greedy, when
they are alone in the world!'
'He had a son, it seems?'
'Yes, he had one - he is dead.'
'And that young lady, Mrs. Heathcliff, is his widow?'
'Yes.'
'Where did she come from originally?'
'Why, sir, she is my late master's daughter: Catherine Linton was her maiden
name. I nursed her, poor thing! I did wish Mr. Heathcliff would remove here,
and then we might have been together again.'
'What! Catherine Linton?' I exclaimed, astonished. But a minute's reflection
convinced me it was not my ghostly Catherine. Then,' I continued, 'my
predecessor's name was Linton?'
'It was.'
'And who is that Earnshaw: Hareton Earnshaw, who lives with Mr.
Heathcliff? Are they relations?'
'No; he is the late Mrs. Linton's nephew.'
'The young lady's cousin, then?'

Thesaurus
astonished: (adj) astonish, ghostly: (adj) uncanny, eerie, weird, inferior: (adj) secondary, bad, humble,
dumbfounded, flabbergasted, spiritual, spectral, ghostlike, poor, junior, petty, lesser, cheap,
stunned, aghast, bewildered, supernatural, macabre, phantasmal; base, feeble, vulgar. ANTONYMS:
astounded, taken aback, (adj, adv) ghastly; (adv) spectrally. (adj) better, choice, excellent,
thunderstruck, astonied; (v) amaze. ANTONYMS: (adj) tangible, natural. premium, adscript, perfect, higher,
borne: (adj) weak, wanting, spoony, greedy: (adj) avid, gluttonous, quality, senior; (adj, n) superscript;
soft, sappy, shallow, little, limited. desirous, grasping, acquisitive, (n) boss.
finer: (adj) superior, advanced, bigger, glutton, piggish, voracious, selfish; maiden: (n) maid, girl, demoiselle,
higher, more, greater. (adj, v) avaricious, covetous. damosel, wench, fille, lass, miss; (adj)
flit: (n, v) dart; (v) flicker, fly, fleet, ANTONYMS: (adj) temperate, first, initiatory, unmarried.
flutter, zip, flash, speed, flitter, run; ascetic, unconcerned, abstemious, master's: (n) postgraduate degree.
(adj) stir. moderate. nursed: (adj) care, suckled.
Emily Brontë 37

'Yes; %and her husband was her cousin also: one on the mother's, the other
on the father's side: Heathcliff married Mr. Linton's sister.'
'I see the house at Wuthering Heights has "Earnshaw" carved over the front
door. Are they an old family?'
'Very old, sir; and Hareton is the last of them, as our Miss Cathy is of us - I
mean, of the Lintons. Have you been to Wuthering Heights? I beg pardon for
asking; but I should like to hear how she is!'
'Mrs. Heathcliff? she looked very well, and very handsome; yet, I think, not
very happy.'
'Oh dear, I don't wonder! And how did you like the master?'
'A rough fellow, rather, Mrs. Dean. Is not that his character?
'Rough as a saw-edge, and hard as whinstone! The less you meddle with him
the better.'
'He must have had some ups and downs in life to make him such a churl. Do
you know anything of his history?'
'It's a cuckoo's, sir - I know all about it: except where he was born, and who
were his parents, and how he got his money at first. And Hareton has been cast
out like an unfledged dunnock! The unfortunate lad is the only one in all this
parish that does not guess how he has been cheated.'
'Well, Mrs. Dean, it will be a charitable deed to tell me something of my
neighbours: I feel I shall not rest if I go to bed; so be good enough to sit and chat
an hour.'
'Oh, certainly, sir! I'll just fetch a little sewing, and then I'll sit as long as you
please. But you've caught cold: I saw you shivering, and you must have some
gruel to drive it out.'
The worthy woman bustled off, and I crouched nearer the fire; my head felt
hot, and the rest of me chill: moreover, I was excited, almost to a pitch of
foolishness, through my nerves and brain. This caused me to feel, not
uncomfortable, but rather fearful (as I am still) of serious effects from the

Thesaurus
churl: (adj, n) niggard; (n) peasant, sense, sensibleness, understanding, needlecraft, stitch, stitching,
clown, curmudgeon, crosspatch, forethought, responsibility. fancywork, mend, gather, patch,
skinflint, countryman, tyke, tike, gruel: (n) mess, congee, loblolly, paste, gathering, binding.
scrooge; (adj) miser. ANTONYMS: (n) waste, porridge, mush, pap, skilly, shivering: (adj) quivering, shaking,
aristocrat, gentleman. wet feed. trembling, shaky, quaking,
dunnock: (n) hedge sparrow, accentor, meddle: (v) intervene, interfere, tremulous, shuddering, chilled; (n)
sparrow. intrude, monkey, interpose, fiddle, chill, cold, shiver. ANTONYM: (adj)
foolishness: (n) folly, fatuity, pry, dabble, interlope; (n) composed.
craziness, nonsense, stupidity, interference; (adj) moil. ANTONYM: unfledged: (adj) callow, green, young,
indiscretion, ineptitude, mistake, (v) disregard. unfeathered, newborn, fledgeless,
fatuousness, irrationality; (adj, n) neighbours: (n) neighborhood. hebetic, fledgling, untaught,
silliness. ANTONYMS: (n) prudence, sewing: (n) embroidery, sew, unlicked, unnurtured.
38 Wuthering Heights

incidents of to-day and yesterday. She returned presently, bringing a smoking


basin and a basket of work; and, having placed the former on the hob, drew in
her seat, evidently pleased to find me so companionable.%
Before I came to live here, she commenced - waiting no farther invitation to
her story - I was almost always at Wuthering Heights; because my mother had
nursed Mr. Hindley Earnshaw, that was Hareton's father, and I got used to
playing with the children: I ran errands too, and helped to make hay, and hung
about the farm ready for anything that anybody would set me to. One fine
summer morning - it was the beginning of harvest, I remember - Mr. Earnshaw,
the old master, came down-stairs, dressed for a journey; and, after he had told
Joseph what was to be done during the day, he turned to Hindley, and Cathy,
and me - for I sat eating my porridge with them - and he said, speaking to his
son, 'Now, my bonny man, I'm going to Liverpool to-day, what shall I bring
you? You may choose what you like: only let it be little, for I shall walk there
and back: sixty miles each way, that is a long spell!' Hindley named a fiddle,
and then he asked Miss Cathy; she was hardly six years old, but she could ride
any horse in the stable, and she chose a whip. He did not forget me; for he had a
kind heart, though he was rather severe sometimes. He promised to bring me a
pocketful of apples and pears, and then he kissed his children, said good-bye,
and set off.
It seemed a long while to us all - the three days of his absence - and often did
little Cathy ask when he would be home. Mrs. Earnshaw expected him by
supper-time on the third evening, and she put the meal off hour after hour; there
were no signs of his coming, however, and at last the children got tired of
running down to the gate to look. Then it grew dark; she would have had them
to bed, but they begged sadly to be allowed to stay up; and, just about eleven
o'clock, the door-latch was raised quietly, and in stepped the master. He threw
himself into a chair, laughing and groaning, and bid them all stand off, for he
was nearly killed - he would not have such another walk for the three kingdoms.
'And at the end of it to be flighted to death!' he said, opening his great-coat,
which he held bundled up in his arms. 'See here, wife! I was never so beaten

Thesaurus
bonny: (adj) fine, comely, bonnie, fiddle: (n, v) con, cheat, trick; (v) (n) burgoo, pap, plash, loblolly,
lovely, neat, beautiful, bunny, Idzo, tamper, play, diddle, meddle, tinker; podge.
pleasant, dainty, becoming. (n) kit, swindle, fraud. presently: (adv) instantly, directly,
bundled: (adj) wrapped. good-bye: (n) bye, farewell, goodbye, currently, before long, shortly, soon,
errands: (n) everyday Jobs, farm goodby, vale, adios, cheerio. now, at present, readily, just,
duties. groaning: (adj) moaning, groaningly, actually. ANTONYMS: (adv) later,
farther: (adj, adv, prep) beyond; (adj) inarticulate. now, formerly.
additional, more, distant; (adv) harvest: (n, v) fruit; (v) gain, glean, stepped: (v) advanced, gone, stopen.
furthermore, besides, abroad, in gather, amass, get, reap, pick; (n) whip: (n, v) lash, strap, goad; (v) flog,
addition, too; (adj, prep) outside; ingathering, profit, produce. flagellate, beat, punish, thrash,
(pron) another. ANTONYMS: (prep) porridge: (v) oatmeal, hasty pudding, trounce, stir, wallop. ANTONYMS:
within; (adv) nearer, closer. mince pie, oyster, pineapple, mango; (v) lose, return.
Emily Brontë 39

with anything in my life: but you must e'en take it as a gift of God; though it's as
dark almost as if it came from the devil.'
We crowded round, and over Miss Cathy's head I had a peep at a dirty,
ragged, black-haired child; big enough both to walk and talk: indeed, its face
looked older than Catherine's; yet when it was set on its feet, it only stared
round, and repeated over and over again some gibberish that nobody could
understand. I was frightened, and Mrs. Earnshaw was ready to fling it out of
doors: she did fly up, asking how he could fashion to bring that gipsy brat into
the house, when they had their own bairns to feed and fend for? What he meant
to do with it, and whether he were mad? The master tried to explain the matter;
but he was really half dead with fatigue, and all that I could make out, amongst
her scolding, was a tale of his seeing it starving, and houseless, and as good as
dumb, in the streets of Liverpool, where he picked it up and inquired for its
owner. Not a soul knew to whom it belonged, he said; and his money and time
being both limited, he thought it better to take it home with him at once, than run
into vain expenses there: because he was determined he would not leave it as he
found it. Well, the conclusion was, that my mistress grumbled herself calm; and
Mr. Earnshaw told me to wash it, and give it clean things, and let it sleep with
the children.%
Hindley and Cathy contented themselves with looking and listening till
peace was restored: then, both began searching their father's pockets for the
presents he had promised them. The former was a boy of fourteen, but when he
drew out what had been a fiddle, crushed to morsels in the great-coat, he
blubbered aloud; and Cathy, when she learned the master had lost her whip in
attending on the stranger, showed her humour by grinning and spitting at the
stupid little thing; earning for her pains a sound blow from her father, to teach
her cleaner manners. They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even
in their room; and I had no more sense, so I put it on the landing of the stairs,
hoping it might he gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing
his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his
chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess,

Thesaurus
brat: (n) imp, bairn, rogue, urchin, fourteen: (adj, n) XIV. glint, squeal; (n) glimpse, cheep; (v)
scamp, kid, monkey, gibberish: (n) jargon, jabber, drivel, chirp, peer, pry. ANTONYMS: (v)
whippersnapper, scalawag, gibber, gobbledygook, rubbish, stare, gaze; (n) examination.
pickaninny, jackanapes. bunkum, humbug, claptrap, quitting: (n) departure, resignation.
earning: (n) proceeds; (v) get. abracadabra; (adj, n) nonsense. scolding: (n) rebuke, lecture,
fend: (v) repel, resist, dispel, guard, gipsy: (n) Gypsy, Romany, bohemian, castigation, admonition, reproof,
counteract, obstruct, ward off, warping end, tzigane, vagrant, objurgation, chiding, dressing,
protect, safeguard, fend off; (n) fen. Rommany. jobation, scold, rating. ANTONYMS:
fling: (n, v) toss, throw, pitch, slam, houseless: (adj) unhoused. (n) compliment, approval.
hurl; (v) chuck, shoot, dash, rush, morrow: (n) morning, future, mean spitting: (n) spiting, expectoration,
discard; (n) crack. ANTONYM: (v) solar day, day. ejection, sizzle, projection, forcing
collect. peep: (n, v) glance, peek, look, gaze, out, expulsion, saliva.
40 Wuthering Heights

and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the
house.%
This was Heathcliff's first introduction to the family. On coming back a few
days afterwards (for I did not consider my banishment perpetual), I found they
had christened him 'Heathcliff': it was the name of a son who died in childhood,
and it has served him ever since, both for Christian and surname. Miss Cathy
and he were now very thick; but Hindley hated him: and to say the truth I did
the same; and we plagued and went on with him shamefully: for I wasn't
reasonable enough to feel my injustice, and the mistress never put in a word on
his behalf when she saw him wronged.
He seemed a sullen, patient child; hardened, perhaps, to ill- treatment: he
would stand Hindley's blows without winking or shedding a tear, and my
pinches moved him only to draw in a breath and open his eyes, as if he had hurt
himself by accident, and nobody was to blame. This endurance made old
Earnshaw furious, when he discovered his son persecuting the poor fatherless
child, as he called him. He took to Heathcliff strangely, believing all he said (for
that matter, he said precious little, and generally the truth), and petting him up
far above Cathy, who was too mischievous and wayward for a favourite.
So, from the very beginning, he bred bad feeling in the house; and at Mrs.
Earnshaw's death, which happened in less than two years after, the young
master had learned to regard his father as an oppressor rather than a friend, and
Heathcliff as a usurper of his parent's affections and his privileges; and he grew
bitter with brooding over these injuries. I sympathised a while; but when the
children fell ill of the measles, and I had to tend them, and take on me the cares
of a woman at once, I changed my idea. Heathcliff was dangerously sick; and
while he lay at the worst he would have me constantly by his pillow: I suppose
he felt I did a good deal for him, and he hadn't wit to guess that I was compelled
to do it. However, I will say this, he was the quietest child that ever nurse
watched over. The difference between him and the others forced me to be less
partial. Cathy and her brother harassed me terribly: he was as uncomplaining as
a lamb; though hardness, not gentleness, made him give little trouble.

Thesaurus
affections: (n) bosom. oppressor: (adj, n) despot, tyrant; (n) (adv, v) dishonorably, foully, nastily.
banishment: (n) expulsion, ostracism, autocrat, persecutor, bully, ANTONYMS: (adv) commendably,
ouster, proscription, relegation, tormenter; (adj) extortioner, hard compassionately, nobly.
ejection, deportation, dismissal, master, martinet, Draco, bashaw. uncomplaining: (adj) patient,
expatriation; (adj, n) exclusion; (adj) petting: (n) necking, fondling, enduring, tolerant, unmurmuring,
excommunication. hugging, kissing, dalliance, cuddling, submissive, unwearied, compliant,
fatherless: (adj) bastard, unfathered, caress, gorgerin, indulgence, acquiescent, resigned, forbearing.
misbegotten, bereaved, childless, foreplay, smooching. ANTONYMS: (adj) impatient,
parentless, orbate, unparented; (v) shamefully: (adv) ignominiously, intolerant.
helpless, unfriended. ingloriously, scandalously, usurper: (n) dictator, pretender, thief.
grew: (v) become, develop; (adj) infamously, shockingly, wronged: (adj) upset, hurt, indignant,
grown. discreditably, basely, outrageously; offended.
Emily Brontë 41

He %got through, and the doctor affirmed it was in a great measure owing to
me, and praised me for my care. I was vain of his commendations, and softened
towards the being by whose means I earned them, and thus Hindley lost his last
ally: still I couldn't dote on Heathcliff, and I wondered often what my master
saw to admire so much in the sullen boy; who never, to my recollection, repaid
his indulgence by any sign of gratitude. He was not insolent to his benefactor,
he was simply insensible; though knowing perfectly the hold he had on his
heart, and conscious he had only to speak and all the house would be obliged to
bend to his wishes. As an instance, I remember Mr. Earnshaw once bought a
couple of colts at the parish fair, and gave the lads each one. Heathcliff took the
handsomest, but it soon fell lame, and when he discovered it, he said to Hindley
-
'You must exchange horses with me: I don't like mine; and if you won't I
shall tell your father of the three thrashings you've given me this week, and show
him my arm, which is black to the shoulder.' Hindley put out his tongue, and
cuffed him over the ears. 'You'd better do it at once,' he persisted, escaping to
the porch (they were in the stable): 'you will have to: and if I speak of these
blows, you'll get them again with interest.' 'Off, dog!' cried Hindley, threatening
him with an iron weight used for weighing potatoes and hay. 'Throw it,' he
replied, standing still, 'and then I'll tell how you boasted that you would turn me
out of doors as soon as he died, and see whether he will not turn you out
directly.' Hindley threw it, hitting him on the breast, and down he fell, but
staggered up immediately, breathless and white; and, had not I prevented it, he
would have gone just so to the master, and got full revenge by letting his
condition plead for him, intimating who had caused it. 'Take my colt, Gipsy,
then!' said young Earnshaw. 'And I pray that he may break your neck: take him,
and he damned, you beggarly interloper! and wheedle my father out of all he
has: only afterwards show him what you are, imp of Satan. - And take that, I
hope he'll kick out your brains!'
Heathcliff had gone to loose the beast, and shift it to his own stall; he was
passing behind it, when Hindley finished his speech by knocking him under its

Thesaurus
beggarly: (adj) base, mean, shabby, doat; (adj) ramble, wander, rave, brassy, bold. ANTONYMS: (adj)
sorry, miserable, poor, humble, trifle. respectful, modest, gracious, meek,
pitiable, ignoble; (adj, n) scrubby, insensible: (adj) imperceptible, numb, submissive.
vile. unconscious, callous, dull, unaware, interloper: (adj, n) stranger, alien; (n)
benefactor: (n) sponsor, patron, apathetic, impassive, indiscernible, encroacher, trespasser, invader,
backer, supporter, giver, Good comatose, impassible. ANTONYMS: boarder, bodkin, foreigner,
Samaritan, contributor, benefactress, (adj) sensible, conscious, sensitive, gatecrasher, go between, unknown.
philanthropist, helper, humanitarian. awake, alive, compassionate, ANTONYM: (n) native.
ANTONYMS: (n) antagonist, concerned, aware. wheedle: (n, v) entice, seduce, tempt;
opposer, detractor. insolent: (adj) impertinent, abusive, (v) cajole, persuade, inveigle, blarney,
cuffed: (adj) slapped. disrespectful, impudent, fresh, flatter, glaver; (n) allure,
dote: (adj, v) drivel; (v) maturate, fond, arrogant, brazen, defiant, offensive, overpersuade.
42 Wuthering Heights

feet, and without stopping to examine whether his hopes were fulfilled, ran
away as fast as he could. I was surprised to witness how coolly the child
gathered himself up, and went on with his intention; exchanging saddles and all,
and then sitting down on a bundle of hay to overcome the qualm which the
violent blow occasioned, before he entered the house. I persuaded him easily to
let me lay the blame of his bruises on the horse: he minded little what tale was
told since he had what he wanted. He complained so seldom, indeed, of such
stirs as these, that I really thought him not vindictive: I was deceived
completely, as you will hear.%

Thesaurus
bundle: (n, v) pack, cluster, clump, fulfilled: (adj) complete, finished, distrust, compunction, uncertainty,
wad; (n) sheaf, pile, batch, stack, done, satisfied, accomplished, regret, hesitation, apprehension, fear;
package, group, heap. ANTONYMS: completed, whole, delighted, (adj, n) suspicion.
(v) scatter, separate, disperse, divide. concluded, happy, full of pride. tale: (n) account, narrative, narration,
coolly: (adv) quietly, composedly, ANTONYMS: (adj) incomplete, recital, fib, fable, report, fiction, lie,
coldly, collectedly, nonchalantly, unfulfilled, frustrated, ashamed, relation, yarn. ANTONYM: (n) fact.
placidly, serenely, chilly, steadily, dissatisfied. vindictive: (adj) vengeful, malicious,
frostily, frigidly. ANTONYMS: (adv) minded: (prep) inclined; (adj, prep) revengeful, unforgiving, punitive,
nervously, anxiously, agitatedly, disposed; (adj) willing, apt, ready, malevolent, remorseless, implacable,
expressively, boisterously, prone, orientated, favorable, despiteful, vindicative, virulent.
enthusiastically. oriented, prepared, partial. ANTONYMS: (adj) nice, charitable,
deceived: (adj) mistaken, misguided. qualm: (n) misgiving, doubt, nausea, forgiving, helpful, merciful, tolerant.
Emily Brontë 43

CHAPTER V

IN the course of time Mr. Earnshaw began to fail. He had been active and
healthy, yet his strength left him suddenly; and when he was confined to the
chimney-corner he grew grievously irritable. A nothing vexed him; and
suspected slights of his authority nearly threw him into fits. This was especially
to be remarked if any one attempted to impose upon, or domineer over, his
favourite: he was painfully jealous lest a word should be spoken amiss to him;
seeming to have got into his head the notion that, because he liked Heathcliff, all
hated, and longed to do him an ill-turn. It was a disadvantage to the lad; for the
kinder among us did not wish to fret the master, so we humoured his partiality;
and that humouring was rich nourishment to the child's pride and black
tempers. Still it became in a manner necessary; twice, or thrice, Hindley's
manifestation of scorn, while his father was near, roused the old man to a fury:
he seized his stick to strike him, and shook with rage that he could not do it.%
At last, our curate (we had a curate then who made the living answer by
teaching the little Lintons and Earnshaws, and farming his bit of land himself)
advised that the young man should be sent to college; and Mr. Earnshaw agreed,
though with a heavy spirit, for he said - 'Hindley was nought, and would never
thrive as where he wandered.'
I hoped heartily we should have peace now. It hurt me to think the master
should be made uncomfortable by his own good deed. I fancied the discontent
of age and disease arose from his family disagreements; as he would have it that

Thesaurus
domineer: (v) browbeat, dominate, bitterly. prejudice, favoritism, bias, affection.
intimidate, tyrannize, bluster, dictate, heartily: (adv) cordially, sincerely, ANTONYMS: (n) impartiality,
swagger, threaten, predominate, lord, enthusiastically, warmly, strongly, fairness, indifference, horror,
command. ANTONYMS: (v) yield, earnestly, vigorously, ardently, antipathy.
surrender, submit. soundly, devoutly, eagerly. roused: (adj) excited, awake,
fret: (n, v) gall, irritate, trouble, worry; ANTONYMS: (adv) feebly, susceptible, emotional, elated,
(v) agitate, chafe, rub, fray, upset, languorously. interested.
annoy; (n) anxiety. nourishment: (n) food, alimentation, vexed: (adj) troubled, irritated, angry,
grievously: (adv) seriously, heavily, meal, meat, diet, feeding, nutrition, pestered, peeved, harassed, sore,
sorrowfully, gravely, severely, repast, sustenance, edible, fuel. harried, uneasy, cross, offended.
mortally, mournfully, heinously, partiality: (n) favor, fondness, leaning, ANTONYMS: (adj) calm,
weightily; (adj, adv) painfully, fancy, favour, predilection, liking, uncomplicated.
44 Wuthering Heights

it did: really, you know, sir, it was in his sinking frame. We might have got on
tolerably, notwithstanding, but for two people - Miss Cathy, and Joseph, the
servant: you saw him, I daresay, up yonder. He was, and is yet most likely, the
wearisomest self-righteous Pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the
promises to himself and fling the curses to his neighbours. By his knack of
sermonising and pious discoursing, he contrived to make a great impression on
Mr. Earnshaw; and the more feeble the master became, the more influence he
gained. He was relentless in worrying him about his soul's concerns, and about
ruling his children rigidly. He encouraged him to regard Hindley as a reprobate;
and, night after night, he regularly grumbled out a long string of tales against
Heathcliff and Catherine: always minding to flatter Earnshaw's weakness by
heaping the heaviest blame on the latter.%
Certainly she had ways with her such as I never saw a child take up before;
and she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day: from the
hour she came down-stairs till the hour she went to bed, we had not a minute's
security that she wouldn't be in mischief. Her spirits were always at high-water
mark, her tongue always going - singing, laughing, and plaguing everybody
who would not do the same. A wild, wicked slip she was - but she had the
bonniest eye, the sweetest smile, and lightest foot in the parish: and, after all, I
believe she meant no harm; for when once she made you cry in good earnest, it
seldom happened that she would not keep you company, and oblige you to be
quiet that you might comfort her. She was much too fond of Heathcliff. The
greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him:
yet she got chided more than any of us on his account. In play, she liked
exceedingly to act the little mistress; using her hands freely, and commanding
her companions: she did so to me, but I would not bear slapping and ordering;
and so I let her know.
Now, Mr. Earnshaw did not understand jokes from his children: he had
always been strict and grave with them; and Catherine, on her part, had no idea
why her father should be crosser and less patient in his ailing condition than he
was in his prime. His peevish reproofs wakened in her a naughty delight to

Thesaurus
ailing: (adj) sickly, poorly, ill, unwell, invent: (v) devise, form, create, harrow, graze, draw, plow; (n)
bad, indisposed, unhealthy, invalid, excogitate, concoct, imagine, debauchee, roue, slant, blood.
morbid, weak; (n) illness. contrive; (n, v) forge, fabricate, ANTONYM: (v) glance.
ANTONYMS: (adj) well, healthy, fit, design, coin. ransacked: (adj) plundered, pillaged,
robust, vigorous. knack: (adj, n) facility, craft, emptier, despoiled, empty.
curses: (n) abuse. proficiency; (n) gift, ability, art, self-righteous: (adj) complacent,
daresay: (v) assume, deem. aptitude, dexterity, artifice, mastery, hypocritical.
flatter: (v) fawn, adulate, wheedle, know-how. ANTONYM: (n) slapping: (adj) slapper.
cajole, soap, kowtow, blandish, incompetence. yonder: (adv) beyond, further, farther,
grovel, butter up; (n, v) court; (n) minding: (adj) intent. abroad, thither, further away, at that
caress. ANTONYMS: (v) insult, plaguing: (adj) galling. place; (adj) distant, yond, furious,
disparage, criticize, discourage. rake: (n, v) tilt; (adj, v) comb; (v) hoe, fierce.
Emily Brontë 45

provoke him: she was never so happy as when we were all scolding her at once,
and she defying us with her bold, saucy look, and her ready words; turning
Joseph's religious curses into ridicule, baiting me, and doing just what her father
hated most - showing how her pretended insolence, which he thought real, had
more power over Heathcliff than his kindness: how the boy would do HER
bidding in anything, and HIS only when it suited his own inclination. After
behaving as badly as possible all day, she sometimes came fondling to make it
up at night. 'Nay, Cathy,' the old man would say, 'I cannot love thee, thou'rt
worse than thy brother. Go, say thy prayers, child, and ask God's pardon. I
doubt thy mother and I must rue that we ever reared thee!' That made her cry, at
first; and then being repulsed continually hardened her, and she laughed if I told
her to say she was sorry for her faults, and beg to be forgiven.%
But the hour came, at last, that ended Mr. Earnshaw's troubles on earth. He
died quietly in his chair one October evening, seated by the fire-side. A high
wind blustered round the house, and roared in the chimney: it sounded wild
and stormy, yet it was not cold, and we were all together - I, a little removed
from the hearth, busy at my knitting, and Joseph reading his Bible near the table
(for the servants generally sat in the house then, after their work was done).
Miss Cathy had been sick, and that made her still; she leant against her father's
knee, and Heathcliff was lying on the floor with his head in her lap. I remember
the master, before he fell into a doze, stroking her bonny hair - it pleased him
rarely to see her gentle - and saying, 'Why canst thou not always be a good lass,
Cathy?' And she turned her face up to his, and laughed, and answered, 'Why
cannot you always be a good man, father?' But as soon as she saw him vexed
again, she kissed his hand, and said she would sing him to sleep. She began
singing very low, till his fingers dropped from hers, and his head sank on his
breast. Then I told her to hush, and not stir, for fear she should wake him. We
all kept as mute as mice a full half-hour, and should have done so longer, only
Joseph, having finished his chapter, got up and said that he must rouse the
master for prayers and bed. He stepped forward, and called him by name, and
touched his shoulder; but he would not move: so he took the candle and looked
at him. I thought there was something wrong as he set down the light; and
Thesaurus
baiting: (n) harassment, lure, arrogance, audacity, impudence, ANTONYMS: (n, v) praise, respect;
chumming, bating. effrontery, cheek, assumption, gall, (v) approve; (n) approval,
fondling: (n) caressing, pet, caress, disrespect, haughtiness, crust. admiration.
cuddling, dalliance, foreplay, ANTONYMS: (n) respect, politeness, saucy: (adj, n) pert; (adj) bold,
stimulation, indulgence, darling, meekness, shyness. impudent, audacious, insolent, fresh,
kissing, necking. lass: (n) girl, lassie, damsel, young forward, impertinent, flippant, rude,
hush: (adj, n, v) calm, silence, quiet, woman, young girl, fille, miss, Jeune brazen. ANTONYM: (adj) respectful.
still, lull; (n) peace; (v) shut up, gag, fille, bobbysocker, bobbysoxer, seated: (adj) sat, sedentary.
quieten, muffle; (adj, v) soothe. woman. stroking: (v) caress, strike, blow; (n)
ANTONYMS: (n) noise, turmoil; (v) ridicule: (n, v) laugh at, deride, banter, cam stroke, feeling, effleurage,
Louden. insult, taunt, scorn, scoff; (n) derision, diagonal, CVA, commendation,
insolence: (n) impertinence, mockery; (adj, n) irony; (v) jeer. glide, slash.
46 Wuthering Heights

seizing the children each by an arm, whispered them to 'frame up- stairs, and
make little din - they might pray alone that evening - he had summut to do.'
'I shall bid father good-night first,' said Catherine, putting her arms round his
neck, before we could hinder her. The poor thing discovered her loss directly -
she screamed out - 'Oh, he's dead, Heathcliff! he's dead!' And they both set up a
heart-breaking cry.%
I joined my wail to theirs, loud and bitter; but Joseph asked what we could be
thinking of to roar in that way over a saint in heaven. He told me to put on my
cloak and run to Gimmerton for the doctor and the parson. I could not guess the
use that either would be of, then. However, I went, through wind and rain, and
brought one, the doctor, back with me; the other said he would come in the
morning. Leaving Joseph to explain matters, I ran to the children's room: their
door was ajar, I saw they had never lain down, though it was past midnight; but
they were calmer, and did not need me to console them. The little souls were
comforting each other with better thoughts than I could have hit on: no parson
in the world ever pictured heaven so beautifully as they did, in their innocent
talk; and, while I sobbed and listened, I could not help wishing we were all there
safe together.

Thesaurus
calmer: (n) placid, quiet. relieve, reassure, encourage; (n, v) pictured: (adj) envisioned, portrayed,
comforting: (adj) soothing, consoling, solace; (n) cabinet, allay, control graphic, delineate, delineated,
consolatory, satisfying, gratifying, console, control panel. ANTONYMS: impictured, unreal, visualised,
encouraging, restful, placatory, (v) hurt, discourage, grieve, sadden, visualized, impressed.
tranquil, appeasing; (n) relief. distress, dispirit, dishearten, upset. seizing: (v) seize; (n) seizure, clutches,
ANTONYMS: (adj) hostile, lain: (adj) artless, unsophisticated, prehension, taking, apprehension,
discomforting, disconcerting, unaffected, naive, untutored, simple, capture, infection; (adj) catching,
distressing, disturbing, pure, natural, native, inartificial. galling, controlling.
overwhelming, surprising, midnight: (n) dark, noon, hour. wail: (n, v) howl, cry, lament, moan,
troublesome, irritating, tense, parson: (n) cleric, clergyman, rector, scream, bellow, whine; (v) ululate,
upsetting. pastor, curate, preacher, ecclesiastic, weep, whimper, mewl. ANTONYMS:
console: (v) cheer, soothe, quiet, divine, priest, vicar, father. (v) whimper, laugh.
Emily Brontë 47

CHAPTER VI

MR. HINDLEY came home to the funeral; and - a thing that amazed us, and
set the neighbours gossiping right and left - he brought a wife with him. What
she was, and where she was born, he never informed us: probably, she had
neither money nor name to recommend her, or he would scarcely have kept the
union from his father.%
She was not one that would have disturbed the house much on her own
account. Every object she saw, the moment she crossed the threshold, appeared
to delight her; and every circumstance that took place about her: except the
preparing for the burial, and the presence of the mourners. I thought she was
half silly, from her behaviour while that went on: she ran into her chamber, and
made me come with her, though I should have been dressing the children: and
there she sat shivering and clasping her hands, and asking repeatedly - 'Are they
gone yet?' Then she began describing with hysterical emotion the effect it
produced on her to see black; and started, and trembled, and, at last, fell a-
weeping - and when I asked what was the matter, answered, she didn't know;
but she felt so afraid of dying! I imagined her as little likely to die as myself. She
was rather thin, but young, and fresh-complexioned, and her eyes sparkled as
bright as diamonds. I did remark, to be sure, that mounting the stairs made her
breathe very quick; that the least sudden noise set her all in a quiver, and that
she coughed troublesomely sometimes: but I knew nothing of what these

Thesaurus
amazed: (adj) astounded, astonished, casualty, fact. climbing; (n) ascent, setting, climb,
stunned, dumbfounded, clasping: (adj) tendril. frame, assembly, chassis, framework,
flabbergasted, shocked, staggered, diamonds: (n) hearts, ice, spades, ascension; (adj, adv) rising.
bewildered, surprised, sparkler, clubs. quiver: (adj, n, v) shudder, shiver,
thunderstruck, aghast. gossiping: (adj) gabby, garrulous, tremble, shake; (v) flicker, flutter,
burial: (v) bury, funebrial; (n) scandalous; (n) gossipmongering. vibrate; (n, v) palpitate, quaver; (n)
sepulture, entombment, burying, hysterical: (adj, n) feverish; (adj) wild, vibration, tremor.
inhumation, funeral, concealment, violent, eccentric, frenzied, troublesomely: (adv) tiresomely,
sepulcher, hiding, committal. emotional, fitful, febrile, erratic; (n) annoyingly, importunately,
circumstance: (n) affair, incident, fanatical, hysterics. ANTONYMS: arduously, difficultly, hardly,
matter, event, occasion, chance, (adj) relaxed, composed, restrained. unpleasantly, onerously,
accident, opportunity, adventure, mounting: (n, v) mount; (adj, n) wearisomely, toughly, naughtily.
48 Wuthering Heights

symptoms portended, and had no impulse to sympathise with her. We don't in


general take to foreigners here, Mr. Lockwood, unless they take to us first.%
Young Earnshaw was altered considerably in the three years of his absence.
He had grown sparer, and lost his colour, and spoke and dressed quite
differently; and, on the very day of his return, he told Joseph and me we must
thenceforth quarter ourselves in the back-kitchen, and leave the house for him.
Indeed, he would have carpeted and papered a small spare room for a parlour;
but his wife expressed such pleasure at the white floor and huge glowing
fireplace, at the pewter dishes and delf-case, and dog-kennel, and the wide space
there was to move about in where they usually sat, that he thought it
unnecessary to her comfort, and so dropped the intention.
She expressed pleasure, too, at finding a sister among her new acquaintance;
and she prattled to Catherine, and kissed her, and ran about with her, and gave
her quantities of presents, at the beginning. Her affection tired very soon,
however, and when she grew peevish, Hindley became tyrannical. A few words
from her, evincing a dislike to Heathcliff, were enough to rouse in him all his old
hatred of the boy. He drove him from their company to the servants, deprived
him of the instructions of the curate, and insisted that he should labour out of
doors instead; compelling him to do so as hard as any other lad on the farm.
Heathcliff bore his degradation pretty well at first, because Cathy taught him
what she learnt, and worked or played with him in the fields. They both
promised fair to grow up as rude as savages; the young master being entirely
negligent how they behaved, and what they did, so they kept clear of him. He
would not even have seen after their going to church on Sundays, only Joseph
and the curate reprimanded his carelessness when they absented themselves;
and that reminded him to order Heathcliff a flogging, and Catherine a fast from
dinner or supper. But it was one of their chief amusements to run away to the
moors in the morning and remain there all day, and the after punishment grew a
mere thing to laugh at. The curate might set as many chapters as he pleased for
Catherine to get by heart, and Joseph might thrash Heathcliff till his arm ached;
they forgot everything the minute they were together again: at least the minute

Thesaurus
carelessness: (n) negligence, kitchen, niche, recess, furnace. thenceforth: (adv) thenceforward,
inattention, indifference, flogging: (n) beating, flagellation, thence, elsewhere, absent, not there,
nonchalance, thoughtlessness, whipping, lash, drubbing, trouncing, then.
abandon, incaution, disregard, tanning, hiding, lashing, whip, thrash: (v) flog, whip, beat, pound,
omission, forgetfulness, dereliction. whacking. defeat, whack, lam, drub, baste, lick,
ANTONYMS: (n) attention, caution, pewter: (n) chowchow, solder, alloy. clobber.
alertness, vigilance, carefulness, reprimanded: (adj) reproved, tyrannical: (adj) domineering,
thoughtfulness, assiduousness, admonished, chastened. autocratic, despotic, dictatorial,
economy, regard, prudence, sympathise: (v) sympathize, overbearing, authoritarian,
forethought. commiserate, empathise, empathize, tyrannous, cruel, peremptory,
fireplace: (n) chimney, fire, hearth, gather, infer, interpret, read, realise, tyrannic, lordly. ANTONYMS: (adj)
oven, stove, fire place, fireside, realize, see. liberal, libertarian.
Emily Brontë 49

they had contrived some naughty plan of revenge; and many a time I've cried to
myself to watch them growing more reckless daily, and I not daring to speak a
syllable, for fear of losing the small power I still retained over the unfriended
creatures. One Sunday evening, it chanced that they were banished from the
sitting-room, for making a noise, or a light offence of the kind; and when I went
to call them to supper, I could discover them nowhere. We searched the house,
above and below, and the yard and stables; they were invisible: and, at last,
Hindley in a passion told us to bolt the doors, and swore nobody should let them
in that night. The household went to bed; and I, too, anxious to lie down, opened
my lattice and put my head out to hearken, though it rained: determined to
admit them in spite of the prohibition, should they return. In a while, I
distinguished steps coming up the road, and the light of a lantern glimmered
through the gate. I threw a shawl over my head and ran to prevent them from
waking Mr. Earnshaw by knocking. There was Heathcliff, by himself: it gave me
a start to see him alone.%
'Where is Miss Catherine?' I cried hurriedly. 'No accident, I hope?' 'At
Thrushcross Grange,' he answered; 'and I would have been there too, but they
had not the manners to ask me to stay.' 'Well, you will catch it!' I said: 'you'll
never be content till you're sent about your business. What in the world led you
wandering to Thrushcross Grange?' 'Let me get off my wet clothes, and I'll tell
you all about it, Nelly,' he replied. I bid him beware of rousing the master, and
while he undressed and I waited to put out the candle, he continued - 'Cathy and
I escaped from the wash-house to have a ramble at liberty, and getting a glimpse
of the Grange lights, we thought we would just go and see whether the Lintons
passed their Sunday evenings standing shivering in corners, while their father
and mother sat eating and drinking, and singing and laughing, and burning their
eyes out before the fire. Do you think they do? Or reading sermons, and being
catechised by their manservant, and set to learn a column of Scripture names, if
they don't answer properly?' 'Probably not,' I responded. 'They are good
children, no doubt, and don't deserve the treatment you receive, for your bad
conduct.' 'Don't cant, Nelly,' he said: 'nonsense! We ran from the top of the
Heights to the park, without stopping - Catherine completely beaten in the race,
Thesaurus
cant: (n) jargon, lingo, slang, gentleman, lackey, domestic, men, malevolence, rancour, venom, rancor,
vernacular, argot; (n, v) bank, tilt, gillie, menial, servitor, servant. maliciousness, ill will, animosity; (n,
bias, incline; (adj, n) bevel; (v) list. rousing: (adj) stirring, provocative, v) pique. ANTONYMS: (v) please; (n)
corners: (adj) cornered. bracing, thrilling, inspiring, benevolence, goodwill, love,
lantern: (n) beacon, light, dormer, exhilarating, moving; (n) awakening, affection, harmony.
tube, lighting fitting, bedside light, wakening, stimulation; (v) rouse. undressed: (adj) naked, unclad,
street light, street lamp, oil lamp, ANTONYMS: (adj) conciliatory, dull, unclothed, bare, raw, stripped,
lime light, lanthorn. relaxing. unattired, unappareled, crude, rough,
lattice: (n) grill, grille, grid, net, shawl: (n) wrap, mantle, cape, muffler, disrobed. ANTONYMS: (adj)
fretwork, network, gridiron, wicket, scarf, pall, mantlet Mantua, wrapper, covered, decent.
web, netting; (v) trellis. kerchief, headscarf, stole. unfriended: (v) helpless; (adj)
manservant: (n) man, butler, valet, spite: (n) malice, grudge, hatred, fatherless.
50 Wuthering Heights

because %she was barefoot. You'll have to seek for her shoes in the bog to-
morrow. We crept through a broken hedge, groped our way up the path, and
planted ourselves on a flower-plot under the drawing-room window. The light
came from thence; they had not put up the shutters, and the curtains were only
half closed. Both of us were able to look in by standing on the basement, and
clinging to the ledge, and we saw - ah! it was beautiful - a splendid place
carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, and a pure white
ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains from
the centre, and shimmering with little soft tapers. Old Mr. and Mrs. Linton were
not there; Edgar and his sisters had it entirely to themselves. Shouldn't they
have been happy? We should have thought ourselves in heaven! And now,
guess what your good children were doing? Isabella - I believe she is eleven, a
year younger than Cathy - lay screaming at the farther end of the room,
shrieking as if witches were running red-hot needles into her. Edgar stood on
the hearth weeping silently, and in the middle of the table sat a little dog,
shaking its paw and yelping; which, from their mutual accusations, we
understood they had nearly pulled in two between them. The idiots! That was
their pleasure! to quarrel who should hold a heap of warm hair, and each begin
to cry because both, after struggling to get it, refused to take it. We laughed
outright at the petted things; we did despise them! When would you catch me
wishing to have what Catherine wanted? or find us by ourselves, seeking
entertainment in yelling, and sobbing, and rolling on the ground, divided by the
whole room? I'd not exchange, for a thousand lives, my condition here, for
Edgar Linton's at Thrushcross Grange - not if I might have the privilege of
flinging Joseph off the highest gable, and painting the house- front with
Hindley's blood!'
'Hush, hush!' I interrupted. 'Still you have not told me, Heathcliff, how
Catherine is left behind?'
'I told you we laughed,' he answered. 'The Lintons heard us, and with one
accord they shot like arrows to the door; there was silence, and then a cry, "Oh,
mamma, mamma! Oh, papa! Oh, mamma, come here. Oh, papa, oh!" They

Thesaurus
chairs: (n) seats. Fields, Garden of Eden, utopia; (adj) shimmering: (adj) glittering, sparkling,
crimson: (adj, n) carmine, ruby, scarlet, celestial. ANTONYM: (n) misery. gleaming, dazzling, lustrous, bright,
maroon; (v) blush, flush, redden; (adj) mamma: (n) breast, mother, ma, iridescent, shimmery, flashing,
bloody, ruddy, cherry; (n) deep red. knocker, boob, mum, mammy, mom, glittery, glowing. ANTONYMS: (adj)
eleven: (adj, n) xi; (n) eight, squad, momma, mommy, mummy. dull, dim.
football team, team. petted: (adj) cherished, domesticated, shoes: (n) footwear, shoe, place,
gable: (n) pediment, gable end, wall, indulged, admired, cade. position, situation, post, plaza,
gable wall, William Clark gable, bell refused: (adj) forbidden, refuse, property, lieu, home, blank space.
gable, corbie gable, gavel, Clark prohibited, hence. shrieking: (n) shriek, screeching,
gable. seeking: (n) hunt, pursuit, hunting, screech, scream, belly laugh, shright,
heaven: (n) Eden, firmament, bliss, effort, pursuance; (adj) searching, howler, riot; (adj) sharp.
Elysium, sky, nirvana, glory, Elysian zetetic; (prep) looking for. sisters: (n) sistren.
Emily Brontë 51

really did howl out something in that way. We made frightful noises to terrify
them %still more, and then we dropped off the ledge, because somebody was
drawing the bars, and we felt we had better flee. I had Cathy by the hand, and
was urging her on, when all at once she fell down. "Run, Heathcliff, run!" she
whispered. "They have let the bull-dog loose, and he holds me!" The devil had
seized her ankle, Nelly: I heard his abominable snorting. She did not yell out -
no! she would have scorned to do it, if she had been spitted on the horns of a
mad cow. I did, though: I vociferated curses enough to annihilate any fiend in
Christendom; and I got a stone and thrust it between his jaws, and tried with all
my might to cram it down his throat. A beast of a servant came up with a
lantern, at last, shouting - "Keep fast, Skulker, keep fast!" He changed his note,
however, when he saw Skulker's game. The dog was throttled off; his huge,
purple tongue hanging half a foot out of his mouth, and his pendent lips
streaming with bloody slaver. The man took Cathy up; she was sick: not from
fear, I'm certain, but from pain. He carried her in; I followed, grumbling
execrations and vengeance. "What prey, Robert?" hallooed Linton from the
entrance. "Skulker has caught a little girl, sir," he replied; "and there's a lad here,"
he added, making a clutch at me, "who looks an out-and- outer! Very like the
robbers were for putting them through the window to open the doors to the gang
after all were asleep, that they might murder us at their ease. Hold your tongue,
you foul- mouthed thief, you! you shall go to the gallows for this. Mr. Linton, sir,
don't lay by your gun." "No, no, Robert," said the old fool. "The rascals knew
that yesterday was my rent-day: they thought to have me cleverly. Come in; I'll
furnish them a reception. There, John, fasten the chain. Give Skulker some
water, Jenny. To beard a magistrate in his stronghold, and on the Sabbath, too!
Where will their insolence stop? Oh, my dear Mary, look here! Don't be afraid, it
is but a boy - yet the villain scowls so plainly in his face; would it not be a
kindness to the country to hang him at once, before he shows his nature in acts as
well as features?" He pulled me under the chandelier, and Mrs. Linton placed
her spectacles on her nose and raised her hands in horror. The cowardly
children crept nearer also, Isabella lisping - "Frightful thing! Put him in the

Thesaurus
abominable: (adj, v) odious, foul; (adj) build, help, save, protect, surrender. unpopular, mean.
abhorrent, detestable, dreadful, chandelier: (n) candlestick, pendant, slaver: (v) drool, dribble, slobber,
awful, execrable, terrible, loathsome, candelabrum, sconce, lustre, luster, salivate, gloze, spit, soothe, hawk; (n,
cursed, wicked. ANTONYMS: (adj) girandole, candelabra, gaselier. v) slabber; (n) slave trader,
nice, lovable, admirable, alluring, heard: (n) hearing. slaveholder.
appealing, commendable, laudable, pendent: (adj) pendulous, suspended, snorting: (n) puffing, laughter,
delightful, desirable, enjoyable, pendant, dangling, pending, expiration, breathing out, exhalation.
likable. unsettled, undecided, pensile, terrify: (n, v) frighten, alarm, fright,
annihilate: (v) eradicate, exterminate, drooping, projecting; (n) stipend. affright; (v) panic, dismay, startle,
eliminate, wipe out, extinguish, scorned: (adj) detested, hated, abject, horrify, intimidate, terrorize, daunt.
destroy, quash, crush, demolish, neglected, contemptuous, despicable, ANTONYMS: (v) please, delight,
quench, extirpate. ANTONYMS: (v) insolent, undesirable, unloved, calm, soothe, comfort.
52 Wuthering Heights

cellar, papa. He's exactly like the son of the fortune-teller that stole my tame
pheasant. Isn't he, Edgar?"
'While they examined me, Cathy came round; she heard the last speech, and
laughed. Edgar Linton, after an inquisitive stare, collected sufficient wit to
recognise her. They see us at church, you know, though we seldom meet them
elsewhere. "That's Miss Earnshaw?" he whispered to his mother, "and look how
Skulker has bitten her - how her foot bleeds!"%
'"Miss Earnshaw? Nonsense!" cried the dame; "Miss Earnshaw scouring the
country with a gipsy! And yet, my dear, the child is in mourning - surely it is -
and she may be lamed for life!"
'"What culpable carelessness in her brother!" exclaimed Mr. Linton, turning
from me to Catherine. "I've understood from Shielders"' (that was the curate, sir)
'"that he lets her grow up in absolute heathenism. But who is this? Where did
she pick up this companion? Oho! I declare he is that strange acquisition my late
neighbour made, in his journey to Liverpool - a little Lascar, or an American or
Spanish castaway."
'"A wicked boy, at all events," remarked the old lady, "and quite unfit for a
decent house! Did you notice his language, Linton? I'm shocked that my
children should have heard it."
'I recommenced cursing - don't be angry, Nelly - and so Robert was ordered
to take me off. I refused to go without Cathy; he dragged me into the garden,
pushed the lantern into my hand, assured me that Mr. Earnshaw should be
informed of my behaviour, and, bidding me march directly, secured the door
again. The curtains were still looped up at one corner, and I resumed my station
as spy; because, if Catherine had wished to return, I intended shattering their
great glass panes to a million of fragments, unless they let her out. She sat on the
sofa quietly. Mrs. Linton took off the grey cloak of the dairy-maid which we had
borrowed for our excursion, shaking her head and expostulating with her, I
suppose: she was a young lady, and they made a distinction between her
treatment and mine. Then the woman-servant brought a basin of warm water,
and washed her feet; and Mr. Linton mixed a tumbler of negus, and Isabella
Thesaurus
culpable: (adj) guilty, blameworthy, breeding. whorled.
censurable, reprehensible, blameable, inquisitive: (adj) inquiring, negus: (v) flip, grog, wassail, toddy,
blameful, condemnable, liable, speculative, nosy, prying, purl, punch, mulled wine, bishop,
criminal, to blame, responsible. questioning, nosey, meddling, cup.
ANTONYMS: (adj) innocent, investigative, meddlesome, quizzical, scouring: (n) scrub, scrubbing,
inculpable, blameless. overcurious. ANTONYMS: (adj) cleansing, rub, cleaning, washing,
fortune-teller: (n) fortuneteller, apathetic, uninterested. erosion, mopping, hunt, cleanup,
clairvoyant, magician. lamed: (adj) lame, impeded, injured, chaparral.
heathenism: (n) heresy, pagan disabled. took: (adj) taken; (v) receive.
religion, religion, atheism, looped: (adj) coiled, coiling, curly, tumbler: (n) acrobat, beaker, turner,
heathendom, barbarism, idolatry, intoxicated, curved, helical, mime, roller, buffoon, tumbler
ethnicism, ethicism, gentility, good continuous, interminable, round, switch, cup, bowl, flute; (v) glass.
Emily Brontë 53

emptied a plateful of cakes into her lap, and Edgar stood gaping at a distance.
Afterwards, they dried and combed her beautiful hair, and gave her a pair of
enormous slippers, and wheeled her to the fire; and I left her, as merry as she
could be, dividing her food between the little dog and Skulker, whose nose she
pinched as he ate; and kindling a spark of spirit in the vacant blue eyes of the
Lintons - a dim reflection from her own enchanting face. I saw they were full of
stupid admiration; she is so immeasurably superior to them - to everybody on
earth, is she not, Nelly?'
'There will more come of this business than you reckon on,' I answered,
covering him up and extinguishing the light. 'You are incurable, Heathcliff; and
Mr. Hindley will have to proceed to extremities, see if he won't.' My words came
truer than I desired. The luckless adventure made Earnshaw furious. And then
Mr. Linton, to mend matters, paid us a visit himself on the morrow, and read the
young master such a lecture on the road he guided his family, that he was stirred
to look about him, in earnest. Heathcliff received no flogging, but he was told
that the first word he spoke to Miss Catherine should ensure a dismissal; and
Mrs. Earnshaw undertook to keep her sister-in-law in due restraint when she
returned home; employing art, not force: with force she would have found it
impossible.%

Thesaurus
enchanting: (adj) captivating, ANTONYM: (adv) slightly. fortuneless, ill-fated, disastrous,
delightful, fascinating, bewitching, incurable: (adj) incorrigible, unsuccessful, infelicitous, wretched.
lovely, alluring, magical, glamorous, immedicable, cureless, inveterate, ANTONYMS: (adj) fortunate,
adorable; (adj, v) charming, engaging. irretrievable, irrecoverable, terminal, successful.
ANTONYMS: (adj) unhappy, irremediable, irreparable, remediless, plateful: (n) helping, portion, home,
revolting, repulsive, repellent, foul, chronic. ANTONYM: (adj) mild. crustal plate, serving, collection plate,
everyday, dull, disenchanting, kindling: (n) combustion, firing, catcher, photographic plate, home
annoying, uninteresting, despicable. ignition, lighting, tinder, fire, plate, containerful, denture.
immeasurably: (adv) boundlessly, firewood, dismissal; (v) ignite, sister-in-law: (n) the wife of one's
endlessly, immensely, greatly, much; agitate, kindle. elder brother.
(adj) exceedingly, extremely, luckless: (adj) unlucky, unfortunate, wheeled: (adj) on wheels. ANTONYM:
exquisitely, acutely, ultra, intensely. doomed, unhappy, untoward, (adj) wheelless.
Emily Brontë 55

CHAPTER %VII

CATHY stayed at Thrushcross Grange five weeks: till Christmas. By that


time her ankle was thoroughly cured, and her manners much improved. The
mistress visited her often in the interval, and commenced her plan of reform by
trying to raise her self-respect with fine clothes and flattery, which she took
readily; so that, instead of a wild, hatless little savage jumping into the house,
and rushing to squeeze us all breathless, there 'lighted from a handsome black
pony a very dignified person, with brown ringlets falling from the cover of a
feathered beaver, and a long cloth habit, which she was obliged to hold up with
both hands that she might sail in. Hindley lifted her from her horse, exclaiming
delightedly, 'Why, Cathy, you are quite a beauty! I should scarcely have known
you: you look like a lady now. Isabella Linton is not to be compared with her, is
she, Frances?' 'Isabella has not her natural advantages,' replied his wife: 'but she
must mind and not grow wild again here. Ellen, help Miss Catherine off with
her things - Stay, dear, you will disarrange your curls - let me untie your hat.'
I removed the habit, and there shone forth beneath a grand plaid silk frock,
white trousers, and burnished shoes; and, while her eyes sparkled joyfully
when the dogs came bounding up to welcome her, she dared hardly touch them
lest they should fawn upon her splendid garments. She kissed me gently: I was
all flour making the Christmas cake, and it would not have done to give me a
hug; and then she looked round for Heathcliff. Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw watched
anxiously their meeting; thinking it would enable them to judge, in some

Thesaurus
burnished: (adj) polished, bright, order, tidy. jubilantly, pleasantly, mirthfully;
shiny, lustrous, shimmering, sparkly, fawn: (v) crawl, creep, grovel, cringe, (adv, v) happily; (adj, adv) cheerfully.
glittery, shining; (adj, v) sunny; (v) cower, crouch, bootlick, kowtow, ANTONYMS: (adv) joylessly,
meridian, orient. blandish, flatter; (n) deer. miserably, despondently.
delightedly: (adv) elatedly, jubilantly, ANTONYMS: (v) insult, despise, self-respect: (n) pride, self-esteem,
pleasedly, overjoyedly, joyfully, ignore, domineer. dignity, face, honesty.
exultantly, gleefully, entrancedly, feathered: (adj) plumy, plumelike, untie: (v) disentangle, unfasten, free,
joyously, cheerfully; (adv, v) happily. featherlike, plumose, plumed, loosen, release, loose, disengage,
disarrange: (v) derange, clutter, plumaged, fledged, plumigerous, untangle, open, unlace, unbind.
disorganize, muss, muddle, disorder, flighted, decorated; (v) fledge. ANTONYMS: (v) fasten, bind,
ruffle, perturb, shuffle, rumple, joyfully: (adv) joyously, merrily, gaily, tighten, tie, entangle, enslave, close,
disturb. ANTONYMS: (v) arrange, gleefully, buoyantly, cheerily, fetter.
56 Wuthering Heights

measure, what grounds they had for hoping to succeed in separating the two
friends.%
Heathcliff was hard to discover, at first. If he were careless, and uncared for,
before Catherine's absence, he had been ten times more so since. Nobody but I
even did him the kindness to call him a dirty boy, and bid him wash himself,
once a week; and children of his age seldom have a natural pleasure in soap and
water. Therefore, not to mention his clothes, which had seen three months'
service in mire and dust, and his thick uncombed hair, the surface of his face and
hands was dismally beclouded. He might well skulk behind the settle, on
beholding such a bright, graceful damsel enter the house, instead of a rough-
headed counterpart of himself, as he expected. 'Is Heathcliff not here?' she
demanded, pulling off her gloves, and displaying fingers wonderfully whitened
with doing nothing and staying indoors.
'Heathcliff, you may come forward,' cried Mr. Hindley, enjoying his
discomfiture, and gratified to see what a forbidding young blackguard he
would be compelled to present himself. 'You may come and wish Miss
Catherine welcome, like the other servants.'
Cathy, catching a glimpse of her friend in his concealment, flew to embrace
him; she bestowed seven or eight kisses on his cheek within the second, and then
stopped, and drawing back, burst into a laugh, exclaiming, 'Why, how very black
and cross you look! and how - how funny and grim! But that's because I'm used
to Edgar and Isabella Linton. Well, Heathcliff, have you forgotten me?'
She had some reason to put the question, for shame and pride threw double
gloom over his countenance, and kept him immovable.
'Shake hands, Heathcliff,' said Mr. Earnshaw, condescendingly; 'once in a
way, that is permitted.'
'I shall not,' replied the boy, finding his tongue at last; 'I shall not stand to be
laughed at. I shall not bear it!' And he would have broken from the circle, but
Miss Cathy seized him again.

Thesaurus
blackguard: (n) ruffian, rogue, dog, woman, virgin. skulk: (v) prowl, sneak, creep, lie in
rascal, heel, hound, cad; (adj) base, discomfiture: (n) embarrassment, wait, steal, malinger, shirk, conceal,
vile; (v) vituperate, revile. confusion, perturbation, discomfort, slink; (adj) hide; (n, v) cower.
condescendingly: (adv) arrogantly, discomfit, disconcertion, uncombed: (adj) disheveled, tousled,
haughtily, contemptuously, discomposure, humiliation, untidy, untamed, uncouth, unlicked,
patronisingly, superciliously, consternation; (adj) rebuff, rout. unpolished, shaggy, rumpled, messy,
disdainfully, snootily, proudly, ANTONYMS: (n) contentment, matted. ANTONYMS: (adj) combed,
scornfully, loftily, snobbishly. honor. tidy, neat.
ANTONYM: (adv) humbly. displaying: (n) advertising. whitened: (adj) bloodless, bleached,
damsel: (n) demoiselle, damosel, mire: (n, v) bog, muck; (n) filth, marsh, Caucasian, clean, colorless, livid,
damozel, damoiselle, wench, maiden, quagmire, dirt, sludge, clay; (adj, n, v) make white, snowy, unsullied, ashen,
maid, girl, nymph, unmarried mud; (v) involve, bog down. benevolent.
Emily Brontë 57

'I did not mean to laugh at you,' she said; 'I could not hinder myself:
Heathcliff, shake hands at least! What are you sulky for? It was only that you
looked odd. If you wash your face and brush your hair, it will be all right: but
you are so dirty!'
She gazed concernedly at the dusky fingers she held in her own, and also at
her dress; which she feared had gained no embellishment from its contact with
his.%
'You needn't have touched me!' he answered, following her eye and
snatching away his hand. 'I shall be as dirty as I please: and I like to be dirty,
and I will be dirty.'
With that he dashed headforemost out of the room, amid the merriment of
the master and mistress, and to the serious disturbance of Catherine; who could
not comprehend how her remarks should have produced such an exhibition of
bad temper.
After playing lady's-maid to the new-comer, and putting my cakes in the
oven, and making the house and kitchen cheerful with great fires, befitting
Christmas-eve, I prepared to sit down and amuse myself by singing carols, all
alone; regardless of Joseph's affirmations that he considered the merry tunes I
chose as next door to songs. He had retired to private prayer in his chamber, and
Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw were engaging Missy's attention by sundry gay trifles
bought for her to present to the little Lintons, as an acknowledgment of their
kindness. They had invited them to spend the morrow at Wuthering Heights,
and the invitation had been accepted, on one condition: Mrs. Linton begged that
her darlings might be kept carefully apart from that 'naughty swearing boy.'
Under these circumstances I remained solitary. I smelt the rich scent of the
heating spices; and admired the shining kitchen utensils, the polished clock,
decked in holly, the silver mugs ranged on a tray ready to be filled with mulled
ale for supper; and above all, the speckless purity of my particular care - the
scoured and well-swept floor. I gave due inward applause to every object, and
then I remembered how old Earnshaw used to come in when all was tidied, and
call me a cant lass, and slip a shilling into my hand as a Christmas-box; and from
Thesaurus
acknowledgment: (n) admission, unbecoming, unfitting, unsuitable. ANTONYM: (n) understatement.
acknowledgement, acceptance, concernedly: (adv) carefully, uneasily, headforemost: (adv) a corps perdu,
confession, greeting, credit, disturbedly, troubledly, involvedly, headfirst, post haste.
allowance, declaration, agreement, interestedly, anxiously, worriedly, scoured: (adj) worn, windswept,
thanks, gratitude. ANTONYMS: (n) upsetly, considerately, caringly. wrinkled, weathered, tough, gnarled,
rejection, ungratefulness, oversight, decked: (adj) bedecked, decked out, battered, craggy.
snub, ignoring, invoice, blame, ornamented, decorated, festooned. snatching: (n) capture.
defiance. embellishment: (n) decoration, speckless: (adj) clean, immaculate,
befitting: (adj) apt, becoming, suitable, adornment, ornament, flourish, impeccable, spick, spic, faultless,
apropos, decent, condign, fitting, fit; ornamentation, enhancement, cleaner.
(adj, v) proper; (n) feat; (v) meet. enrichment, beautification, trifles: (n) jests, nonsense, nugae,
ANTONYMS: (adj) improper, embroidery, garnish, hyperbole. trivia.
58 Wuthering Heights

that I went on to think of his fondness for Heathcliff, and his dread lest he
should suffer neglect after death had removed him: and that naturally led me to
consider the poor lad's situation now, and from singing I changed my mind to
crying. It struck me soon, however, there would be more sense in endeavouring
to repair some of his wrongs than shedding tears over them: I got up and
walked into the court to seek him. He was not far; I found him smoothing the
glossy coat of the new pony in the stable, and feeding the other beasts, according
to custom.%
'Make haste, Heathcliff!' I said, 'the kitchen is so comfortable; and Joseph is
up-stairs: make haste, and let me dress you smart before Miss Cathy comes out,
and then you can sit together, with the whole hearth to yourselves, and have a
long chatter till bedtime.'
He proceeded with his task, and never turned his head towards me.
'Come - are you coming?' I continued. 'There's a little cake for each of you,
nearly enough; and you'll need half-an-hour's donning.'
I waited five minutes, but getting no answer left him. Catherine supped with
her brother and sister-in-law: Joseph and I joined at an unsociable meal,
seasoned with reproofs on one side and sauciness on the other. His cake and
cheese remained on the table all night for the fairies. He managed to continue
work till nine o'clock, and then marched dumb and dour to his chamber. Cathy
sat up late, having a world of things to order for the reception of her new friends:
she came into the kitchen once to speak to her old one; but he was gone, and she
only stayed to ask what was the matter with him, and then went back. In the
morning he rose early; and, as it was a holiday, carried his ill-humour on to the
moors; not re-appearing till the family were departed for church. Fasting and
reflection seemed to have brought him to a better spirit. He hung about me for a
while, and having screwed up his courage, exclaimed abruptly - 'Nelly, make me
decent, I'm going to be good.'
'High time, Heathcliff,' I said; 'you HAVE grieved Catherine: she's sorry she
ever came home, I daresay! It looks as if you envied her, because she is more
thought of than you.'
Thesaurus
dour: (adj) stubborn, morose, harsh, sorrowful, upset, woeful, pained, shedding: (n) molting, abscission,
austere, dismal, hard, grim, dogged, affected, brokenhearted. fluffing, effusion, moulting,
sullen, strict, severe. ANTONYMS: sauciness: (n) pertness, impudence, biological process, desquamation,
(adj) cheerful, beaming, bright, insolence, gall, cheek, flippancy, sloughing, emission; (adj, n) peeling;
cheery, cordial, happy, kindly. perkiness, archness, cheekiness, (adj) flaking.
fondness: (n) affection, attachment, effrontery, sauce. unsociable: (adj) antisocial, distant,
love, taste, regard, appetite, seasoned: (adj) veteran, flavoured, unfriendly, uncommunicative,
tenderness, partiality, endearment, flavored, mature, ripe, versed, solitary, inhospitable, hostile,
liking, relish. ANTONYMS: (n) hardened, confirmed, practised, retiring, reserved, cool, antagonistic.
aversion, indifference, neglect, accustomed, sophisticated. ANTONYMS: (adj) friendly,
antipathy, detachment, hatred. ANTONYMS: (adj) green, approachable, nice, warm.
grieved: (adj) sore, sad, sorry, unseasoned, inexperienced, mild. wrongs: (n) mala.
Emily Brontë 59

The notion of ENVYING Catherine was incomprehensible to him, but the


notion of grieving her he understood clearly enough.%
'Did she say she was grieved?' he inquired, looking very serious.
'She cried when I told her you were off again this morning.'
'Well, I cried last night,' he returned, 'and I had more reason to cry than she.'
'Yes: you had the reason of going to bed with a proud heart and an empty
stomach,' said I. 'Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves. But, if you be
ashamed of your touchiness, you must ask pardon, mind, when she comes in.
You must go up and offer to kiss her, and say - you know best what to say; only
do it heartily, and not as if you thought her converted into a stranger by her
grand dress. And now, though I have dinner to get ready, I'll steal time to
arrange you so that Edgar Linton shall look quite a doll beside you: and that he
does. You are younger, and yet, I'll be bound, you are taller and twice as broad
across the shoulders; you could knock him down in a twinkling; don't you feel
that you could?'
Heathcliff's face brightened a moment; then it was overcast afresh, and he
sighed.
'But, Nelly, if I knocked him down twenty times, that wouldn't make him less
handsome or me more so. I wish I had light hair and a fair skin, and was dressed
and behaved as well, and had a chance of being as rich as he will be!'
'And cried for mamma at every turn,' I added, 'and trembled if a country lad
heaved his fist against you, and sat at home all day for a shower of rain. Oh,
Heathcliff, you are showing a poor spirit! Come to the glass, and I'll let you see
what you should wish. Do you mark those two lines between your eyes; and
those thick brows, that, instead of rising arched, sink in the middle; and that
couple of black fiends, so deeply buried, who never open their windows boldly,
but lurk glinting under them, like devil's spies? Wish and learn to smooth away
the surly wrinkles, to raise your lids frankly, and change the fiends to confident,
innocent angels, suspecting and doubting nothing, and always seeing friends
where they are not sure of foes. Don't get the expression of a vicious cur that

Thesaurus
afresh: (adv) again, newly, over again, luminous. ANTONYMS: (adj) sunny, clear.
new, once again, freshly, once more, grieving: (adj) sorrowful, bereft, touchiness: (n) tetchiness, irritability,
often; (adj) the other day, just now, bereaved, mournful, aggrieved, sad, petulance, fussiness, choler,
only yesterday. teenful, despondent; (v) grief, nervousness, crossness, edginess,
doubting: (adj) doubtful, distrustful, affliction; (n) sorrow. fretfulness, temper, peevishness.
disbelieving, incredulous, doubt, lids: (n) lid. twice: (adv) doubly, bis, two times, in
skeptical, suspicious, sceptical, wary, lurk: (v) ambuscade, skulk, prowl, two ways, once more; (adj) twenty.
doubts, distrusting. ANTONYM: waylay, lie in wait, conceal, lurch, twinkling: (n) moment, jiffy, minute,
(adj) credulous. loiter, creep, wait, sneak. second, flash, trice, twinkle, wink,
glinting: (adj) glittering, scintillating, overcast: (adj) dark, cloudy, dim, dull, split second, breath; (adj) sparkling.
lustrous, aglitter, fulgid, glitter, gloomy, heavy, muddy, dismal; (n, v) ANTONYM: (adj) dull.
coruscant, sparkly, bright, bubbling, cloud; (adj, v) obscure; (v) darken. wrinkles: (n) crow's feet.
60 Wuthering Heights

appears to know the kicks it gets are its desert, and yet hates all the world, as
well as the kicker, for what it suffers.'
'In other words, I must wish for Edgar Linton's great blue eyes and even
forehead,' he replied. 'I do - and that won't help me to them.'
'A good heart will help you to a bonny face, my lad,' I continued, 'if you were
a regular black; and a bad one will turn the bonniest into something worse than
ugly. And now that we've done washing, and combing, and sulking - tell me
whether you don't think yourself rather handsome? I'll tell you, I do. You're fit
for a prince in disguise. Who knows but your father was Emperor of China, and
your mother an Indian queen, each of them able to buy up, with one week's
income, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange together? And you were
kidnapped by wicked sailors and brought to England. Were I in your place, I
would frame high notions of my birth; and the thoughts of what I was should
give me courage and dignity to support the oppressions of a little farmer!'
So I chattered on; and Heathcliff gradually lost his frown and began to look
quite pleasant, when all at once our conversation was interrupted by a rumbling
sound moving up the road and entering the court. He ran to the window and I
to the door, just in time to behold the two Lintons descend from the family
carriage, smothered in cloaks and furs, and the Earnshaws dismount from their
horses: they often rode to church in winter. Catherine took a hand of each of the
children, and brought them into the house and set them before the fire, which
quickly put colour into their white faces.%
I urged my companion to hasten now and show his amiable humour, and he
willingly obeyed; but ill luck would have it that, as he opened the door leading
from the kitchen on one side, Hindley opened it on the other. They met, and the
master, irritated at seeing him clean and cheerful, or, perhaps, eager to keep his
promise to Mrs. Linton, shoved him back with a sudden thrust, and angrily bade
Joseph 'keep the fellow out of the room - send him into the garret till dinner is
over. He'll be cramming his fingers in the tarts and stealing the fruit, if left alone
with them a minute.'

Thesaurus
appears: (n) appearing. dismantle; (adj) dismast. revelation, restriction, reservation,
bade: (v) bid, command, bad. ANTONYMS: (v) mount, ascend. purport, punter, log kicker, football
behold: (v) see, view, contemplate, garret: (n) cockloft, loft, attic, house player, dropkicker, condition.
regard, perceive, observe, look, top, storey, level, upper story, story, kicks: (n) elation, thrill, excitement,
consider, discern, descry, watch. dome, noggin, classical Greek. fulfillment, gratification, pleasure.
ANTONYMS: (v) Miss, disregard, gets: (n) getting. kidnapped: (adj) kidnaped.
ignore, overlook. hasten: (adj, n, v) speed, quicken; (v) rumbling: (adj, n) grumbling; (n)
combing: (n) hairdressing, search, expedite, advance, hurry, hie, dash, grumble, noise, boom, thunder, roll,
combing waste, cockscomb. rush; (n, v) further, forward, roar; (adj) hollow, low; (v)
dismount: (v) alight, light, get off, dispatch. ANTONYMS: (v) linger, bombination, berloque.
disembark, get down, fall, come retard, amble. smothered: (adj) strangled, stifled,
down, unhorse, go down; (adj, v) kicker: (n) grouch, significance, smothers, pent-up, covered.
Emily Brontë 61

'Nay, sir,' I could not avoid answering, 'he'll touch nothing, not he: and I
suppose he must have his share of the dainties as well as we.'
'He shall have his share of my hand, if I catch him downstairs till dark,' cried
Hindley. 'Begone, you vagabond! What! you are attempting the coxcomb, are
you? Wait till I get hold of those elegant locks - see if I won't pull them a bit
longer!'
'They are long enough already,' observed Master Linton, peeping from the
doorway; 'I wonder they don't make his head ache. It's like a colt's mane over his
eyes!'
He ventured this remark without any intention to insult; but Heathcliff's
violent nature was not prepared to endure the appearance of impertinence from
one whom he seemed to hate, even then, as a rival. He seized a tureen of hot
apple sauce (the first thing that came under his gripe) and dashed it full against
the speaker's face and neck; who instantly commenced a lament that brought
Isabella and Catherine hurrying to the place. Mr. Earnshaw snatched up the
culprit directly and conveyed him to his chamber; where, doubtless, he
administered a rough remedy to cool the fit of passion, for he appeared red and
breathless. I got the dishcloth, and rather spitefully scrubbed Edgar's nose and
mouth, affirming it served him right for meddling. His sister began weeping to
go home, and Cathy stood by confounded, blushing for all.%
'You should not have spoken to him!' she expostulated with Master Linton.
'He was in a bad temper, and now you've spoilt your visit; and he'll be flogged: I
hate him to be flogged! I can't eat my dinner. Why did you speak to him,
Edgar?'
'I didn't,' sobbed the youth, escaping from my hands, and finishing the
remainder of the purification with his cambric pocket- handkerchief. 'I promised
mamma that I wouldn't say one word to him, and I didn't.'
'Well, don't cry,' replied Catherine, contemptuously; 'you're not killed. Don't
make more mischief; my brother is coming: be quiet! Hush, Isabella! Has
anybody hurt you?'

Thesaurus
cambric: (n) calico, cambric-muslin, dish towel, cleaning cloth. spitefully: (adv) maliciously,
cashmere, fabric, textile, material, impertinence: (n) audacity, gall, malevolently, resentfully,
cloth, linen. impudence, insolence, disrespect, vindictively, viciously, venomously,
confounded: (adj) bemused, accursed, effrontery, brass, boldness, malignantly, meanly, nastily,
execrable, baffled, cursed, befuddled, impertinency, sauciness, freshness. rancorously, hatefully. ANTONYMS:
confused, puzzled, aghast, perplexed; ANTONYMS: (n) politeness, (adv) kindly, friendly, harmoniously,
(adj, v) abashed. seriousness, reticence. genially, mercifully, benevolently,
coxcomb: (n) cockscomb, fop, beau, meddling: (adj) busy, inquisitive, compassionately, innocently.
dandy, exquisite, dude, blood, buck, curious, meddlesome, intrusive, tureen: (n) skillet, horn, terrene,
comb, crest, sheik. officious, nosy, dabbling, tumbler, the earth, soup tureen,
dainties: (n) delicacies, food, cates. impertinent, busybodied; (adj, n) serving dish, saucepan, rummer,
dishcloth: (n) dishclout, cleaning rag, prying. punch bowl, posnet.
62 Wuthering Heights

'There, there, children - to your seats!' cried Hindley, bustling in. 'That brute
of a lad has warmed me nicely. Next time, Master Edgar, take the law into your
own fists - it will give you an appetite!'
The little party recovered its equanimity at sight of the fragrant feast. They
were hungry after their ride, and easily consoled, since no real harm had befallen
them. Mr. Earnshaw carved bountiful platefuls, and the mistress made them
merry with lively talk. I waited behind her chair, and was pained to behold
Catherine, with dry eyes and an indifferent air, commence cutting up the wing of
a goose before her. 'An unfeeling child,' I thought to myself; 'how lightly she
dismisses her old playmate's troubles. I could not have imagined her to be so
selfish.' She lifted a mouthful to her lips: then she set it down again: her cheeks
flushed, and the tears gushed over them. She slipped her fork to the floor, and
hastily dived under the cloth to conceal her emotion. I did not call her unfeeling
long; for I perceived she was in purgatory throughout the day, and wearying to
find an opportunity of getting by herself, or paying a visit to Heathcliff, who had
been locked up by the master: as I discovered, on endeavouring to introduce to
him a private mess of victuals.%
In the evening we had a dance. Cathy begged that he might be liberated
then, as Isabella Linton had no partner: her entreaties were vain, and I was
appointed to supply the deficiency. We got rid of all gloom in the excitement of
the exercise, and our pleasure was increased by the arrival of the Gimmerton
band, mustering fifteen strong: a trumpet, a trombone, clarionets, bassoons,
French horns, and a bass viol, besides singers. They go the rounds of all the
respectable houses, and receive contributions every Christmas, and we esteemed
it a first-rate treat to hear them. After the usual carols had been sung, we set
them to songs and glees. Mrs. Earnshaw loved the music, and so they gave us
plenty.
Catherine loved it too: but she said it sounded sweetest at the top of the
steps, and she went up in the dark: I followed. They shut the house door below,
never noting our absence, it was so full of people. She made no stay at the stairs'-
head, but mounted farther, to the garret where Heathcliff was confined, and

Thesaurus
bountiful: (adj) ample, abundant, excitableness, fear, hysteria, ruthless, numb, insensible,
plentiful, generous, liberal, profuse, nervousness, agitation, anxiety. insensitive. ANTONYMS: (adj)
fruitful, luxuriant, lush, rich, esteemed: (adj) dear, reputable, caring, sympathetic, sensitive, kind,
openhanded. ANTONYMS: (adj) respected, honorable, noble, honored, understanding, merciful, feeling,
sparse, miserly, wanting, spare, prestigious, important, distinguished, warm, tactful, concerned,
scarce, scanty, scant, lean, lacking, August, respect. ANTONYM: (adj) compassionate.
insufficient, barren. disreputable. viol: (n) bowed stringed instrument,
equanimity: (n) aplomb, poise, trombone: (n) bugle, clarion, cornet, string, bass viol.
calmness, calm, temper, peace, cornopean, horn, sackbut, brass, wearying: (adj) exhausting, wearing,
imperturbability, temperament, ophicleide. monotonous, tiring, fatiguing, trying,
serenity, tranquility; (adj, n) stoicism. unfeeling: (adj) harsh, impassive, cold, boring, dull, wearisome, deadly,
ANTONYMS: (n) panic, anger, cruel, callous, merciless, pitiless, effortful.
Emily Brontë 63

called %him. He stubbornly declined answering for a while: she persevered, and
finally persuaded him to hold communion with her through the boards. I let the
poor things converse unmolested, till I supposed the songs were going to cease,
and the singers to get some refreshment: then I clambered up the ladder to warn
her. Instead of finding her outside, I heard her voice within. The little monkey
had crept by the skylight of one garret, along the roof, into the skylight of the
other, and it was with the utmost difficulty I could coax her out again. When she
did come, Heathcliff came with her, and she insisted that I should take him into
the kitchen, as my fellow-servant had gone to a neighbour's, to be removed from
the sound of our 'devil's psalmody,' as it pleased him to call it. I told them I
intended by no means to encourage their tricks: but as the prisoner had never
broken his fast since yesterday's dinner, I would wink at his cheating Mr.
Hindley that once. He went down: I set him a stool by the fire, and offered him
a quantity of good things: but he was sick and could eat little, and my attempts
to entertain him were thrown away. He leant his two elbows on his knees, and
his chin on his hands and remained rapt in dumb meditation. On my inquiring
the subject of his thoughts, he answered gravely - 'I'm trying to settle how I shall
pay Hindley back. I don't care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last. I hope
he will not die before I do!'
'For shame, Heathcliff!' said I. 'It is for God to punish wicked people; we
should learn to forgive.'
'No, God won't have the satisfaction that I shall,' he returned. 'I only wish I
knew the best way! Let me alone, and I'll plan it out: while I'm thinking of that I
don't feel pain.'
'But, Mr. Lockwood, I forget these tales cannot divert you. I'm annoyed how
I should dream of chattering on at such a rate; and your gruel cold, and you
nodding for bed! I could have told Heathcliff's history, all that you need hear, in
half a dozen words.'
Thus interrupting herself, the housekeeper rose, and proceeded to lay aside
her sewing; but I felt incapable of moving from the hearth, and I was very far
from nodding. 'Sit still, Mrs. Dean,' I cried; 'do sit still another half-hour. You've

Thesaurus
chattering: (n) chatter, cackle, yak, beguile, blarney, blandish; (n) coaxial inattentive, uninterested, bored.
grabbing, claver; (adj) talkative, cable. ANTONYMS: (v) bully, skylight: (n) shutter, window, light,
loquacious, noisy, gabby, garrulous; compel, allow, dissuade. porthole, transom, knowledge,
(v) natter. interrupting: (adj) cross, interchanged, happiness, enlightenment, felicity,
cheating: (n) cheat, dishonesty, interpelling, meddlesome, adverse, day, casement.
imposition, imposture, fraud, defensive, contrary, interpellant, unmolested: (adj) undisturbed,
duplicity, deception, chicanery; (adj) interruptive. untroubled, unthreatened, peaceable,
dirty, cunning, deceiving. rapt: (adj) engrossed, intent, ecstatic, tranquil, still, smooth, safe, quiet; (v)
ANTONYMS: (adj) honest, faithful; preoccupied, spellbound, captive, unafflicted, unplagued.
(n) honesty, truthfulness. enthralled, attentive, fixed, wink: (n, v) twinkle, blink, flash; (n)
coax: (n, v) wheedle, allure, entice, enwrapped; (v) engrossed in. instant, twinkling, trice; (v) sparkle,
charm, tempt, seduce; (v) cajole, ANTONYMS: (adj) detached, nictitate, flicker, nictate, leer.
64 Wuthering Heights

done %just right to tell the story leisurely. That is the method I like; and you
must finish it in the same style. I am interested in every character you have
mentioned, more or less.'
'The clock is on the stroke of eleven, sir.'
'No matter - I'm not accustomed to go to bed in the long hours. One or two is
early enough for a person who lies till ten.'
'You shouldn't lie till ten. There's the very prime of the morning gone long
before that time. A person who has not done one-half his day's work by ten
o'clock, runs a chance of leaving the other half undone.'
'Nevertheless, Mrs. Dean, resume your chair; because to-morrow I intend
lengthening the night till afternoon. I prognosticate for myself an obstinate cold,
at least.'
'I hope not, sir. Well, you must allow me to leap over some three years;
during that space Mrs. Earnshaw - '
'No, no, I'll allow nothing of the sort! Are you acquainted with the mood of
mind in which, if you were seated alone, and the cat licking its kitten on the rug
before you, you would watch the operation so intently that puss's neglect of one
ear would put you seriously out of temper?'
'A terribly lazy mood, I should say.'
'On the contrary, a tiresomely active one. It is mine, at present; and,
therefore, continue minutely. I perceive that people in these regions acquire
over people in towns the value that a spider in a dungeon does over a spider in a
cottage, to their various occupants; and yet the deepened attraction is not
entirely owing to the situation of the looker-on. They DO live more in earnest,
more in themselves, and less in surface, change, and frivolous external things. I
could fancy a love for life here almost possible; and I was a fixed unbeliever in
any love of a year's standing. One state resembles setting a hungry man down to
a single dish, on which he may concentrate his entire appetite and do it justice;
the other, introducing him to a table laid out by French cooks: he can perhaps

Thesaurus
deepened: (adj) concentrated, obstinate: (adj) obdurate, inflexible, prophesy.
gathered. intractable, determined, inveterate, tiresomely: (adv) tediously,
dungeon: (n, v) keep; (n) prison, cell, disobedient, willful, stubborn, wearisomely, dully, irksomely,
jail, penitentiary, fastness, oubliette, contrary, wayward, dogged. monotonously, drearily,
Bastille, bridewell, detention, house ANTONYMS: (adj) flexible, troublesomely, wearyingly,
of correction. amenable, irresolute, cooperative, uninterestingly, tiringly, annoyingly.
looker-on: (n) bystander, spectator, easygoing, docile, biddable, ANTONYM: (adv) conveniently.
eyewitness, witness. agreeable, accommodating, unbeliever: (n) infidel, disbeliever,
minutely: (adv) precisely, in detail, malleable, gentle. doubter, agnostic, nonbeliever,
closely, tinily, smally, insignificantly, prognosticate: (v) augur, predict, sceptic, irreligionist, deist,
infinitesimally, diminutively, nicely, forecast, presage, foretell, portend, materialist, pagan; (adj, n) skeptic.
exactly, microscopically. anticipate, bode, divine, forebode, ANTONYM: (n) adherent.
Emily Brontë 65

extract as much enjoyment from the whole; but each part is a mere atom in his
regard and remembrance.'
'Oh! here we are the same as anywhere else, when you get to know us,'
observed Mrs. Dean, somewhat puzzled at my speech.%
'Excuse me,' I responded; 'you, my good friend, are a striking evidence
against that assertion. Excepting a few provincialisms of slight consequence, you
have no marks of the manners which I am habituated to consider as peculiar to
your class. I am sure you have thought a great deal more than the generality of
servants think. You have been compelled to cultivate your reflective faculties
for want of occasions for frittering your life away in silly trifles.'
Mrs. Dean laughed.
'I certainly esteem myself a steady, reasonable kind of body,' she said; 'not
exactly from living among the hills and seeing one set of faces, and one series of
actions, from year's end to year's end; but I have undergone sharp discipline,
which has taught me wisdom; and then, I have read more than you would fancy,
Mr. Lockwood. You could not open a book in this library that I have not looked
into, and got something out of also: unless it be that range of Greek and Latin,
and that of French; and those I know one from another: it is as much as you can
expect of a poor man's daughter. However, if I am to follow my story in true
gossip's fashion, I had better go on; and instead of leaping three years, I will be
content to pass to the next summer - the summer of 1778, that is nearly twenty-
three years ago.'

Thesaurus
cultivate: (v) civilize, educate, train, disesteem, disapproval. (adj) untrained.
produce, polish, farm, crop, develop, faculties: (n) mother wit. leaping: (n) jump, bounce, bound,
domesticate, raise; (adj, v) promote. generality: (n) generalization, leap, spring, saltation, bouncing; (v)
ANTONYMS: (v) neglect, sterilize, commonness, rule, abstraction, jumping; (adj, v) bounding; (adj)
brutalize, stunt, retard, pollute, commonality, balance, thought, springing; (adv) leapingly.
ignore, harm, discourage. quality, idea, catholicity, bulk. reflective: (adj, v) thoughtful,
esteem: (n) deference, admiration; (n, ANTONYMS: (n) specific, meditative; (adj) contemplative,
v) respect, value, consideration, particularity. musing, wistful, brooding, reflexive,
account; (v) appreciate, deem, adore, habituated: (v) given to, addicted to, ruminative, museful, reflecting,
admire, count. ANTONYMS: (v) attuned to; (adj, v) used to; (adj) broody. ANTONYMS: (adj)
scorn, hate, disdain, insult, despise, addicted, wont, trained, inured, used, superficial, satisfied, shallow.
abominate, abhor, dislike, reject; (n) inveterate, hardened. ANTONYM: servants: (n) staff, suite.
Emily Brontë 67

CHAPTER VIII

ON the morning of a fine June day my first bonny little nursling, and the last
of the ancient Earnshaw stock, was born. We were busy with the hay in a far-
away field, when the girl that usually brought our breakfasts came running an
hour too soon across the meadow and up the lane, calling me as she ran.%
'Oh, such a grand bairn!' she panted out. 'The finest lad that ever breathed!
But the doctor says missis must go: he says she's been in a consumption these
many months. I heard him tell Mr. Hindley: and now she has nothing to keep
her, and she'll be dead before winter. You must come home directly. You're to
nurse it, Nelly: to feed it with sugar and milk, and take care of it day and night.
I wish I were you, because it will be all yours when there is no missis!'
'But is she very ill?' I asked, flinging down my rake and tying my bonnet.
'I guess she is; yet she looks bravely,' replied the girl, 'and she talks as if she
thought of living to see it grow a man. She's out of her head for joy, it's such a
beauty! If I were her I'm certain I should not die: I should get better at the bare
sight of it, in spite of Kenneth. I was fairly mad at him. Dame Archer brought
the cherub down to master, in the house, and his face just began to light up,
when the old croaker steps forward, and says he - "Earnshaw, it's a blessing
your wife has been spared to leave you this son. When she came, I felt convinced
we shouldn't keep her long; and now, I must tell you, the winter will probably
finish her. Don't take on, and fret about it too much: it can't be helped. And
besides, you should have known better than to choose such a rush of a lass!"'
Thesaurus
blessing: (n) benediction, approval, cherub: (n) baby, seraph, infant, cream.
mercy, felicity, benison, benefit, luck, cherubim, guardian angel, child, meadow: (n) hayfield, lea, mead,
advantage, boon, bless, godsend. babe, archangel, cherubin. grassland, plain, lawn, sward,
ANTONYMS: (n) curse, misfortune, croaker: (v) growler, grumbler, grazing land, greensward, pasturage,
disaster, condemnation, adversity, malcontent, laudator temporis acti; paddock.
desecration, refusal, veto, (n) chenfish, sciaenid, pessimist, nursling: (n) baby, babe, infant,
disadvantage. physician, kingfish, queenfish; (adj) suckling, child, sucker, toddler,
bonnet: (n) cap, protection, chapeau, meagre. lactation.
tile, wimple, beret, lid, cowling, finest: (adj, n) elite; (adj) top, select, tying: (n) ligation, bundling,
castor, poke bonnet, sunbonnet. excellent, most favorable, most attachment, knotting, lacing; (adj)
breathed: (adj) unvoiced, inaudible, excellent, most advantageous, binding; (v) restrict.
breathing, aphonic. exclusive, classic, best possible; (n) yours: (adj) own.
68 Wuthering Heights

'And what did the master answer?' I inquired.%


'I think he swore: but I didn't mind him, I was straining to see the bairn,' and
she began again to describe it rapturously. I, as zealous as herself, hurried
eagerly home to admire, on my part; though I was very sad for Hindley's sake.
He had room in his heart only for two idols - his wife and himself: he doted on
both, and adored one, and I couldn't conceive how he would bear the loss.
When we got to Wuthering Heights, there he stood at the front door; and, as I
passed in, I asked, 'how was the baby?'
'Nearly ready to run about, Nell!' he replied, putting on a cheerful smile.
'And the mistress?' I ventured to inquire; 'the doctor says she's -
'Damn the doctor!' he interrupted, reddening. 'Frances is quite right: she'll
be perfectly well by this time next week. Are you going up-stairs? will you tell
her that I'll come, if she'll promise not to talk. I left her because she would not
hold her tongue; and she must - tell her Mr. Kenneth says she must be quiet.'
I delivered this message to Mrs. Earnshaw; she seemed in flighty spirits, and
replied merrily, 'I hardly spoke a word, Ellen, and there he has gone out twice,
crying. Well, say I promise I won't speak: but that does not bind me not to laugh
at him!'
Poor soul! Till within a week of her death that gay heart never failed her; and
her husband persisted doggedly, nay, furiously, in affirming her health
improved every day. When Kenneth warned him that his medicines were
useless at that stage of the malady, and he needn't put him to further expense by
attending her, he retorted, 'I know you need not - she's well - she does not want
any more attendance from you! She never was in a consumption. It was a fever;
and it is gone: her pulse is as slow as mine now, and her cheek as cool.'
He told his wife the same story, and she seemed to believe him; but one
night, while leaning on his shoulder, in the act of saying she thought she should
be able to get up to-morrow, a fit of coughing took her - a very slight one - he
raised her in his arms; she put her two hands about his neck, her face changed,
and she was dead.

Thesaurus
coughing: (n) coughs, breathing out. dependable. rhapsodically, overjoyedly, raptly,
doggedly: (adv) stubbornly, firmly, malady: (n, v) illness, ailment, delightedly, enrapturedly, gladly.
tenaciously, persistently, resolutely, indisposition, distemper; (adj, n, v) reddening: (n) flush, rubescence; (v)
pertinaciously, perseveringly, disorder; (adj, n) complaint, infirmity; redden.
obdurately, steadfastly, untiringly, (n) sickness, condition, trouble, ill. zealous: (adj) keen, enthusiastic,
steadily. ANTONYM: (adv) merrily: (adv) gaily, cheerfully, fervent, ardent, avid, devoted,
hesitantly. blithely, cheerily, gladly, gleefully, strenuous, vehement, glowing, fiery;
flighty: (adj) frivolous, light, mirthfully, brightly, jovially, joyfully, (adj, n) passionate. ANTONYMS:
capricious, volatile, irresponsible, gayly. ANTONYMS: (adv) sadly, (adj) indifferent, apathetic,
scatterbrained, flippant, changeable, anxiously, miserably, unhappily, unenthusiastic, cool, halfhearted,
skittish, unstable, mercurial. carefully, despondently. moderate.
ANTONYMS: (adj) serious, rapturously: (adv) ravishingly,
Emily Brontë 69

As the girl had anticipated, the child Hareton fell wholly into my hands. Mr.
Earnshaw, provided he saw him healthy and never heard him cry, was
contented, as far as regarded him. For himself, he grew desperate: his sorrow
was of that kind that will not lament. He neither wept nor prayed; he cursed and
defied: execrated God and man, and gave himself up to reckless dissipation.
The servants could not bear his tyrannical and evil conduct long: Joseph and I
were the only two that would stay. I had not the heart to leave my charge; and
besides, you know, I had been his foster-sister, and excused his behaviour more
readily than a stranger would. Joseph remained to hector over tenants and
labourers; and because it was his vocation to be where he had plenty of
wickedness to reprove.%
The master's bad ways and bad companions formed a pretty example for
Catherine and Heathcliff. His treatment of the latter was enough to make a fiend
of a saint. And, truly, it appeared as if the lad WERE possessed of something
diabolical at that period. He delighted to witness Hindley degrading himself
past redemption; and became daily more notable for savage sullenness and
ferocity. I could not half tell what an infernal house we had. The curate dropped
calling, and nobody decent came near us, at last; unless Edgar Linton's visits to
Miss Cathy might be an exception. At fifteen she was the queen of the country-
side; she had no peer; and she did turn out a haughty, headstrong creature! I
own I did not like her, after infancy was past; and I vexed her frequently by
trying to bring down her arrogance: she never took an aversion to me, though.
She had a wondrous constancy to old attachments: even Heathcliff kept his hold
on her affections unalterably; and young Linton, with all his superiority, found it
difficult to make an equally deep impression. He was my late master: that is his
portrait over the fireplace. It used to hang on one side, and his wife's on the
other; but hers has been removed, or else you might see something of what she
was. Can you make that out?
Mrs. Dean raised the candle, and I discerned a soft-featured face, exceedingly
resembling the young lady at the Heights, but more pensive and amiable in
expression. It formed a sweet picture. The long light hair curled slightly on the

Thesaurus
attachments: (n) equipment. excused: (adj) privileged, immune. ANTONYMS: (adj) shallow, satisfied,
companions: (n) circle, entourage, headstrong: (adj) intractable, dogged, carefree.
people. obstinate, disobedient, unruly, sullenness: (n) glumness, moroseness,
constancy: (n) allegiance, devotion, willful, wayward, froward, rash, moodiness, resentment, sourness,
resolution, fidelity, loyalty, headlong; (adj, v) ungovernable. gloominess, brusqueness, sulk,
steadfastness, faithfulness, ANTONYMS: (adj) tractable, gloom, doggedness, mumps.
steadiness, firmness, perseverance, compliant, amenable, docile, ANTONYM: (n) cheeriness.
unchangeableness. ANTONYMS: (n) malleable, agreeable, cautious. unalterably: (adv) inflexibly,
inconstancy, inconsistency, pensive: (adj) contemplative, inescapably, inevitably, obstinately,
changefulness, instability, disloyalty, meditative, musing, wistful, dreamy, unchangeably, unwaveringly,
unfaithfulness, unreliability, melancholy, abstracted, broody, relentlessly, stubbornly, steadfastly,
dishonesty. reflective, moody; (adj, v) sad. fixedly, unavoidably.
70 Wuthering Heights

temples; the eyes were large and serious; the figure almost too graceful. I did not
marvel how Catherine Earnshaw could forget her first friend for such an
individual. I marvelled much how he, with a mind to correspond with his
person, could fancy my idea of Catherine Earnshaw.%
'A very agreeable portrait,' I observed to the house-keeper. 'Is it like?'
'Yes,' she answered; 'but he looked better when he was animated; that is his
everyday countenance: he wanted spirit in general.'
Catherine had kept up her acquaintance with the Lintons since her five-
weeks' residence among them; and as she had no temptation to show her rough
side in their company, and had the sense to be ashamed of being rude where she
experienced such invariable courtesy, she imposed unwittingly on the old lady
and gentleman by her ingenious cordiality; gained the admiration of Isabella,
and the heart and soul of her brother: acquisitions that flattered her from the
first - for she was full of ambition - and led her to adopt a double character
without exactly intending to deceive any one. In the place where she heard
Heathcliff termed a 'vulgar young ruffian,' and 'worse than a brute,' she took care
not to act like him; but at home she had small inclination to practise politeness
that would only be laughed at, and restrain an unruly nature when it would
bring her neither credit nor praise.
Mr. Edgar seldom mustered courage to visit Wuthering Heights openly. He
had a terror of Earnshaw's reputation, and shrunk from encountering him; and
yet he was always received with our best attempts at civility: the master himself
avoided offending him, knowing why he came; and if he could not be gracious,
kept out of the way. I rather think his appearance there was distasteful to
Catherine; she was not artful, never played the coquette, and had evidently an
objection to her two friends meeting at all; for when Heathcliff expressed
contempt of Linton in his presence, she could not half coincide, as she did in his
absence; and when Linton evinced disgust and antipathy to Heathcliff, she dared
not treat his sentiments with indifference, as if depreciation of her playmate
were of scarcely any consequence to her. I've had many a laugh at her
perplexities and untold troubles, which she vainly strove to hide from my

Thesaurus
artful: (adj) crafty, cunning, scheming, coquette: (n) vamp, jilt, minx, woman; flattered: (adj) pleased.
wily, shrewd, insidious, designing, (v) coquet, dally, romance, chat up, invariable: (adj) fixed, consistent,
sly, adroit, subtle, disingenuous. puritan, speak, prude. even, immutable, steady,
ANTONYMS: (adj) artless, unskillful, cordiality: (adj, n) friendliness, unchanging, stable, uniform, set,
inept, ingenuous, unskilled, open, geniality, sympathy, sociability; (n) undeviating, unchanged.
straight. hospitality, sincerity, affability, ANTONYMS: (adj) changing,
civility: (n) politeness, courtesy, amity, kindness, amiability; (v) dynamic, erratic, irregular, varied.
comity, attention, propriety, heartiness. ANTONYMS: (n) playmate: (n) friend, chum,
affability, amenity, cultivation, frostiness, disapproval, companion, associate, fellow, partner,
complaisance, courteousness, disapprobation, disagreement, comrade, pal, buddy, mate, familiar.
civilization. ANTONYMS: (n) difference, misunderstanding, sentiments: (n) breast.
rudeness, incivility, coarseness. hostility, rudeness. strove: (v) strive.
Emily Brontë 71

mockery. That sounds ill-natured: but she was so proud it became really
impossible to pity her distresses, till she should be chastened into more humility.
She did bring herself, finally, to confess, and to confide in me: there was not a
soul else that she might fashion into an adviser.%
Mr. Hindley had gone from home one afternoon, and Heathcliff presumed to
give himself a holiday on the strength of it. He had reached the age of sixteen
then, I think, and without having bad features, or being deficient in intellect, he
contrived to convey an impression of inward and outward repulsiveness that his
present aspect retains no traces of. In the first place, he had by that time lost the
benefit of his early education: continual hard work, begun soon and concluded
late, had extinguished any curiosity he once possessed in pursuit of knowledge,
and any love for books or learning. His childhood's sense of superiority, instilled
into him by the favours of old Mr. Earnshaw, was faded away. He struggled
long to keep up an equality with Catherine in her studies, and yielded with
poignant though silent regret: but he yielded completely; and there was no
prevailing on him to take a step in the way of moving upward, when he found
he must, necessarily, sink beneath his former level. Then personal appearance
sympathised with mental deterioration: he acquired a slouching gait and
ignoble look; his naturally reserved disposition was exaggerated into an almost
idiotic excess of unsociable moroseness; and he took a grim pleasure,
apparently, in exciting the aversion rather than the esteem of his few
acquaintance.
Catherine and he were constant companions still at his seasons of respite
from labour; but he had ceased to express his fondness for her in words, and
recoiled with angry suspicion from her girlish caresses, as if conscious there
could be no gratification in lavishing such marks of affection on him. On the
before-named occasion he came into the house to announce his intention of
doing nothing, while I was assisting Miss Cathy to arrange her dress: she had not
reckoned on his taking it into his head to be idle; and imagining she would have
the whole place to herself, she managed, by some means, to inform Mr. Edgar of
her brother's absence, and was then preparing to receive him.

Thesaurus
chastened: (v) lamblike, resigned, ignoble: (adj) contemptible, abject, petulance, surliness, sulk.
content; (adj) refined, reprimanded, base, dishonorable, disgraceful, ANTONYM: (n) cheeriness.
rebuked, reproved, subdued, beggarly, mean, humble, degraded, repulsiveness: (n) dreadfulness,
contrite, remorseful. despicable, caddish. ANTONYMS: disgustedness, distastefulness,
gait: (n, v) pace, step, tread, footstep, (adj) honorable, glorious. vileness, unsightliness,
rate, stride, action; (n) walk, carriage, ill-natured: (adj) cantankerous, unpleasantness, unattractiveness,
movement, velocity. peevish, sour, surly, catty, crabbed, ugliness, odiousness, deformity,
idiotic: (adj) absurd, foolish, fatuous, gruff, disagreeable, malignant, nefariousness. ANTONYMS: (n)
imbecile, crazy, stupid, ridiculous, malicious, malevolent. loveliness, pleasantness, pull.
mindless, silly, unwise, daft. moroseness: (n) glumness, sullenness, slouching: (adj) clumsy, gross, rough,
ANTONYMS: (adj) wise, genius, grumpiness, sullen, asperity, rude, rugged, awkward, slouchy,
clever. moodiness, tartness, gloom, rickety, slumped.
72 Wuthering Heights

'Cathy, are you busy this afternoon?' asked Heathcliff. 'Are you going
anywhere?'
'No, it is raining,' she answered.%
'Why have you that silk frock on, then?' he said. 'Nobody coming here, I
hope?'
'Not that I know of,' stammered Miss: 'but you should be in the field now,
Heathcliff. It is an hour past dinnertime: I thought you were gone.'
'Hindley does not often free us from his accursed presence,' observed the
boy. 'I'll not work any more to-day: I'll stay with you.'
'Oh, but Joseph will tell,' she suggested; 'you'd better go!'
'Joseph is loading lime on the further side of Penistone Crags; it will take him
till dark, and he'll never know.'
So, saying, he lounged to the fire, and sat down. Catherine reflected an
instant, with knitted brows - she found it needful to smooth the way for an
intrusion. 'Isabella and Edgar Linton talked of calling this afternoon,' she said, at
the conclusion of a minute's silence. 'As it rains, I hardly expect them; but they
may come, and if they do, you run the risk of being scolded for no good.'
'Order Ellen to say you are engaged, Cathy,' he persisted; 'don't turn me out
for those pitiful, silly friends of yours! I'm on the point, sometimes, of
complaining that they - but I'll not - '
'That they what?' cried Catherine, gazing at him with a troubled countenance.
'Oh, Nelly!' she added petulantly, jerking her head away from my hands,
'you've combed my hair quite out of curl! That's enough; let me alone. What are
you on the point of complaining about, Heathcliff?'
'Nothing - only look at the almanack on that wall;' he pointed to a framed
sheet hanging near the window, and continued, 'The crosses are for the evenings
you have spent with the Lintons, the dots for those spent with me. Do you see?
I've marked every day.'

Thesaurus
accursed: (adj) execrable, abominable, frock: (n) dress, gown, clothing, attire, sulkily, querulously, pettishly,
detestable, accurst, hateful, damned, robe, kirtle, habit, clothes, coat, irritably, snappishly, morosely,
damnable, maledict, blasted; (v) chemise, caftan. tetchily, crossly, sullenly.
atrocious, stranded. jerking: (adj) arrhythmic, ANTONYMS: (adv) calmly, lightly.
curl: (n, v) crimp, loop, kink, roll, arrhythmical, jerky, unsteady; (n) pitiful: (adj, n) abject; (adj) pathetic,
wave; (adj, v) bow; (adj, n) lock, tress; movement, jolt, dork, jar. lamentable, piteous, contemptible,
(v) crinkle, fold; (adj) crisp. needful: (adj) necessary, essential, miserable, distressing, mean,
ANTONYMS: (v) align, straighten, indispensable, required, needed, wretched, poor, sad. ANTONYMS:
uncurl, unwind. mandatory, exigent, needy; (adj, v) (adj) generous, heartwarming,
dinnertime: (n) breakfast time, requisite; (n) necessity, almighty admirable, cheerful, fine, happy,
mealtime, lunchtime, meal, dollar. impressive.
suppertime. petulantly: (adv) testily, impatiently, rains: (n) wet.
Emily Brontë 73

'Yes - very foolish: as if I took notice!' replied Catherine, in a peevish tone.


'And where is the sense of that?'
'To show that I DO take notice,' said Heathcliff.%
'And should I always be sitting with you?' she demanded, growing more
irritated. 'What good do I get? What do you talk about? You might be dumb, or
a baby, for anything you say to amuse me, or for anything you do, either!'
'You never told me before that I talked too little, or that you disliked my
company, Cathy!' exclaimed Heathcliff, in much agitation.
'It's no company at all, when people know nothing and say nothing,' she
muttered.
Her companion rose up, but he hadn't time to express his feelings further, for
a horse's feet were heard on the flags, and having knocked gently, young Linton
entered, his face brilliant with delight at the unexpected summon she had
received. Doubtless Catherine marked the difference between her friends, as one
came in and the other went out. The contrast resembled what you see in
exchanging a bleak, hilly, coal country for a beautiful fertile valley; and his voice
and greeting were as opposite as his aspect. He had a sweet, low manner of
speaking, and pronounced his words as you do: that's less gruff than we talk
here, and softer.
'I'm not come too soon, am I?' he said, casting a look at me: I had begun to
wipe the plate, and tidy some drawers at the far end in the dresser.
'No,' answered Catherine. 'What are you doing there, Nelly?'
'My work, Miss,' I replied. (Mr. Hindley had given me directions to make a
third party in any private visits Linton chose to pay.)
She stepped behind me and whispered crossly, 'Take yourself and your
dusters off; when company are in the house, servants don't commence scouring
and cleaning in the room where they are!'

Thesaurus
amuse: (v) please, beguile, absorb, lightly. mountainous, cragged, rough, rocky,
entertain, enjoy, disport, distract, dresser: (n) cabinet, chest of drawers, lofty, irregular, tumulous, knobby,
delight, occupy, recreate, rejoice. bureau, commode, chest, sideboard, unsmooth. ANTONYM: (adj) flat.
ANTONYMS: (v) bore, dull, tire, chiffonier, toilet table, assistant, irritated: (adj) annoyed, exasperated,
annoy, anger, cloy, depress, weary, dressing table, table. incensed, enraged, aggravated,
disappoint. gruff: (adj) bluff, abrupt, curt, crusty, furious, irate, inflamed, sore,
crossly: (adv) grumpily, grouchily, brusque, brutal, husky; (adj, v) coarse, displeased, provoked. ANTONYMS:
angrily, petulantly, sullenly, rough, hoarse, harsh. ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, pleased, patient,
peevishly, sulkily, crabbily, (adj) courteous, friendly, high, contented.
contrarily, furiously, transversely. velvety, smooth, mellow, gentle, wipe: (n, v) rub; (v) mop, clean, towel,
ANTONYMS: (adv) cheerfully, civil, polite. brush, scour, scrub, clear, dry, wash;
contentedly, pleasantly, calmly, hilly: (adj) steep, rugged, (adj) sponge. ANTONYM: (v) dirty.
74 Wuthering Heights

'It's a good opportunity, now that master is away,' I answered aloud: 'he
hates me to be fidgeting over these things in his presence. I'm sure Mr. Edgar
will excuse me.'
'I hate you to be fidgeting in MY presence,' exclaimed the young lady
imperiously, not allowing her guest time to speak: she had failed to recover her
equanimity since the little dispute with Heathcliff.%
'I'm sorry for it, Miss Catherine,' was my response; and I proceeded
assiduously with my occupation.
She, supposing Edgar could not see her, snatched the cloth from my hand,
and pinched me, with a prolonged wrench, very spitefully on the arm. I've said I
did not love her, and rather relished mortifying her vanity now and then:
besides, she hurt me extremely; so I started up from my knees, and screamed out,
'Oh, Miss, that's a nasty trick! You have no right to nip me, and I'm not going to
bear it.'
'I didn't touch you, you lying creature!' cried she, her fingers tingling to
repeat the act, and her ears red with rage. She never had power to conceal her
passion, it always set her whole complexion in a blaze.
'What's that, then?' I retorted, showing a decided purple witness to refute her.
She stamped her foot, wavered a moment, and then, irresistibly impelled by
the naughty spirit within her, slapped me on the cheek: a stinging blow that
filled both eyes with water.
'Catherine, love! Catherine!' interposed Linton, greatly shocked at the double
fault of falsehood and violence which his idol had committed.
'Leave the room, Ellen!' she repeated, trembling all over.
Little Hareton, who followed me everywhere, and was sitting near me on the
floor, at seeing my tears commenced crying himself, and sobbed out complaints
against 'wicked aunt Cathy,' which drew her fury on to his unlucky head: she
seized his shoulders, and shook him till the poor child waxed livid, and Edgar
thoughtlessly laid hold of her hands to deliver him. In an instant one was
wrung free, and the astonished young man felt it applied over his own ear in a
Thesaurus
falsehood: (n) fable, fabrication, authoritatively, domineeringly, stinging. ANTONYM: (adj) dignified.
deception, untruth, lie, fib, fiction, insolently. ANTONYMS: (adv) thoughtlessly: (adv) carelessly,
invention, dishonesty; (adj, n) deceit, meekly, feebly. inconsiderately, heedlessly, rashly,
falsity. ANTONYMS: (n) fact, irresistibly: (adv) charmingly, imprudently, inattentively, hastily,
honesty, reality. necessarily, overwhelmingly, negligently, indiscreetly,
impelled: (adj) prompted, provoked, charismatically, fiercely, temptingly, unheedingly; (adj, adv) foolishly.
determined, compulsive, encouraged, overpoweringly, appealingly, ANTONYMS: (adv) considerately,
goaded, motivated, bound. beguilingly. carefully, cautiously, prudently,
imperiously: (adv) overbearingly, mortifying: (adj) embarrassing, sensibly, wisely.
arrogantly, commandingly, demeaning, humbling, undignified, wrench: (n, v) pull, jerk, strain, turn,
magisterially, dictatorially, off, awkward, unpleasant; (v) twist, tug, yank; (n) spanner; (v)
masterfully, haughtily, imperatively, annoying, aggravating, irritating, distort, contort, force.
Emily Brontë 75

way that could not be mistaken for jest. He drew back in consternation. I lifted
Hareton in my arms, and walked off to the kitchen with him, leaving the door of
communication open, for I was curious to watch how they would settle their
disagreement. The insulted visitor moved to the spot where he had laid his hat,
pale and with a quivering lip.%
'That's right!' I said to myself. 'Take warning and begone! It's a kindness to
let you have a glimpse of her genuine disposition.'
'Where are you going?' demanded Catherine, advancing to the door.
He swerved aside, and attempted to pass.
'You must not go!' she exclaimed, energetically.
'I must and shall!' he replied in a subdued voice.
'No,' she persisted, grasping the handle; 'not yet, Edgar Linton: sit down; you
shall not leave me in that temper. I should be miserable all night, and I won't be
miserable for you!'
'Can I stay after you have struck me?' asked Linton.
Catherine was mute.
'You've made me afraid and ashamed of you,' he continued; 'I'll not come
here again!'
Her eyes began to glisten and her lids to twinkle.
'And you told a deliberate untruth!' he said.
'I didn't!' she cried, recovering her speech; 'I did nothing deliberately. Well,
go, if you please - get away! And now I'll cry - I'll cry myself sick!'
She dropped down on her knees by a chair, and set to weeping in serious
earnest. Edgar persevered in his resolution as far as the court; there he lingered.
I resolved to encourage him.
'Miss is dreadfully wayward, sir,' I called out. 'As bad as any marred child:
you'd better be riding home, or else she will be sick, only to grieve us.'

Thesaurus
begone: (int) shoo, scat, out, off, strongly, actively, briskly, lustily, deplore, bemoan, fret, bewail.
avaunt; (v) take off, get out, clear out; forcefully, lively, forcibly, ANTONYMS: (v) rejoice, celebrate,
(adv) aside, absent. powerfully, spiritedly, strenuously. encourage.
dreadfully: (adj, adv) frightfully, ANTONYMS: (adv) idly, quietly, insulted: (adj) affronted, offended,
shockingly; (adv) fearfully, lifelessly, resignedly, indifferently, injured, huffy.
appallingly, hideously, horrendously, feebly, wearily, languorously, lazily, jest: (n) gag, gibe, quip, game; (n, v)
horribly, atrociously, ghastly, sluggishly, passively. jape; (v) banter, jeer, deride, gird,
tremendously, horridly. glisten: (n, v) gleam, sparkle, flash, sneer, clown.
ANTONYMS: (adv) pleasantly, glance, shimmer, glitter, glister; (v) twinkle: (n, v) flash, gleam, shimmer,
wonderfully, happily, hardly, glimmer, beam, coruscate, glint. glimmer, glisten, glitter, scintillate,
superbly, well. grieve: (n, v) distress, aggrieve, afflict, wink; (adj, n, v) flicker; (v) shine,
energetically: (adv) vigorously, sorrow, annoy; (v) trouble, lament, blink.
76 Wuthering Heights

The soft thing looked askance through the window: he possessed the power
to depart as much as a cat possesses the power to leave a mouse half killed, or a
bird half eaten. Ah, I thought, there will be no saving him: he's doomed, and
flies to his fate! And so it was: he turned abruptly, hastened into the house
again, shut the door behind him; and when I went in a while after to inform them
that Earnshaw had come home rabid drunk, ready to pull the whole place about
our ears (his ordinary frame of mind in that condition), I saw the quarrel had
merely effected a closer intimacy - had broken the outworks of youthful timidity,
and enabled them to forsake the disguise of friendship, and confess themselves
lovers.%
Intelligence of Mr. Hindley's arrival drove Linton speedily to his horse, and
Catherine to her chamber. I went to hide little Hareton, and to take the shot out
of the master's fowling-piece, which he was fond of playing with in his insane
excitement, to the hazard of the lives of any who provoked, or even attracted his
notice too much; and I had hit upon the plan of removing it, that he might do less
mischief if he did go the length of firing the gun.

Thesaurus
askance: (adj) asquint, awry, askant, abdicate, fail, leave, forgo, chuck, obedience, beneficence, help.
sidelong, oblique, indirect, squint; disclaim; (n, v) drop; (adj, v) quit. rabid: (adj) mad, fanatical, fanatic,
(adv) suspiciously, obliquely, ANTONYM: (v) support. enthusiastic, frantic, insane, frenzied,
mistrustfully, edgewise. ANTONYM: hastened: (adj) careless. extreme; (v) fierce, fiery; (adj, v) wild.
(adv) trustingly. insane: (adj) foolish, daft, demented, ANTONYMS: (adj) happy, moderate.
depart: (v) go, deviate, decease, mad, delirious, lunatic, fool, timidity: (n) shyness, fear,
diverge, start, stray, wander, leave, moonstruck, frantic, idiotic, nutty. bashfulness, nervousness, reserve,
die, vary, part. ANTONYMS: (v) stay, ANTONYM: (adj) sensible. cowardice, fearfulness, timidness,
arrive, enter, come, abide, conform, mischief: (adj, n) evil, hurt, harm; (n) modesty, humility, coyness.
continue, remain, appear, converge, damage, ill, detriment, disadvantage, ANTONYMS: (n) confidence,
return. devilry, caper, devilment, boastfulness, swagger, brashness,
forsake: (v) abandon, ditch, relinquish, maleficence. ANTONYMS: (n) security.
Emily Brontë 77

CHAPTER IX

HE entered, vociferating oaths dreadful to hear; and caught me in the act of


stowing his son sway in the kitchen cupboard. Hareton was impressed with a
wholesome terror of encountering either his wild beast's fondness or his
madman's rage; for in one he ran a chance of being squeezed and kissed to death,
and in the other of being flung into the fire, or dashed against the wall; and the
poor thing remained perfectly quiet wherever I chose to put him.%
'There, I've found it out at last!' cried Hindley, pulling me back by the skin of
my neck, like a dog. 'By heaven and hell, you've sworn between you to murder
that child! I know how it is, now, that he is always out of my way. But, with the
help of Satan, I shall make you swallow the carving-knife, Nelly! You needn't
laugh; for I've just crammed Kenneth, head-downmost, in the Black- horse
marsh; and two is the same as one - and I want to kill some of you: I shall have
no rest till I do!'
'But I don't like the carving-knife, Mr. Hindley,' I answered; 'it has been
cutting red herrings. I'd rather be shot, if you please.'
'You'd rather be damned!' he said; 'and so you shall. No law in England can
hinder a man from keeping his house decent, and mine's abominable! Open
your mouth.' He held the knife in his hand, and pushed its point between my
teeth: but, for my part, I was never much afraid of his vagaries. I spat out, and
affirmed it tasted detestably - I would not take it on any account.

Thesaurus
affirmed: (adj) acknowledged, damnably. lurch, shake; (n) reign. ANTONYMS:
avowed, guaranteed. herrings: (n) family Clupeidae, etc, (v) stay, dissuade, discourage.
crammed: (adj) packed, full, Clupeidae. vagaries: (n) whims, disposition,
overcrowded, chock-full, stuffed, spat: (n, v) squabble, altercation, tiff, facetiousness, freaks, humor, ill
jammed, brimming, congested, bicker, dispute, wrangle, row; (n) humor, mood, temper, caprices.
overflowing, saturated, teeming. gaiter, argument, bickering, fuss. wholesome: (adj) healthy, beneficial,
dashed: (v) ashamed, cut up, sunk; ANTONYM: (n) agreement. salubrious, healthful, salutary, sound,
(adj) broken, done for, dejected, stowing: (n) stow, pack, storeroom, good, nutritious, nourishing, pure,
discouraged, dotted. gobbing, storage, storage room, hale. ANTONYMS: (adj)
detestably: (adv) abysmally, terribly, stowed goaf. unwholesome, unhealthy, impure,
appallingly, curstfully, awfully, sway: (n, v) command, rule, control, indecent, sordid, warped, tainted,
odiously, repulsively, atrociously, rock, stagger, roll; (v) oscillate, reel, decadent, deadly, unsavory.
78 Wuthering Heights

'Oh!' said he, releasing me, 'I see that hideous little villain is not Hareton: I
beg your pardon, Nell. If it be, he deserves flaying alive for not running to
welcome me, and for screaming as if I were a goblin. Unnatural cub, come
hither! I'll teach thee to impose on a good-hearted, deluded father. Now, don't
you think the lad would be handsomer cropped? It makes a dog fiercer, and I
love something fierce - get me a scissors - something fierce and trim! Besides, it's
infernal affectation - devilish conceit it is, to cherish our ears - we're asses
enough without them. Hush, child, hush! Well then, it is my darling! wisht, dry
thy eyes - there's a joy; kiss me. What! it won't? Kiss me, Hareton! Damn thee,
kiss me! By God, as if I would rear such a monster! As sure as I'm living, I'll
break the brat's neck.'
Poor Hareton was squalling and kicking in his father's arms with all his
might, and redoubled his yells when he carried him up- stairs and lifted him
over the banister. I cried out that he would frighten the child into fits, and ran to
rescue him. As I reached them, Hindley leant forward on the rails to listen to a
noise below; almost forgetting what he had in his hands. 'Who is that?' he asked,
hearing some one approaching the stairs'-foot. I leant forward also, for the
purpose of signing to Heathcliff, whose step I recognised, not to come further;
and, at the instant when my eye quitted Hareton, he gave a sudden spring,
delivered himself from the careless grasp that held him, and fell.%
There was scarcely time to experience a thrill of horror before we saw that the
little wretch was safe. Heathcliff arrived underneath just at the critical moment;
by a natural impulse he arrested his descent, and setting him on his feet, looked
up to discover the author of the accident. A miser who has parted with a lucky
lottery ticket for five shillings, and finds next day he has lost in the bargain five
thousand pounds, could not show a blanker countenance than he did on
beholding the figure of Mr. Earnshaw above. It expressed, plainer than words
could do, the intensest anguish at having made himself the instrument of
thwarting his own revenge. Had it been dark, I daresay he would have tried to
remedy the mistake by smashing Hareton's skull on the steps; but, we witnessed

Thesaurus
affectation: (n) pretension, feint, pose, fancy, haughtiness, conception, virtuous.
display, airs, affectedness, caprice, quip. ANTONYMS: (n) ears: (n) antenna.
ostentation, show, pretense, humility, timidity, selflessness, goblin: (n) fairy, gnome, phantom,
mannerism, sham. ANTONYMS: (n) humbleness, reserve. apparition, brownie, monster, sprite,
artlessness, honesty, modesty. cropped: (adj) close. ghost, fiend, bogy, pixie.
asses: (n) equidae. deluded: (adj) besotted, mistaken. redoubled: (adj) ingeminate.
banister: (n) baluster, bar, handrail, devilish: (adj, v) diabolic, satanic, squalling: (adj) unquiet.
parapet, bannister, rail, railing, infernal, mephistophelian, thwarting: (n) defeat, foiling,
balusters, breastwork, stanchion, demoniacal; (adj) demonic, wicked, precaution, prepossession; (adj)
guardrail. diabolical, terrific; (v) Stygian; (adv) frustrative, frustrating, not parallel,
conceit: (n) pretension, vanity, self- devilishly. ANTONYMS: (adj) oblique, perverse, mutually inverse;
esteem, pride, assumption, egotism, cherubic, godlike, good, saintly, (v) obstruction.
Emily Brontë 79

his salvation; and I was presently below with my precious charge pressed to my
heart. Hindley descended more leisurely, sobered and abashed.%
'It is your fault, Ellen,' he said; 'you should have kept him out of sight: you
should have taken him from me! Is he injured anywhere?'
'Injured!' I cried angrily; 'if he is not killed, he'll be an idiot! Oh! I wonder his
mother does not rise from her grave to see how you use him. You're worse than
a heathen - treating your own flesh and blood in that manner!' He attempted to
touch the child, who, on finding himself with me, sobbed off his terror directly.
At the first finger his father laid on him, however, he shrieked again louder than
before, and struggled as if he would go into convulsions.
'You shall not meddle with him!' I continued. 'He hates you - they all hate
you - that's the truth! A happy family you have; and a pretty state you're come
to!'
'I shall come to a prettier, yet, Nelly,' laughed the misguided man, recovering
his hardness. 'At present, convey yourself and him away. And hark you,
Heathcliff! clear you too quite from my reach and hearing. I wouldn't murder
you to-night; unless, perhaps, I set the house on fire: but that's as my fancy goes.'
While saying this he took a pint bottle of brandy from the dresser, and
poured some into a tumbler.
'Nay, don't!' I entreated. 'Mr. Hindley, do take warning. Have mercy on this
unfortunate boy, if you care nothing for yourself!'
'Any one will do better for him than I shall,' he answered.
'Have mercy on your own soul!' I said, endeavouring to snatch the glass from
his hand.
'Not I! On the contrary, I shall have great pleasure in sending it to perdition
to punish its Maker,' exclaimed the blasphemer. 'Here's to its hearty damnation!'
He drank the spirits and impatiently bade us go; terminating his command
with a sequel of horrid imprecations too bad to repeat or remember.

Thesaurus
blasphemer: (adj) scoffer. godless, barbaric. (n) hell, inferno, infernal region,
hark: (v) harken, hear, hearken, heed, horrid: (adj) grisly, ghastly, ugly, nether region, deperdition, bane,
listen in; (n) look here, look you, look. gruesome, grim, fearful, dreadful, destruction, overthrow. ANTONYM:
hearty: (adj) heartfelt, healthy, genial, direful, dire, horrible, fearsome. (n) heaven.
sturdy, cheering, fervent, ANTONYMS: (adj) lovely, nice, snatch: (n, v) pinch, snap, catch, grip;
wholehearted, lusty, enthusiastic, appealing, attractive, kind. (v) abduct, clutch, kidnap, seize, jerk,
convivial; (adj, n) well. ANTONYMS: misguided: (adj) erroneous, mistaken, capture, pluck. ANTONYM: (v)
(adj) unhealthy, frail, old, weak, false, foolish, unwise, incorrect, release.
sluggish, unwholesome, meager. imprudent, injudicious, perverted, terminating: (adj) final, ending,
heathen: (adj, n) gentile, ethnic; (n) flawed, faulty. ANTONYMS: (adj) conclusive, dying, determining,
infidel, idolater, paynim, heretic; (adj) correct, sensible. terminative, last, expiring, decisive,
heathenish, irreligious, giaour, perdition: (adj, n) downfall, fall, ruin; expiring groans; (n) termination.
80 Wuthering Heights

'It's a pity he cannot kill himself with drink,' observed Heathcliff, muttering
an echo of curses back when the door was shut. 'He's doing his very utmost; but
his constitution defies him. Mr. Kenneth says he would wager his mare that he'll
outlive any man on this side Gimmerton, and go to the grave a hoary sinner;
unless some happy chance out of the common course befall him.'
I went into the kitchen, and sat down to lull my little lamb to sleep.
Heathcliff, as I thought, walked through to the barn. It turned out afterwards
that he only got as far as the other side the settle, when he flung himself on a
bench by the wall, removed from the fire and remained silent.%
I was rocking Hareton on my knee, and humming a song that began, -
It was far in the night, and the bairnies grat, The mither beneath the mools
heard that,
when Miss Cathy, who had listened to the hubbub from her room, put her
head in, and whispered, - 'Are you alone, Nelly?'
'Yes, Miss,' I replied.
She entered and approached the hearth. I, supposing she was going to say
something, looked up. The expression of her face seemed disturbed and anxious.
Her lips were half asunder, as if she meant to speak, and she drew a breath; but
it escaped in a sigh instead of a sentence. I resumed my song; not having
forgotten her recent behaviour.
'Where's Heathcliff?' she said, interrupting me.
'About his work in the stable,' was my answer.
He did not contradict me; perhaps he had fallen into a doze. There followed
another long pause, during which I perceived a drop or two trickle from
Catherine's cheek to the flags. Is she sorry for her shameful conduct? - I asked
myself. That will be a novelty: but she may come to the point - as she will - I
sha'n't help her! No, she felt small trouble regarding any subject, save her own
concerns.
'Oh, dear!' she cried at last. 'I'm very unhappy!'

Thesaurus
asunder: (adj, v) separate; (adv) aside, humming: (adj) droning, zippy, black. ANTONYMS: (adj) honorable,
in two; (adj, adv) in Twain; (adj) loose, reeking, bustling, grunting, stinking; noble, dignified, admirable, faultless,
distant, adrift, aloof; (v) discrete, far (n) buzzing, vocalizing, sound, reputable, glorious, compassionate,
between, free. ANTONYM: (adv) murmur, growling. praiseworthy, commendable,
together. outlive: (v) survive, live, endure, excellent.
befall: (v) bechance, become, happen, overlive, live through, make it, sinner: (n) criminal, miscreant, culprit,
fall, arise, come about, occur, betide, overbide, overcome, remain, sinful, trespasser, transgressor,
chance, transpire, pass. supervive, subsist. evildoer, magdalen, rascal, villain,
concerns: (n) dealings, affairs. shameful: (adj) scandalous, sinners.
hoary: (adj) ancient, hoar, old, white, dishonorable, opprobrious, shocking, wager: (n, v) stake, hazard, risk,
grey, elderly, musty, dull, canescent, ignominious, disreputable, venture, gamble, chance; (v) lay,
antique, archaic. despicable; (adj, v) foul, base, gross, pledge, pawn, play; (n) stakes.
Emily Brontë 81

'A pity,' observed I. 'You're hard to please; so many friends and so few cares,
and can't make yourself content!'
'Nelly, will you keep a secret for me?' she pursued, kneeling down by me,
and lifting her winsome eyes to my face with that sort of look which turns off
bad temper, even when one has all the right in the world to indulge it.%
'Is it worth keeping?' I inquired, less sulkily.
'Yes, and it worries me, and I must let it out! I want to know what I should
do. To-day, Edgar Linton has asked me to marry him, and I've given him an
answer. Now, before I tell you whether it was a consent or denial, you tell me
which it ought to have been.'
'Really, Miss Catherine, how can I know?' I replied. 'To be sure, considering
the exhibition you performed in his presence this afternoon, I might say it would
be wise to refuse him: since he asked you after that, he must either be hopelessly
stupid or a venturesome fool.'
'If you talk so, I won't tell you any more,' she returned, peevishly rising to
her feet. 'I accepted him, Nelly. Be quick, and say whether I was wrong!'
'You accepted him! Then what good is it discussing the matter? You have
pledged your word, and cannot retract.'
'But say whether I should have done so - do!' she exclaimed in an irritated
tone; chafing her hands together, and frowning.
'There are many things to be considered before that question can be answered
properly,' I said, sententiously. 'First and foremost, do you love Mr. Edgar?'
'Who can help it? Of course I do,' she answered.
Then I put her through the following catechism: for a girl of twenty-two it
was not injudicious.
'Why do you love him, Miss Cathy?'
'Nonsense, I do - that's sufficient.'
'By no means; you must say why?'
'Well, because he is handsome, and pleasant to be with.'
Thesaurus
catechism: (n) interrogation, creed, judicious, discreet, advisable. resentfully, angrily. ANTONYMS:
education, question, test; (v) peevishly: (adv) querulously, tetchily, (adv) cheerily, gladly.
challenge. fractiously, sullenly, sulkily, testily, venturesome: (adj, n) hazardous,
chafing: (n) abrasion, soreness, moodily, touchily, crossly, surly, adventurous, bold, brave, venturous,
tenderness, rubbing, resistance, morosely. ANTONYMS: (adv) courageous, fearless, foolhardy; (adj)
roughness; (v) irritate, to chafe; (adj) cheerfully, pleasantly, calmly. audacious, adventuresome, risky.
impatient. sententiously: (adv) concisely, ANTONYMS: (adj) dull, cowardly,
injudicious: (adj) foolish, unwise, succinctly, laconically, pithily, briefly, afraid, safe, cautious.
indiscreet, unadvised, careless, aphoristically, shortly, tersely. winsome: (adj, v) winning; (adj)
improper, thoughtless, rash, hasty, sulkily: (adv) morosely, glumly, charming, engaging, fetching, sweet,
ill-judged, incautious. ANTONYMS: peevishly, crossly, grumpily, comely, cheerful, merry, buxom,
(adj) wise, sensible, careful, prudent, petulantly, moodily, gloomily, surly, enchanting, lovable.
82 Wuthering Heights

'Bad!' was my commentary.%


'And because he is young and cheerful.'
'Bad, still.'
'And because he loves me.'
'Indifferent, coming there.'
'And he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the
neighbourhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband.'
'Worst of all. And now, say how you love him?'
'As everybody loves - You're silly, Nelly.'
'Not at all - Answer.'
'I love the ground under his feet, and the air over his head, and everything he
touches, and every word he says. I love all his looks, and all his actions, and him
entirely and altogether. There now!'
'And why?'
'Nay; you are making a jest of it: it is exceedingly ill-natured! It's no jest to
me!' said the young lady, scowling, and turning her face to the fire.
'I'm very far from jesting, Miss Catherine,' I replied. 'You love Mr. Edgar
because he is handsome, and young, and cheerful, and rich, and loves you. The
last, however, goes for nothing: you would love him without that, probably; and
with it you wouldn't, unless he possessed the four former attractions.'
'No, to be sure not: I should only pity him - hate him, perhaps, if he were
ugly, and a clown.'
'But there are several other handsome, rich young men in the world:
handsomer, possibly, and richer than he is. What should hinder you from loving
them?'
'If there be any, they are out of my way: I've seen none like Edgar.'
'You may see some; and he won't always be handsome, and young, and may
not always be rich.'

Thesaurus
cheerful: (adj, v) buoyant; (adj) breezy, insufficiently, somewhat. neighbourhood: (n) neighborhood,
merry, optimistic, pleasant, glad, jesting: (adj) jocular, jocose, facetious, adjacency, locality, near, nearness,
blithe, carefree, bright, lively, happy. humorous, playful; (n) banter, proximity, place, community, street,
ANTONYMS: (adj) depressed, humor, comedy, pleasantry, fun, vicinity, nearby.
gloomy, sad, depressing, grim, joke. ANTONYM: (n) tragedy. possessed: (adj) mad, obsessed,
hopeless, miserable, morose, somber, loving: (adj) fond, devoted, amorous, frantic, hysterical, furious, fanatical,
dejected, unwelcoming. kind, friendly, ardent, attached, infatuated, insane; (v) ought, owed,
exceedingly: (adj, adv) very, highly; admiring, gentle, fatherly; (adj, v) behoove. ANTONYM: (adj)
(adv) too, exceptionally, overly, tender. ANTONYMS: (adj) cold, uninterested.
surpassingly, extraordinarily, greatly, uncaring, malicious, cruel, unloving, scowling: (adj) frowning, angry, dire,
awfully, terrifically, eminently. rough, paternal, indifferent, distant, frowny, grim, threatening, ugly,
ANTONYMS: (adv) slightly, hardly, disapproving, callous. unfriendly, dark.
Emily Brontë 83

'He is now; and I have only to do with the present. I wish you would speak
rationally.'
'Well, that settles it: if you have only to do with the present, marry Mr.
Linton.'
'I don't want your permission for that - I SHALL marry him: and yet you
have not told me whether I'm right.'
'Perfectly right; if people be right to marry only for the present. And now, let
us hear what you are unhappy about. Your brother will be pleased; the old lady
and gentleman will not object, I think; you will escape from a disorderly,
comfortless home into a wealthy, respectable one; and you love Edgar, and
Edgar loves you. All seems smooth and easy: where is the obstacle?'
'HERE! and HERE!' replied Catherine, striking one hand on her forehead, and
the other on her breast: 'in whichever place the soul lives. In my soul and in my
heart, I'm convinced I'm wrong!'
'That's very strange! I cannot make it out.'
'It's my secret. But if you will not mock at me, I'll explain it: I can't do it
distinctly; but I'll give you a feeling of how I feel.'
She seated herself by me again: her countenance grew sadder and graver,
and her clasped hands trembled.%
'Nelly, do you never dream queer dreams?' she said, suddenly, after some
minutes' reflection.
'Yes, now and then,' I answered.
'And so do I. I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever
after, and changed my ideas: they've gone through and through me, like wine
through water, and altered the colour of my mind. And this is one: I'm going to
tell it - but take care not to smile at any part of it.'
'Oh! don't, Miss Catherine!' I cried. 'We're dismal enough without conjuring
up ghosts and visions to perplex us. Come, come, be merry and like yourself!

Thesaurus
comfortless: (adj) dreary, desolate, bright, happy, lively, uplifting, fashion; (n) engraver, graving tool.
bleak, uncomfortable, inconsolable, sunny, pleasant, light, cheery, strong, lives: (n) life, living, estate, existence,
gloomy, lonely; (adj, v) disconsolate, soulful, wonderful. earnest living.
forlorn; (v) joyless, sick at heart. disorderly: (adj) wild, disordered, perplex: (adj, v) confuse, puzzle; (v)
conjuring: (n) magic, hocus-pocus, chaotic, boisterous, jumbled, amaze, mystify, astonish, nonplus,
incantation, sorcery, witchcraft, disorganized, unruly, rowdy, untidy, complicate, confound, disconcert,
sleight of hand, adjuration, figgum, irregular; (adj, v) lawless. bother, get. ANTONYMS: (v)
conjury, evocation; (adj) magical. ANTONYMS: (adj) orderly, neat, simplify, clarify, enlighten, placate,
dismal: (adj) cheerless, dejected, arranged, peaceful, organized, explain.
dreary, gloomy, desolate, systematized, conforming, ordered, sadder: (adj) doleful.
disconsolate, depressing, melancholy, restrained, behaved, coherent. whichever: (adv) any; (adj) a few, one,
black, dim, dull. ANTONYMS: (adj) graver: (v) style, denominate, entitle, several, some.
84 Wuthering Heights

Look at little Hareton! HE'S dreaming nothing dreary. How sweetly he smiles in
his sleep!'
'Yes; and how sweetly his father curses in his solitude! You remember him, I
daresay, when he was just such another as that chubby thing: nearly as young
and innocent. However, Nelly, I shall oblige you to listen: it's not long; and I've
no power to be merry to-night.'
'I won't hear it, I won't hear it!' I repeated, hastily.%
I was superstitious about dreams then, and am still; and Catherine had an
unusual gloom in her aspect, that made me dread something from which I might
shape a prophecy, and foresee a fearful catastrophe. She was vexed, but she did
not proceed. Apparently taking up another subject, she recommenced in a short
time.
'If I were in heaven, Nelly, I should be extremely miserable.'
'Because you are not fit to go there,' I answered. 'All sinners would be
miserable in heaven.'
'But it is not for that. I dreamt once that I was there.'
'I tell you I won't hearken to your dreams, Miss Catherine! I'll go to bed,' I
interrupted again.
She laughed, and held me down; for I made a motion to leave my chair.
'This is nothing,' cried she: 'I was only going to say that heaven did not seem
to be my home; and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth; and
the angels were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the heath on
the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke sobbing for joy. That will do to
explain my secret, as well as the other. I've no more business to marry Edgar
Linton than I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in there had not
brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldn't have thought of it. It would degrade me to
marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not
because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am.
Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as
different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.'
Thesaurus
chubby: (adj) fat, plump, fleshy, dignify, purify. constrain, make, bind, accommodate,
round, pudgy, stout, chunky, heavy, dreary: (adj) depressing, drab, dull, obligate, necessitate, enforce, impel.
tubby, overweight, ample. cheerless, drear, miserable, gloomy, ANTONYMS: (v) displease, request,
ANTONYMS: (adj) skinny, slim, dark, dismal, stuffy, disconsolate. hinder.
bony, anorexic, slender. ANTONYMS: (adj) interesting, sobbing: (adj) crying, weeping, weepy,
degrade: (v) cheapen, demean, cheerful, sunny, brilliant, lively, light, tearful; (n) lamentation, shortness of
corrupt, decrease, dishonor, exciting, clear, cheery, pleasant, breath, shit, prick, motherfucker, tear,
disparage; (n, v) disgrace, reduce; exotic. lament.
(adj, n, v) abase; (adj, v) debauch, moonbeam: (adj) moonglade; (n) beam superstitious: (adj) superstition, false,
lessen. ANTONYMS: (v) honor, of light, light beam, moonray, groundless, eerie, irrational,
admire, aggrade, elevate, uplift, sunbeam. fallacious.
worship, respect, promote, praise, oblige: (v) coerce, force, drive, woke: (v) arouse.
Emily Brontë 85

Ere this speech ended I became sensible of Heathcliff's presence. Having


noticed a slight movement, I turned my head, and saw him rise from the bench,
and steal out noiselessly. He had listened till he heard Catherine say it would
degrade her to marry him, and then he stayed to hear no further. My
companion, sitting on the ground, was prevented by the back of the settle from
remarking his presence or departure; but I started, and bade her hush!
'Why?' she asked, gazing nervously round.%
'Joseph is here,' I answered, catching opportunely the roll of his cartwheels
up the road; 'and Heathcliff will come in with him. I'm not sure whether he were
not at the door this moment.'
'Oh, he couldn't overhear me at the door!' said she. 'Give me Hareton, while
you get the supper, and when it is ready ask me to sup with you. I want to cheat
my uncomfortable conscience, and be convinced that Heathcliff has no notion of
these things. He has not, has he? He does not know what being in love is!'
'I see no reason that he should not know, as well as you,' I returned; 'and if
you are his choice, he'll be the most unfortunate creature that ever was born! As
soon as you become Mrs. Linton, he loses friend, and love, and all! Have you
considered how you'll bear the separation, and how he'll bear to be quite
deserted in the world? Because, Miss Catherine - '
'He quite deserted! we separated!' she exclaimed, with an accent of
indignation. 'Who is to separate us, pray? They'll meet the fate of Milo! Not as
long as I live, Ellen: for no mortal creature. Every Linton on the face of the earth
might melt into nothing before I could consent to forsake Heathcliff. Oh, that's
not what I intend - that's not what I mean! I shouldn't be Mrs. Linton were such
a price demanded! He'll be as much to me as he has been all his lifetime. Edgar
must shake off his antipathy, and tolerate him, at least. He will, when he learns
my true feelings towards him. Nelly, I see now you think me a selfish wretch;
but did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married, we should be beggars?
whereas, if I marry Linton I can aid Heathcliff to rise, and place him out of my
brother's power.'

Thesaurus
antipathy: (n) animosity, aversion, gazing: (adj) fixed. opportunely: (adv) conveniently,
abomination, abhorrence, dislike, indignation: (n) anger, resentment, expediently, handily, auspiciously,
hatred, distaste, enmity, odium, displeasure, grudge, umbrage, rage, advantageously, fortunately, luckily,
repugnance, repulsion. ANTONYMS: outrage, exasperation, choler, aproposly, favorably, appropriately,
(n) love, attraction, liking, like, dudgeon; (adj, n) wrath. happily. ANTONYMS: (adv)
leaning, regard, appeal, appreciation, ANTONYMS: (n) contentment, inconveniently, unfortunately.
admiration, affection, friendliness. pleasure. overhear: (v) catch, eavesdrop, listen,
cheat: (n, v) trick, con, fake, sham; (n) noiselessly: (adv) silently, soundlessly, overheard, understand, fold up,
fraud, bilk, impostor; (v) defraud, stilly, softly, mutely, delicately, befool, fascinate, entrance, enchant,
beguile, betray, fleece. ANTONYMS: wordlessly, gently, speechlessly; (adj, enamour.
(v) support, repay, help, contribute, adv) stealthily; (adj) noiseless. prevented: (adj) disallowed, barred,
aid. ANTONYMS: (adv) heavily, audibly. banned. ANTONYM: (adj) legitimate.
86 Wuthering Heights

'With your husband's money, Miss Catherine?' I asked. 'You'll find him not
so pliable as you calculate upon: and, though I'm hardly a judge, I think that's
the worst motive you've given yet for being the wife of young Linton.'
'It is not,' retorted she; 'it is the best! The others were the satisfaction of my
whims: and for Edgar's sake, too, to satisfy him. This is for the sake of one who
comprehends in his person my feelings to Edgar and myself. I cannot express it;
but surely you and everybody have a notion that there is or should be an
existence of yours beyond you. What were the use of my creation, if I were
entirely contained here? My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's
miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning: my great thought in
living is himself. If all else perished, and HE remained, I should still continue to
be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to
a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it. - My love for Linton is like the
foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the
trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of
little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I AM Heathcliff! He's always, always
in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself,
but as my own being. So don't talk of our separation again: it is impracticable;
and - '
She paused, and hid her face in the folds of my gown; but I jerked it forcibly
away. I was out of patience with her folly!
'If I can make any sense of your nonsense, Miss,' I said, 'it only goes to
convince me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying; or
else that you are a wicked, unprincipled girl. But trouble me with no more
secrets: I'll not promise to keep them.'
'You'll keep that?' she asked, eagerly.%
'No, I'll not promise,' I repeated.
She was about to insist, when the entrance of Joseph finished our
conversation; and Catherine removed her seat to a corner, and nursed Hareton,
while I made the supper. After it was cooked, my fellow-servant and I began to

Thesaurus
annihilated: (adj) exterminated, lost, (adv) voluntarily, weakly, gently. limber. ANTONYMS: (adj) stiff,
uncreated, wiped out, annihilate; (v) ignorant: (adj) unconscious, unwitting, inflexible, intractable, firm, hard,
perished. rude, illiterate, uneducated, blind, unyielding, wild.
comprehends: (v) comprehend. dull, unaware, uninformed, unprincipled: (adj) abandoned,
folds: (n) laps. unlearned, innocent. ANTONYMS: unscrupulous, depraved, dishonest,
foliage: (n) verdure, foliation, (adj) conscious, versed, cultured, unethical, profligate, dissolute,
greenery, leaf, frond, cotyledon, educated, informed, wary, literate, shameless, unconscionable, vicious,
ramage, tigella, stem, blade, leaves. aware, polite. immoral. ANTONYMS: (adj) ethical,
forcibly: (adv) forcefully, emphatically, marrying: (adj) married. moral, honest, professional.
powerfully, by force, mightily, under pliable: (adj) elastic, ductile, soft, whims: (n) vagaries, freaks, humor, ill
protest, cogently, hard, strongly, malleable, flexile, susceptible, humor, mood, facetiousness,
convincingly, clearly. ANTONYMS: yielding; (adj, v) plastic, lithe, pliant, caprices, disposition, temper.
Emily Brontë 87

quarrel who should carry some to Mr. Hindley; and we didn't settle it till all was
nearly cold. Then we came to the agreement that we would let him ask, if he
wanted any; for we feared particularly to go into his presence when he had been
some time alone.%
'And how isn't that nowt comed in fro' th' field, be this time? What is he
about? girt idle seeght!' demanded the old man, looking round for Heathcliff.
'I'll call him,' I replied. 'He's in the barn, I've no doubt.'
I went and called, but got no answer. On returning, I whispered to Catherine
that he had heard a good part of what she said, I was sure; and told how I saw
him quit the kitchen just as she complained of her brother's conduct regarding
him. She jumped up in a fine fright, flung Hareton on to the settle, and ran to
seek for her friend herself; not taking leisure to consider why she was so flurried,
or how her talk would have affected him. She was absent such a while that
Joseph proposed we should wait no longer. He cunningly conjectured they were
staying away in order to avoid hearing his protracted blessing. They were 'ill
eneugh for ony fahl manners,' he affirmed. And on their behalf he added that
night a special prayer to the usual quarter-of-an-hour's supplication before meat,
and would have tacked another to the end of the grace, had not his young
mistress broken in upon him with a hurried command that he must run down
the road, and, wherever Heathcliff had rambled, find and make him re-enter
directly!
'I want to speak to him, and I MUST, before I go upstairs,' she said. 'And the
gate is open: he is somewhere out of hearing; for he would not reply, though I
shouted at the top of the fold as loud as I could.'
Joseph objected at first; she was too much in earnest, however, to suffer
contradiction; and at last he placed his hat on his head, and walked grumbling
forth. Meantime, Catherine paced up and down the floor, exclaiming - 'I wonder
where he is - I wonder where he can be! What did I say, Nelly? I've forgotten.
Was he vexed at my bad humour this afternoon? Dear! tell me what I've said to
grieve him? I do wish he'd come. I do wish he would!'

Thesaurus
cunningly: (adv) craftily, artfully, indifferent, frivolous. protracted: (adj, v) extended, lingering,
cleverly, ingeniously, trickily, girt: (n, v) girth, girdle; (v) gird, continued; (adj) prolonged, lengthy,
shrewdly, astutely, insidiously, begird, encircle, environ; (n) band, extensive, prolix, chronic,
smartly, foxily, slipperily. belt, zone, cingle; (adj) braced. lengthened, slow, spun out.
ANTONYMS: (adv) ineptly, openly. grumbling: (n) grumble, growling, ANTONYMS: (adj) brief, abrupt,
earnest: (adj, v) devout; (adj) eager, murmur, murmuring, mutter, short, concise, easy.
solemn, heartfelt, diligent, studious, muttering; (adj, n) rumbling; (adv) re-enter: (v) return, come back.
sincere, intense, ardent, staid; (n) grumblingly; (adj) grouchy, grumpy, supplication: (n, v) entreaty,
guarantee. ANTONYMS: (adj) irritable. solicitation; (n) petition, invocation,
flippant, halfhearted, uncertain, nowt: (n) nothing, naught, nought, appeal, request, rogation, plea,
insincere, unimportant, nonchalant, zilch, nada, nobody, cipher, bugger orison, blessing, imploration.
lethargic, apathetic, unenthusiastic, all, zero. walked: (adj) exempt; (v) yode.
88 Wuthering Heights

'What a noise for nothing!' I cried, though rather uneasy myself. 'What a trifle
scares you! It's surely no great cause of alarm that Heathcliff should take a
moonlight saunter on the moors, or even lie too sulky to speak to us in the hay-
loft. I'll engage he's lurking there. See if I don't ferret him out!'
I departed to renew my search; its result was disappointment, and Joseph's
quest ended in the same.%
'Yon lad gets war und war!' observed he on re-entering. 'He's left th' gate at t'
full swing, and Miss's pony has trodden dahn two rigs o' corn, and plottered
through, raight o'er into t' meadow! Hahsomdiver, t' maister 'ull play t' devil to-
morn, and he'll do weel. He's patience itsseln wi' sich careless, offald craters -
patience itsseln he is! Bud he'll not be soa allus - yah's see, all on ye! Yah mun'n't
drive him out of his heead for nowt!'
'Have you found Heathcliff, you ass?' interrupted Catherine. 'Have you been
looking for him, as I ordered?'
'I sud more likker look for th' horse,' he replied. 'It 'ud be to more sense. Bud
I can look for norther horse nur man of a neeght loike this - as black as t'
chimbley! und Heathcliff's noan t' chap to coom at MY whistle - happen he'll be
less hard o' hearing wi' YE!'
It WAS a very dark evening for summer: the clouds appeared inclined to
thunder, and I said we had better all sit down; the approaching rain would be
certain to bring him home without further trouble. However, Catherine would
hot be persuaded into tranquillity. She kept wandering to and fro, from the gate
to the door, in a state of agitation which permitted no repose; and at length took
up a permanent situation on one side of the wall, near the road: where, heedless
of my expostulations and the growling thunder, and the great drops that began
to plash around her, she remained, calling at intervals, and then listening, and
then crying outright. She beat Hareton, or any child, at a good passionate fit of
crying.
About midnight, while we still sat up, the storm came rattling over the
Heights in full fury. There was a violent wind, as well as thunder, and either one

Thesaurus
drops: (n) tear. norther: (n) north wind, northern, saunter: (n, v) ramble, amble, walk,
growling: (adj) grunting, doggish, mistral, khamsin, foehn, blizzard, wander, promenade, hike; (adv, v)
churlish, brutal, guttural, hoarse, bize, bise, barber, Chinook, north. loiter, linger, lag; (v) roam, meander.
husky, peevish; (n) scowling, o'er: (adv) on, upon, across. sulky: (adj) gloomy, grouchy, morose,
glowering. plash: (n, v) splash; (v) pleach, splatter, surly, peevish, moody, dismal, cross,
heedless: (adj) careless, reckless, spatter, swash, interlace, enlace, petulant, crabby; (adj, v) glum.
inattentive, neglectful, negligent, entwine, drip, drop; (n) drizzle. ANTONYMS: (adj) resigned,
thoughtless, rash, regardless, repose: (n, v) recline, peace, lie, calm; cheerful; (n) cheeriness.
unwary, indifferent; (adj, v) wanton. (n) composure, ease, quiet, leisure, trodden: (adj) trampled, damaged,
ANTONYMS: (adj) heedful, attentive, recreation, relaxation; (v) lay. beaten, compressed, packed down.
mindful, conscientious, prudent, ANTONYMS: (n, v) work; (n) ANTONYM: (adj) loose.
careful, cautious. activity, panic, agitation. weel: (n) weil.
Emily Brontë 89

or the other split a tree off at the corner of the building: a huge bough fell across
the roof, and knocked down a portion of the east chimney-stack, sending a clatter
of stones and soot into the kitchen-fire. We thought a bolt had fallen in the
middle of us; and Joseph swung on to his knees, beseeching the Lord to
remember the patriarchs Noah and Lot, and, as in former times, spare the
righteous, though he smote the ungodly. I felt some sentiment that it must be a
judgment on us also. The Jonah, in my mind, was Mr. Earnshaw; and I shook the
handle of his den that I might ascertain if he were yet living. He replied audibly
enough, in a fashion which made my companion vociferate, more clamorously
than before, that a wide distinction might be drawn between saints like himself
and sinners like his master. But the uproar passed away in twenty minutes,
leaving us all unharmed; excepting Cathy, who got thoroughly drenched for her
obstinacy in refusing to take shelter, and standing bonnetless and shawl-less to
catch as much water as she could with her hair and clothes. She came in and lay
down on the settle, all soaked as she was, turning her face to the back, and
putting her hands before it.%
'Well, Miss!' I exclaimed, touching her shoulder; 'you are not bent on getting
your death, are you? Do you know what o'clock it is? Half-past twelve. Come,
come to bed! there's no use waiting any longer on that foolish boy: he'll be gone
to Gimmerton, and he'll stay there now. He guesses we shouldn't wait for him
till this late hour: at least, he guesses that only Mr. Hindley would be up; and
he'd rather avoid having the door opened by the master.'
'Nay, nay, he's noan at Gimmerton,' said Joseph. 'I's niver wonder but he's at
t' bothom of a bog-hoile. This visitation worn't for nowt, and I wod hev' ye to
look out, Miss - yah muh be t' next. Thank Hivin for all! All warks togither for
gooid to them as is chozzen, and piked out fro' th' rubbidge! Yah knaw whet t'
Scripture ses.' And he began quoting several texts, referring us to chapters and
verses where we might find them.
I, having vainly begged the wilful girl to rise and remove her wet things, left
him preaching and her shivering, and betook myself to bed with little Hareton,
who slept as fast as if everyone had been sleeping round him. I heard Joseph

Thesaurus
audibly: (adv) loudly, clearly, out ramification, spray, sprig, stem. blasphemous; (adj, adv) unholy; (adv)
loud. ANTONYMS: (adv) clamorously: (adv) noisily, loudly, wickedly, impiously, sinfully.
imperceptibly, inaudibly, obstreperously, vociferously, ANTONYMS: (adj) pious, reasonable,
indistinctly, silently. blatantly, importunately, urgently, sensible, moral, devout, reverent.
beseeching: (adj) begging, suppliant, uproariously, raucously, turbulently, vociferate: (v) cry, roar, bawl, exclaim,
imploring, pleading, precative, tumultuously. yell, shout out, call, holler, outcry,
supplicatory, precatory, importunate; patriarchs: (n) forbears, forefathers. scream, utter.
(n) prayer; (v) plead; (adv) piked: (adj) pointed, acute. whet: (v) quicken, excite, grind, stir,
beseechingly. ANTONYM: (adj) quoting: (n) citation. stimulate, hone; (n) goad, spur, fillip,
imperative. smote: (v) smite. stimulus; (adj) point. ANTONYMS:
bough: (n) arm, limb, bow, member, ungodly: (adj) sinful, irreligious, (v) blunt, dishearten, dull, dampen,
tigella, ramage, offshoot, iniquitous, wicked, profane, godless, quench.
90 Wuthering Heights

read on a while afterwards; then I distinguished his slow step on the ladder, and
then I dropped asleep.%
Coming down somewhat later than usual, I saw, by the sunbeams piercing
the chinks of the shutters, Miss Catherine still seated near the fireplace. The
house-door was ajar, too; light entered from its unclosed windows; Hindley had
come out, and stood on the kitchen hearth, haggard and drowsy.
'What ails you, Cathy?' he was saying when I entered: 'you look as dismal as
a drowned whelp. Why are you so damp and pale, child?'
'I've been wet,' she answered reluctantly, 'and I'm cold, that's all.'
'Oh, she is naughty!' I cried, perceiving the master to be tolerably sober. 'She
got steeped in the shower of yesterday evening, and there she has sat the night
through, and I couldn't prevail on her to stir.'
Mr. Earnshaw stared at us in surprise. 'The night through,' he repeated.
'What kept her up? not fear of the thunder, surely? That was over hours since.'
Neither of us wished to mention Heathcliff's absence, as long as we could
conceal it; so I replied, I didn't know how she took it into her head to sit up; and
she said nothing. The morning was fresh and cool; I threw back the lattice, and
presently the room filled with sweet scents from the garden; but Catherine called
peevishly to me, 'Ellen, shut the window. I'm starving!' And her teeth chattered
as she shrank closer to the almost extinguished embers.
'She's ill,' said Hindley, taking her wrist; 'I suppose that's the reason she
would not go to bed. Damn it! I don't want to be troubled with more sickness
here. What took you into the rain?'
'Running after t' lads, as usuald!' croaked Joseph, catching an opportunity
from our hesitation to thrust in his evil tongue. 'If I war yah, maister, I'd just
slam t' boards i' their faces all on 'em, gentle and simple! Never a day ut yah're
off, but yon cat o' Linton comes sneaking hither; and Miss Nelly, shoo's a fine
lass! shoo sits watching for ye i' t' kitchen; and as yah're in at one door, he's out at
t'other; and, then, wer grand lady goes a- courting of her side! It's bonny
behaviour, lurking amang t' fields, after twelve o' t' night, wi' that fahl, flaysome

Thesaurus
courting: (n) wooing, courtship, cadaverous, careworn, tired, worn, contemptible, abject, clandestine,
bundling, appeal, attraction, case, lean, thin, wasted, pinched, squalid. confidential, dirty, shabby; (n)
causa, cause, flirtation, suit. ANTONYMS: (adj) relaxed, carefree, creeping, crawling; (adj, n) sneaky.
drowsy: (adj, n) sleepy; (adj) lazy, healthy. steeped: (adj) seasoned, experienced.
comatose, somnolent, slow, lethargic, perceiving: (n) feeling, sensing, sunbeams: (n) sunshine, light,
sluggish, dull, indolent, soporific, hearing, looking at, recognition, daylight, rays.
listless. ANTONYMS: (adj) energetic, thought, vision, lipreading; (adj) unclosed: (v) ajar, unstopped; (adj)
awake, lively, vigorous, vivacious, conscious, percipient, reasonable. sincere, public, plain, obvious, frank,
refreshed. shoo: (v) dispel, drive away, chase exposed, evident, artless, apparent.
embers: (v) cinder, ash, scoriae; (n) away, drive off, drive out, run off, whelp: (n, v) pup; (n) chrysalis,
fire, ashes. shoo away, shoo off; (int) shough. tadpole, nestling, larva, cur, chicken,
haggard: (adj) emaciated, gaunt, sneaking: (adj) hangdog, furtive, hound, tendril; (v) lay, bear.
Emily Brontë 91

divil of a gipsy, Heathcliff! They think I'M blind; but I'm noan: nowt ut t' soart! -
I seed young Linton boath coming and going, and I seed YAH' (directing his
discourse to me), 'yah gooid fur nowt, slattenly witch! nip up and bolt into th'
house, t' minute yah heard t' maister's horse-fit clatter up t' road.'
'Silence, eavesdropper!' cried Catherine; 'none of your insolence before me!
Edgar Linton came yesterday by chance, Hindley; and it was I who told him to
be off: because I knew you would not like to have met him as you were.'
'You lie, Cathy, no doubt,' answered her brother, 'and you are a confounded
simpleton! But never mind Linton at present: tell me, were you not with
Heathcliff last night? Speak the truth, now. You need not he afraid of harming
him: though I hate him as much as ever, he did me a good turn a short time
since that will make my conscience tender of breaking his neck. To prevent it, I
shall send him about his business this very morning; and after he's gone, I'd
advise you all to look sharp: I shall only have the more humour for you.'
'I never saw Heathcliff last night,' answered Catherine, beginning to sob
bitterly: 'and if you do turn him out of doors, I'll go with him. But, perhaps,
you'll never have an opportunity: perhaps, he's gone.' Here she burst into
uncontrollable grief, and the remainder of her words were inarticulate.%
Hindley lavished on her a torrent of scornful abuse, and bade her get to her
room immediately, or she shouldn't cry for nothing! I obliged her to obey; and I
shall never forget what a scene she acted when we reached her chamber: it
terrified me. I thought she was going mad, and I begged Joseph to run for the
doctor. It proved the commencement of delirium: Mr. Kenneth, as soon as he
saw her, pronounced her dangerously ill; she had a fever. He bled her, and he
told me to let her live on whey and water-gruel, and take care she did not throw
herself downstairs or out of the window; and then he left: for he had enough to
do in the parish, where two or three miles was the ordinary distance between
cottage and cottage.
Though I cannot say I made a gentle nurse, and Joseph and the master were
no better, and though our patient was as wearisome and headstrong as a patient
could be, she weathered it through. Old Mrs. Linton paid us several visits, to be
Thesaurus
bled: (v) bleed; (n) bulla. derisive, mocking, abusive, scathing, (adj) satisfying, soothing, exciting,
clatter: (n, v) rattle, jingle, bang, clank, opprobrious, insulting. ANTONYMS: refreshing, easy.
clang, roll, clink; (v) clash, chatter; (n) (adj) approving, complimentary, weathered: (adj) worn, wrinkled,
noise, racket. ANTONYM: (n) quiet. humble, sympathetic, admiring. lined, battered, hardened, wrinkly,
delirium: (n) craze, insanity, mania, simpleton: (n) fool, blockhead, dolt, rugged, tested, windswept,
disturbance, fever, ecstasy, dunce, numskull, ninny, weatherbeaten, weatherworn.
derangement; (adj, n) fury; (adj) furor, nincompoop, booby, sap, dummy, ANTONYM: (adj) smooth.
rage, distraction. ANTONYMS: (n) dullard. whey: (n) serum, milk whey, plasma,
indifference, dejection. wearisome: (adj, v) tiresome, irksome, plasm, dairy product.
miles: (adj) far. troublesome; (adj) tedious, dull, witch: (n) hag, pythoness, sorceress,
scornful: (adj) disdainful, haughty, monotonous, boring, laborious, enchantress, magician, lamia; (v)
arrogant, sarcastic, disparaging, trying, slow, annoying. ANTONYMS: charm, bewitch, glamour, hex, jinx.
92 Wuthering Heights

sure, and set things to rights, and scolded and ordered us all; and when
Catherine was convalescent, she insisted on conveying her to Thrushcross
Grange: for which deliverance we were very grateful. But the poor dame had
reason to repent of her kindness: she and her husband both took the fever, and
died within a few days of each other.%
Our young lady returned to us saucier and more passionate, and haughtier
than ever. Heathcliff had never been heard of since the evening of the thunder-
storm; and, one day, I had the misfortune, when she had provoked me
exceedingly, to lay the blame of his disappearance on her: where indeed it
belonged, as she well knew. From that period, for several months, she ceased to
hold any communication with me, save in the relation of a mere servant. Joseph
fell under a ban also: he would speak his mind, and lecture her all the same as if
she were a little girl; and she esteemed herself a woman, and our mistress, and
thought that her recent illness gave her a claim to be treated with consideration.
Then the doctor had said that she would not bear crossing much; she ought to
have her own way; and it was nothing less than murder in her eyes for any one
to presume to stand up and contradict her. From Mr. Earnshaw and his
companions she kept aloof; and tutored by Kenneth, and serious threats of a fit
that often attended her rages, her brother allowed her whatever she pleased to
demand, and generally avoided aggravating her fiery temper. He was rather too
indulgent in humouring her caprices; not from affection, but from pride: he
wished earnestly to see her bring honour to the family by an alliance with the
Lintons, and as long as she let him alone she might trample on us like slaves, for
aught he cared! Edgar Linton, as multitudes have been before and will be after
him, was infatuated: and believed himself the happiest man alive on the day he
led her to Gimmerton Chapel, three years subsequent to his father's death.
Much against my inclination, I was persuaded to leave Wuthering Heights
and accompany her here, Little Hareton was nearly five years old, and I had just
begun to teach him his letters. We made a sad parting; but Catherine's tears
were more powerful than ours. When I refused to go, and when she found her
entreaties did not move me, she went lamenting to her husband and brother.

Thesaurus
aggravating: (adj, v) irritating, weak, worsening. sad, whining; (adj, n) plaintive; (adj,
annoying; (adj) bothersome, galling, deliverance: (n) salvation, rescue, v) bewailing, querulous; (n, v)
maddening, exacerbating, trying, release, freedom, escape, complaining; (n) grief, sorrow; (v)
infuriating, vexatious; (v) provoking, emancipation, delivery, relief, dissatisfied.
mortifying. liberation, liberty, salvage. repent: (v) deplore, bewail, rue,
aught: (n) nil, zero, anything, ought, ANTONYMS: (n) downfall, mourn, lament, atone, sorry, bemoan,
cypher, nix, cipher, naught, null, zip; suppression. feel remorse, grieve, be sorry.
(adj) any. infatuated: (adj, n) fanatical; (adj, v) trample: (v) oppress, stamp, squash,
convalescent: (n) sufferer, invalid, besotted; (adj) gaga, crazy, mad, crush, tread, flatten, defeat, suppress,
patient; (adj) healing, convalesced, dotty, in love, obsessed, smitten, step, frustrate; (n) trampling.
recovering, better; (v) redivivus. taken with; (v) illiberal. tutored: (adj) educated, schooled,
ANTONYMS: (adj) regressing, sickly, lamenting: (adj) weeping, wailing, taught.
Emily Brontë 93

The former offered me munificent wages; the latter ordered me to pack up: he
wanted no women in the house, he said, now that there was no mistress; and as
to Hareton, the curate should take him in hand, by-and-by. And so I had but one
choice left: to do as I was ordered. I told the master he got rid of all decent
people only to run to ruin a little faster; I kissed Hareton, said good-by; and since
then he has been a stranger: and it's very queer to think it, but I've no doubt he
has completely forgotten all about Ellen Dean, and that he was ever more than all
the world to her and she to him!
At this point of the housekeeper's story she chanced to glance towards the
time-piece over the chimney; and was in amazement on seeing the minute-hand
measure half-past one. She would not hear of staying a second longer: in truth, I
felt rather disposed to defer the sequel of her narrative myself. And now that
she is vanished to her rest, and I have meditated for another hour or two, I shall
summon courage to go also, in spite of aching laziness of head and limbs.%

Thesaurus
aching: (adj) sore, achy, hurt, rush, hurry, hasten, forge, disagree, (adj) mean, tightfisted, malevolent.
uncomfortable, tender, hurtful, expedite, continue, resist. sequel: (n) sequence, result, issue,
agonizing; (n) ache, pain, hurting; (v) laziness: (n) indolence, acedia, aftermath, continuation, continuance,
griped. inactivity, inertia, sloth, slowness, outcome, consequence, ending,
curate: (n) rector, clergyman, minister, lethargy, inactiveness, faineance, upshot, outgrowth. ANTONYM: (n)
chaplain, pastor, Stipendiary curate, lassitude, dreaminess. ANTONYMS: prelude.
priest, vicar, incumbent, reverend, (n) diligence, willingness, vigor, staying: (n) stays, arrest; (adj)
canon. liveliness, interest. continual, old, left.
defer: (v) adjourn, postpone, comply, munificent: (adj) liberal, bountiful, summon: (v) assemble, convene,
procrastinate, bow, suspend, retard, lavish, free, bounteous, prodigal, demand, ask, invoke, evoke, invite,
accede, protract; (adj, v) put off; (n, v) beneficent, magnanimous, unstinted, muster, page, rally, convoke.
delay. ANTONYMS: (v) advance, unsparing, princely. ANTONYMS: ANTONYM: (v) disband.
Emily Brontë 95

CHAPTER X

A CHARMING introduction to a hermit's life! Four weeks' torture, tossing,


and sickness! Oh, these bleak winds and bitter northern skies, and impassable
roads, and dilatory country surgeons! And oh, this dearth of the human
physiognomy! and, worse than all, the terrible intimation of Kenneth that I need
not expect to be out of doors till spring!
Mr. Heathcliff has just honoured me with a call. About seven days ago he
sent me a brace of grouse - the last of the season. Scoundrel! He is not altogether
guiltless in this illness of mine; and that I had a great mind to tell him. But, alas!
how could I offend a man who was charitable enough to sit at my bedside a good
hour, and talk on some other subject than pills and draughts, blisters and
leeches? This is quite an easy interval. I am too weak to read; yet I feel as if I
could enjoy something interesting. Why not have up Mrs. Dean to finish her tale?
I can recollect its chief incidents, as far as she had gone. Yes: I remember her
hero had run off, and never been heard of for three years; and the heroine was
married. I'll ring: she'll be delighted to find me capable of talking cheerfully.
Mrs. Dean came.%
'It wants twenty minutes, sir, to taking the medicine,' she commenced.
'Away, away with it!' I replied; 'I desire to have - '
'The doctor says you must drop the powders.'

Thesaurus
dearth: (n) shortage, famine, want, backgammon, misere chess, chess, intimation: (n) hint, inkling,
deficiency, lack, scarcity, paucity, dominos, board game. implication, insinuation, suggestion,
scarceness, scantiness, rarity, guiltless: (adj) innocent, clean, clue, allusion, indication, cue, notice,
shortfall. ANTONYMS: (n) irreproachable, clear, faultless, innuendo.
abundance, excess, glut, plenty, unsullied, stainless, pure, inculpable, leeches: (n) cupping, bleeding,
plethora, sufficiency, surplus, supply. immaculate, spotless. venesection, phylum Annelida,
dilatory: (adj) slow, dawdling, tardy, impassable: (adj) impervious, Annelida, phlebotomy.
Fabian, laggard, slack, poky, late, impenetrable, impracticable, recollect: (v) recall, remember,
cautious, procrastinating; (adv) invincible, insuperable, inaccessible, recognize, call to mind, remind,
backward. ANTONYMS: (adj) timely, unpassable, innavigable, inextricable, mind, think, call up, reminisce,
diligent, ready. closed, impossible. ANTONYMS: refresh, retrieve. ANTONYM: (v)
draughts: (n) solitaire, go bang, (adj) passable, open. forget.
96 Wuthering Heights

'With %all my heart! Don't interrupt me. Come and take your seat here.
Keep your fingers from that bitter phalanx of vials. Draw your knitting out of
your pocket - that will do - now continue the history of Mr. Heathcliff, from
where you left off, to the present day. Did he finish his education on the
Continent, and come back a gentleman? or did he get a sizar's place at college, or
escape to America, and earn honours by drawing blood from his foster-country?
or make a fortune more promptly on the English highways?'
'He may have done a little in all these vocations, Mr. Lockwood; but I
couldn't give my word for any. I stated before that I didn't know how he gained
his money; neither am I aware of the means he took to raise his mind from the
savage ignorance into which it was sunk: but, with your leave, I'll proceed in my
own fashion, if you think it will amuse and not weary you. Are you feeling
better this morning?'
'Much.'
'That's good news.'
I got Miss Catherine and myself to Thrushcross Grange; and, to my agreeable
disappointment, she behaved infinitely better than I dared to expect. She seemed
almost over-fond of Mr. Linton; and even to his sister she showed plenty of
affection. They were both very attentive to her comfort, certainly. It was not the
thorn bending to the honeysuckles, but the honeysuckles embracing the thorn.
There were no mutual concessions: one stood erect, and the others yielded: and
who can be ill-natured and bad-tempered when they encounter neither
opposition nor indifference? I observed that Mr. Edgar had a deep-rooted fear of
ruffling her humour. He concealed it from her; but if ever he heard me answer
sharply, or saw any other servant grow cloudy at some imperious order of hers,
he would show his trouble by a frown of displeasure that never darkened on his
own account. He many a time spoke sternly to me about my pertness; and
averred that the stab of a knife could not inflict a worse pang than he suffered at
seeing his lady vexed. Not to grieve a kind master, I learned to be less touchy;
and, for the space of half a year, the gunpowder lay as harmless as sand, because
no fire came near to explode it. Catherine had seasons of gloom and silence now

Thesaurus
displeasure: (n) resentment, imperious: (adj) haughty, pertness: (n) insolence, impudence,
discomfort, dissatisfaction, dislike, domineering, authoritative, arbitrary, audacity, sauciness, effrontery,
discontent, exasperation, disfavor, imperative, masterful, dictatorial, perkiness, archness, cheekiness,
annoyance, offense, pique, commanding, lordly, magisterial, playfulness, forwardness, cheek.
disapproval. ANTONYMS: (n) despotic. ANTONYM: (adj) phalanx: (n) baulk, balk, horde,
satisfaction, pleasure, enjoyment, subservient. phalange, posse, os, military unit,
happiness, delight, contentment, inflict: (v) impose, cause, wreak, force, military force, force, crowd, cohort.
equanimity, approval. enforce, deal, deliver, administer, touchy: (adj) sensitive, irritable, testy,
gunpowder: (n) powder, guncotton, foist, put, obtrude. huffy, irascible, excitable, edgy,
fine particles, face powder, dust, pang: (n) pain, torture, ache, agony, feisty, crabby, temperamental, hot.
concentrate, ammunition, residue; (v) twinge, affliction, sting, stab, distress, ANTONYMS: (adj) easygoing,
shot. ailment, cramp. unflappable, impervious, placid.
Emily Brontë 97

and then: they were respected with sympathising silence by her husband, who
ascribed them to an alteration in her constitution, produced by her perilous
illness; as she was never subject to depression of spirits before. The return of
sunshine was welcomed by answering sunshine from him. I believe I may assert
that they were really in possession of deep and growing happiness.%
It ended. Well, we MUST be for ourselves in the long run; the mild and
generous are only more justly selfish than the domineering; and it ended when
circumstances caused each to feel that the one's interest was not the chief
consideration in the other's thoughts. On a mellow evening in September, I was
coming from the garden with a heavy basket of apples which I had been
gathering. It had got dusk, and the moon looked over the high wall of the court,
causing undefined shadows to lurk in the corners of the numerous projecting
portions of the building. I set my burden on the house-steps by the kitchen-door,
and lingered to rest, and drew in a few more breaths of the soft, sweet air; my
eyes were on the moon, and my back to the entrance, when I heard a voice
behind me say, - 'Nelly, is that you?'
It was a deep voice, and foreign in tone; yet there was something in the
manner of pronouncing my name which made it sound familiar. I turned about
to discover who spoke, fearfully; for the doors were shut, and I had seen nobody
on approaching the steps. Something stirred in the porch; and, moving nearer, I
distinguished a tall man dressed in dark clothes, with dark face and hair. He
leant against the side, and held his fingers on the latch as if intending to open for
himself. 'Who can it be?' I thought. 'Mr. Earnshaw? Oh, no! The voice has no
resemblance to his.'
'I have waited here an hour,' he resumed, while I continued staring; 'and the
whole of that time all round has been as still as death. I dared not enter. You do
not know me? Look, I'm not a stranger!'
A ray fell on his features; the cheeks were sallow, and half covered with
black whiskers; the brows lowering, the eyes deep-set and singular. I
remembered the eyes.

Thesaurus
deep-set: (adj) hollow. appallingly, terribly; (adj, adv) sandy; (n) osier. ANTONYMS: (adj)
domineering: (adj) dictatorial, shockingly, dreadfully. ANTONYMS: dark, glowing.
overbearing, autocratic, arbitrary, (adv) bravely, calmly, confidently, undefined: (adj) indeterminate,
dominant, lordly, imperious, wonderfully, rationally, indistinct, obscure, shadowy,
commanding, masterful, bossy, unconcernedly. uncertain, vague, unspecified,
authoritative. ANTONYMS: (adj) latch: (v) bar, fasten, grab; (n, v) bolt; ambiguous, unlimited, inexact,
subservient, yielding, meek, (adj, n, v) lock; (n) hasp, clasp, door neutral. ANTONYMS: (adj) defined,
surrendering, weak, libertarian, latch, hook; (adj) link, yoke. exact, constrained.
reasonable. pronouncing: (v) pronounce; (n) whiskers: (n) fuzz, goatee, hair,
fearfully: (adv) timidly, timorously, pronunciation, utterance. imperial, face fungus, beaver,
awfully, apprehensively, sallow: (adj) pasty, pallid, bloodless, mustache, moustache, sideburns,
horrendously, hideously, anxiously, sickly, wan, ashen, fair, white, tawny, facial hair, sideboards.
98 Wuthering Heights

'What!' I cried, uncertain whether to regard him as a worldly visitor, and I


raised my hands in amazement. 'What! you come back? Is it really you? Is it?'
'Yes, Heathcliff,' he replied, glancing from me up to the windows, which
reflected a score of glittering moons, but showed no lights from within. 'Are they
at home? where is she? Nelly, you are not glad! you needn't be so disturbed. Is
she here? Speak! I want to have one word with her - your mistress. Go, and say
some person from Gimmerton desires to see her.'
'How will she take it?' I exclaimed. 'What will she do? The surprise
bewilders me - it will put her out of her head! And you ARE Heathcliff! But
altered! Nay, there's no comprehending it. Have you been for a soldier?'
'Go and carry my message,' he interrupted, impatiently. 'I'm in hell till you
do!'
He lifted the latch, and I entered; but when I got to the parlour where Mr.
and Mrs. Linton were, I could not persuade myself to proceed. At length I
resolved on making an excuse to ask if they would have the candles lighted, and
I opened the door.%
They sat together in a window whose lattice lay back against the wall, and
displayed, beyond the garden trees, and the wild green park, the valley of
Gimmerton, with a long line of mist winding nearly to its top (for very soon after
you pass the chapel, as you may have noticed, the sough that runs from the
marshes joins a beck which follows the bend of the glen). Wuthering Heights
rose above this silvery vapour; but our old house was invisible; it rather dips
down on the other side. Both the room and its occupants, and the scene they
gazed on, looked wondrously peaceful. I shrank reluctantly from performing
my errand; and was actually going away leaving it unsaid, after having put my
question about the candles, when a sense of my folly compelled me to return,
and mutter, 'A person from Gimmerton wishes to see you ma'am.'
'What does he want?' asked Mrs. Linton.
'I did not question him,' I answered.

Thesaurus
comprehending: (adj) intelligent, shrank: (v) minify. wondrous, toppingly, miraculously,
general, observant, sympathetic, sough: (n, v) moan; (v) sigh, seed, astonishingly, phenomenally,
brotherly, conversant. inseminate; (n) moat, main, gully, extraordinarily, fantasticly.
desires: (n) requirements, needs. sewer, cloaca, ditch, dike. worldly: (adj, adv) earthly; (adj)
errand: (n) chore, mission, job, task, unsaid: (adj) implicit, unvoiced, tacit, mundane, secular, terrestrial,
assignment, embassy, duty, charge, understood, unexpressed, wordless, temporal, carnal, sophisticated, lay,
messenger, communication, work. untold, unwritten, unverbalized; (v) profane; (adv) mundanely,
glancing: (adj) passing. unsung, untalked of. ANTONYMS: temporally. ANTONYMS: (adj)
mutter: (n, v) mumble, grumble, (adj) stated, explicit, expressed, spiritual, naive, cloistered, religious,
whisper; (v) growl, maunder, grouch, spoken. unsophisticated, unworldly,
snarl, croak; (n) murmuration, wondrously: (adv) wonderfully, unrefined, otherworldly, low,
grumbling, complaint. marvellously, terrifically, superbly, heavenly, immaterial.
Emily Brontë 99

'Well, close the curtains, Nelly,' she said; 'and bring up tea. I'll be back again
directly.'
She quitted the apartment; Mr. Edgar inquired, carelessly, who it was.%
'Some one mistress does not expect,' I replied. 'That Heathcliff - you recollect
him, sir - who used to live at Mr. Earnshaw's.'
'What! the gipsy - the ploughboy?' he cried. 'Why did you not say so to
Catherine?'
'Hush! you must not call him by those names, master,' I said. 'She'd be sadly
grieved to hear you. She was nearly heartbroken when he ran off. I guess his
return will make a jubilee to her.'
Mr. Linton walked to a window on the other side of the room that overlooked
the court. He unfastened it, and leant out. I suppose they were below, for he
exclaimed quickly: 'Don't stand there, love! Bring the person in, if it be anyone
particular.' Ere long, I heard the click of the latch, and Catherine flew up-stairs,
breathless and wild; too excited to show gladness: indeed, by her face, you
would rather have surmised an awful calamity.
'Oh, Edgar, Edgar!' she panted, flinging her arms round his neck. 'Oh, Edgar
darling! Heathcliff's come back - he is!' And she tightened her embrace to a
squeeze.
'Well, well,' cried her husband, crossly, 'don't strangle me for that! He never
struck me as such a marvellous treasure. There is no need to be frantic!'
'I know you didn't like him,' she answered, repressing a little the intensity of
her delight. 'Yet, for my sake, you must be friends now. Shall I tell him to come
up?'
'Here,' he said, 'into the parlour?'
'Where else?' she asked.
He looked vexed, and suggested the kitchen as a more suitable place for him.
Mrs. Linton eyed him with a droll expression - half angry, half laughing at his
fastidiousness.

Thesaurus
click: (n, v) clack, tick; (n) catch, chink, delightfulness, delight. ANTONYM: strangle: (v) smother, stifle,
dog, detent, pawl, clink; (v) chatter, (n) vulgarity. asphyxiate, scrag, tighten, repress,
beat, cluck. gladness: (n) joy, gaiety, pleasure, constrict, pinch, strangulate; (adj, v)
droll: (adj) comical, humorous, funny, delight, bliss, glee, happiness, throttle; (n) strangling.
laughable, burlesque, ludicrous, exhilaration, joyfulness, mirth, surmised: (adj) rude, conjectural,
ridiculous; (adj, n) comic, witty; (n) cheerfulness. ANTONYMS: (n) assumed.
buffoon, clown. ANTONYMS: (adj) unhappiness, dismay, displeasure. unfastened: (adj) open, movable,
dramatic, dull, grave, tragic, solemn. repressing: (adj) inhibiting, insolent, loose, unbuttoned, overt, opened,
fastidiousness: (n) refinement, care, discouraging, aggressively haughty, opened out, slack, undecided,
squeamishness, nicety, fastidiosity, overbearing, arrogant, dictatorial, undetermined, assailable.
diligence; (adj, n) delicacy, elegance; domineering, restrictive, repressive, ANTONYMS: (adj) buttoned, fixed,
(adj) fastidious accuracy, overpowering. shut, tied.
100 Wuthering Heights

'No,' she added, after a while; 'I cannot sit in the kitchen. Set two tables here,
Ellen: one for your master and Miss Isabella, being gentry; the other for
Heathcliff and myself, being of the lower orders. Will that please you, dear? Or
must I have a fire lighted elsewhere? If so, give directions. I'll run down and
secure my guest. I'm afraid the joy is too great to be real!'
She was about to dart off again; but Edgar arrested her.%
'YOU bid him step up,' he said, addressing me; 'and, Catherine, try to be glad,
without being absurd. The whole household need not witness the sight of your
welcoming a runaway servant as a brother.'
I descended, and found Heathcliff waiting under the porch, evidently
anticipating an invitation to enter. He followed my guidance without waste of
words, and I ushered him into the presence of the master and mistress, whose
flushed cheeks betrayed signs of warm talking. But the lady's glowed with
another feeling when her friend appeared at the door: she sprang forward, took
both his hands, and led him to Linton; and then she seized Linton's reluctant
fingers and crushed them into his. Now, fully revealed by the fire and
candlelight, I was amazed, more than ever, to behold the transformation of
Heathcliff. He had grown a tall, athletic, well-formed man; beside whom my
master seemed quite slender and youth-like. His upright carriage suggested the
idea of his having been in the army. His countenance was much older in
expression and decision of feature than Mr. Linton's; it looked intelligent, and
retained no marks of former degradation. A half- civilised ferocity lurked yet in
the depressed brows and eyes full of black fire, but it was subdued; and his
manner was even dignified: quite divested of roughness, though stern for grace.
My master's surprise equalled or exceeded mine: he remained for a minute at a
loss how to address the ploughboy, as he had called him. Heathcliff dropped his
slight hand, and stood looking at him coolly till he chose to speak.
'Sit down, sir,' he said, at length. 'Mrs. Linton, recalling old times, would
have me give you a cordial reception; and, of course, I am gratified when
anything occurs to please her.'

Thesaurus
candlelight: (adj) rushlight, firelight, atrocity, fierceness, wildness, gruffness, huskiness, inclemency,
starlight; (n) candlelighting. vehemence, anger. ANTONYMS: (n) crudity. ANTONYMS: (n) softness,
cordial: (adj) genial, warm, affable, meekness, friendliness, serenity. complexity, gentleness, mildness,
amiable, friendly, genuine, ardent, gratified: (adj) glad, satisfied, pleased, evenness, exactness, friendliness,
unaffected, gracious, honest; (n) delighted, happy, thankful, grateful, orderliness, grace, lenience.
liqueur. ANTONYMS: (adj) content, complacent, comfortable, runaway: (adj, n) renegade,
unfriendly, stern, cold, cool, cheerful. delinquent; (n) deserter, romp,
disagreeable, aloof, reserved, distant, recalling: (adj) revocatory; (n) walkaway, refugee, absconder,
rude, uncordial, unpleasant. recognition. runagate, escapee, laugher; (adj)
divested: (adj) bereft, destitute, naked. roughness: (n) harshness, asperity, decided. ANTONYM: (n) challenge.
ferocity: (n) violence, cruelty, crudeness, hoarseness, rigor, well-formed: (adj) symmetrical,
ferociousness, fury, rage, truculence, unevenness, disorderliness, beautiful, shapely.
Emily Brontë 101

'And I also,' answered Heathcliff, 'especially if it be anything in which I have


a part. I shall stay an hour or two willingly.'
He took a seat opposite Catherine, who kept her gaze fixed on him as if she
feared he would vanish were she to remove it. He did not raise his to her often:
a quick glance now and then sufficed; but it flashed back, each time more
confidently, the undisguised delight he drank from hers. They were too much
absorbed in their mutual joy to suffer embarrassment. Not so Mr. Edgar: he
grew pale with pure annoyance: a feeling that reached its climax when his lady
rose, and stepping across the rug, seized Heathcliff's hands again, and laughed
like one beside herself.%
'I shall think it a dream to-morrow!' she cried. 'I shall not be able to believe
that I have seen, and touched, and spoken to you once more. And yet, cruel
Heathcliff! you don't deserve this welcome. To be absent and silent for three
years, and never to think of me!'
'A little more than you have thought of me,' he murmured. 'I heard of your
marriage, Cathy, not long since; and, while waiting in the yard below, I
meditated this plan - just to have one glimpse of your face, a stare of surprise,
perhaps, and pretended pleasure; afterwards settle my score with Hindley; and
then prevent the law by doing execution on myself. Your welcome has put these
ideas out of my mind; but beware of meeting me with another aspect next time!
Nay, you'll not drive me off again. You were really sorry for me, were you?
Well, there was cause. I've fought through a bitter life since I last heard your
voice; and you must forgive me, for I struggled only for you!'
'Catherine, unless we are to have cold tea, please to come to the table,'
interrupted Linton, striving to preserve his ordinary tone, and a due measure of
politeness. 'Mr. Heathcliff will have a long walk, wherever he may lodge to-
night; and I'm thirsty.'
She took her post before the urn; and Miss Isabella came, summoned by the
bell; then, having handed their chairs forward, I left the room. The meal hardly
endured ten minutes. Catherine's cup was never filled: she could neither eat nor
drink. Edgar had made a slop in his saucer, and scarcely swallowed a mouthful.
Thesaurus
annoyance: (n) anger, harassment, courtliness, manners, decorum, striving: (n) nisus, pains, endeavor,
aggravation, disturbance, gentility, good manners, niceness, strife, try, strain, attempt, strive,
inconvenience, pain, bother, refinement, gallantry, decency. ambition, struggle, exertion.
botheration, temper, displeasure, ANTONYMS: (n) vulgarity, ANTONYM: (adj) unmotivated.
vexation. ANTONYMS: (n) calm, rudeness, incivility, neglect. undisguised: (adj) downright, plain,
satisfaction, patience, calmness, saucer: (n) plate, platter, discus, bowl, overt, naked, bare, frank, literal,
delight, equanimity, advantage, pan, dot, calabash, disk, dish obvious, ingenuous, simple, honest.
balm. antenna, point, porringer. vanish: (n, v) disappear; (adj, v) fade;
mouthful: (n) gulp, morsel, swallow, slop: (v) spill, splash, slosh, smudge; (v) disperse, pass, go, die, dissipate,
gobbet, nip, bit, sip, piece, drink; (adj, (adj, n) filth; (n) pigwash, slops; (n, v) evaporate, depart, flee, melt away.
n) handful; (adj) thimbleful. swill; (adj) dabble, dirt, soil. ANTONYMS: (v) come, arrive, wax,
politeness: (n) civility, courteousness, stepping: (n) steps. stay.
102 Wuthering Heights

Their guest did not protract his stay that evening above an hour longer. I asked,
as he departed, if he went to Gimmerton?
'No, to Wuthering Heights,' he answered: 'Mr. Earnshaw invited me, when I
called this morning.'
Mr. Earnshaw invited HIM! and HE called on Mr. Earnshaw! I pondered this
sentence painfully, after he was gone. Is he turning out a bit of a hypocrite, and
coming into the country to work mischief under a cloak? I mused: I had a
presentiment in the bottom of my heart that he had better have remained away.%
About the middle of the night, I was wakened from my first nap by Mrs.
Linton gliding into my chamber, taking a seat on my bedside, and pulling me by
the hair to rouse me.
'I cannot rest, Ellen,' she said, by way of apology. 'And I want some living
creature to keep me company in my happiness! Edgar is sulky, because I'm glad
of a thing that does not interest him: he refuses to open his mouth, except to
utter pettish, silly speeches; and he affirmed I was cruel and selfish for wishing
to talk when he was so sick and sleepy. He always contrives to be sick at the
least cross! I gave a few sentences of commendation to Heathcliff, and he, either
for a headache or a pang of envy, began to cry: so I got up and left him.'
'What use is it praising Heathcliff to him?' I answered. 'As lads they had an
aversion to each other, and Heathcliff would hate just as much to hear him
praised: it's human nature. Let Mr. Linton alone about him, unless you would
like an open quarrel between them.'
'But does it not show great weakness?' pursued she. 'I'm not envious: I never
feel hurt at the brightness of Isabella's yellow hair and the whiteness of her skin,
at her dainty elegance, and the fondness all the family exhibit for her. Even you,
Nelly, if we have a dispute sometimes, you back Isabella at once; and I yield like
a foolish mother: I call her a darling, and flatter her into a good temper. It
pleases her brother to see us cordial, and that pleases me. But they are very
much alike: they are spoiled children, and fancy the world was made for their

Thesaurus
commendation: (n, v) acclaim, awkward, accepting, heavy, careless, fretful, techy, petulant, tetchy.
applause, praise; (n) approval, thick. praised: (adj) bepuffed, popular,
citation, approbation, tribute, credit, gliding: (adj) sliding, flying, slipping, renowned.
plaudit, acclamation, admiration. labent, elusory; (n) sailing, soaring, presentiment: (n) premonition, hunch,
ANTONYMS: (n) disapproval, flight, glissando; (v) slither; (adv) apprehension, feeling, foreboding,
criticism, censure, demotion. glidingly. anticipation, intuition, boding,
dainty: (adj, v) nice; (adj, n, v) delicacy; hypocrite: (n) impostor, pretender, suspicion; (v) augury; (n, v) omen.
(adj) fastidious, savory, tasteful, trickster, fraud, deceiver, fake, cheat, protract: (v) extend, draw out, delay,
squeamish, particular, mincing, charmer, bigot, whited sepulcher, lengthen, defer, procrastinate,
refined; (adj, n) tidbit; (n) luxury. smoothie. continue, postpone, elongate, keep
ANTONYMS: (adj) coarse, vulgar, pettish: (adj) peevish, irritable, cross, up; (adj) produce. ANTONYMS: (v)
rough, inelegant, harsh, gross, nettlesome, cranky, huffy, touchy, curtail, shorten, quit.
Emily Brontë 103

accommodation; and though I humour both, I think a smart chastisement might


improve them all the same.'
'You're mistaken, Mrs. Linton,' said I. 'They humour you: I know what there
would be to do if they did not. You can well afford to indulge their passing
whims as long as their business is to anticipate all your desires. You may,
however, fall out, at last, over something of equal consequence to both sides; and
then those you term weak are very capable of being as obstinate as you.'
'And then we shall fight to the death, sha'n't we, Nelly?' she returned,
laughing. 'No! I tell you, I have such faith in Linton's love, that I believe I might
kill him, and he wouldn't wish to retaliate.'
I advised her to value him the more for his affection.%
'I do,' she answered, 'but he needn't resort to whining for trifles. It is childish
and, instead of melting into tears because I said that Heathcliff was now worthy
of anyone's regard, and it would honour the first gentleman in the country to be
his friend, he ought to have said it for me, and been delighted from sympathy.
He must get accustomed to him, and he may as well like him: considering how
Heathcliff has reason to object to him, I'm sure he behaved excellently!'
'What do you think of his going to Wuthering Heights?' I inquired. 'He is
reformed in every respect, apparently: quite a Christian: offering the right hand
of fellowship to his enemies all around!'
'He explained it,' she replied. 'I wonder as much as you. He said he called to
gather information concerning me from you, supposing you resided there still;
and Joseph told Hindley, who came out and fell to questioning him of what he
had been doing, and how he had been living; and finally, desired him to walk in.
There were some persons sitting at cards; Heathcliff joined them; my brother lost
some money to him, and, finding him plentifully supplied, he requested that he
would come again in the evening: to which he consented. Hindley is too
reckless to select his acquaintance prudently: he doesn't trouble himself to
reflect on the causes he might have for mistrusting one whom he has basely
injured. But Heathcliff affirms his principal reason for resuming a connection

Thesaurus
accustomed: (adj, n) habitual; (adj) chastisement: (n) castigation, rebuke, prudently: (adv) wisely, cautiously,
familiar, normal, wonted, usual, discipline, punishment, penalty, judiciously, discreetly, shrewdly,
natural, everyday, ordinary, reprimand, chastening, reproval, sparingly, charily, sagaciously,
habituated, common, traditional. penalization, lashing, scolding. warily, frugally, circumspectly.
ANTONYMS: (adj) unusual, green, ANTONYMS: (n) persuasion, ANTONYMS: (adv) recklessly,
unseasoned, unconventional, reward. imprudently, extravagantly,
untrained, abnormal, plentifully: (adv) plenteously, generously, indiscreetly, immaturely,
uncharacteristic, exceptional. bountifully, bounteously, stupidly.
basely: (adv) vilely, bottomly, abundantly, profusely, richly, fully, whining: (adj) whimpering, whiny,
sordidly, shamefully, foully, liberally, opulently, amply, sniveling pitiful, Snively, tearful,
menially, lowly, depravedly, prolifically. ANTONYM: (adv) whiney, singing, peevish; (v) fretful,
villainously, badly, poorly. meagerly. lamenting; (n) sniveling.
104 Wuthering Heights

with his ancient persecutor is a wish to instal himself in quarters at walking


distance from the Grange, and an attachment to the house where we lived
together; and likewise a hope that I shall have more opportunities of seeing him
there than I could have if he settled in Gimmerton. He means to offer liberal
payment for permission to lodge at the Heights; and doubtless my brother's
covetousness will prompt him to accept the terms: he was always greedy;
though what he grasps with one hand he flings away with the other.'
'It's a nice place for a young man to fix his dwelling in!' said I. 'Have you no
fear of the consequences, Mrs. Linton?'
'None for my friend,' she replied: 'his strong head will keep him from
danger; a little for Hindley: but he can't be made morally worse than he is; and I
stand between him and bodily harm. The event of this evening has reconciled
me to God and humanity! I had risen in angry rebellion against Providence. Oh,
I've endured very, very bitter misery, Nelly! If that creature knew how bitter,
he'd be ashamed to cloud its removal with idle petulance. It was kindness for
him which induced me to bear it alone: had I expressed the agony I frequently
felt, he would have been taught to long for its alleviation as ardently as I.
However, it's over, and I'll take no revenge on his folly; I can afford to suffer
anything hereafter! Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek, I'd not
only turn the other, but I'd ask pardon for provoking it; and, as a proof, I'll go
make my peace with Edgar instantly. Good- night! I'm an angel!'
In this self-complacent conviction she departed; and the success of her
fulfilled resolution was obvious on the morrow: Mr. Linton had not only abjured
his peevishness (though his spirits seemed still subdued by Catherine's
exuberance of vivacity), but he ventured no objection to her taking Isabella with
her to Wuthering Heights in the afternoon; and she rewarded him with such a
summer of sweetness and affection in return as made the house a paradise for
several days; both master and servants profiting from the perpetual sunshine.%
Heathcliff - Mr. Heathcliff I should say in future - used the liberty of visiting
at Thrushcross Grange cautiously, at first: he seemed estimating how far its
owner would bear his intrusion. Catherine, also, deemed it judicious to moderate

Thesaurus
alleviation: (n) remission, abatement, Catherine the great. peevishness: (n) irritability,
relaxation, easement, solace, covetousness: (n) cupidity, greed, fretfulness, biliousness, anger,
assuagement, mitigation, palliation, rapacity, desire, stinginess, surliness, testiness, pettishness,
reprieve, comfort, easing. greediness, acquisitiveness, temper, petulance, choler, fussiness.
ardently: (adv) fervently, warmly, avariciousness, avaritia, envy, persecutor: (n) tormentor, bully,
eagerly, intensely, fierily, avidly, enviousness. ANTONYM: (n) gadfly, tormenter, teaser, pursuer,
enthusiastically, burningly, generosity. dictator, annoyer, tantalizer, pesterer,
zealously, fervidly; (adj, adv) hotly. estimating: (n) estimation. pest.
ANTONYMS: (adv) indifferently, instal: (v) mount, install, erect, fix, put petulance: (n) touchiness, testiness,
apathetically, unenthusiastically, up, constitute, arrange, assemble, tetchiness, crossness, choler,
halfheartedly, calmly. plant, set, place. fretfulness, peevishness, temper,
catherine: (n) Catherine of Aragon, meanest: (adj) last, least. acerbity; (adj) petulant, flippancy.
Emily Brontë 105

her expressions of pleasure in receiving him; and he gradually established his


right to be expected. He retained a great deal of the reserve for which his
boyhood was remarkable; and that served to repress all startling demonstrations
of feeling. My master's uneasiness experienced a lull, and further circumstances
diverted it into another channel for a space.%
His new source of trouble sprang from the not anticipated misfortune of
Isabella Linton evincing a sudden and irresistible attraction towards the tolerated
guest. She was at that time a charming young lady of eighteen; infantile in
manners, though possessed of keen wit, keen feelings, and a keen temper, too, if
irritated. Her brother, who loved her tenderly, was appalled at this fantastic
preference. Leaving aside the degradation of an alliance with a nameless man,
and the possible fact that his property, in default of heirs male, might pass into
such a one's power, he had sense to comprehend Heathcliff's disposition: to
know that, though his exterior was altered, his mind was unchangeable and
unchanged. And he dreaded that mind: it revolted him: he shrank
forebodingly from the idea of committing Isabella to its keeping. He would
have recoiled still more had he been aware that her attachment rose unsolicited,
and was bestowed where it awakened no reciprocation of sentiment; for the
minute he discovered its existence he laid the blame on Heathcliff's deliberate
designing.
We had all remarked, during some time, that Miss Linton fretted and pined
over something. She grew cross and wearisome; snapping at and teasing
Catherine continually, at the imminent risk of exhausting her limited patience.
We excused her, to a certain extent, on the plea of ill-health: she was dwindling
and fading before our eyes. But one day, when she had been peculiarly
wayward, rejecting her breakfast, complaining that the servants did not do what
she told them; that the mistress would allow her to be nothing in the house, and
Edgar neglected her; that she had caught a cold with the doors being left open,
and we let the parlour fire go out on purpose to vex her, with a hundred yet
more frivolous accusations, Mrs. Linton peremptorily insisted that she should
get to bed; and, having scolded her heartily, threatened to send for the doctor.

Thesaurus
forebodingly: (adv) threateningly, positively, imperatively, flatly, ANTONYMS: (v) declare, liberate,
menacingly, portentously, dogmatically, magisterially, incite.
ominously, in a sinister way. commandingly, imperiously, revolted: (adj) sickened, sick, shocked,
fretted: (adj) latticed, haggard, authoritatively, decidedly, decisively. horrified, disgusted, appalled.
magged, latticelike, reticulated, reciprocation: (n) interchange, snapping: (adj) noisy.
reticular, interlaced. ANTONYM: exchange, return, interaction, unchangeable: (adj) invariable, firm,
(adj) unfretted. transposition, mutuality, retribution, immutable, permanent, irrevocable,
infantile: (adj) immature, infant, reply, reaction, payback; (adj, n) irreversible, unalterable, immovable,
babyish, infantine, young, juvenile, reciprocity. inflexible, determined, definite.
childlike, baby, adolescent, puerile, repress: (v) inhibit, crush, quash, ANTONYMS: (adj) changing,
little. ANTONYM: (adj) old. control, suppress, put down, bridle, inconstant, flexible, uncertain, fluid,
peremptorily: (adv) absolutely, keep down, subdue, restrain, reduce. unconfirmed, impermanent.
106 Wuthering Heights

Mention of Kenneth caused her to exclaim, instantly, that her health was perfect,
and it was only Catherine's harshness which made her unhappy.%
'How can you say I am harsh, you naughty fondling?' cried the mistress,
amazed at the unreasonable assertion. 'You are surely losing your reason. When
have I been hash, tell me?'
'Yesterday,' sobbed Isabella, 'and now!'
'Yesterday!' said her sister-in-law. 'On what occasion?'
'In our walk along the moor: you told me to ramble where I pleased, while
you sauntered on with Mr. Heathcliff?'
'And that's your notion of harshness?' said Catherine, laughing. 'It was no
hint that your company was superfluous? We didn't care whether you kept with
us or not; I merely thought Heathcliff's talk would have nothing entertaining for
your ears.'
'Oh, no,' wept the young lady; 'you wished me away, because you knew I
liked to be there!'
'Is she sane?' asked Mrs. Linton, appealing to me. 'I'll repeat our
conversation, word for word, Isabella; and you point out any charm it could have
had for you.'
'I don't mind the conversation,' she answered: 'I wanted to be with - '
"Well?' said Catherine, perceiving her hesitate to complete the sentence.
'With him: and I won't be always sent off!' she continued, kindling up. 'You
are a dog in the manger, Cathy, and desire no one to be loved but yourself!'
'You are an impertinent little monkey!' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, in surprise.
'But I'll not believe this idiotcy! It is impossible that you can covet the
admiration of Heathcliff - that you consider him an agreeable person! I hope I
have misunderstood you, Isabella?'
'No, you have not,' said the infatuated girl. 'I love him more than ever you
loved Edgar, and he might love me, if you would let him!'

Thesaurus
covet: (v) envy, begrudge, long, crave, melodiousness, brightness, manger: (n) crib, cage, bunk, gutter,
aspire, grudge, hanker, want, wish smoothness, lenience. rack, flume, feed bunk, bowl,
for, long for, wish. ANTONYMS: (v) hash: (adj, n) muddle, muss; (v) container.
spurn, renounce, reject, ignore, mangle, chop, hackle, mince, discind, misunderstood: (adj) mistreated,
forswear. chop up, gash; (adj, v) mash; (n) confused.
harshness: (n) austerity, asperity, hashish. superfluous: (adj, v) spare; (adj)
severity, acrimony, brutality, impertinent: (adj) fresh, pert, saucy, needless, extra, excess, excessive,
hardness, roughness, rigor, forward, audacious, brash, brazen, unnecessary, surplus, pointless,
inclemency, hoarseness; (adj, n) extraneous, discourteous, superabundant, supernumerary,
strictness. ANTONYMS: (n) softness, disrespectful, flippant. ANTONYMS: supererogatory. ANTONYMS: (adj)
leniency, quietness, flexibility, (adj) respectful, polite, courteous. indispensable, important, essential,
kindness, mercy, sweetness, knew: (adj) known; (v) recognize, wist. basic, pertinent.
Emily Brontë 107

'I wouldn't be you for a kingdom, then!' Catherine declared, emphatically:


and she seemed to speak sincerely. 'Nelly, help me to convince her of her
madness. Tell her what Heathcliff is: an unreclaimed creature, without
refinement, without cultivation; an arid wilderness of furze and whinstone. I'd
as soon put that little canary into the park on a winter's day, as recommend you
to bestow your heart on him! It is deplorable ignorance of his character, child,
and nothing else, which makes that dream enter your head. Pray, don't imagine
that he conceals depths of benevolence and affection beneath a stern exterior!
He's not a rough diamond - a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic: he's a fierce,
pitiless, wolfish man. I never say to him, "Let this or that enemy alone, because
it would be ungenerous or cruel to harm them;" I say, "Let them alone, because I
should hate them to be wronged:" and he'd crush you like a sparrow's egg,
Isabella, if he found you a troublesome charge. I know he couldn't love a Linton;
and yet he'd be quite capable of marrying your fortune and expectations:
avarice is growing with him a besetting sin. There's my picture: and I'm his
friend - so much so, that had he thought seriously to catch you, I should,
perhaps, have held my tongue, and let you fall into his trap.'
Miss Linton regarded her sister-in-law with indignation.%
'For shame! for shame!' she repeated, angrily. 'You are worse than twenty
foes, you poisonous friend!'
'Ah! you won't believe me, then?' said Catherine. 'You think I speak from
wicked selfishness?'
'I'm certain you do,' retorted Isabella; 'and I shudder at you!'
'Good!' cried the other. 'Try for yourself, if that be your spirit: I have done,
and yield the argument to your saucy insolence.' -
'And I must suffer for her egotism!' she sobbed, as Mrs. Linton left the room.
'All, all is against me: she has blighted my single consolation. But she uttered
falsehoods, didn't she? Mr. Heathcliff is not a fiend: he has an honourable soul,
and a true one, or how could he remember her?'

Thesaurus
avarice: (n) cupidity, covetousness, (adj, v) accord, allow, present. merciful, charitable, soft,
rapacity, avariciousness, avidity, ANTONYMS: (v) deprive, refuse, compassionate, warmhearted,
eagerness, voracity, voraciousness, withhold, retrieve, withdraw. sympathetic, flexible, caring, tolerant.
stinginess; (adj, n) greediness; (adj) expectations: (n) outlook, expectation, ungenerous: (adj, v) illiberal; (adj)
extortion. ANTONYMS: (n) expectancy, potential. stingy, parsimonious, miserly, cheap,
philanthropy, benevolence, charity. furze: (n) gorse, Irish gorse, Ulex uncharitable, close, narrow,
besetting: (adj) rife, prevalent, europaeus, Needle furze, shrub, tightfisted, closefisted, penurious.
prevailing, urgent, epidemic, bush, bramble, dyeweed. ANTONYMS: (adj) generous, kind.
compulsive; (v) fixed, hackneyed, pitiless: (adj) merciless, brutal, harsh, wolfish: (adj) edacious, esurient,
ingrafted, inveterate, permanent. cruel, ruthless, implacable, voracious, ravening, rapacious,
bestow: (v) give, confer, grant, impart, remorseless, inexorable, inhuman, predatory, ferocious, savage,
contribute, donate, apply, award; heartless, hard. ANTONYMS: (adj) wolflike, greedy; (n) lupine.
108 Wuthering Heights

'Banish %him from your thoughts, Miss,' I said. 'He's a bird of bad omen: no
mate for you. Mrs. Linton spoke strongly, and yet I can't contradict her. She is
better acquainted with his heart than I, or any one besides; and she never would
represent him as worse than he is. Honest people don't hide their deeds. How
has he been living? how has he got rich? why is he staying at Wuthering Heights,
the house of a man whom he abhors? They say Mr. Earnshaw is worse and
worse since he came. They sit up all night together continually, and Hindley has
been borrowing money on his land, and does nothing but play and drink: I
heard only a week ago - it was Joseph who told me - I met him at Gimmerton:
"Nelly," he said, "we's hae a crowner's 'quest enow, at ahr folks'. One on 'em 's
a'most getten his finger cut off wi' hauding t' other fro' stickin' hisseln loike a
cawlf. That's maister, yeah knaw, 'at 's soa up o' going tuh t' grand 'sizes. He's
noan feared o' t' bench o' judges, norther Paul, nur Peter, nur John, nur Matthew,
nor noan on 'em, not he! He fair likes - he langs to set his brazened face agean
'em! And yon bonny lad Heathcliff, yah mind, he's a rare 'un. He can girn a
laugh as well 's onybody at a raight divil's jest. Does he niver say nowt of his
fine living amang us, when he goes to t' Grange? This is t' way on 't:- up at sun-
down: dice, brandy, cloised shutters, und can'le-light till next day at noon: then,
t'fooil gangs banning und raving to his cham'er, makking dacent fowks dig thur
fingers i' thur lugs fur varry shame; un' the knave, why he can caint his brass, un'
ate, un' sleep, un' off to his neighbour's to gossip wi' t' wife. I' course, he tells
Dame Catherine how her fathur's goold runs into his pocket, and her fathur's son
gallops down t' broad road, while he flees afore to oppen t' pikes!" Now, Miss
Linton, Joseph is an old rascal, but no liar; and, if his account of Heathcliff's
conduct be true, you would never think of desiring such a husband, would you?'
'You are leagued with the rest, Ellen!' she replied. 'I'll not listen to your
slanders. What malevolence you must have to wish to convince me that there is
no happiness in the world!'
Whether she would have got over this fancy if left to herself, or persevered in
nursing it perpetually, I cannot say: she had little time to reflect. The day after,
there was a justice-meeting at the next town; my master was obliged to attend;

Thesaurus
acquainted: (adj) knowledgeable, desiring: (adj) envious, insatiable, ANTONYMS: (n) benevolence, good,
informed, aware, cognizant, desirous, eager; (adv) fleshly. affection, goodwill.
conversant, hand and glove, intimate, knave: (n) cheat, jack, blackguard, omen: (n, v) harbinger, bode, herald,
thick; (adv) abreast; (v) inform, crook, rascal, villain, cad, scalawag, augury; (n) indication, portent,
acquaint. scallywag, scoundrel, varlet. forerunner, foreboding, sign, mark,
contradict: (v) deny, oppose, belie, leagued: (v) brief, dense, firm, auspice.
conflict, confute, controvert, compact, confederated, not verbose, perpetually: (adv) eternally,
contravene, disprove, refute, not diffuse, solid, pithy; (adj) everlastingly, always, incessantly,
invalidate, impugn. ANTONYMS: (v) confederate, allied. continually, endlessly, permanently,
agree, match, correspond, approve, malevolence: (n) malice, hatred, spite, unceasingly, ceaselessly, ever; (adj,
corroborate, prove, support, hate, ill will, bitterness, hostility, adv) forever. ANTONYMS: (adv)
reinforce. rancor, venom, grudge, enmity. erratically, sporadically.
Emily Brontë 109

and Mr. Heathcliff, aware of his absence, called rather earlier than usual.
Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library, on hostile terms, but silent: the
latter alarmed at her recent indiscretion, and the disclosure she had made of her
secret feelings in a transient fit of passion; the former, on mature consideration,
really offended with her companion; and, if she laughed again at her pertness,
inclined to make it no laughing matter to her. She did laugh as she saw
Heathcliff pass the window. I was sweeping the hearth, and I noticed a
mischievous smile on her lips. Isabella, absorbed in her meditations, or a book,
remained till the door opened; and it was too late to attempt an escape, which
she would gladly have done had it been practicable.%
'Come in, that's right!' exclaimed the mistress, gaily, pulling a chair to the fire.
'Here are two people sadly in need of a third to thaw the ice between them; and
you are the very one we should both of us choose. Heathcliff, I'm proud to show
you, at last, somebody that dotes on you more than myself. I expect you to feel
flattered. Nay, it's not Nelly; don't look at her! My poor little sister-in-law is
breaking her heart by mere contemplation of your physical and moral beauty. It
lies in your own power to be Edgar's brother! No, no, Isabella, you sha'n't run
off,' she continued, arresting, with feigned playfulness, the confounded girl,
who had risen indignantly. 'We were quarrelling like cats about you, Heathcliff;
and I was fairly beaten in protestations of devotion and admiration: and,
moreover, I was informed that if I would but have the manners to stand aside,
my rival, as she will have herself to be, would shoot a shaft into your soul that
would fix you for ever, and send my image into eternal oblivion!'
'Catherine!' said Isabella, calling up her dignity, and disdaining to struggle
from the tight grasp that held her, 'I'd thank you to adhere to the truth and not
slander me, even in joke! Mr. Heathcliff, be kind enough to bid this friend of
yours release me: she forgets that you and I are not intimate acquaintances; and
what amuses her is painful to me beyond expression.'
As the guest answered nothing, but took his seat, and looked thoroughly
indifferent what sentiments she cherished concerning him, she turned and
whispered an earnest appeal for liberty to her tormentor.

Thesaurus
acquaintances: (n) associates. ANTONYMS: (n) discretion, risen: (v) uprise.
feigned: (adj) false, affected, assumed, diplomacy, forethought. slander: (n, v) scandal, insult,
dummy, unnatural, fictitious; (adj, v) meditations: (n) contemplation, calumniate; (adj, v) defame, asperse;
sham, counterfeit, spurious, mock, consideration, cogitation. (n) defamation, aspersion, obloquy,
pretended. ANTONYMS: (adj) playfulness: (n) mischief, disparagement; (adj, n) abuse; (v)
sincere, genuine, natural, impertinence, gaiety, archness, denigrate. ANTONYMS: (n, v)
wholehearted, heartfelt, real. friskiness, pertness, merriment, acclaim; (v) compliment; (n)
indiscretion: (n) foolishness, fault, humor, impishness; (n, v) play, sport. acclamation.
rashness, inconsideration, ANTONYM: (n) seriousness. tormentor: (n) pest, tormenter,
carelessness, injudiciousness, faux quarrelling: (adj) at variance, in torturer, pesterer, annoyer, teaser,
pas, hastiness, indiscreetness, dispute, in disagreement, in conflict; tease, tantalizer, persecutor, gadfly,
flippancy; (adj, n) temerity. (n) dissension. flat.
110 Wuthering Heights

'By no means!' cried Mrs. Linton in answer. 'I won't be named a dog in the
manger again. You SHALL stay: now then! Heathcliff, why don't you evince
satisfaction at my pleasant news? Isabella swears that the love Edgar has for me
is nothing to that she entertains for you. I'm sure she made some speech of the
kind; did she not, Ellen? And she has fasted ever since the day before
yesterday's walk, from sorrow and rage that I despatched her out of your society
under the idea of its being unacceptable.'
'I think you belie her,' said Heathcliff, twisting his chair to face them. 'She
wishes to be out of my society now, at any rate!'
And he stared hard at the object of discourse, as one might do at a strange
repulsive animal: a centipede from the Indies, for instance, which curiosity
leads one to examine in spite of the aversion it raises. The poor thing couldn't
bear that; she grew white and red in rapid succession, and, while tears beaded
her lashes, bent the strength of her small fingers to loosen the firm clutch of
Catherine; and perceiving that as fast as she raised one finger off her arm another
closed down, and she could not remove the whole together, she began to make
use of her nails; and their sharpness presently ornamented the detainer's with
crescents of red.%
'There's a tigress!' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, setting her free, and shaking her
hand with pain. 'Begone, for God's sake, and hide your vixen face! How foolish
to reveal those talons to him. Can't you fancy the conclusions he'll draw? Look,
Heathcliff! they are instruments that will do execution - you must beware of your
eyes.'
'I'd wrench them off her fingers, if they ever menaced me,' he answered,
brutally, when the door had closed after her. 'But what did you mean by teasing
the creature in that manner, Cathy? You were not speaking the truth, were you?'
'I assure you I was,' she returned. 'She has been dying for your sake several
weeks, and raving about you this morning, and pouring forth a deluge of abuse,
because I represented your failings in a plain light, for the purpose of mitigating
her adoration. But don't notice it further: I wished to punish her sauciness, that's

Thesaurus
beaded: (adj) beady, bejeweled, torrent, debacle; (v) overrun, assuasive.
bejewelled, bespangled, covered, overwhelm; (n, v) overflow, surge, repulsive: (adj) offensive, detestable,
decorated, jeweled, sequined, stream. ANTONYMS: (n) drought, ugly, disagreeable, nauseous,
spangled, spangly, gemmed. abatement, trickle, lack; (v) drain, hideous, loathsome, abhorrent; (adj,
belie: (v) falsify, contradict, negate, capitulate, desiccate, surrender, v) abominable, hateful, obnoxious.
misrepresent, betray, calumniate, parch, dry, dehydrate. ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasant,
defame, dissemble, color, distort, evince: (v) show, display, evidence, delightful, desirable, reputable,
garble. ANTONYMS: (v) indicate, argue, indicate, manifest, mark, lovely, lovable, humane, appealing,
verify, prove, affirm, attest, reveal. express, prove, establish, exhibit. laudable.
centipede: (n) arthropod. menaced: (adj) doomed, exposed. vixen: (adj, n) shrew; (n) virago,
deluge: (adj, v) inundate; (n) mitigating: (adj) extenuating, termagant, fury, harpy, hag, fox,
cataclysm, downpour, cloudburst, comforting, mitigant, paregoric, reynard, hellcat, hart, harpy eagle.
Emily Brontë 111

all. I like her too well, my dear Heathcliff, to let you absolutely seize and devour
her up.'
'And I like her too ill to attempt it,' said he, 'except in a very ghoulish fashion.
You'd hear of odd things if I lived alone with that mawkish, waxen face: the
most ordinary would be painting on its white the colours of the rainbow, and
turning the blue eyes black, every day or two: they detestably resemble Linton's.'
'Delectably!' observed Catherine. 'They are dove's eyes - angel's!'
'She's her brother's heir, is she not?' he asked, after a brief silence.%
'I should be sorry to think so,' returned his companion. 'Half a dozen
nephews shall erase her title, please heaven! Abstract your mind from the
subject at present: you are too prone to covet your neighbour's goods; remember
THIS neighbour's goods are mine.'
'If they were MINE, they would be none the less that,' said Heathcliff; 'but
though Isabella Linton may be silly, she is scarcely mad; and, in short, we'll
dismiss the matter, as you advise.'
From their tongues they did dismiss it; and Catherine, probably, from her
thoughts. The other, I felt certain, recalled it often in the course of the evening. I
saw him smile to himself - grin rather - and lapse into ominous musing
whenever Mrs. Linton had occasion to be absent from the apartment.
I determined to watch his movements. My heart invariably cleaved to the
master's, in preference to Catherine's side: with reason I imagined, for he was
kind, and trustful, and honourable; and she - she could not be called OPPOSITE,
yet she seemed to allow herself such wide latitude, that I had little faith in her
principles, and still less sympathy for her feelings. I wanted something to
happen which might have the effect of freeing both Wuthering Heights and the
Grange of Mr. Heathcliff quietly; leaving us as we had been prior to his advent.
His visits were a continual nightmare to me; and, I suspected, to my master also.
His abode at the Heights was an oppression past explaining. I felt that God had
forsaken the stray sheep there to its own wicked wanderings, and an evil beast
prowled between it and the fold, waiting his time to spring and destroy.

Thesaurus
abode: (n) dwelling, house, residence, lonely, forlorn, derelict, desert, musing: (adj) contemplative,
place, domicile, lodge, abidance, empty, solitary, friendless; (adj, v) meditative, thoughtful, pensive; (n)
mansion, lodging, address, seat. jilted; (v) crossed in love. meditation, consideration, reflection,
cleaved: (adj) torn. ANTONYM: (adj) unforsaken. rumination, reverie, thought,
devour: (v) eat, bolt, gulp, demolish, ghoulish: (adj) ghastly, offensive, sick, cogitation.
guzzle, swallow, gorge, ingurgitate, gruesome, diabolic, horrid, fearful, trustful: (adj) confiding, unsuspicious,
gobble, use up, absorb. ANTONYMS: diseased, macabre, creepy, uncanny. credulous, gullible, trusty,
(v) avoid, abstain, regurgitate, nibble, mawkish: (adj) maudlin, mushy, trustworthy, unsuspecting; (n) trust,
fast, sip. emotional, flat, slushy, sentimental, private conversation, bold, belief.
explaining: (n) amplification, sappy, bathetic, milk and water, waxen: (adj) pale, waxy, white,
illumination, clearing up, defense. mild, drippy. ANTONYMS: (adj) dry, colorless, wan, ashen, yielding, soft,
forsaken: (adj) deserted, abandoned, unemotional. gray, drawn, cereous.
Emily Brontë 113

CHAPTER XI

SOMETIMES, while meditating on these things in solitude, I've got up in a


sudden terror, and put on my bonnet to go see how all was at the farm. I've
persuaded my conscience that it was a duty to warn him how people talked
regarding his ways; and then I've recollected his confirmed bad habits, and,
hopeless of benefiting him, have flinched from re-entering the dismal house,
doubting if I could bear to be taken at my word.%
One time I passed the old gate, going out of my way, on a journey to
Gimmerton. It was about the period that my narrative has reached: a bright
frosty afternoon; the ground bare, and the road hard and dry. I came to a stone
where the highway branches off on to the moor at your left hand; a rough sand-
pillar, with the letters W. H. cut on its north side, on the east, G., and on the
south-west, T. G. It serves as a guide-post to the Grange, the Heights, and
village. The sun shone yellow on its grey head, reminding me of summer; and I
cannot say why, but all at once a gush of child's sensations flowed into my heart.
Hindley and I held it a favourite spot twenty years before. I gazed long at the
weather-worn block; and, stooping down, perceived a hole near the bottom still
full of snail-shells and pebbles, which we were fond of storing there with more
perishable things; and, as fresh as reality, it appeared that I beheld my early
playmate seated on the withered turf: his dark, square head bent forward, and
his little hand scooping out the earth with a piece of slate. 'Poor Hindley!' I
exclaimed, involuntarily. I started: my bodily eye was cheated into a

Thesaurus
branches: (n) branch, brushwood. unwillingly. ANTONYMS: (adv) ambiance.
cheated: (adj) embittered, resentful. voluntarily, consciously, willingly, stooping: (adj) hunched, crooked,
frosty: (adj, v) icy, glacial; (adj) frigid, purposely. asymmetrical, not erect, not straight,
freezing, wintry, arctic, chill, frozen, meditating: (n) conception. corrupt; (n) patronage.
chilly, bleak, cool. ANTONYMS: (adj) pebbles: (n) shingle, grit, gravel, storing: (n) warehousing,
friendly, pleasant, hot, torrid, stones. accumulation, congestion,
tropical, balmy, approachable. perishable: (adj) mortal, temporary, deposition, harvest, repositing,
involuntarily: (adv) unconsciously, frail, corruptible, transitory, dying stockpiling.
unintentionally, inadvertently, words, dying day, caduke, dying; withered: (adj) wizened, sear,
automatically, forcedly, (adj, v) unstable; (v) precarious. shriveled, thin, shrunken, dry, dried
mechanically, unthinkingly, ANTONYM: (adj) durable. up, wilted, faded, wizen; (v) lame.
reluctantly, accidentally, automaticly, sensations: (n) feelings, vibrations, ANTONYM: (adj) plump.
114 Wuthering Heights

momentary belief that the child lifted its face and stared straight into mine! It
vanished in a twinkling; but immediately I felt an irresistible yearning to be at
the Heights. Superstition urged me to comply with this impulse: supposing he
should be dead! I thought - or should die soon! - supposing it were a sign of
death! The nearer I got to the house the more agitated I grew; and on catching
sight of it I trembled in every limb. The apparition had outstripped me: it stood
looking through the gate. That was my first idea on observing an elf-locked,
brown-eyed boy setting his ruddy countenance against the bars. Further
reflection suggested this must be Hareton, MY Hareton, not altered greatly since
I left him, ten months since.%
'God bless thee, darling!' I cried, forgetting instantaneously my foolish fears.
'Hareton, it's Nelly! Nelly, thy nurse.'
He retreated out of arm's length, and picked up a large flint.
'I am come to see thy father, Hareton,' I added, guessing from the action that
Nelly, if she lived in his memory at all, was not recognised as one with me.
He raised his missile to hurl it; I commenced a soothing speech, but could not
stay his hand: the stone struck my bonnet; and then ensued, from the
stammering lips of the little fellow, a string of curses, which, whether he
comprehended them or not, were delivered with practised emphasis, and
distorted his baby features into a shocking expression of malignity. You may be
certain this grieved more than angered me. Fit to cry, I took an orange from my
pocket, and offered it to propitiate him. He hesitated, and then snatched it from
my hold; as if he fancied I only intended to tempt and disappoint him. I showed
another, keeping it out of his reach.
'Who has taught you those fine words, my bairn?' I inquired. 'The curate?'
'Damn the curate, and thee! Gie me that,' he replied.
'Tell us where you got your lessons, and you shall have it,' said I. 'Who's
your master?'
'Devil daddy,' was his answer.
'And what do you learn from daddy?' I continued.
Thesaurus
agitated: (adj) upset, excited, nervous, disenchant, betray, circumvent, bilk, momentarily, outright, right away, in
restive, tumultuous, distressed, tense, mock, foil; (n, v) put out. a flash. ANTONYM: (adv) eventually.
jumpy, overwrought, anxious, ANTONYMS: (v) please, satisfy, propitiate: (v) pacify, mollify, appease,
alarmed. ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, encourage, fulfill, succeed, comfort, placate, assuage, atone, compose,
lethargic, tranquil, relaxed, assured, inspire. calm, allay, becalm; (adj, v) reconcile.
cool, still. hurl: (v) chuck, dash, pitch, throw, retreated: (adj) withdrawn, people.
apparition: (n) ghost, phantom, spirit, dart, pelt, toss, heave, send; (n, v) stammering: (n) hesitation, hesitancy,
spectre, hallucination, spook, shade, fling; (n) casting. ANTONYM: (v) psellism, indistinct pronunciation,
eidolon, wraith, advent; (n, v) vision. hold. doubt; (adj) halting, hesitating,
comprehended: (adj) understood, instantaneously: (adv) directly, inarticulate, incoherent, broken,
apprehended. instantly, at once, forthwith, ashamed.
disappoint: (v) fail, defeat, balk, baffle, suddenly, promptly, abruptly, whether: (pron) where.
Emily Brontë 115

He jumped at the fruit; I raised it higher. 'What does he teach you?' I asked.%
'Naught,' said he, 'but to keep out of his gait. Daddy cannot bide me, because
I swear at him.'
'Ah! and the devil teaches you to swear at daddy?' I observed.
'Ay - nay,' he drawled.
'Who, then?'
'Heathcliff.'
'I asked if he liked Mr. Heathcliff.'
'Ay!' he answered again.
Desiring to have his reasons for liking him, I could only gather the sentences
- 'I known't: he pays dad back what he gies to me - he curses daddy for cursing
me. He says I mun do as I will.'
'And the curate does not teach you to read and write, then?' I pursued.
'No, I was told the curate should have his - teeth dashed down his - throat, if
he stepped over the threshold - Heathcliff had promised that!'
I put the orange in his hand, and bade him tell his father that a woman called
Nelly Dean was waiting to speak with him, by the garden gate. He went up the
walk, and entered the house; but, instead of Hindley, Heathcliff appeared on the
door-stones; and I turned directly and ran down the road as hard as ever I could
race, making no halt till I gained the guide-post, and feeling as scared as if I had
raised a goblin. This is not much connected with Miss Isabella's affair: except
that it urged me to resolve further on mounting vigilant guard, and doing my
utmost to cheek the spread of such bad influence at the Grange: even though I
should wake a domestic storm, by thwarting Mrs. Linton's pleasure.
The next time Heathcliff came my young lady chanced to be feeding some
pigeons in the court. She had never spoken a word to her sister-in-law for three
days; but she had likewise dropped her fretful complaining, and we found it a
great comfort. Heathcliff had not the habit of bestowing a single unnecessary
civility on Miss Linton, I knew. Now, as soon as he beheld her, his first

Thesaurus
appeared: (n) appearing. impatient, uneasy, petulant, fidgety, pursued: (n) hunted person.
bide: (v) abide, await, endure, bear, crabbed. ANTONYM: (adj) carefree. utmost: (adj, n) maximum, extreme,
remain, last, dwell; (adj, v) tarry, wait; gained: (adj) extrinsic. uttermost, furthermost, best, highest;
(adj) tolerate, stand. ANTONYMS: (v) liking: (n, v) inclination; (n) fancy, (adj, adv) farthest; (adj, v) supreme;
go, move, hurry. appetite, taste, fondness, predilection, (adj) last, furthest; (adj, n, v) greatest.
cursing: (adj) cursed, execrative; (n) affection, partiality, admiration, ANTONYMS: (adj) moderate, worst.
blasphemy, anathema, swearing, approval, appreciation. vigilant: (adj) alert, watchful, attentive,
swear word, malediction, execration, ANTONYMS: (n) dislike, aversion, observant, cautious, guarded,
denunciation, cursedness; (v) hatred, indifference, detachment, circumspect, wakeful, careful,
beshrew. dissatisfaction, antipathy. jealous; (adj, v) awake. ANTONYMS:
fretful: (adj, v) querulous; (adj) restless, pigeons: (n) order Columbiformes, (adj) careless, negligent, reckless,
anxious, testy, sullen, irritable, Columbiformes. oblivious, unprepared, asleep.
116 Wuthering Heights

precaution was to take a sweeping survey of the house-front. I was standing by


the kitchen-window, but I drew out of sight. He then stepped across the
pavement to her, and said something: she seemed embarrassed, and desirous of
getting away; to prevent it, he laid his hand on her arm. She averted her face: he
apparently put some question which she had no mind to answer. There was
another rapid glance at the house, and supposing himself unseen, the scoundrel
had the impudence to embrace her.%
'Judas! Traitor!' I ejaculated. 'You are a hypocrite, too, are you? A deliberate
deceiver.'
'Who is, Nelly?' said Catherine's voice at my elbow: I had been over-intent on
watching the pair outside to mark her entrance.
'Your worthless friend!' I answered, warmly: 'the sneaking rascal yonder.
Ah, he has caught a glimpse of us - he is coming in! I wonder will he have the
heart to find a plausible excuse for making love to Miss, when he told you he
hated her?'
Mrs. Linton saw Isabella tear herself free, and run into the garden; and a
minute after, Heathcliff opened the door. I couldn't withhold giving some loose
to my indignation; but Catherine angrily insisted on silence, and threatened to
order me out of the kitchen, if I dared to be so presumptuous as to put in my
insolent tongue.
'To hear you, people might think you were the mistress!' she cried. 'You want
setting down in your right place! Heathcliff, what are you about, raising this
stir? I said you must let Isabella alone! - I beg you will, unless you are tired of
being received here, and wish Linton to draw the bolts against you!'
'God forbid that he should try!' answered the black villain. I detested him
just then. 'God keep him meek and patient! Every day I grow madder after
sending him to heaven!'
'Hush!' said Catherine, shutting the inner door! 'Don't vex me. Why have you
disregarded my request? Did she come across you on purpose?'

Thesaurus
detested: (adj) despised, unpopular, meek: (adj) lowly, docile, gentle, tame, unseen: (adj, v) unknown; (adj)
disliked, loathed, not accepted, low, submissive, compliant, mild, invisible, concealed, hidden,
unloved, scorned, reviled, out of modest, quiet, kind. ANTONYMS: unobserved, secret, veiled, latent; (v)
favor, not liked. (adj) assertive, bossy, haughty, unheeded, unperceived; (n) spiritual
disregarded: (adj) unnoticed, arrogant, overbearing, rebellious, world. ANTONYMS: (adj) seen,
neglected, unseen, written off, disobedient, wild, harsh, brash. visible, open, famous, noticeable.
wretchless, unvalued, unheeded, presumptuous: (adj) arrogant, withhold: (v) reserve, keep, suppress,
overlooked, lost, irrecoverable; (v) audacious, forward, assuming, deny, retain, hold, detain, restrain,
unregarded. insolent, impertinent, assumptive, abstain, check; (adj, v) stint.
drew: (n) move, John Drew. familiar, haughty, proud; (adj, n) ANTONYMS: (v) transmit, release,
madder: (v) redden; (n) Turkey red, bold. ANTONYMS: (adj) respectful, show, lavish, add.
ruddle, Mather. shy, timid, humble, modest.
Emily Brontë 117

'What is it to you?' he growled. 'I have a right to kiss her, if she chooses; and
you have no right to object. I am not YOUR husband: YOU needn't be jealous of
me!'
'I'm not jealous of you,' replied the mistress; 'I'm jealous for you. Clear your
face: you sha'n't scowl at me! If you like Isabella, you shall marry her. But do
you like her? Tell the truth, Heathcliff! There, you won't answer. I'm certain
you don't.'
'And would Mr. Linton approve of his sister marrying that man?' I inquired.%
'Mr. Linton should approve,' returned my lady, decisively.
'He might spare himself the trouble,' said Heathcliff: 'I could do as well
without his approbation. And as to you, Catherine, I have a mind to speak a few
words now, while we are at it. I want you to be aware that I KNOW you have
treated me infernally - infernally! Do you hear? And if you flatter yourself that I
don't perceive it, you are a fool; and if you think I can be consoled by sweet
words, you are an idiot: and if you fancy I'll suffer unrevenged, I'll convince you
of the contrary, in a very little while! Meantime, thank you for telling me your
sister-in-law's secret: I swear I'll make the most of it. And stand you aside!'
'What new phase of his character is this?' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, in
amazement. 'I've treated you infernally - and you'll take your revenge! How
will you take it, ungrateful brute? How have I treated you infernally?'
'I seek no revenge on you,' replied Heathcliff, less vehemently. 'That's not the
plan. The tyrant grinds down his slaves and they don't turn against him; they
crush those beneath them. You are welcome to torture me to death for your
amusement, only allow me to amuse myself a little in the same style, and refrain
from insult as much as you are able. Having levelled my palace, don't erect a
hovel and complacently admire your own charity in giving me that for a home.
If I imagined you really wished me to marry Isabel, I'd cut my throat!'
'Oh, the evil is that I am NOT jealous, is it?' cried Catherine. 'Well, I won't
repeat my offer of a wife: it is as bad as offering Satan a lost soul. Your bliss lies,
like his, in inflicting misery. You prove it. Edgar is restored from the ill-temper

Thesaurus
approbation: (n, v) praise; (n) hovel: (n) hut, cot, booth, hole, cottage, tyrant: (n) dictator, oppressor,
applause, agreement, approval, hutch, shanty, bothy, shed, shack, autocrat, disciplinarian, bully,
acclaim, sanction, commendation, croft. ANTONYM: (n) mansion. authoritarian, sovereign, czar,
admiration, permission, appreciation, idiot: (n) dolt, blockhead, dunce, monarch, suzerain, stickler.
favor. ANTONYMS: (n) dimwit, moron, cretin, ass, imbecile, ungrateful: (adj) unmindful,
condemnation, disapproval, oaf, changeling, idiocy. ANTONYM: unthankful, unappreciative,
criticism. (n) intellectual. unnatural, ingrate, unpleasant,
complacently: (adv) contently, infernally: (adv) satanically, distasteful, displeasing, unkind,
conceitedly, self-satisfiedly, fiendishly, diabolically, devilishly, disagreeable, not kind. ANTONYMS:
graciously, arrogantly, satisfiedly, wickedly, unholy, demonically, (adj) grateful, thankful, appreciative.
contentedly, virtuously, satanicly, deucedly, blessedly, unrevenged: (v) unresented; (adj)
sanctimoniously. damnedly. revengeless.
118 Wuthering Heights

he gave way to at your coming; I begin to be secure and tranquil; and you,
restless to know us at peace, appear resolved on exciting a quarrel. Quarrel with
Edgar, if you please, Heathcliff, and deceive his sister: you'll hit on exactly the
most efficient method of revenging yourself on me.'
The conversation ceased. Mrs. Linton sat down by the fire, flushed and
gloomy. The spirit which served her was growing intractable: she could neither
lay nor control it. He stood on the hearth with folded arms, brooding on his evil
thoughts; and in this position I left them to seek the master, who was wondering
what kept Catherine below so long.%
'Ellen,' said he, when I entered, 'have you seen your mistress?'
'Yes; she's in the kitchen, sir,' I answered. 'She's sadly put out by Mr.
Heathcliff's behaviour: and, indeed, I do think it's time to arrange his visits on
another footing. There's harm in being too soft, and now it's come to this - .'
And I related the scene in the court, and, as near as I dared, the whole
subsequent dispute. I fancied it could not be very prejudicial to Mrs. Linton;
unless she made it so afterwards, by assuming the defensive for her guest. Edgar
Linton had difficulty in hearing me to the close. His first words revealed that he
did not clear his wife of blame.
'This is insufferable!' he exclaimed. 'It is disgraceful that she should own him
for a friend, and force his company on me! Call me two men out of the hall,
Ellen. Catherine shall linger no longer to argue with the low ruffian - I have
humoured her enough.'
He descended, and bidding the servants wait in the passage, went, followed
by me, to the kitchen. Its occupants had recommenced their angry discussion:
Mrs. Linton, at least, was scolding with renewed vigour; Heathcliff had moved to
the window, and hung his head, somewhat cowed by her violent rating
apparently. He saw the master first, and made a hasty motion that she should be
silent; which she obeyed, abruptly, on discovering the reason of his intimation.
'How is this?' said Linton, addressing her; 'what notion of propriety must
you have to remain here, after the language which has been held to you by that

Thesaurus
brooding: (adj) pondering, thoughtful, insubordinate, froward, recalcitrant, propriety: (adj, n) decency, modesty,
contemplative, hatching, meditative, perverse, wayward, unruly. correctness, aptitude; (n) decorum,
pensive, wistful; (v) brewing, ANTONYMS: (adj) tractable, fitness, etiquette, civility, grace,
batching; (n) chick management, biddable, flexible, manageable, politeness, manners. ANTONYMS:
parturition. ANTONYMS: (adj) compliant, easy, easygoing, docile, (n) impropriety, rudeness,
shallow, cheerful. amenable. unsuitableness, indecorum,
cowed: (adj) afraid, browbeaten, prejudicial: (adj) pernicious, hurtful, decadence, tactlessness, corruption,
bullied, timid, crestfallen, frightened, damaging, injurious, harmful, vulgarity, indecency.
hangdog, intimidated, passive. noxious, disadvantageous, adverse, revenging: (adj) malicious, revengeful.
descended: (v) extraught. mischievous, prejudicious, noisome. ruffian: (n) rowdy, rascal, hooligan,
intractable: (adj) inflexible, fractious, ANTONYMS: (adj) beneficial, bully, brute, hoodlum, tough,
stubborn, contumacious, contrary, helpful. miscreant, villain, rogue, roughneck.
Emily Brontë 119

blackguard? I suppose, because it is his ordinary talk you think nothing of it:
you are habituated to his baseness, and, perhaps, imagine I can get used to it
too!'
'Have you been listening at the door, Edgar?' asked the mistress, in a tone
particularly calculated to provoke her husband, implying both carelessness and
contempt of his irritation. Heathcliff, who had raised his eyes at the former
speech, gave a sneering laugh at the latter; on purpose, it seemed, to draw Mr.
Linton's attention to him. He succeeded; but Edgar did not mean to entertain
him with any high flights of passion.%
'I've been so far forbearing with you, sir,' he said quietly; 'not that I was
ignorant of your miserable, degraded character, but I felt you were only partly
responsible for that; and Catherine wishing to keep up your acquaintance, I
acquiesced - foolishly. Your presence is a moral poison that would contaminate
the most virtuous: for that cause, and to prevent worse consequences, I shall
deny you hereafter admission into this house, and give notice now that I require
your instant departure. Three minutes' delay will render it involuntary and
ignominious.
Heathcliff measured the height and breadth of the speaker with an eye full of
derision.
'Cathy, this lamb of yours threatens like a bull!' he said. 'It is in danger of
splitting its skull against my knuckles. By God! Mr. Linton, I'm mortally sorry
that you are not worth knocking down!'
My master glanced towards the passage, and signed me to fetch the men: he
had no intention of hazarding a personal encounter. I obeyed the hint; but Mrs.
Linton, suspecting something, followed; and when I attempted to call them, she
pulled me back, slammed the door to, and locked it.
'Fair means!' she said, in answer to her husband's look of angry surprise. 'If
you have not courage to attack him, make an apology, or allow yourself to be
beaten. It will correct you of feigning more valour than you possess. No, I'll
swallow the key before you shall get it! I'm delightfully rewarded for my

Thesaurus
baseness: (n) meanness, despicability, deceit, appearance, acting, deception, inglorious, black, despicable,
evil, depravity, wickedness, dirtiness, misrepresentation, pretension. degrading. ANTONYMS: (adj)
unworthiness, iniquity, infamy, forbearing: (adj) patient, clement, honorable, glorious.
lowness, villainy. ANTONYM: (n) tolerant, lenient, easy, indulgent, knuckles: (n) brass knuckles, knuckle
goodness. permissive, charitable, merciful, duster, weapon, arm, knucks, hand.
contaminate: (adj, v) taint, infect, compassionate, meek. ANTONYMS: slammed: (adj) tight.
debase, defile, stain; (v) befoul, (adj) impatient, unforgiving. sneering: (adj) contemptuous,
adulterate, corrupt, vitiate, foul, soil. hazarding: (n) exacta, gaming, daily disdainful, sarcastic, mocking, snide,
ANTONYMS: (v) purify, cleanse, double; (adj) wagering. scornful, disparaging, disapproving;
clean, sterilize, decontaminate. ignominious: (adj) dishonorable, (n) mockery, disdain; (adv)
feigning: (v) feign; (n) pretending, shameful, disreputable, infamous, sneeringly. ANTONYMS: (adj)
pretense, dissimulation, dissembling, base, discreditable, dishonourable, respectful, admiring.
120 Wuthering Heights

kindness to each! After constant indulgence of one's weak nature, and the other's
bad one, I earn for thanks two samples of blind ingratitude, stupid to absurdity!
Edgar, I was defending you and yours; and I wish Heathcliff may flog you sick,
for daring to think an evil thought of me!'
It did not need the medium of a flogging to produce that effect on the master.
He tried to wrest the key from Catherine's grasp, and for safety she flung it into
the hottest part of the fire; whereupon Mr. Edgar was taken with a nervous
trembling, and his countenance grew deadly pale. For his life he could not avert
that excess of emotion: mingled anguish and humiliation overcame him
completely. He leant on the back of a chair, and covered his face.%
'Oh, heavens! In old days this would win you knighthood!' exclaimed Mrs.
Linton. 'We are vanquished! we are vanquished! Heathcliff would as soon lift a
finger at you as the king would march his army against a colony of mice. Cheer
up! you sha'n't be hurt! Your type is not a lamb, it's a sucking leveret.'
'I wish you joy of the milk-blooded coward, Cathy!' said her friend. 'I
compliment you on your taste. And that is the slavering, shivering thing you
preferred to me! I would not strike him with my fist, but I'd kick him with my
foot, and experience considerable satisfaction. Is he weeping, or is he going to
faint for fear?'
The fellow approached and gave the chair on which Linton rested a push.
He'd better have kept his distance: my master quickly sprang erect, and struck
him full on the throat a blow that would have levelled a slighter man. It took his
breath for a minute; and while he choked, Mr. Linton walked out by the back
door into the yard, and from thence to the front entrance.
'There! you've done with coming here,' cried Catherine. 'Get away, now; he'll
return with a brace of pistols and half-a-dozen assistants. If he did overhear us,
of course he'd never forgive you. You've played me an ill turn, Heathcliff! But
go - make haste! I'd rather see Edgar at bay than you.'
'Do you suppose I'm going with that blow burning in my gullet?' he
thundered. 'By hell, no! I'll crush his ribs in like a rotten hazel-nut before I cross

Thesaurus
avert: (v) avoid, ward off, turn away, debauchery, hobby, tolerance, slighter: (adj) smaller, less.
repulse, elude, prevent, deflect, luxury, enjoyment, leniency, pardon. thence: (adv) therefore, thus,
obviate, shunt, preclude, stop. ANTONYMS: (n) denial, virtue, therefrom, thereof, consequently,
ANTONYMS: (v) exacerbate, cause, intolerance, uprightness, necessity, then, so, thereafter, thenceforth,
focus, encourage, attract, permit. indifference, dismay, severity. since, on account of.
flog: (v) lash, whip, chastise, lick, ingratitude: (n) oblivion of benefits, vanquished: (adj) beaten,
trounce, flagellate, birch, castigate, thanklessness, ungratefulness, overwhelmed, routed, overcome,
cane, strap, wallop. feeling. ANTONYM: (n) gratitude. overpowered, overthrown, defeated,
hottest: (adj) most modern, most mingled: (adj) miscellaneous, complex, crushed, tried, tired out, practiced.
recent, newest, latest. indiscriminate, heterogeneous, wrest: (adj, v) distort, twist; (v) extort,
indulgence: (adj, n) gratification, medley, confused, eclectic, motley, contort, extract, wring, wrench,
delight; (n) allowance, extravagance, different; (v) blended, blent. deform, warp, squeeze, turn.
Emily Brontë 121

the threshold! If I don't floor him now, I shall murder him some time; so, as you
value his existence, let me get at him!'
'He is not coming,' I interposed, framing a bit of a lie. 'There's the coachman
and the two gardeners; you'll surely not wait to be thrust into the road by them!
Each has a bludgeon; and master will, very likely, be watching from the parlour-
windows to see that they fulfil his orders.'
The gardeners and coachman were there: but Linton was with them. They
had already entered the court. Heathcliff, on the second thoughts, resolved to
avoid a struggle against three underlings: he seized the poker, smashed the lock
from the inner door, and made his escape as they tramped in.%
Mrs. Linton, who was very much excited, bade me accompany her up- stairs.
She did not know my share in contributing to the disturbance, and I was anxious
to keep her in ignorance.
'I'm nearly distracted, Nelly!' she exclaimed, throwing herself on the sofa. 'A
thousand smiths' hammers are beating in my head! Tell Isabella to shun me; this
uproar is owing to her; and should she or any one else aggravate my anger at
present, I shall get wild. And, Nelly, say to Edgar, if you see him again to-night,
that I'm in danger of being seriously ill. I wish it may prove true. He has startled
and distressed me shockingly! I want to frighten him. Besides, he might come
and begin a string of abuse or complainings; I'm certain I should recriminate,
and God knows where we should end! Will you do so, my good Nelly? You are
aware that I am no way blamable in this matter. What possessed him to turn
listener? Heathcliff's talk was outrageous, after you left us; but I could soon have
diverted him from Isabella, and the rest meant nothing. Now all is dashed
wrong; by the fool's craving to hear evil of self, that haunts some people like a
demon! Had Edgar never gathered our conversation, he would never have been
the worse for it. Really, when he opened on me in that unreasonable tone of
displeasure after I had scolded Heathcliff till I was hoarse for him, I did not care
hardly what they did to each other; especially as I felt that, however the scene
closed, we should all be driven asunder for nobody knows how long! Well, if I
cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend - if Edgar will be mean and jealous, I'll try

Thesaurus
aggravate: (v) exasperate, provoke, bludgeon: (n) bat, stick, truncheon, shockingly: (adv) scandalously,
irritate, enrage, worsen, increase, cudgel, mace, staff, shillelah; (v) beat, dreadfully, shamefully, disgracefully,
magnify, inflame, make worse, bully, hit, coerce. horridly, awfully, surprisingly,
peeve; (adj, v) embitter. ANTONYMS: coachman: (n) teamster, cabman, offensively, terrifically, startlingly,
(v) pacify, ease, improve, please, charioteer, carter, carman, Jehu, revoltingly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
soothe, alleviate, mitigate, better, postboy, drayman, wagoner, pleasantly, commendably,
calm, defuse, encourage. postilion; (v) whip. predictably, properly.
blamable: (adj) faulty, culpable, recriminate: (v) remonstrate, shun: (v) evade, escape, elude, dodge,
reprehensible, blameworthy, incriminate, impeach, criminate, flee, refuse, shirk, ostracize, banish,
blameable, blameful, censurable, inveigh, scold, expostulate. parry; (adj, v) eschew. ANTONYMS:
delinquent, reprovable, shall: (n) must, necessity; (v) require, (v) befriend, invite, seek, welcome,
condemnable, accountable. bequeath, leave. woo, court, participate, include.
122 Wuthering Heights

to break their hearts by breaking my own. That will be a prompt way of


finishing all, when I am pushed to extremity! But it's a deed to be reserved for a
forlorn hope; I'd not take Linton by surprise with it. To this point he has been
discreet in dreading to provoke me; you must represent the peril of quitting that
policy, and remind him of my passionate temper, verging, when kindled, on
frenzy. I wish you could dismiss that apathy out of that countenance, and look
rather more anxious about me.'
The stolidity with which I received these instructions was, no doubt, rather
exasperating: for they were delivered in perfect sincerity; but I believed a person
who could plan the turning of her fits of passion to account, beforehand, might,
by exerting her will, manage to control herself tolerably, even while under their
influence; and I did not wish to 'frighten' her husband, as she said, and multiply
his annoyances for the purpose of serving her selfishness. Therefore I said
nothing when I met the master coming towards the parlour; but I took the liberty
of turning back to listen whether they would resume their quarrel together. He
began to speak first.%
'Remain where you are, Catherine,' he said; without any anger in his voice,
but with much sorrowful despondency. 'I shall not stay. I am neither come to
wrangle nor be reconciled; but I wish just to learn whether, after this evening's
events, you intend to continue your intimacy with - '
'Oh, for mercy's sake,' interrupted the mistress, stamping her foot, 'for
mercy's sake, let us hear no more of it now! Your cold blood cannot be worked
into a fever: your veins are full of ice- water; but mine are boiling, and the sight
of such chillness makes them dance.'
'To get rid of me, answer my question,' persevered Mr. Linton. 'You must
answer it; and that violence does not alarm me. I have found that you can be as
stoical as anyone, when you please. Will you give up Heathcliff hereafter, or
will you give up me? It is impossible for you to be MY friend and HIS at the
same time; and I absolutely REQUIRE to know which you choose.'
'I require to be let alone?' exclaimed Catherine, furiously. 'I demand it! Don't
you see I can scarcely stand? Edgar, you - you leave me!'
Thesaurus
chillness: (n) coldness. vexing, galling, exacerbating. exalted, elevated, lofty.
despondency: (n) despair, ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasing, stolidity: (n) indifference, phlegm,
desperation, dejection, despondence, pleasant, satisfying. impassiveness, impassivity,
melancholy, gloom, sadness, exerting: (n) push. emotionlessness, stoicism, lethargy,
hopelessness, desolation, anguish, extremity: (n) end, member, languor, obtuseness, inactivity; (adj)
grief. ANTONYMS: (n) happiness, boundary, bound, close, appendage, stupidity.
hopefulness, cheerfulness, joy, limit, limb, ending, fringe, verging: (adj) marginal, adjoining.
resilience, delight, cheer. conclusion. ANTONYMS: (n) trunk, wrangle: (adj, n, v) squabble; (n, v)
dreading: (adj) anxious. average, minimum, head, leniency. quarrel, dispute, brawl, debate,
exasperating: (adj) annoying, stoical: (adj, n) stoic; (adj) indifferent, bicker, contest, row, altercation, fight,
bothersome, maddening, infuriating, patient, imperturbable, calm, argue. ANTONYMS: (v) agree; (n)
trying, irritating, tedious, vexatious, spirited, princely, phlegmatic, peace.
Emily Brontë 123

She rang the bell till it broke with a twang; I entered leisurely. It was enough
to try the temper of a saint, such senseless, wicked rages! There she lay dashing
her head against the arm of the sofa, and grinding her teeth, so that you might
fancy she would crash them to splinters! Mr. Linton stood looking at her in
sudden compunction and fear. He told me to fetch some water. She had no
breath for speaking. I brought a glass full; and as she would not drink, I
sprinkled it on her face. In a few seconds she stretched herself out stiff, and
turned up her eyes, while her cheeks, at once blanched and livid, assumed the
aspect of death. Linton looked terrified.%
'There is nothing in the world the matter,' I whispered. I did not want him to
yield, though I could not help being afraid in my heart.
'She has blood on her lips!' he said, shuddering.
'Never mind!' I answered, tartly. And I told him how she had resolved,
previous to his coming, on exhibiting a fit of frenzy. I incautiously gave the
account aloud, and she heard me; for she started up - her hair flying over her
shoulders, her eyes flashing, the muscles of her neck and arms standing out
preternaturally. I made up my mind for broken bones, at least; but she only
glared about her for an instant, and then rushed from the room. The master
directed me to follow; I did, to her chamber-door: she hindered me from going
further by securing it against me.
As she never offered to descend to breakfast next morning, I went to ask
whether she would have some carried up. 'No!' she replied, peremptorily. The
same question was repeated at dinner and tea; and again on the morrow after,
and received the same answer. Mr. Linton, on his part, spent his time in the
library, and did not inquire concerning his wife's occupations. Isabella and he
had had an hour's interview, during which he tried to elicit from her some
sentiment of proper horror for Heathcliff's advances: but he could make nothing
of her evasive replies, and was obliged to close the examination unsatisfactorily;
adding, however, a solemn warning, that if she were so insane as to encourage
that worthless suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of relationship between herself
and him.

Thesaurus
blanched: (adj) ashen, colorless, white, heedlessly, unthinkingly, petitioner; (n, v) wooer.
bleached, bloodless, benevolent, wan, unguardedly, unwarily, rashly, twang: (n, v) flavor; (n) accent, tang,
pale, lightened, fair, faded. forgetfully. ANTONYMS: (adv) strong taste; (v) jar, strum, play,
compunction: (n) repentance, remorse, discreetly, carefully. smack, taste, smatch, savor.
contrition, qualm, penance, regret, preternaturally: (adv) supernaturally, unsatisfactorily: (adv) badly,
compassion, rue, scruple, sorrow, irregularly, transcendentally, insufficiently, inadequately, weakly,
guilt. ANTONYMS: (n) hardness, extraordinarily, occultly, abnormally, pathetically, pitifully,
indifference, meanness, strangely, outlandishly, uncannily, disappointingly, imperfectly,
remorselessness. miraculously. absurdly, embarrassingly, derisorily.
incautiously: (adv) imprudently, suitor: (n) plaintiff, suer, admirer, ANTONYMS: (adv) satisfactorily,
recklessly, thoughtlessly, beau, candidate, complainant, impressively, well, perfectly,
indiscreetly, injudiciously, gallant, boyfriend, applicant, competently.
Emily Brontë 125

CHAPTER XII

WHILE Miss Linton moped about the park and garden, always silent, and
almost always in tears; and her brother shut himself up among books that he
never opened - wearying, I guessed, with a continual vague expectation that
Catherine, repenting her conduct, would come of her own accord to ask pardon,
and seek a reconciliation - and SHE fasted pertinaciously, under the idea,
probably, that at every meal Edgar was ready to choke for her absence, and
pride alone held him from running to cast himself at her feet; I went about my
household duties, convinced that the Grange had but one sensible soul in its
walls, and that lodged in my body. I wasted no condolences on Miss, nor any
expostulations on my mistress; nor did I pay much attention to the sighs of my
master, who yearned to hear his lady's name, since he might not hear her voice. I
determined they should come about as they pleased for me; and though it was a
tiresomely slow process, I began to rejoice at length in a faint dawn of its
progress: as I thought at first.%
Mrs. Linton, on the third day, unbarred her door, and having finished the
water in her pitcher and decanter, desired a renewed supply, and a basin of
gruel, for she believed she was dying. That I set down as a speech meant for
Edgar's ears; I believed no such thing, so I kept it to myself and brought her some
tea and dry toast. She ate and drank eagerly, and sank back on her pillow again,
clenching her hands and groaning. 'Oh, I will die,' she exclaimed, 'since no one
cares anything about me. I wish I had not taken that.' Then a good while after I

Thesaurus
choke: (v) asphyxiate, block, stifle, (adj) sporadic, temporary, occasional, stiffly, contumaciously, dourly.
back up, clog up, gag, suffocate, foul, finite, inconstant, infrequent, ending, pitcher: (n) jar, ewer, mug, pot, hurler,
strangle, smother, obstruct. ceasing, halting, rare, acute. creamer, container, pail, bucket,
ANTONYMS: (v) free, open, release, decanter: (n) carafe, jar, flask, jug, flagon, tankard.
unblock. flagon, amphora, cag, drum, firkin, rejoice: (v) cheer, gladden, triumph,
condolences: (n) commiseration, cask, butt. revel, jubilate, gratify, gloat, please;
sympathy, pity. lodged: (adj) wedged, stuck fast, stuck, (n, v) delight, glory, joy.
continual: (adj, adv) constant; (adj) jammed. ANTONYMS: (v) lament, mourn,
ceaseless, incessant, endless, moped: (n) minibike, carrier tricycle. complain.
continuous, frequent, everlasting, pertinaciously: (adv) stubbornly, repenting: (adj) repentant.
uninterrupted, perpetual, unyieldingly, firmly, tenaciously, unbarred: (adj) unlocked, unlatched,
unrelenting, perennial. ANTONYMS: obstinately, doggedly, headstrongly, unbolted, open.
126 Wuthering Heights

heard her murmur, 'No, I'll not die - he'd be glad - he does not love me at all - he
would never miss me!'
'Did you want anything, ma'am?' I inquired, still preserving my external
composure, in spite of her ghastly countenance and strange, exaggerated
manner.%
'What is that apathetic being doing?' she demanded, pushing the thick
entangled locks from her wasted face. 'Has he fallen into a lethargy, or is he
dead?'
'Neither,' replied I; 'if you mean Mr. Linton. He's tolerably well, I think,
though his studies occupy him rather more than they ought: he is continually
among his books, since he has no other society.'
I should not have spoken so if I had known her true condition, but I could not
get rid of the notion that she acted a part of her disorder.
'Among his books!' she cried, confounded. 'And I dying! I on the brink of the
grave! My God! does he know how I'm altered?' continued she, staring at her
reflection in a mirror hanging against the opposite wall. 'Is that Catherine
Linton? He imagines me in a pet - in play, perhaps. Cannot you inform him
that it is frightful earnest? Nelly, if it be not too late, as soon as I learn how he
feels, I'll choose between these two: either to starve at once - that would be no
punishment unless he had a heart - or to recover, and leave the country. Are you
speaking the truth about him now? Take care. Is he actually so utterly
indifferent for my life?'
'Why, ma'am,' I answered, 'the master has no idea of your being deranged;
and of course he does not fear that you will let yourself die of hunger.'
'You think not? Cannot you tell him I will?' she returned. 'Persuade him!
speak of your own mind: say you are certain I will!'
'No, you forget, Mrs. Linton,' I suggested, 'that you have eaten some food
with a relish this evening, and to-morrow you will perceive its good effects.'
'If I were only sure it would kill him,' she interrupted, 'I'd kill myself directly!
These three awful nights I've never closed my lids - and oh, I've been tormented!
Thesaurus
apathetic: (adj) indifferent, (adj) calm, balanced, lucid, rational, fair.
uninterested, cool, impassive, stable. lethargy: (n) drowsiness, indifference,
perfunctory, dull, spiritless, entangled: (adj) complicated, intricate, apathy, inactivity, fatigue, inertia,
nonchalant, casual, lukewarm, lazy. embroiled, complex, foul, confused, stupor, laziness, sluggishness,
ANTONYMS: (adj) enthusiastic, matted, tangled, inextricable, knotty; idleness, languor. ANTONYMS: (n)
inquisitive, fervent, energetic, (v) entangle. verve, vitality, liveliness, nimbleness,
concerned, interested, keen, excited, frightful: (adj, v) fearful; (adj) animation, alertness, vigor, activity,
passionate, ambitious, caring. formidable, awful, fearsome, wakefulness, interest, speediness.
deranged: (adj) demented, disordered, appalling, gruesome, horrible, starve: (v) fast, crave, lust, hunger,
crazed, maddened, unbalanced, terrible, dread, frightening, grim. thirst, perish, be hungry, deprive,
insane, lunatic, mad, confused, ANTONYMS: (adj) wonderful, benumb; (adj, v) pinch; (adj) gripe.
disturbed, acephalous. ANTONYMS: calming, soothing, pleasant, lovely, ANTONYMS: (v) feed, eat.
Emily Brontë 127

I've been haunted, Nelly! But I begin to fancy you don't like me. How strange! I
thought, though everybody hated and despised each other, they could not avoid
loving me. And they have all turned to enemies in a few hours: they have, I'm
positive; the people here. How dreary to meet death, surrounded by their cold
faces! Isabella, terrified and repelled, afraid to enter the room, it would be so
dreadful to watch Catherine go. And Edgar standing solemnly by to see it over;
then offering prayers of thanks to God for restoring peace to his house, and
going back to his BOOKS! What in the name of all that feels has he to do with
BOOKS, when I am dying?'
She could not bear the notion which I had put into her head of Mr. Linton's
philosophical resignation. Tossing about, she increased her feverish
bewilderment to madness, and tore the pillow with her teeth; then raising
herself up all burning, desired that I would open the window. We were in the
middle of winter, the wind blew strong from the north-east, and I objected. Both
the expressions flitting over her face, and the changes of her moods, began to
alarm me terribly; and brought to my recollection her former illness, and the
doctor's injunction that she should not be crossed. A minute previously she was
violent; now, supported on one arm, and not noticing my refusal to obey her, she
seemed to find childish diversion in pulling the feathers from the rents she had
just made, and ranging them on the sheet according to their different species:
her mind had strayed to other associations.%
'That's a turkey's,' she murmured to herself; 'and this is a wild duck's; and
this is a pigeon's. Ah, they put pigeons' feathers in the pillows - no wonder I
couldn't die! Let me take care to throw it on the floor when I lie down. And here
is a moor-cock's; and this - I should know it among a thousand - it's a lapwing's.
Bonny bird; wheeling over our heads in the middle of the moor. It wanted to get
to its nest, for the clouds had touched the swells, and it felt rain coming. This
feather was picked up from the heath, the bird was not shot: we saw its nest in
the winter, full of little skeletons. Heathcliff set a trap over it, and the old ones
dared not come. I made him promise he'd never shoot a lapwing after that, and

Thesaurus
bewilderment: (n) astonishment, hysterical. ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, retrospect.
quandary, confusion, surprise, afebrile, collected, composed, solemnly: (adv) earnestly, gravely,
wonder, bemusement, maze, chaos, mellow. majestically, stately, sternly, staidly,
jumble, mess; (adj, n) perplexity. flitting: (adj) fleeting, fugitive, thoughtfully, soberly, formally,
ANTONYMS: (n) order, clarity. momentary, transient, ephemeral; (v) ceremoniously, importantly.
despised: (adj) scorned, despicable, migration. ANTONYMS: (adv) cheerfully,
hated, abject, disparaged, mean, lapwing: (n) green plover, pewit, flippantly.
attaching disgrace, unpopular, plover. strayed: (v) stray.
unloved, reviled, opprobrious. recollection: (n, v) mind; (n) wheeling: (adj) rotating, revolving,
feverish: (adj) febrile, feverous, fiery, reminiscence, recall, anamnesis, moving; (n) rolling, city, metropolis,
frenzied, fevered, excited, sick, remembrance, recognition, memento, peal, propulsion, roll, transmission
fanatical; (adj, v) hot, flushed; (adj, n) memorial, commemoration, memoir, service, urban center.
128 Wuthering Heights

he didn't. Yes, here are more! Did he shoot my lapwings, Nelly? Are they red,
any of them? Let me look.'
'Give over with that baby-work!' I interrupted, dragging the pillow away,
and turning the holes towards the mattress, for she was removing its contents by
handfuls. 'Lie down and shut your eyes: you're wandering. There's a mess! The
down is flying about like snow.'
I went here and there collecting it.%
'I see in you, Nelly,' she continued dreamily, 'an aged woman: you have grey
hair and bent shoulders. This bed is the fairy cave under Penistone crags, and
you are gathering elf-bolts to hurt our heifers; pretending, while I am near, that
they are only locks of wool. That's what you'll come to fifty years hence: I know
you are not so now. I'm not wandering: you're mistaken, or else I should believe
you really WERE that withered hag, and I should think I WAS under Penistone
Crags; and I'm conscious it's night, and there are two candles on the table making
the black press shine like jet.'
'The black press? where is that?' I asked. 'You are talking in your sleep!'
'It's against the wall, as it always is,' she replied. 'It DOES appear odd - I see a
face in it!'
'There's no press in the room, and never was,' said I, resuming my seat, and
looping up the curtain that I might watch her.
'Don't YOU see that face?' she inquired, gazing earnestly at the mirror.
And say what I could, I was incapable of making her comprehend it to be her
own; so I rose and covered it with a shawl.
'It's behind there still!' she pursued, anxiously. 'And it stirred. Who is it? I
hope it will not come out when you are gone! Oh! Nelly, the room is haunted!
I'm afraid of being alone!'
I took her hand in mine, and bid her be composed; for a succession of
shudders convulsed her frame, and she would keep straining her gaze towards
the glass.

Thesaurus
comprehend: (v) grasp, catch, see, moonily, pensively, sleepily, phantom, taken up, preoccupied,
comprise, appreciate, feel, sense, dreamfully, vaguely, visionarily, possessed, unearthly, magical, mad,
apperceive, read; (adj, v) understand; slowly, shadowily, idealistically, infatuated, concerned.
(n, v) embrace. ANTONYMS: (v) lethargically. ANTONYMS: (adv) looping: (v) circulate; (n) iteration.
mistake, misapprehend, exclude, vigorously, alertly, calmly, carefully. mattress: (n) bedding, bed, featherbed,
misunderstand, misconceive. earnestly: (adj, adv) seriously; (adv) pad, blinding, brush gully plug,
dragging: (n) pulled wire, stemming, eagerly, intently, zealously, solemnly, feather bed, futon, paillasse, pallet,
haulage; (adj) slow, sickly, slack, ardently, fervently, heartily, gravely, palliasse.
unfit, sluggish, tardy, tedious; (v) warmly, passionately. ANTONYMS: straining: (n) effort, push, exertion,
involve. ANTONYMS: (adj) energetic, (adv) indifferently, insincerely, distortion, overrefinement, tension,
energizing, exciting, prompt, short. unconcernedly, jokingly. endeavor, torture, twisting; (adj)
dreamily: (adv) languorously, haunted: (adj) ghostly, ghostlike, arduous; (v) tighten.
Emily Brontë 129

'There's nobody here!' I insisted. 'It was YOURSELF, Mrs. Linton: you knew
it a while since.'
'Myself!' she gasped, 'and the clock is striking twelve! It's true, then! that's
dreadful!'
Her fingers clutched the clothes, and gathered them over her eyes. I
attempted to steal to the door with an intention of calling her husband; but I was
summoned back by a piercing shriek - the shawl had dropped from the frame.%
'Why, what is the matter?' cried I. 'Who is coward now? Wake up! That is
the glass - the mirror, Mrs. Linton; and you see yourself in it, and there am I too
by your side.'
Trembling and bewildered, she held me fast, but the horror gradually passed
from her countenance; its paleness gave place to a glow of shame.
'Oh, dear! I thought I was at home,' she sighed. 'I thought I was lying in my
chamber at Wuthering Heights. Because I'm weak, my brain got confused, and I
screamed unconsciously. Don't say anything; but stay with me. I dread
sleeping: my dreams appal me.'
'A sound sleep would do you good, ma'am,' I answered: 'and I hope this
suffering will prevent your trying starving again.'
'Oh, if I were but in my own bed in the old house!' she went on bitterly,
wringing her hands. 'And that wind sounding in the firs by the lattice. Do let
me feel it - it comes straight down the moor - do let me have one breath!' To
pacify her I held the casement ajar a few seconds. A cold blast rushed through; I
closed it, and returned to my post. She lay still now, her face bathed in tears.
Exhaustion of body had entirely subdued her spirit: our fiery Catherine was no
better than a wailing child.
'How long is it since I shut myself in here?' she asked, suddenly reviving.
'It was Monday evening,' I replied, 'and this is Thursday night, or rather
Friday morning, at present.'
'What! of the same week?' she exclaimed. 'Only that brief time?'

Thesaurus
appal: (v) appall, horrify, alarm, paleness: (adj, n) pallor; (n) pallidness, howl, yell, yowl, screak; (v) bellow,
frighten, terrify, dismay, shock, wanness, whiteness, achromasia, caterwaul, shrill. ANTONYM: (v)
affright, freeze the blood, amaze, blondness, lividity, luridness, sigh.
astound. lividness, fairness, pale. ANTONYM: wailing: (n, v) lamentation, lament,
casement: (n) embrasure, casement (n) strength. moaning; (adj) lamenting, weeping,
cloth. reviving: (adj) bracing, restorative, crying, wailful, howling, sobbing;
pacify: (adj, n, v) calm, allay, compose, renewing, refreshing, revival, brisk, (adj, n) bawling; (n) cry.
appease; (adj, v) mollify, lull, soothe; enlivening, recuperative, wringing: (adj) saturated, soaked,
(n, v) ease; (v) conciliate, placate, reanimating, promoting soaked to the skin, soaking wet,
moderate. ANTONYMS: (v) annoy, recuperation, giving life. sodden, sopping, sopping wet, wet,
enrage, excite, infuriate, aggravate, ANTONYM: (adj) soothing. wet through, wringing wet, soaking.
displease, inflame, provoke. shriek: (n, v) screech, cry, shout, call, ANTONYM: (adj) dry.
130 Wuthering Heights

'Long enough to live on nothing but cold water and ill-temper,' observed I.%
'Well, it seems a weary number of hours,' she muttered doubtfully: 'it must be
more. I remember being in the parlour after they had quarrelled, and Edgar
being cruelly provoking, and me running into this room desperate. As soon as
ever I had barred the door, utter blackness overwhelmed me, and I fell on the
floor. I couldn't explain to Edgar how certain I felt of having a fit, or going
raging mad, if he persisted in teasing me! I had no command of tongue, or brain,
and he did not guess my agony, perhaps: it barely left me sense to try to escape
from him and his voice. Before I recovered sufficiently to see and hear, it began
to be dawn, and, Nelly, I'll tell you what I thought, and what has kept recurring
and recurring till I feared for my reason. I thought as I lay there, with my head
against that table leg, and my eyes dimly discerning the grey square of the
window, that I was enclosed in the oak-panelled bed at home; and my heart
ached with some great grief which, just waking, I could not recollect. I
pondered, and worried myself to discover what it could be, and, most strangely,
the whole last seven years of my life grew a blank! I did not recall that they had
been at all. I was a child; my father was just buried, and my misery arose from
the separation that Hindley had ordered between me and Heathcliff. I was laid
alone, for the first time; and, rousing from a dismal doze after a night of
weeping, I lifted my hand to push the panels aside: it struck the table-top! I
swept it along the carpet, and then memory burst in: my late anguish was
swallowed in a paroxysm of despair. I cannot say why I felt so wildly wretched:
it must have been temporary derangement; for there is scarcely cause. But,
supposing at twelve years old I had been wrenched from the Heights, and every
early association, and my all in all, as Heathcliff was at that time, and been
converted at a stroke into Mrs. Linton, the lady of Thrushcross Grange, and the
wife of a stranger: an exile, and outcast, thenceforth, from what had been my
world. You may fancy a glimpse of the abyss where I grovelled! Shake your
head as you will, Nelly, you have helped to unsettle me! You should have
spoken to Edgar, indeed you should, and compelled him to leave me quiet! Oh,
I'm burning! I wish I were out of doors! I wish I were a girl again, half savage
and hardy, and free; and laughing at injuries, not maddening under them! Why
Thesaurus
abyss: (n) gorge, ravine, chasm, gulf, perceptive, acute, shrewd, paroxysm: (adj, n) fit, burst; (n)
deep, purgatory, depth, hell, gap, discriminating, discreet, penetrating, convulsion, outburst, explosion,
Gehenna, pit. ANTONYMS: (n) refined, judicious, sharp, conscious. attack, seizure, spasm, gust, agony;
junction, juncture. ANTONYMS: (adj) indiscriminate, (adj) breaking out.
blackness: (n) black, darkness, sable, undiscriminating, disregardful, swept: (adj) clean.
gloom, nigritude, night, inkiness, negligent, overlooking, undiscerning, unsettle: (v) perturb, confuse,
dark, murk, murkiness, obscurity. unobservant, unperceptive, discompose, unnerve, disconcert,
derangement: (n) lunacy, disorder, insensitive, obtuse, tasteless. ruffle, trouble, disorder, discomfit,
disturbance, insanity, jumble, upset, outcast: (n) exile, castaway, leper, upset, derange. ANTONYMS: (v)
confusion; (adj, n) aberration, expatriate, outlaw, vagabond, lown, settle, smooth, reassure, order,
craziness, alienation; (adj) madness. loon, refugee; (adj, n) derelict; (adj) balance, compose, soothe.
discerning: (adj) apprehensive, homeless. ANTONYM: (n) native. wrenched: (adj) strained, weakened.
Emily Brontë 131

am I so changed? why does my blood rush into a hell of tumult at a few words?
I'm sure I should be myself were I once among the heather on those hills. Open
the window again wide: fasten it open! Quick, why don't you move?'
'Because I won't give you your death of cold,' I answered.%
'You won't give me a chance of life, you mean,' she said, sullenly. 'However,
I'm not helpless yet; I'll open it myself.'
And sliding from the bed before I could hinder her, she crossed the room,
walking very uncertainly, threw it back, and bent out, careless of the frosty air
that cut about her shoulders as keen as a knife. I entreated, and finally attempted
to force her to retire. But I soon found her delirious strength much surpassed
mine (she was delirious, I became convinced by her subsequent actions and
ravings). There was no moon, and everything beneath lay in misty darkness:
not a light gleamed from any house, far or near all had been extinguished long
ago: and those at Wuthering Heights were never visible - still she asserted she
caught their shining.
'Look!' she cried eagerly, 'that's my room with the candle in it, and the trees
swaying before it; and the other candle is in Joseph's garret. Joseph sits up late,
doesn't he? He's waiting till I come home that he may lock the gate. Well, he'll
wait a while yet. It's a rough journey, and a sad heart to travel it; and we must
pass by Gimmerton Kirk to go that journey! We've braved its ghosts often
together, and dared each other to stand among the graves and ask them to come.
But, Heathcliff, if I dare you now, will you venture? If you do, I'll keep you. I'll
not lie there by myself: they may bury me twelve feet deep, and throw the
church down over me, but I won't rest till you are with me. I never will!'
She paused, and resumed with a strange smile. 'He's considering - he'd
rather I'd come to him! Find a way, then! not through that kirkyard. You are
slow! Be content, you always followed me!'
Perceiving it vain to argue against her insanity, I was planning how I could
reach something to wrap about her, without quitting my hold of herself (for I
could not trust her alone by the gaping lattice), when, to my consternation, I

Thesaurus
delirious: (adj) crazy, wild, frantic, fasten: (adj, v) attach, fix, affix; (v) Ranke Graves.
wandering, demented, excited, connect, bind, tie, tack, pin, stick, sullenly: (adv) sulkily, sourly,
insane, mad, frenetic, doting, drunk. clasp, anchor. ANTONYMS: (v) grumpily, morosely, moodily,
ANTONYMS: (adj) unexcited, detach, undo, unlock, loosen, release, dourly, somberly, peevishly, surly,
rational, composed, relaxed, open, disconnect, untie, separate, crossly, petulantly. ANTONYMS:
reasonable, balanced, lucid, collected, unscrew. (adv) graciously, contentedly, gladly,
clearheaded, calm, dejected. gaping: (adj, n) agape; (adj) vast, cheerily.
extinguished: (adj) extinct, out, dead, yawning, cavernous, discontinuous, tumult: (adj, n, v) hubbub, disturbance;
quenched, allayed, destroyed; (n) wide, ajar, drowsy, hollow, wide (n) stir, commotion, bustle, din, fuss,
defunctness, complete annihilation, open; (adj, v) oscitant. ANTONYMS: excitement; (n, v) clamor, disorder,
experimental extinction, (adj) cramped, narrow. brawl. ANTONYMS: (n) peace, push,
extermination, extinction. graves: (n) Robert Graves, Robert serenity, order, calm.
132 Wuthering Heights

heard the rattle of the door-handle, and Mr. Linton entered. He had only then
come from the library; and, in passing through the lobby, had noticed our
talking and been attracted by curiosity, or fear, to examine what it signified, at
that late hour.%
'Oh, sir!' I cried, checking the exclamation risen to his lips at the sight which
met him, and the bleak atmosphere of the chamber. 'My poor mistress is ill, and
she quite masters me: I cannot manage her at all; pray, come and persuade her
to go to bed. Forget your anger, for she's hard to guide any way but her own.'
'Catherine ill?' he said, hastening to us. 'Shut the window, Ellen! Catherine!
why - '
He was silent. The haggardness of Mrs. Linton's appearance smote him
speechless, and he could only glance from her to me in horrified astonishment.
'She's been fretting here,' I continued, 'and eating scarcely anything, and
never complaining: she would admit none of us till this evening, and so we
couldn't inform you of her state, as we were not aware of it ourselves; but it is
nothing.'
I felt I uttered my explanations awkwardly; the master frowned. 'It is
nothing, is it, Ellen Dean?' he said sternly. 'You shall account more clearly for
keeping me ignorant of this!' And he took his wife in his arms, and looked at her
with anguish.
At first she gave him no glance of recognition: he was invisible to her
abstracted gaze. The delirium was not fixed, however; having weaned her eyes
from contemplating the outer darkness, by degrees she centred her attention on
him, and discovered who it was that held her.
'Ah! you are come, are you, Edgar Linton?' she said, with angry animation.
'You are one of those things that are ever found when least wanted, and when
you are wanted, never! I suppose we shall have plenty of lamentations now - I
see we shall - but they can't keep me from my narrow home out yonder: my
resting-place, where I'm bound before spring is over! There it is: not among the

Thesaurus
abstracted: (adj) absentminded, hastening: (n) quickening, speed, implied.
separate, absent-minded, abstract, hurrying, speeding up, faster, fast, speechless: (adj) silent, mute, dumb,
distrait, inattentive, pensive, stepping up. dumbfounded, voiceless, quiet,
preoccupied, remote, lost, vacant. masters: (n) Edgar lee Masters. tongueless, tacit, noiseless, mum,
ANTONYM: (adj) alert. noticed: (adj) noted. wordless. ANTONYMS: (adj)
exclamation: (n) clamor, ejaculation, rattle: (n, v) jingle, jangle, clatter; (n) loquacious, eloquent, talkative.
exclaiming, utterance, whoop, click, clang, clack; (v) bang, confuse, sternly: (adv) severely, strictly,
interjection, shout, expletive, deuce, shake, patter, disconcert. austerely, harshly, rigidly, grimly,
Dickens, ecphonesis. signified: (n) common sense, rigorously, stringently, seriously,
fretting: (adj) irritable, dissatisfied, acceptation, good sense, horse sense, relentlessly, solemnly. ANTONYMS:
peevish; (n) festering, friction, mother wit, sensation, sense, sensory (adv) leniently, lightheartedly, kindly,
exulceration. faculty, sentience, sentiency; (adj) warmly, cheerfully.
Emily Brontë 133

Lintons, mind, under the chapel-roof, but in the open air, with a head-stone; and
you may please yourself whether you go to them or come to me!'
'Catherine, what have you done?' commenced the master. 'Am I nothing to
you any more? Do you love that wretch Heath - '
'Hush!' cried Mrs. Linton. 'Hush, this moment! You mention that name and I
end the matter instantly by a spring from the window! What you touch at
present you may have; but my soul will be on that hill-top before you lay hands
on me again. I don't want you, Edgar: I'm past wanting you. Return to your
books. I'm glad you possess a consolation, for all you had in me is gone.'
'Her mind wanders, sir,' I interposed. 'She has been talking nonsense the
whole evening; but let her have quiet, and proper attendance, and she'll rally.
Hereafter, we must be cautious how we vex her.'
'I desire no further advice from you,' answered Mr. Linton. 'You knew your
mistress's nature, and you encouraged me to harass her. And not to give me one
hint of how she has been these three days! It was heartless! Months of sickness
could not cause such a change!'
I began to defend myself, thinking it too bad to be blamed for another's
wicked waywardness. 'I knew Mrs. Linton's nature to be headstrong and
domineering,' cried I: 'but I didn't know that you wished to foster her fierce
temper! I didn't know that, to humour her, I should wink at Mr. Heathcliff. I
performed the duty of a faithful servant in telling you, and I have got a faithful
servant's wages! Well, it will teach me to be careful next time. Next time you
may gather intelligence for yourself!'
'The next time you bring a tale to me you shall quit my service, Ellen Dean,'
he replied.%
'You'd rather hear nothing about it, I suppose, then, Mr. Linton?' said I.
'Heathcliff has your permission to come a-courting to Miss, and to drop in at
every opportunity your absence offers, on purpose to poison the mistress against
you?'
Confused as Catherine was, her wits were alert at applying our conversation.

Thesaurus
consolation: (n) comfort, relief, balm, heartless: (adj) hardhearted, ruthless, enter, maintain, start, come, arrive.
succor, ease, cheer, solacement, cruel, pitiless, obdurate, merciless, waywardness: (n) tomfoolery, trouble,
encouragement, sympathy, unfeeling, unkind, stony, insensitive, unpredictability, unreliability,
alleviation, express sympathy. grim. ANTONYMS: (adj) kind, untrustworthiness, bad behavior,
ANTONYMS: (n) grief, sorrow, caring, hearted, warmhearted, wickedness, passion, foolishness,
distress, discouragement, compassionate, softhearted, merciful, whimsicality, noncompliance.
aggravation. sympathetic, concerned, flattering, ANTONYM: (n) dependability.
harass: (n, v) distress, annoy; (v) generous. wits: (n) intellect, mind, wit, brains,
plague, fret, beset, tease, pester, quit: (adj, n, v) leave; (v) go, drop, common sense, presence,
disturb; (adj, v) molest, worry, tire. break, cease, give up, depart, end, percipience, observation, mother wit,
ANTONYMS: (v) defend, delight, discontinue; (adj, v) discharge; (n, v) right mind, judgment.
encourage, praise, comfort. part. ANTONYMS: (v) stay, occupy,
134 Wuthering Heights

'Ah! Nelly has played traitor,' she exclaimed, passionately. 'Nelly is my


hidden enemy. You witch! So you do seek elf-bolts to hurt us! Let me go, and
I'll make her rue! I'll make her howl a recantation!'
A maniac's fury kindled under her brows; she struggled desperately to
disengage herself from Linton's arms. I felt no inclination to tarry the event; and,
resolving to seek medical aid on my own responsibility, I quitted the chamber.%
In passing the garden to reach the road, at a place where a bridle hook is
driven into the wall, I saw something white moved irregularly, evidently by
another agent than the wind. Notwithstanding my hurry, I stayed to examine it,
lest ever after I should have the conviction impressed on my imagination that it
was a creature of the other world. My surprise and perplexity were great on
discovering, by touch more than vision, Miss Isabella's springer, Fanny,
suspended by a handkerchief, and nearly at its last gasp. I quickly released the
animal, and lifted it into the garden. I had seen it follow its mistress up-stairs
when she went to bed; and wondered much how it could have got out there, and
what mischievous person had treated it so. While untying the knot round the
hook, it seemed to me that I repeatedly caught the beat of horses' feet galloping
at some distance; but there were such a number of things to occupy my
reflections that I hardly gave the circumstance a thought: though it was a
strange sound, in that place, at two o'clock in the morning.
Mr. Kenneth was fortunately just issuing from his house to see a patient in
the village as I came up the street; and my account of Catherine Linton's malady
induced him to accompany me back immediately. He was a plain rough man;
and he made no scruple to speak his doubts of her surviving this second attack;
unless she were more submissive to his directions than she had shown herself
before.
'Nelly Dean,' said he, 'I can't help fancying there's an extra cause for this.
What has there been to do at the Grange? We've odd reports up here. A stout,
hearty lass like Catherine does not fall ill for a trifle; and that sort of people
should not either. It's hard work bringing them through fevers, and such things.
How did it begin?'

Thesaurus
discovering: (adj) observant, oracular. shout, yell, bay, yelp; (v) bawl, growl, springer: (n) impost, stone, spaniel,
disengage: (v) discharge, detach, yawl. ANTONYM: (v) laugh. sping, springing cow, springer
extricate, release, disconnect, perplexity: (n) confusion, dilemma, spaniel, spring, attorney, shew back,
enfranchise; (adj, v) disentangle, clear, bewilderment, maze, labyrinth, cow, customs duty.
disembarrass, free; (adj) disencumber. embarrassment, quandary, tarry: (v) linger, loiter, stay, remain,
ANTONYMS: (v) fasten, engage, complication, enigma; (adj, n) delay, lag, dally, dawdle, bide, rest;
attach, connect, tighten, obstruct, difficulty, distress. ANTONYM: (n) (adj) pitchy. ANTONYMS: (v)
unite, couple, join, activate, lock. understanding. complete, finish.
doubts: (adj) doubting. scruple: (adj, v) hesitate, demur, pause; untying: (n) undoing, unfastening,
fancying: (n) daydream, fantasy. (n) hesitation, qualm, misgiving, unraveling, loosening,
galloping: (v) flying. distrust, objection; (n, v) mistrust; (v) disentanglement, unscrambling,
howl: (n, v) cry, roar, scream, bark, falter, question. opening.
Emily Brontë 135

'The master will inform you,' I answered; 'but you are acquainted with the
Earnshaws' violent dispositions, and Mrs. Linton caps them all. I may say this; it
commenced in a quarrel. She was struck during a tempest of passion with a
kind of fit. That's her account, at least: for she flew off in the height of it, and
locked herself up. Afterwards, she refused to eat, and now she alternately raves
and remains in a half dream; knowing those about her, but having her mind
filled with all sorts of strange ideas and illusions.'
'Mr. Linton will be sorry?' observed Kenneth, interrogatively.%
' Sorry? he'll break his heart should anything happen!' I replied. 'Don't alarm
him more than necessary.'
'Well, I told him to beware,' said my companion; 'and he must bide the
consequences of neglecting my warning! Hasn't he been intimate with Mr.
Heathcliff lately?'
'Heathcliff frequently visits at the Grange,' answered I, 'though more on the
strength of the mistress having known him when a boy, than because the master
likes his company. At present he's discharged from the trouble of calling; owing
to some presumptuous aspirations after Miss Linton which he manifested. I
hardly think he'll be taken in again.'
'And does Miss Linton turn a cold shoulder on him?' was the doctor's next
question.
'I'm not in her confidence,' returned I, reluctant to continue the subject.
'No, she's a sly one,' he remarked, shaking his head. 'She keeps her own
counsel! But she's a real little fool. I have it from good authority that last night
(and a pretty night it was!) she and Heathcliff were walking in the plantation at
the back of your house above two hours; and he pressed her not to go in again,
but just mount his horse and away with him! My informant said she could only
put him off by pledging her word of honour to be prepared on their first meeting
after that: when it was to be he didn't hear; but you urge Mr. Linton to look
sharp!'

Thesaurus
alternately: (adv) alternatively, by attestant, communicator, fink; (v) pledging: (n) marriage.
turns, in turn, secondarily, mouthpiece, teller. quarrel: (adj, n, v) dispute; (n, v) fight,
reciprocally, mutually, off-and-on, neglecting: (n) neglect, disregard. feud, brawl, row, altercation, argue,
rather, anthemwise, secondly; (adj, owing: (adj) due, unpaid, unsettled, conflict, squabble; (n) dissension,
adv) on and off. outstanding, overdue, owed, payable, difference. ANTONYMS: (n)
caps: (n) brevier, bourgeois, pica undischarged, indebted, fulfilling agreement, reconciliation,
boldface. obligation, lawful. ANTONYM: (adj) acceptance, concord, consensus; (v)
inform: (v) acquaint, impart, advise, settled. agree.
enlighten, announce, tell, familiarize, plantation: (n) orchard, farm, garden, tempest: (adj, n) storm, gust; (n) gale,
explain, advertise, apprise, warn. shrubbery, hacienda, planting, hurricane, squall, disturbance,
informant: (n) betrayer, sneak, settlement, colony, parterre, grove, cyclone, typhoon, agitation, tornado,
informer, squealer, deponent, author, planter. blizzard. ANTONYM: (n) serenity.
136 Wuthering Heights

This news filled me with fresh fears; I outstripped Kenneth, and ran most of
the way back. The little dog was yelping in the garden yet. I spared a minute to
open the gate for it, but instead of going to the house door, it coursed up and
down snuffing the grass, and would have escaped to the road, had I not seized it
and conveyed it in with me. On ascending to Isabella's room, my suspicions
were confirmed: it was empty. Had I been a few hours sooner Mrs. Linton's
illness might have arrested her rash step. But what could be done now? There
was a bare possibility of overtaking them if pursued instantly. I could not
pursue them, however; and I dared not rouse the family, and fill the place with
confusion; still less unfold the business to my master, absorbed as he was in his
present calamity, and having no heart to spare for a second grief! I saw nothing
for it but to hold my tongue, and suffer matters to take their course; and Kenneth
being arrived, I went with a badly composed countenance to announce him.
Catherine lay in a troubled sleep: her husband had succeeded in soothing the
excess of frenzy; he now hung over her pillow, watching every shade and every
change of her painfully expressive features.%
The doctor, on examining the case for himself, spoke hopefully to him of its
having a favourable termination, if we could only preserve around her perfect
and constant tranquillity. To me, he signified the threatening danger was not so
much death, as permanent alienation of intellect.
I did not close my eyes that night, nor did Mr. Linton: indeed, we never went
to bed; and the servants were all up long before the usual hour, moving through
the house with stealthy tread, and exchanging whispers as they encountered
each other in their vocations. Every one was active but Miss Isabella; and they
began to remark how sound she slept: her brother, too, asked if she had risen,
and seemed impatient for her presence, and hurt that she showed so little anxiety
for her sister-in-law. I trembled lest he should send me to call her; but I was
spared the pain of being the first proclaimant of her flight. One of the maids, a
thoughtless girl, who had been on an early errand to Gimmerton, came panting
up-stairs, open-mouthed, and dashed into the chamber, crying: 'Oh, dear, dear!
What mun we have next? Master, master, our young lady - '

Thesaurus
ascending: (adj) uphill, rising, pass, going, expiration, loss, considered, heedful, prudent, kind,
assurgent, climbing, ascendent; (n) departure, exit. cautious, mindful, responsible,
ascension, ascent, rise, advance, stealthy: (adj) clandestine, secret, attentive, observant, sensible.
movement; (v) go up. surreptitious, sneaky, covert, private, tread: (n, v) pace, walk, rate, march,
calamity: (n) disaster, adversity, backstairs, concealed, feline; (adj, v) tramp; (n) gait, stride, footstep,
affliction, misfortune, plague, sly, insidious. ANTONYM: (adj) footfall, track; (v) trample.
catastrophe, tragedy, blow, bale, blatant. unfold: (v) spread, open, extend,
distress; (n, v) trouble. ANTONYMS: thoughtless: (adj, v) careless, heedless, develop, stretch, spread out, reveal,
(n) blessing, boon, luck, joy, rash, improvident; (adj) reckless, display, stretch out; (adj, v) expound,
opportunity. inattentive, hasty, unthinking, explain. ANTONYMS: (v) fold, block,
open-mouthed: (adj) spellbound. negligent, neglectful, imprudent. stagnate, stop, hide, withhold, check,
overtaking: (n) passing, overtake, ANTONYMS: (adj) considerate, wrap, conceal.
Emily Brontë 137

'Hold your noise!' cried, I hastily, enraged at her clamorous manner.%


'Speak lower, Mary - What is the matter?' said Mr. Linton. 'What ails your
young lady?'
'She's gone, she's gone! Yon' Heathcliff's run off wi' her!' gasped the girl.
'That is not true!' exclaimed Linton, rising in agitation. 'It cannot be: how
has the idea entered your head? Ellen Dean, go and seek her. It is incredible: it
cannot be.'
As he spoke he took the servant to the door, and then repeated his demand to
know her reasons for such an assertion.
'Why, I met on the road a lad that fetches milk here,' she stammered, 'and he
asked whether we weren't in trouble at the Grange. I thought he meant for
missis's sickness, so I answered, yes. Then says he, "There's somebody gone after
'em, I guess?" I stared. He saw I knew nought about it, and he told how a
gentleman and lady had stopped to have a horse's shoe fastened at a
blacksmith's shop, two miles out of Gimmerton, not very long after midnight!
and how the blacksmith's lass had got up to spy who they were: she knew them
both directly. And she noticed the man - Heathcliff it was, she felt certain:
nob'dy could mistake him, besides - put a sovereign in her father's hand for
payment. The lady had a cloak about her face; but having desired a sup of
water, while she drank it fell back, and she saw her very plain. Heathcliff held
both bridles as they rode on, and they set their faces from the village, and went
as fast as the rough roads would let them. The lass said nothing to her father,
but she told it all over Gimmerton this morning.'
I ran and peeped, for form's sake, into Isabella's room; confirming, when I
returned, the servant's statement. Mr. Linton had resumed his seat by the bed;
on my re-entrance, he raised his eyes, read the meaning of my blank aspect, and
dropped them without giving an order, or uttering a word.
'Are we to try any measures for overtaking and bringing her back,' I inquired.
'How should we do?'

Thesaurus
agitation: (n) disturbance, excitement, wrap, masquerade, screen, pall; (n) exasperated, raging, irritated, boiling.
tumult, stirring, convulsion, stir, cape; (v) conceal, dissemble, hide. nought: (adj, n) nil, naught, zero; (n)
commotion, emotion, unrest, shake, ANTONYMS: (v) reveal, uncloak, cipher, cypher, nobody, aught, nix,
turmoil. ANTONYMS: (n) serenity, unmask; (n, v) uncover. null, nada; (adj) no.
calm, equanimity, rest, peace, confirming: (adj) affirmative, shoe: (n) horseshoe, sandal, shoes,
deterrent. confirmatory, corroborative, moccasin, footgear, footwear, skid,
clamorous: (adj) noisy, blatant, loud, collateral, verifying, confirmative, flippers, anklet, flipper, track shoe.
boisterous, insistent, exigent, urgent, corroboratory, positive, sovereign: (n) ruler, king, lord,
obstreperous, strident; (adj, v) substantiating, substantiative, emperor; (adj) independent,
clamant, importunate. ANTONYM: validating. autonomous, imperial, royal, free,
(adj) tranquil. enraged: (adj) angered, furious, regal; (adj, n) prince. ANTONYMS:
cloak: (n, v) veil, mask, camouflage, infuriated, irate, mad, livid, incensed, (adj) dependent, ineffective, useless.
138 Wuthering Heights

'She went of her own accord,' answered the master; 'she had a right to go if
she pleased. Trouble me no more about her. Hereafter she is only my sister in
name: not because I disown her, but because she has disowned me.'
And that was all he said on the subject: he did not make single inquiry
further, or mention her in any way, except directing me to send what property
she had in the house to her fresh home, wherever it was, when I knew it.%

Thesaurus
directing: (adj) guiding, directive, inquiry: (n, v) search; (n) investigation, reference. ANTONYM: (v) conceal.
administrative, determinative, enquiry, query, hearing, inquest, pleased: (adj) contented, glad,
directional, sovereign, commanding, research, exploration, trial, question, delighted, content, joyful, thankful,
controlling; (n) administration, demand. gratified, appreciative, overjoyed,
conducting, conservation. master: (n) captain, instructor, lord; (v) cheerful; (adj, v) elated. ANTONYMS:
disown: (v) disavow, disinherit, control, conquer, command, (adj) unhappy, annoyed, angry,
abandon, renounce, disclaim, forsake, dominate, defeat; (adj, n) original, worried, ashamed, disappointed,
refuse, recant, repudiate, retract, head, ace. ANTONYMS: (n) frustrated, sad, unsatisfied,
disallow. ANTONYMS: (v) bequeath, underling, servant, novice, amateur. ungrateful, uncomplimentary.
accept, avow, adopt, admit, claim. mention: (n, v) comment, name, wherever: (adv) anywhere,
disowned: (adj) unacknowledged, remark, call, hint; (v) cite, observe, wheresoever, everywhere, where'er;
forsaken. commend; (n) allusion, citation, (n) anyplace.
Emily Brontë 139

CHAPTER XIII

FOR two months the fugitives remained absent; in those two months, Mrs.
Linton encountered and conquered the worst shock of what was denominated a
brain fever. No mother could have nursed an only child more devotedly than
Edgar tended her. Day and night he was watching, and patiently enduring all
the annoyances that irritable nerves and a shaken reason could inflict; and,
though Kenneth remarked that what he saved from the grave would only
recompense his care by forming the source of constant future anxiety - in fact,
that his health and strength were being sacrificed to preserve a mere ruin of
humanity - he knew no limits in gratitude and joy when Catherine's life was
declared out of danger; and hour after hour he would sit beside her, tracing the
gradual return to bodily health, and flattering his too sanguine hopes with the
illusion that her mind would settle back to its right balance also, and she would
soon be entirely her former self.%
The first time she left her chamber was at the commencement of the following
March. Mr. Linton had put on her pillow, in the morning, a handful of golden
crocuses; her eye, long stranger to any gleam of pleasure, caught them in
waking, and shone delighted as she gathered them eagerly together.
'These are the earliest flowers at the Heights,' she exclaimed. 'They remind
me of soft thaw winds, and warm sunshine, and nearly melted snow. Edgar, is
there not a south wind, and is not the snow almost gone?'

Thesaurus
devotedly: (adv) affectionately, ANTONYMS: (adj) assertive, critical, compensate, reimburse.
lovingly, zealously, faithfully, unflattering, unattractive, wounding, ANTONYMS: (v) penalize, receive;
piously, fondly, religiously, uncomplimentary, negative; (adv) (n) penalty.
passionately, enthusiastically, partially. sanguine: (adj) hopeful, optimistic,
eagerly, dutifully. ANTONYMS: flowers: (n) analecta, anthology. bloody, rubicund, confident, crimson,
(adv) coldly, apathetically, gleam: (n, v) glance, beam, blaze, cheerful, buoyant, sanguineous; (adj,
unfaithfully, unenthusiastically, shine, glimmer, glow, flash, flicker, n) red, florid. ANTONYMS: (adj)
carelessly, disobediently. sparkle, glitter; (v) twinkle. pessimistic, gloomy, doubtful.
flattering: (adj) ingratiating, recompense: (n, v) pay, redress; (n) thaw: (v) fuse, dissolve, warm,
complimentary, courtly, obsequious, compensation, amends, atonement, unfreeze, soften, liquefy, defrost, run,
adulatory, fulsome, bland, candied, payment, consideration, liquify; (n) melting, thawing.
smooth, encouraging; (n) flattery. indemnification, indemnity; (v) ANTONYMS: (v) cool, chill, congeal.
140 Wuthering Heights

'The snow is quite gone down here, darling,' replied her husband; 'and I only
see two white spots on the whole range of moors: the sky is blue, and the larks
are singing, and the becks and brooks are all brim full. Catherine, last spring at
this time, I was longing to have you under this roof; now, I wish you were a mile
or two up those hills: the air blows so sweetly, I feel that it would cure you.'
'I shall never be there but once more,' said the invalid; 'and then you'll leave
me, and I shall remain for ever. Next spring you'll long again to have me under
this roof, and you'll look back and think you were happy to-day.'
Linton lavished on her the kindest caresses, and tried to cheer her by the
fondest words; but, vaguely regarding the flowers, she let the tears collect on her
lashes and stream down her cheeks unheeding. We knew she was really better,
and, therefore, decided that long confinement to a single place produced much of
this despondency, and it might be partially removed by a change of scene. The
master told me to light a fire in the many-weeks' deserted parlour, and to set an
easy-chair in the sunshine by the window; and then he brought her down, and
she sat a long while enjoying the genial heat, and, as we expected, revived by the
objects round her: which, though familiar, were free from the dreary
associations investing her hated sick chamber. By evening she seemed greatly
exhausted; yet no arguments could persuade her to return to that apartment, and
I had to arrange the parlour sofa for her bed, till another room could be
prepared. To obviate the fatigue of mounting and descending the stairs, we
fitted up this, where you lie at present - on the same floor with the parlour; and
she was soon strong enough to move from one to the other, leaning on Edgar's
arm. Ah, I thought myself, she might recover, so waited on as she was. And
there was double cause to desire it, for on her existence depended that of
another: we cherished the hope that in a little while Mr. Linton's heart would be
gladdened, and his lands secured from a stranger's gripe, by the birth of an
heir.%
I should mention that Isabella sent to her brother, some six weeks from her
departure, a short note, announcing her marriage with Heathcliff. It appeared
dry and cold; but at the bottom was dotted in with pencil an obscure apology,

Thesaurus
announcing: (n) publicity, dotted: (adj) speckled, dappled, investing: (v) invest; (n) investiture;
communication; (adj) annunciative. specked, spotted, dashed, stippled, (adj) circumfused, ambient.
brim: (n) rim, periphery, verge, edge, scattered, spotty, dot, mottled, larks: (n) family Alaudidae.
lip, hem, rand, margin, perimeter, broken. sofa: (n) couch, lounge, divan, bench,
brink, limit. genial: (adj) cheerful, bright, affable, davenport, seat, squab, chair, form,
brooks: (n) streams, Brookes, van cordial, amiable, nice, friendly, convertible, daybed.
Wyck Brooks. convivial, warm, agreeable, suave. unheeding: (adj) regardless, heedless,
cherished: (adj) dear, precious, loved, ANTONYMS: (adj) disagreeable, inattentive, unmindful, unobservant,
treasured, prized, intimate, wanted, hostile, mean, discourteous, frosty, deaf to, unthinking, neglectful,
valued, pet, valuable, close. gloomy, reserved, unapproachable, inadvertent; (adj, n) careless; (n)
ANTONYMS: (adj) unremarkable, abominable. incautious. ANTONYM: (adj)
hated, distant. gladdened: (adj) delighted. heedful.
Emily Brontë 141

and an entreaty for kind remembrance and reconciliation, if her proceeding had
offended him: asserting that she could not help it then, and being done, she had
now no power to repeal it. Linton did not reply to this, I believe; and, in a
fortnight more, I got a long letter, which I considered odd, coming from the pen
of a bride just out of the honeymoon. I'll read it: for I keep it yet. Any relic of
the dead is precious, if they were valued living.%
DEAR ELLEN, it begins, - I came last night to Wuthering Heights, and heard,
for the first time, that Catherine has been, and is yet, very ill. I must not write to
her, I suppose, and my brother is either too angry or too distressed to answer
what I sent him. Still, I must write to somebody, and the only choice left me is
you.
Inform Edgar that I'd give the world to see his face again - that my heart
returned to Thrushcross Grange in twenty-four hours after I left it, and is there at
this moment, full of warm feelings for him, and Catherine! I can't follow it
though - they need not expect me, and they may draw what conclusions they
please; taking care, however, to lay nothing at the door of my weak will or
deficient affection.
The remainder of the letter is for yourself alone. I want to ask you two
questions: the first is, - How did you contrive to preserve the common
sympathies of human nature when you resided here? I cannot recognise any
sentiment which those around share with me.
The second question I have great interest in; it is this - Is Mr. Heathcliff a
man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he a devil? I sha'n't tell my reasons for
making this inquiry; but I beseech you to explain, if you can, what I have
married: that is, when you call to see me; and you must call, Ellen, very soon.
Don't write, but come, and bring me something from Edgar.
Now, you shall hear how I have been received in my new home, as I am led
to imagine the Heights will be. It is to amuse myself that I dwell on such subjects
as the lack of external comforts: they never occupy my thoughts, except at the
moment when I miss them. I should laugh and dance for joy, if I found their
absence was the total of my miseries, and the rest was an unnatural dream!
Thesaurus
asserting: (v) affirm; (adj) declaratory, manage. ANTONYMS: (v) demolish, solicitation.
declarative, evidentiary; (n) assertion. destroy, ruin, waste, wreck, fail. honeymoon: (n) period, pleasure; (adj)
beseech: (v) beg, crave, implore, ask, deficient: (adj) wanting, inadequate, wedding, nuptial, marriage.
request, adjure, pray, sue, appeal, scanty, imperfect, short, scarce, less, relic: (n, v) memento, souvenir,
solicit, plead. ANTONYMS: (v) give, lacking, low, meager, insufficient. keepsake; (n) token, trace, remainder,
offer, grant, reject. ANTONYMS: (adj) sufficient, perfect, remains, antique, relict, vestige,
comforts: (n) amenities, bread and ample, flawless, enough, excessive, remnant.
butter, convenience, conveniences. complete, present, sound, strong, remembrance: (n, v) recollection,
conclusions: (n) data. confident. mind; (n) commemoration, memorial,
contrive: (v) plan, invent, design, entreaty: (n) plea, prayer, request, recall, relic, monument, keepsake,
concoct, devise, cast, concert, petition, adjuration, supplication, reminiscence, recognition; (adj, n)
excogitate, frame, formulate; (n, v) suit, demand, desire, invocation; (v) memento.
142 Wuthering Heights

The sun set behind the Grange as we turned on to the moors; by that, I
judged it to be six o'clock; and my companion halted half an hour, to inspect the
park, and the gardens, and, probably, the place itself, as well as he could; so it
was dark when we dismounted in the paved yard of the farm-house, and your
old fellow-servant, Joseph, issued out to receive us by the light of a dip candle.
He did it with a courtesy that redounded to his credit. His first act was to
elevate his torch to a level with my face, squint malignantly, project his under-
lip, and turn away. Then he took the two horses, and led them into the stables;
reappearing for the purpose of locking the outer gate, as if we lived in an ancient
castle.%
Heathcliff stayed to speak to him, and I entered the kitchen - a dingy, untidy
hole; I daresay you would not know it, it is so changed since it was in your
charge. By the fire stood a ruffianly child, strong in limb and dirty in garb, with
a look of Catherine in his eyes and about his mouth.
'This is Edgar's legal nephew,' I reflected - 'mine in a manner; I must shake
hands, and - yes - I must kiss him. It is right to establish a good understanding at
the beginning.'
I approached, and, attempting to take his chubby fist, said - 'How do you do,
my dear?'
He replied in a jargon I did not comprehend.
'Shall you and I be friends, Hareton?' was my next essay at conversation.
An oath, and a threat to set Throttler on me if I did not 'frame off' rewarded
my perseverance.
'Hey, Throttler, lad!' whispered the little wretch, rousing a half- bred bull-dog
from its lair in a corner. 'Now, wilt thou be ganging?' he asked authoritatively.
Love for my life urged a compliance; I stepped over the threshold to wait till
the others should enter. Mr. Heathcliff was nowhere visible; and Joseph, whom I
followed to the stables, and requested to accompany me in, after staring and
muttering to himself, screwed up his nose and replied - 'Mim! mim! mim! Did

Thesaurus
authoritatively: (adv) commandingly, garb: (n, v) dress, apparel, array, hatefully, perniciously, nastily,
imperatively, imperiously, garment; (n) attire, clothing, costume, malefically, viciously, pestilentially,
peremptorily, domineeringly, frock, outfit, clothes; (v) clothe. noisomely. ANTONYM: (adv)
dictatorially, overbearingly, officially, lair: (n) burrow, hole, hideaway, benevolently.
definitively, legitimately, haughtily. hiding place, hideout, cell, retreat, requested: (adj) demanded.
ANTONYMS: (adv) weakly, earth, sanctum sanctorum; (adj) sty, squint: (n) look, strabismus, cast; (v)
informally. sink of corruption. leer, skew, blink, squinch; (adj)
elevate: (v) advance, lift, hoist, erect, locking: (n) lockup, bolting, sidelong, askant, cross-eyed, asquint.
exalt, boost, rear, cheer, promote, interlocking, engagement, cordoning wilt: (v) flag, shrivel, sag, weaken,
dignify, uphold. ANTONYMS: (v) off, closing off, binding, guarding. fade, languish, dry, wither, collapse,
demote, drop, downgrade, depress, malignantly: (adv) maliciously, tire; (n) wilting. ANTONYMS: (v)
decrease, reduce. spitefully, evilly, malevolently, flourish, rise, rally.
Emily Brontë 143

iver Christian body hear aught like it? Mincing un' munching! How can I tell
whet ye say?'
'I say, I wish you to come with me into the house!' I cried, thinking him deaf,
yet highly disgusted at his rudeness.%
'None o' me! I getten summut else to do,' he answered, and continued his
work; moving his lantern jaws meanwhile, and surveying my dress and
countenance (the former a great deal too fine, but the latter, I'm sure, as sad as he
could desire) with sovereign contempt.
I walked round the yard, and through a wicket, to another door, at which I
took the liberty of knocking, in hopes some more civil servant might show
himself. After a short suspense, it was opened by a tall, gaunt man, without
neckerchief, and otherwise extremely slovenly; his features were lost in masses
of shaggy hair that hung on his shoulders; and HIS eyes, too, were like a ghostly
Catherine's with all their beauty annihilated.
'What's your business here?' he demanded, grimly. 'Who are you?'
'My name was Isabella Linton,' I replied. 'You've seen me before, sir. I'm
lately married to Mr. Heathcliff, and he has brought me here - I suppose, by your
permission.'
'Is he come back, then?' asked the hermit, glaring like a hungry wolf.
'Yes - we came just now,' I said; 'but he left me by the kitchen door; and when
I would have gone in, your little boy played sentinel over the place, and
frightened me off by the help of a bull-dog.'
'It's well the hellish villain has kept his word!' growled my future host,
searching the darkness beyond me in expectation of discovering Heathcliff; and
then he indulged in a soliloquy of execrations, and threats of what he would
have done had the 'fiend' deceived him.
I repented having tried this second entrance, and was almost inclined to slip
away before he finished cursing, but ere I could execute that intention, he
ordered me in, and shut and re-fastened the door. There was a great fire, and
that was all the light in the huge apartment, whose floor had grown a uniform
Thesaurus
disgusted: (adj) fed up, ill, weary, indulged: (adj) pet, privileged, soliloquy: (n) language, oral
sickened, nauseated, queasy, cherished, admired. communication, apostrophe.
indisposed, demented, shocked, knocking: (n) sound, bang, beating, suspense: (n) doubt, expectancy,
crazy, horrified. ANTONYMS: (adj) hit, rap, strike, belt, criticism, bash. anticipation, indecision, insecurity,
attracted, happy, pleased. munching: (n) feeding. unrest, expectation, irresolution,
hellish: (adj, v) diabolic, satanic; (adj) neckerchief: (n) kerchief, neckcloth, suspension, tension; (adj, n)
infernal, diabolical, fiendish, scarf, shawl. hesitation. ANTONYM: (n)
demonic, beastly, wicked, unholy, shaggy: (adj) bushy, hirsute, hairy, knowledge.
detestable; (v) mephistophelian. bearded, shagged, pilous, brushy, villain: (n) rascal, scoundrel, rogue,
hermit: (n) anchorite, ascetic, solitary, unkempt, hispid; (adj, n) ragged; (n) knave, miscreant, criminal, bandit,
anchoret, eremite, monk, troglodyte, rugged. ANTONYMS: (adj) sleek, crook, reprobate, varlet, rapscallion.
solitaire, loner, caveman, cave man. tidy. ANTONYMS: (n) heroine, hero.
144 Wuthering Heights

grey; and the once brilliant pewter-dishes, which used to attract my gaze when I
was a girl, partook of a similar obscurity, created by tarnish and dust. I inquired
whether I might call the maid, and be conducted to a bedroom! Mr. Earnshaw
vouchsafed no answer. He walked up and down, with his hands in his pockets,
apparently quite forgetting my presence; and his abstraction was evidently so
deep, and his whole aspect so misanthropical, that I shrank from disturbing him
again.%
You'll not be surprised, Ellen, at my feeling particularly cheerless, seated in
worse than solitude on that inhospitable hearth, and remembering that four
miles distant lay my delightful home, containing the only people I loved on
earth; and there might as well be the Atlantic to part us, instead of those four
miles: I could not overpass them! I questioned with myself - where must I turn
for comfort? and - mind you don't tell Edgar, or Catherine - above every sorrow
beside, this rose pre-eminent: despair at finding nobody who could or would be
my ally against Heathcliff! I had sought shelter at Wuthering Heights, almost
gladly, because I was secured by that arrangement from living alone with him;
but he knew the people we were coming amongst, and he did not fear their
intermeddling.
I sat and thought a doleful time: the clock struck eight, and nine, and still my
companion paced to and fro, his head bent on his breast, and perfectly silent,
unless a groan or a bitter ejaculation forced itself out at intervals. I listened to
detect a woman's voice in the house, and filled the interim with wild regrets and
dismal anticipations, which, at last, spoke audibly in irrepressible sighing and
weeping. I was not aware how openly I grieved, till Earnshaw halted opposite,
in his measured walk, and gave me a stare of newly-awakened surprise. Taking
advantage of his recovered attention, I exclaimed - 'I'm tired with my journey,
and I want to go to bed! Where is the maid-servant? Direct me to her, as she
won't come to me!'
'We have none,' he answered; 'you must wait on yourself!'
'Where must I sleep, then?' I sobbed; I was beyond regarding self- respect,
weighed down by fatigue and wretchedness.

Thesaurus
cheerless: (adj) sad, dismal, dark, drab, ejaculation: (n) cry, ejection, emission, overleap, ignore, omit, overstep,
dreary, gloomy, dull, murky, interjection, discharge, vociferation, cross, fail; (n) bridge, viaduct, flypast.
dispiriting; (adj, v) disconsolate, expelling, exclaiming, eruption, tarnish: (adj, n, v) sully, blot, soil; (n, v)
joyless. ANTONYMS: (adj) bright, shout, emanation. blemish, taint, spot, stain, disgrace,
happy, uplifting, lighthearted, sunny, halted: (adj) motionless, nonmoving, foul; (v) smear; (adj, v) blur.
smart, cheery, warm. unmoving. ANTONYMS: (v) uncorrupt, clean,
doleful: (adj) mournful, sorrowful, intermeddling: (adj, n) interposition; Polish, purify, enhance, dignify,
sad, disconsolate, melancholy, (n) intercession, intervention; (adj) respect.
miserable, piteous, dolorous, somber, meddlesome. wretchedness: (n) unhappiness, grief,
woeful; (adj, v) dolesome. misanthropical: (adj) cynical, distress, desolation, woe, sorrow,
ANTONYMS: (adj) gleeful, happy, distrustful. anguish, infelicity, tribulation,
glad, cheery, elated, euphoric. overpass: (v) neglect, overlook, affliction, misfortune.
Emily Brontë 145

'Joseph will show you Heathcliff's chamber,' said he; 'open that door - he's in
there.'
I was going to obey, but he suddenly arrested me, and added in the strangest
tone - 'Be so good as to turn your lock, and draw your bolt - don't omit it!'
'Well!' I said. 'But why, Mr. Earnshaw?' I did not relish the notion of
deliberately fastening myself in with Heathcliff.%
'Look here!' he replied, pulling from his waistcoat a curiously- constructed
pistol, having a double-edged spring knife attached to the barrel. 'That's a great
tempter to a desperate man, is it not? I cannot resist going up with this every
night, and trying his door. If once I find it open he's done for; I do it invariably,
even though the minute before I have been recalling a hundred reasons that
should make me refrain: it is some devil that urges me to thwart my own
schemes by killing him. You fight against that devil for love as long as you may;
when the time comes, not all the angels in heaven shall save him!'
I surveyed the weapon inquisitively. A hideous notion struck me: how
powerful I should be possessing such an instrument! I took it from his hand, and
touched the blade. He looked astonished at the expression my face assumed
during a brief second: it was not horror, it was covetousness. He snatched the
pistol back, jealously; shut the knife, and returned it to its concealment.
'I don't care if you tell him,' said he. 'Put him on his guard, and watch for
him. You know the terms we are on, I see: his danger does not shock you.'
'What has Heathcliff done to you?' I asked. 'In what has he wronged you, to
warrant this appalling hatred? Wouldn't it be wiser to bid him quit the house?'
'No!' thundered Earnshaw; 'should he offer to leave me, he's a dead man:
persuade him to attempt it, and you are a murderess! Am I to lose ALL, without
a chance of retrieval? Is Hareton to be a beggar? Oh, damnation! I WILL have it
back; and I'll have HIS gold too; and then his blood; and hell shall have his soul!
It will be ten times blacker with that guest than ever it was before!'
You've acquainted me, Ellen, with your old master's habits. He is clearly on
the verge of madness: he was so last night at least. I shuddered to be near him,

Thesaurus
concealment: (n) suppression, handed, sharp. v) miss, skip, jump, pretermit; (v)
confidentiality, concealing, secrecy, fastening: (n) clasp, clip, buckle, delete, forget, exclude, except, leave.
screen, disguise, hiding, privacy, attachment, lock, catch, link, ANTONYMS: (v) add, remember.
camouflage, blind, covering. bonding; (n, v) bond; (v) tie, bind. tempter: (n) seducer, human, soul,
ANTONYMS: (n) discovery, inquisitively: (adv) pryingly, nosily, philanderer, person, mortal,
disclosure, exposure, expression, inquiringly, questioningly, individual, someone, somebody.
openness, uncovering, revelation. meddlesomely, speculatively, thwart: (adv, v) cross; (v) frustrate,
damnation: (n) damn, condemnation, searchingly, meddlingly, prevent, oppose, baffle, obstruct,
anathema, state, curse, execration, interestedly, interrogatively, eagerly. hinder, impede, defeat, disappoint,
judgment, oath, imprecation, murderess: (n) killer, manslayer, bilk. ANTONYMS: (v) promote,
denunciation, denouncement. liquidator, assassin. assist, encourage, aid, help, please,
double-edged: (adj) ironic, left- omit: (adv, v) neglect, disregard; (adj, permit.
146 Wuthering Heights

and thought on the servant's ill-bred moroseness as comparatively agreeable.


He now recommenced his moody walk, and I raised the latch, and escaped into
the kitchen. Joseph was bending over the fire, peering into a large pan that
swung above it; and a wooden bowl of oatmeal stood on the settle close by. The
contents of the pan began to boil, and he turned to plunge his hand into the
bowl; I conjectured that this preparation was probably for our supper, and, being
hungry, I resolved it should be eatable; so, crying out sharply, 'I'LL make the
porridge!' I removed the vessel out of his reach, and proceeded to take off my
hat and riding-habit. 'Mr. Earnshaw,' I continued, 'directs me to wait on myself:
I will. I'm not going to act the lady among you, for fear I should starve.'
'Gooid Lord!' he muttered, sitting down, and stroking his ribbed stockings
from the knee to the ankle. 'If there's to be fresh ortherings - just when I getten
used to two maisters, if I mun hev' a MISTRESS set o'er my heead, it's like time to
be flitting. I niver DID think to see t' day that I mud lave th' owld place - but I
doubt it's nigh at hand!'
This lamentation drew no notice from me: I went briskly to work, sighing to
remember a period when it would have been all merry fun; but compelled
speedily to drive off the remembrance. It racked me to recall past happiness and
the greater peril there was of conjuring up its apparition, the quicker the thible
ran round, and the faster the handfuls of meal fell into the water. Joseph beheld
my style of cookery with growing indignation.%
'Thear!' he ejaculated. 'Hareton, thou willn't sup thy porridge to-neeght;
they'll be naught but lumps as big as my neive. Thear, agean! I'd fling in bowl
un' all, if I wer ye! There, pale t' guilp off, un' then ye'll hae done wi' 't. Bang,
bang. It's a mercy t' bothom isn't deaved out!'
It WAS rather a rough mess, I own, when poured into the basins; four had
been provided, and a gallon pitcher of new milk was brought from the dairy,
which Hareton seized and commenced drinking and spilling from the expansive
lip. I expostulated, and desired that he should have his in a mug; affirming that I
could not taste the liquid treated so dirtily. The old cynic chose to be vastly
offended at this nicety; assuring me, repeatedly, that 'the barn was every bit as

Thesaurus
cynic: (adj, n) skeptic; (n) doubter, aliment, viands, sustenance; (adj) ANTONYM: (n) celebration.
critic, misanthrope, detractor, yogi, palatable, esculent, good. lave: (v) launder, bathe, clean, cleanse,
sanyasi, doubting Thomas, frondeur, ANTONYMS: (adj) uneatable, lap, dip, pour, wash up; (adj) splash,
man hater; (adj) cynical. unpalatable, disgusting, indigestible, swash; (n) residue.
ANTONYMS: (n) supporter, unappetizing, yucky. naught: (n) cipher, nothing, null,
optimist. ill-bred: (adj) boorish, discourteous, aught, nix, nought, zip, cypher, nada;
dirtily: (adv) filthily, nastily, sordidly, impertinent, graceless, gruff, (adj, n, pron) nil; (n, pron) zilch.
muddily, squalidly, uncleanly, uncouth, uncivil, ill-mannered, nicety: (n) detail, exactness,
grubbily, meanly, grimily, bawdily, crude, inurbane, indelicate. fastidiousness, nuance, refinement,
smuttily. lamentation: (n) dirge, grief, exactitude, justness, precision,
eatable: (adj, n) comestible; (n) mourning, plaint, regret, complaint, correctness, daintiness, elegance.
pabulum, victual, food, victuals, cry, crying, wail, moan, condolence. spilling: (n) betrayal, booming.
Emily Brontë 147

good' as I, 'and every bit as wollsome,' and wondering how I could fashion to be
so conceited. Meanwhile, the infant ruffian continued sucking; and glowered up
at me defyingly, as he slavered into the jug.%
'I shall have my supper in another room,' I said. 'Have you no place you call
a parlour?'
'PARLOUR!' he echoed, sneeringly, 'PARLOUR! Nay, we've noa
PARLOURS. If yah dunnut loike wer company, there's maister's; un' if yah
dunnut loike maister, there's us.'
'Then I shall go up-stairs,' I answered; 'show me a chamber.'
I put my basin on a tray, and went myself to fetch some more milk. With
great grumblings, the fellow rose, and preceded me in my ascent: we mounted
to the garrets; he opened a door, now and then, to look into the apartments we
passed.
'Here's a rahm,' he said, at last, flinging back a cranky board on hinges. 'It's
weel eneugh to ate a few porridge in. There's a pack o' corn i' t' corner, thear,
meeterly clane; if ye're feared o' muckying yer grand silk cloes, spread yer
hankerchir o' t' top on't.'
The 'rahm' was a kind of lumber-hole smelling strong of malt and grain;
various sacks of which articles were piled around, leaving a wide, bare space in
the middle.
'Why, man,' I exclaimed, facing him angrily, 'this is not a place to sleep in. I
wish to see my bed-room.'
'BED-RUME!' he repeated, in a tone of mockery. 'Yah's see all t' BED-RUMES
thear is - yon's mine.'
He pointed into the second garret, only differing from the first in being more
naked about the walls, and having a large, low, curtainless bed, with an indigo-
coloured quilt, at one end.
'What do I want with yours?' I retorted. 'I suppose Mr. Heathcliff does not
lodge at the top of the house, does he?'

Thesaurus
cranky: (adj) peevish, cantankerous, milk, wort, alcohol, malt liquor, sheet; (adj, v) embroider.
irascible, petulant, crabby, crank, inebriant, alcoholic beverage, food smelling: (n) smell, flavor, scent,
irritable, crotchety, tetchy, fretful, grain. olfactory modality, sensing, sense of
cross. ANTONYMS: (adj) sweet, mockery: (n) gibe, jeer, irony, farce, smell; (adj) redolent, scented,
pleasant, happy, patient, easygoing. charade, derision, parody, mock, odorous, stinking, rotten.
differing: (adj) divergent, opposite, scorn, imitation, burlesque. sneeringly: (adv) disdainfully,
disagreeing, different, diverse, ANTONYM: (n) approval. contemptuously, derisively,
heretical, dissonant, dissentaneous, piled: (adj) heaped, dense, aggregate, superciliously, snidely, scornfully,
discrepant; (adv) differingly; (n) collective, concentrated, cumulous. disrespectfully, condescendingly,
divergence. ANTONYMS: (adj) quilt: (n) blanket, comforter, duvet, sarcastically, sneering.
similar, parallel. bedding, cover, bedspread, sucking: (n) suck, intake, uptake,
malt: (n) milkshake, grist, beer, malted counterpane, quilting, eiderdown, aspiration, ingestion, consumption.
148 Wuthering Heights

'Oh! it's Maister HATHECLIFF'S ye're wanting?' cried he, as if making a new
discovery. 'Couldn't ye ha' said soa, at onst? un' then, I mud ha' telled ye, baht
all this wark, that that's just one ye cannut see - he allas keeps it locked, un'
nob'dy iver mells on't but hisseln.'
'You've a nice house, Joseph,' I could not refrain from observing, 'and
pleasant inmates; and I think the concentrated essence of all the madness in the
world took up its abode in my brain the day I linked my fate with theirs!
However, that is not to the present purpose - there are other rooms. For heaven's
sake be quick, and let me settle somewhere!'
He made no reply to this adjuration; only plodding doggedly down the
wooden steps, and halting, before an apartment which, from that halt and the
superior quality of its furniture, I conjectured to be the best one. There was a
carpet - a good one, but the pattern was obliterated by dust; a fireplace hung
with cut-paper, dropping to pieces; a handsome oak-bedstead with ample
crimson curtains of rather expensive material and modern make; but they had
evidently experienced rough usage: the vallances hung in festoons, wrenched
from their rings, and the iron rod supporting them was bent in an arc on one
side, causing the drapery to trail upon the floor. The chairs were also damaged,
many of them severely; and deep indentations deformed the panels of the walls.
I was endeavouring to gather resolution for entering and taking possession,
when my fool of a guide announced, - 'This here is t' maister's.' My supper by
this time was cold, my appetite gone, and my patience exhausted. I insisted on
being provided instantly with a place of refuge, and means of repose.%
'Whear the divil?' began the religious elder. 'The Lord bless us! The Lord
forgie us! Whear the HELL wdd ye gang? ye marred, wearisome nowt! Ye've
seen all but Hareton's bit of a cham'er. There's not another hoile to lig down in i'
th' hahse!'
I was so vexed, I flung my tray and its contents on the ground; and then
seated myself at the stairs'-head, hid my face in my hands, and cried.
'Ech! ech!' exclaimed Joseph. 'Weel done, Miss Cathy! weel done, Miss Cathy!
Howsiver, t' maister sall just tum'le o'er them brooken pots; un' then we's hear
Thesaurus
adjuration: (n) solicitation, appeal, furnishings, trim, guise, toilet. lost, forgotten, invisible; (v) erased,
conjuration, oath, affidavit, swearing, halting: (adj) halt, hesitant, broken, effaced.
command, incantation, entreaty, crude, grotesque, barbarous; (adj, v) plodding: (adj) slow, stodgy, heavy,
prayer, asseveration. lame, crippled; (adv) haltingly; (v) hardworking, ponderous, steady; (n)
deformed: (adj) distorted, misshapen, drooping, flagging. ANTONYMS: persistence, grind, donkeywork,
bent, malformed, ugly, crippled, (adj) easy, firm. drudgery, walking. ANTONYMS:
contorted, warped, shapeless, marred: (adj) damaged, defaced, (adj) dilettante, rapid.
twisted, deform. ANTONYMS: (adj) dilapidated, crippled, deformed, refrain: (v) desist, cease, fast, avoid,
beautiful, flawless, unflawed, perfect, faulty, flawed, hurt, impaired, leave off, withhold, stop, spare; (adj,
straight. imperfect, scarred. ANTONYMS: v) forbear; (n) chorus, hold.
drapery: (n) drape, clothing, dress, (adj) pure, unspoiled. ANTONYMS: (v) participate, act,
blind, raiment, costume, toilette, obliterated: (adj) obliterate, destroyed, consume, persist.
Emily Brontë 149

summut; %we's hear how it's to be. Gooid-for-naught madling! ye desarve pining
fro' this to Churstmas, flinging t' precious gifts o'God under fooit i' yer flaysome
rages! But I'm mista'en if ye shew yer sperrit lang. Will Hathecliff bide sich
bonny ways, think ye? I nobbut wish he may catch ye i' that plisky. I nobbut
wish he may.'
And so he went on scolding to his den beneath, taking the candle with him;
and I remained in the dark. The period of reflection succeeding this silly action
compelled me to admit the necessity of smothering my pride and choking my
wrath, and bestirring myself to remove its effects. An unexpected aid presently
appeared in the shape of Throttler, whom I now recognised as a son of our old
Skulker: it had spent its whelphood at the Grange, and was given by my father
to Mr. Hindley. I fancy it knew me: it pushed its nose against mine by way of
salute, and then hastened to devour the porridge; while I groped from step to
step, collecting the shattered earthenware, and drying the spatters of milk from
the banister with my pocket-handkerchief. Our labours were scarcely over when
I heard Earnshaw's tread in the passage; my assistant tucked in his tail, and
pressed to the wall; I stole into the nearest doorway. The dog's endeavour to
avoid him was unsuccessful; as I guessed by a scutter down-stairs, and a
prolonged, piteous yelping. I had better luck: he passed on, entered his
chamber, and shut the door. Directly after Joseph came up with Hareton, to put
him to bed. I had found shelter in Hareton's room, and the old man, on seeing
me, said, - 'They's rahm for boath ye un' yer pride, now, I sud think i' the hahse.
It's empty; ye may hev' it all to yerseln, un' Him as allus maks a third, i' sich ill
company!'
Gladly did I take advantage of this intimation; and the minute I flung myself
into a chair, by the fire, I nodded, and slept. My slumber was deep and sweet,
though over far too soon. Mr. Heathcliff awoke me; he had just come in, and
demanded, in his loving manner, what I was doing there? I told him the cause of
my staying up so late - that he had the key of our room in his pocket. The
adjective OUR gave mortal offence. He swore it was not, nor ever should be,
mine; and he'd - but I'll not repeat his language, nor describe his habitual

Thesaurus
awoke: (adj) awakened. pinning, hankering, craving, desire. contradict, establish, substantiate,
choking: (n) strangulation, throttling, piteous: (adj) miserable, pitiful, support, sustain, indicate, exhibit,
slugging, asphyxiation; (adj) pathetic, doleful, lamentable, abject, display. ANTONYM: (v) disprove.
suffocative, suffocating, smothering, compassionate, unfortunate, poor, slumber: (n, v) rest, doze, snooze, nap,
breathless, clogging, bitter, blinding. paltry, pitiable. drowse, repose, catnap; (v) be asleep,
earthenware: (v) China, porcelain, pocket-handkerchief: (n) kip, take a nap; (n) siesta.
pottery, ceramic ware; (adj) ceramic; handkerchief. smothering: (adj) choking, suffocative,
(n) ceramics, delft, clay, stoneware, salute: (v) greet, hail, kiss, accost, suffocating, tight, sultry, breathless;
faience, majolica. acknowledge, buss; (n) salutation, (adv) smotheringly; (v) suffocate.
pining: (adj, n) longing; (adj) bow, salaam; (n, v) address, stole: (n) wrap, stolen, scarf, stolon,
languishing, languid, marcid, compliment. stealing, robe, alb, tunicle, surplice,
amorously pensive, dull, eager; (n) shew: (v) demonstrate, prove, show, alba, cassock.
150 Wuthering Heights

conduct: he is ingenious and unresting in seeking to gain my abhorrence! I


sometimes wonder at him with an intensity that deadens my fear: yet, I assure
you, a tiger or a venomous serpent could not rouse terror in me equal to that
which he wakens. He told me of Catherine's illness, and accused my brother of
causing it promising that I should be Edgar's proxy in suffering, till he could get
hold of him.%
I do hate him - I am wretched - I have been a fool! Beware of uttering one
breath of this to any one at the Grange. I shall expect you every day - don't
disappoint me! - ISABELLA.

Thesaurus
abhorrence: (n) odium, antipathy, agency, delegate, alternate, surrogate, bitter, deadly, baneful, caustic,
detestation, hatred, aversion, disgust, procurator, authority, vicar; (adj, n) vicious. ANTONYMS: (adj) kind,
execration, hate, loathing, revulsion, replacement. praising, loving, gentle.
horror. ANTONYMS: (n) attraction, serpent: (n) snake, ophidian, viper, wretched: (adj) unfortunate, pitiful,
adoration, delight, liking, snake in the grass, reptile, sad, pitiable, woeful, pathetic,
attractiveness. rattlesnake, colubrid, contrafagotto, piteous, lamentable; (adj, v) poor,
ingenious: (adj) adroit, artful, clever, cor anglais, hautboy; (v) goose. unhappy, forlorn. ANTONYMS: (adj)
cunning, deft, expert, creative, tiger: (adj) fury, dragon, demon; (n) fine, strong, fortunate, overjoyed,
imaginative, cute, acute, able. hostler, cat, jockey, ostler, big cat, nice, admirable, good, cheery, joyous,
ANTONYMS: (adj) impulsive, naive, endangered, Alecto, monster. lucky, comfortable.
unoriginal, inept. venomous: (adj) poisonous, toxic,
proxy: (n) attorney, deputy, agent, noxious, malicious, virulent, spiteful,
Emily Brontë 151

CHAPTER XIV

AS soon as I had perused this epistle I went to the master, and informed him
that his sister had arrived at the Heights, and sent me a letter expressing her
sorrow for Mrs. Linton's situation, and her ardent desire to see him; with a wish
that he would transmit to her, as early as possible, some token of forgiveness by
me.%
'Forgiveness!' said Linton. 'I have nothing to forgive her, Ellen. You may call
at Wuthering Heights this afternoon, if you like, and say that I am not angry, but
I'm sorry to have lost her; especially as I can never think she'll be happy. It is out
of the question my going to see her, however: we are eternally divided; and
should she really wish to oblige me, let her persuade the villain she has married
to leave the country.'
'And you won't write her a little note, sir?' I asked, imploringly.
'No,' he answered. 'It is needless. My communication with Heathcliff's
family shall be as sparing as his with mine. It shall not exist!'
Mr. Edgar's coldness depressed me exceedingly; and all the way from the
Grange I puzzled my brains how to put more heart into what he said, when I
repeated it; and how to soften his refusal of even a few lines to console Isabella. I
daresay she had been on the watch for me since morning: I saw her looking
through the lattice as I came up the garden causeway, and I nodded to her; but
she drew back, as if afraid of being observed. I entered without knocking. There

Thesaurus
came: (v) arrive, come. epistle: (n) letter, note, beggingly, suppliantly, appealingly.
causeway: (n) pathway, sidewalk, communication, message, sparing: (adj, n) economical, saving;
path, track, alley, footpath, jetty, correspondence, post card, favor, (adj, v) scanty, poor, chary, meager,
causey, walkway; (v) furnish, missive, writing, memo, dispatch. parsimonious, spare, moderate; (adj)
provide. eternally: (adv) always, permanently, thrifty, careful. ANTONYMS: (adj)
coldness: (n) chilliness, coolness, incessantly, perpetually, constantly, spendthrift, generous, wasteful,
indifference, distance, apathy, iciness, ceaselessly, endlessly, unendingly, extravagant.
reserve, frost, frigidity, unconcern; unceasingly, lastingly; (adj, adv) transmit: (v) pass, communicate,
(adj, n) cold. ANTONYMS: (n) forever. ANTONYMS: (adv) briefly, convey, send, transfer, carry,
friendliness, sympathy, sensitivity, sporadically. broadcast, forward, propagate, pass
hotness, heat, responsiveness, imploringly: (adv) beseechingly, on, give. ANTONYMS: (v) receive,
concern, brightness, kindness. pleadingly, importunately, take, get, withhold, keep.
152 Wuthering Heights

never %was such a dreary, dismal scene as the formerly cheerful house
presented! I must confess, that if I had been in the young lady's place, I would, at
least, have swept the hearth, and wiped the tables with a duster. But she already
partook of the pervading spirit of neglect which encompassed her. Her pretty
face was wan and listless; her hair uncurled: some locks hanging lankly down,
and some carelessly twisted round her head. Probably she had not touched her
dress since yester evening. Hindley was not there. Mr. Heathcliff sat at a table,
turning over some papers in his pocket-book; but he rose when I appeared, asked
me how I did, quite friendly, and offered me a chair. He was the only thing there
that seemed decent; and I thought he never looked better. So much had
circumstances altered their positions, that he would certainly have struck a
stranger as a born and bred gentleman; and his wife as a thorough little slattern!
She came forward eagerly to greet me, and held out one hand to take the
expected letter. I shook my head. She wouldn't understand the hint, but
followed me to a sideboard, where I went to lay my bonnet, and importuned me
in a whisper to give her directly what I had brought. Heathcliff guessed the
meaning of her manoeuvres, and said - 'If you have got anything for Isabella (as
no doubt you have, Nelly), give it to her. You needn't make a secret of it: we
have no secrets between us.'
'Oh, I have nothing,' I replied, thinking it best to speak the truth at once. 'My
master bid me tell his sister that she must not expect either a letter or a visit from
him at present. He sends his love, ma'am, and his wishes for your happiness,
and his pardon for the grief you have occasioned; but he thinks that after this
time his household and the household here should drop intercommunication, as
nothing could come of keeping it up.'
Mrs. Heathcliff's lip quivered slightly, and she returned to her seat in the
window. Her husband took his stand on the hearthstone, near me, and began to
put questions concerning Catherine. I told him as much as I thought proper of
her illness, and he extorted from me, by cross-examination, most of the facts
connected with its origin. I blamed her, as she deserved, for bringing it all on

Thesaurus
cross-examination: (n) inquiry, trial, intercommunity, inosculation. pervading: (adj) penetrating, general,
examination. lankly: (adv) gauntly, lankily, leanly, profound, permeating, permeant,
duster: (n) rag, smock, dustcloth, dust thinly, slenderly, angularly, overmastering, lowly, deeply felt,
storm, dusting machine, spray, emaciatedly, meagerly, sparely, intellectually deep, deep, almighty.
dishcloth, dustrag; (v) doily, doyley, skinnily, scrawnily. sideboard: (n) cupboard, closet,
sponge. listless: (adj) indifferent, dull, cellaret, credenza, cabinet, counter,
encompassed: (adj) bounded. indolent, careless, languid, inert, locker, credence, press, snack bar,
guessed: (adj) rude, inscrutable. inattentive, dispirited, slow, bin.
intercommunication: (n) intercourse, uninterested, spiritless. slattern: (n) hooker, floozie, floozy,
mutual communication, communion, ANTONYMS: (adj) lively, animated, trapes, trollop, sloven, hustler; (adj, n)
association, anastomosis, energetic, strong, spirited. malkin; (adj) drab, dowdy,
communicating, communicativeness, locks: (n) hair, tresses, head of hair. slummock.
Emily Brontë 153

herself; and ended by hoping that he would follow Mr. Linton's example and
avoid future interference with his family, for good or evil.%
'Mrs. Linton is now just recovering,' I said; 'she'll never be like she was, but
her life is spared; and if you really have a regard for her, you'll shun crossing her
way again: nay, you'll move out of this country entirely; and that you may not
regret it, I'll inform you Catherine Linton is as different now from your old friend
Catherine Earnshaw, as that young lady is different from me. Her appearance is
changed greatly, her character much more so; and the person who is compelled,
of necessity, to be her companion, will only sustain his affection hereafter by the
remembrance of what she once was, by common humanity, and a sense of duty!'
'That is quite possible,' remarked Heathcliff, forcing himself to seem calm:
'quite possible that your master should have nothing but common humanity and
a sense of duty to fall back upon. But do you imagine that I shall leave Catherine
to his DUTY and HUMANITY? and can you compare my feelings respecting
Catherine to his? Before you leave this house, I must exact a promise from you
that you'll get me an interview with her: consent, or refuse, I WILL see her!
What do you say?'
'I say, Mr. Heathcliff,' I replied, 'you must not: you never shall, through my
means. Another encounter between you and the master would kill her
altogether.'
'With your aid that may be avoided,' he continued; 'and should there be
danger of such an event - should he be the cause of adding a single trouble more
to her existence - why, I think I shall be justified in going to extremes! I wish you
had sincerity enough to tell me whether Catherine would suffer greatly from his
loss: the fear that she would restrains me. And there you see the distinction
between our feelings: had he been in my place, and I in his, though I hated him
with a hatred that turned my life to gall, I never would have raised a hand
against him. You may look incredulous, if you please! I never would have
banished him from her society as long as she desired his. The moment her
regard ceased, I would have torn his heart out, and drunk his blood! But, till

Thesaurus
ceased: (adj) finished. (n) liking, adoration, affection, respecting: (prep) about, regarding,
extremes: (n) excess; (adv) overboard. attraction, goodwill, kindness, apropos, as regards, pertaining to;
forcing: (adj) pressing, constraining, delight, friendliness, admiration. (adj) relative, not absolute,
penetrating, compulsatory; (n) push. hereafter: (adv) thereafter, from now pertaining, referring, loving.
gall: (v) fret, chafe, irritate, irk, on, hence, henceforth, hereinafter, sincerity: (adj, n) candor, honesty,
provoke; (adj, n, v) anger; (n) afterwards; (n) afterlife, futurity, time integrity, probity, faithfulness; (n)
bitterness, cheek, audacity, acerbity, to come, great beyond, future life. earnestness, heartiness, genuineness,
acrimony. ANTONYM: (v) please. incredulous: (adj) dubious, doubtful, candour, frankness, cordiality.
hatred: (n, v) detestation, enmity, suspicious, unbelieving, faithless, ANTONYMS: (n) dishonesty,
animosity; (n) aversion, antipathy, skeptical, doubting, lacking faith, hypocrisy, flippancy, frivolity,
disgust, abhorrence, grudge, anger, questioning, cynical, mistrustful. affectedness, caution, reticence,
abomination, hostility. ANTONYMS: ANTONYM: (adj) convinced. deceit, doubt.
154 Wuthering Heights

then %- if you don't believe me, you don't know me - till then, I would have died
by inches before I touched a single hair of his head!'
'And yet,' I interrupted, 'you have no scruples in completely ruining all
hopes of her perfect restoration, by thrusting yourself into her remembrance
now, when she has nearly forgotten you, and involving her in a new tumult of
discord and distress.'
'You suppose she has nearly forgotten me?' he said. 'Oh, Nelly! you know
she has not! You know as well as I do, that for every thought she spends on
Linton she spends a thousand on me! At a most miserable period of my life, I
had a notion of the kind: it haunted me on my return to the neighbourhood last
summer; but only her own assurance could make me admit the horrible idea
again. And then, Linton would be nothing, nor Hindley, nor all the dreams that
ever I dreamt. Two words would comprehend my future - DEATH and HELL:
existence, after losing her, would be hell. Yet I was a fool to fancy for a moment
that she valued Edgar Linton's attachment more than mine. If he loved with all
the powers of his puny being, he couldn't love as much in eighty years as I could
in a day. And Catherine has a heart as deep as I have: the sea could be as readily
contained in that horse-trough as her whole affection be monopolised by him.
Tush! He is scarcely a degree dearer to her than her dog, or her horse. It is not in
him to be loved like me: how can she love in him what he has not?'
'Catherine and Edgar are as fond of each other as any two people can be,'
cried Isabella, with sudden vivacity. 'No one has a right to talk in that manner,
and I won't hear my brother depreciated in silence!'
'Your brother is wondrous fond of you too, isn't he?' observed Heathcliff,
scornfully. 'He turns you adrift on the world with surprising alacrity.'
'He is not aware of what I suffer,' she replied. 'I didn't tell him that.'
'You have been telling him something, then: you have written, have you?'
'To say that I was married, I did write - you saw the note.'
'And nothing since?'
'No.'
Thesaurus
depreciated: (adj) adulterate, cheap, paltry, trivial. ANTONYMS: (adj) moral fiber, morals.
depleted, depressed; (v) depreciating. muscular, brawny, strong, vivacity: (adj, n) life, liveliness; (n)
discord: (n, v) conflict, clash; (n) significant, fit, huge, enormous, energy, vitality, enthusiasm, dash,
disagreement, variance, division, robust, considerable. spirit, vigor, happiness, sparkle,
difference, dissension, dissonance, ruining: (n) ruin, laying waste, effervescence. ANTONYMS: (n)
strife, split, contention. ANTONYMS: devastation, wrecking, razing, apathy, dullness, sluggishness.
(n) agreement, harmony, unity, damage, collapse, desolation, wondrous: (adj) marvelous,
accord, concordance, consent, silence, destruction, dilapidation; (adj) miraculous, marvellous, astonishing,
concord; (v) match. deleterious. tremendous, fantastic, phenomenal,
eighty: (n) four score. scruples: (n) conscience, moral sense, extraordinary, rattling; (adv)
puny: (adj) weak, petty, feeble, frail, sense of right and wrong, morality, wonderfully, marvellously.
tiny, small, minute, measly, runty, ethical motive, principle, ethics,
Emily Brontë 155

'My %young lady is looking sadly the worse for her change of condition,' I
remarked. 'Somebody's love comes short in her case, obviously; whose, I may
guess; but, perhaps, I shouldn't say.'
'I should guess it was her own,' said Heathcliff. 'She degenerates into a mere
slut! She is tired of trying to please me uncommonly early. You'd hardly credit
it, but the very morrow of our wedding she was weeping to go home. However,
she'll suit this house so much the better for not being over nice, and I'll take care
she does not disgrace me by rambling abroad.'
'Well, sir,' returned I, 'I hope you'll consider that Mrs. Heathcliff is
accustomed to be looked after and waited on; and that she has been brought up
like an only daughter, whom every one was ready to serve. You must let her
have a maid to keep things tidy about her, and you must treat her kindly.
Whatever be your notion of Mr. Edgar, you cannot doubt that she has a capacity
for strong attachments, or she wouldn't have abandoned the elegancies, and
comforts, and friends of her former home, to fix contentedly, in such a
wilderness as this, with you.'
'She abandoned them under a delusion,' he answered; 'picturing in me a hero
of romance, and expecting unlimited indulgences from my chivalrous devotion.
I can hardly regard her in the light of a rational creature, so obstinately has she
persisted in forming a fabulous notion of my character and acting on the false
impressions she cherished. But, at last, I think she begins to know me: I don't
perceive the silly smiles and grimaces that provoked me at first; and the
senseless incapability of discerning that I was in earnest when I gave her my
opinion of her infatuation and herself. It was a marvellous effort of perspicacity
to discover that I did not love her. I believed, at one time, no lessons could teach
her that! And yet it is poorly learnt; for this morning she announced, as a piece
of appalling intelligence, that I had actually succeeded in making her hate me! A
positive labour of Hercules, I assure you! If it be achieved, I have cause to return
thanks. Can I trust your assertion, Isabella? Are you sure you hate me? If I let
you alone for half a day, won't you come sighing and wheedling to me again? I
daresay she would rather I had seemed all tenderness before you: it wounds her

Thesaurus
chivalrous: (adj) gallant, brave, ANTONYMS: (n) capability, ability, (adj) penetration. ANTONYMS: (n)
knightly, courteous, courageous, capacity. stupidity, dullness.
gentlemanly, sublime, magnanimous, learnt: (adj) learned. uncommonly: (adv) rarely, strangely,
polite, thoughtful, considerate. obstinately: (adv) obdurately, infrequently, scarcely, occasionally,
ANTONYMS: (adj) rude, fearful, mulishly, persistently, perversely, exceptionally, oddly; (adj, adv)
brutish, afraid, dishonorable, doggedly, refractorily, unyieldingly, particularly, remarkably, singularly,
cowardly, barbaric, boorish. willfully, pigheadedly, waywardly, curiously. ANTONYMS: (adv)
incapability: (n) incapacity, disability, firmly. ANTONYM: (adv) helpfully. frequently, typically.
impotence, unfitness, inaptitude, perspicacity: (n) intelligence, wheedling: (n) blandishment, palaver,
incompetence, incapableness, judgment, insight, discrimination, charlatanry, empiricism, enticement,
imperfectibility, inefficiency, astuteness, judgement, discernment, flattery, quackery, persuasion; (v)
disqualification, inadequacy. shrewdness, perception, wisdom; fawning; (adj) fulsome, persuasive.
156 Wuthering Heights

vanity %to have the truth exposed. But I don't care who knows that the passion
was wholly on one side: and I never told her a lie about it. She cannot accuse me
of showing one bit of deceitful softness. The first thing she saw me do, on
coming out of the Grange, was to hang up her little dog; and when she pleaded
for it, the first words I uttered were a wish that I had the hanging of every being
belonging to her, except one: possibly she took that exception for herself. But no
brutality disgusted her: I suppose she has an innate admiration of it, if only her
precious person were secure from injury! Now, was it not the depth of absurdity
- of genuine idiotcy, for that pitiful, slavish, mean-minded brach to dream that I
could love her? Tell your master, Nelly, that I never, in all my life, met with such
an abject thing as she is. She even disgraces the name of Linton; and I've
sometimes relented, from pure lack of invention, in my experiments on what she
could endure, and still creep shamefully cringing back! But tell him, also, to set
his fraternal and magisterial heart at ease: that I keep strictly within the limits of
the law. I have avoided, up to this period, giving her the slightest right to claim
a separation; and, what's more, she'd thank nobody for dividing us. If she
desired to go, she might: the nuisance of her presence outweighs the gratification
to be derived from tormenting her!'
'Mr. Heathcliff,' said I, 'this is the talk of a madman; your wife, most likely, is
convinced you are mad; and, for that reason, she has borne with you hitherto:
but now that you say she may go, she'll doubtless avail herself of the permission.
You are not so bewitched, ma'am, are you, as to remain with him of your own
accord?'
'Take care, Ellen!' answered Isabella, her eyes sparkling irefully; there was no
misdoubting by their expression the full success of her partner's endeavours to
make himself detested. 'Don't put faith in a single word he speaks. He's a lying
fiend! a monster, and not a human being! I've been told I might leave him
before; and I've made the attempt, but I dare not repeat it! Only, Ellen, promise
you'll not mention a syllable of his infamous conversation to my brother or
Catherine. Whatever he may pretend, he wishes to provoke Edgar to
desperation: he says he has married me on purpose to obtain power over him;

Thesaurus
bewitched: (adj) enchanted, fascinated, treacherous. ANTONYMS: (adj) domineering, imperious, dictatorial,
infatuated, magical, ensorcelled, straightforward, genuine, authoritative, authoritarian, lordly,
doomed, captive, rapt, enamored, trustworthy, truthful, loyal, open, peremptory, dogmatic, arbitrary,
obsessed. ANTONYM: (adj) principled, straight, upright, faithful, bossy.
disgusted. dependable. slavish: (adj) servile, menial, fawning,
cringing: (adj) obsequious, servile, fraternal: (adj) brotherly, brotherlike, cringing, abject, obsequious,
slavish, abject, groveling, oily, biovular, sympathetic, kind, hearty, subservient, submissive, ignoble,
grovelling, fawning, beggarly, amicable, unhostile, affectionate, contemptible, pliant.
contemptible, ignoble. thick, related. ANTONYM: (adj) tormenting: (v) bothering, teasing,
deceitful: (adj) false, fraudulent, identical. pestering, harassing; (adj) harrowing,
insincere, crooked, dishonest, untrue, irefully: (adv) irately, angrily. perturbing, plaguy, raging, upsetting,
sly, artful, untrustworthy, unreliable, magisterial: (adj) haughty, vexatious; (adj, v) worrying.
Emily Brontë 157

and %he sha'n't obtain it - I'll die first! I just hope, I pray, that he may forget his
diabolical prudence and kill me! The single pleasure I can imagine is to die, or to
see him dead!'
'There - that will do for the present!' said Heathcliff. 'If you are called upon in
a court of law, you'll remember her language, Nelly! And take a good look at
that countenance: she's near the point which would suit me. No; you're not fit to
be your own guardian, Isabella, now; and I, being your legal protector, must
retain you in my custody, however distasteful the obligation may be. Go up-
stairs; I have something to say to Ellen Dean in private. That's not the way: up-
stairs, I tell you! Why, this is the road upstairs, child!'
He seized, and thrust her from the room; and returned muttering - 'I have no
pity! I have no pity! The more the worms writhe, the more I yearn to crush out
their entrails! It is a moral teething; and I grind with greater energy in
proportion to the increase of pain.'
'Do you understand what the word pity means?' I said, hastening to resume
my bonnet. 'Did you ever feel a touch of it in your life?'
'Put that down!' he interrupted, perceiving my intention to depart. 'You are
not going yet. Come here now, Nelly: I must either persuade or compel you to
aid me in fulfilling my determination to see Catherine, and that without delay. I
swear that I meditate no harm: I don't desire to cause any disturbance, or to
exasperate or insult Mr. Linton; I only wish to hear from herself how she is, and
why she has been ill; and to ask if anything that I could do would be of use to
her. Last night I was in the Grange garden six hours, and I'll return there to-
night; and every night I'll haunt the place, and every day, till I find an
opportunity of entering. If Edgar Linton meets me, I shall not hesitate to knock
him down, and give him enough to insure his quiescence while I stay. If his
servants oppose me, I shall threaten them off with these pistols. But wouldn't it
be better to prevent my coming in contact with them, or their master? And you
could do it so easily. I'd warn you when I came, and then you might let me in
unobserved, as soon as she was alone, and watch till I departed, your conscience
quite calm: you would be hindering mischief.'

Thesaurus
entrails: (n) bowels, gut, bowel, blocking up; (n) hindrance, unheeded, unregarded, unthought of,
viscera, innards, internal organs, impedition; (v) hinder. unperceived; (adj) ignored, not
insides, intestines, guts, tripe, inside. meditate: (n, v) muse; (v) contemplate, noticed, hidden, unmarked, unnoted;
exasperate: (adj, v) aggravate; (v) consider, cogitate, reflect, speculate, (adv) secretly. ANTONYM: (adj)
incense, enrage, irritate, anger, wonder, ruminate, ponder, think, evident.
annoy, infuriate, exacerbate, bother, bethink. writhe: (adj, v) distort, wrest; (v)
provoke, rile. ANTONYMS: (v) quiescence: (n) still, calm, abeyance, contort, wriggle, squirm, wrench,
please, pacify, soothe, placate, better, inaction, ease, inactivity, rest, worm, coil, wiggle, thrash, warp.
calm, appease, mollify. quiescency, estivation, hibernation, yearn: (v) languish, pine, wish, hanker,
hindering: (adj) obstructive, clogging, calmness. aspire, miss, ache, desire, cherish,
preclusive, meddlesome, teething: (n) teeth, odontiasis. yen, want.
impedimental, counter, obstruent, unobserved: (adj, v) unseen; (v)
158 Wuthering Heights

I %protested against playing that treacherous part in my employer's house:


and, besides, I urged the cruelty and selfishness of his destroying Mrs. Linton's
tranquillity for his satisfaction. 'The commonest occurrence startles her
painfully,' I said. 'She's all nerves, and she couldn't bear the surprise, I'm
positive. Don't persist, sir! or else I shall be obliged to inform my master of your
designs; and he'll take measures to secure his house and its inmates from any
such unwarrantable intrusions!'
'In that case I'll take measures to secure you, woman!' exclaimed Heathcliff;
'you shall not leave Wuthering Heights till to-morrow morning. It is a foolish
story to assert that Catherine could not bear to see me; and as to surprising her, I
don't desire it: you must prepare her - ask her if I may come. You say she never
mentions my name, and that I am never mentioned to her. To whom should she
mention me if I am a forbidden topic in the house? She thinks you are all spies
for her husband. Oh, I've no doubt she's in hell among you! I guess by her
silence, as much as anything, what she feels. You say she is often restless, and
anxious- looking: is that a proof of tranquillity? You talk of her mind being
unsettled. How the devil could it be otherwise in her frightful isolation? And
that insipid, paltry creature attending her from DUTY and HUMANITY! From
PITY and CHARITY! He might as well plant an oak in a flower-pot, and expect
it to thrive, as imagine he can restore her to vigour in the soil of his shallow
cares? Let us settle it at once: will you stay here, and am I to fight my way to
Catherine over Linton and his footman? Or will you be my friend, as you have
been hitherto, and do what I request? Decide! because there is no reason for my
lingering another minute, if you persist in your stubborn ill-nature!'
Well, Mr. Lockwood, I argued and complained, and flatly refused him fifty
times; but in the long run he forced me to an agreement. I engaged to carry a
letter from him to my mistress; and should she consent, I promised to let him
have intelligence of Linton's next absence from home, when he might come, and
get in as he was able: I wouldn't be there, and my fellow-servants should be
equally out of the way. Was it right or wrong? I fear it was wrong, though
expedient. I thought I prevented another explosion by my compliance; and I

Thesaurus
footman: (n) attendant, butler, contemptible, measly, trifling, abject, constant, conclusive, certain, calmed,
follower, flunkey, flunky, varlet, insignificant, inconsiderable, puny, calm.
servitor, valet de chambre, boy, little, trivial, low. ANTONYMS: (adj) unwarrantable: (adj) unwarranted,
knave; (n, v) lackey. generous, substantial, plentiful, unjustifiable, indefensible,
insipid: (adj) tasteless, bland, dull, enormous, important, profound. unreasonable, inexcusable, undue,
watery, flavorless, uninteresting, unsettled: (adj) changeable, unallowable, insupportable,
vapid, savorless, boring, tame, undecided, doubtful, uneasy, unforgivable, unjustified, improper.
humdrum. ANTONYMS: (adj) outstanding, variable, unpaid, ANTONYMS: (adj) understandable,
exciting, tasty, interesting, flavorful, unresolved; (adj, v) unfixed, excusable, justifiable.
spicy, lively, colorful, dark, bright, indefinite, undetermined. vigour: (n) force, strength, vigor,
inspired, imaginative. ANTONYMS: (adj) confident, energy, power, potency, vim, vitality,
paltry: (adj, n) mean; (adj) definite, decided, well, sure, happy, athleticism, verve, intensity.
Emily Brontë 159

thought, too, it might create a favourable crisis in Catherine's mental illness: and
then I remembered Mr. Edgar's stern rebuke of my carrying tales; and I tried to
smooth away all disquietude on the subject, by affirming, with frequent
iteration, that that betrayal of trust, if it merited so harsh an appellation, should
be the last. Notwithstanding, my journey homeward was sadder than my
journey thither; and many misgivings I had, ere I could prevail on myself to put
the missive into Mrs. Linton's hand.%
But here is Kenneth; I'll go down, and tell him how much better you are. My
history is DREE, as we say, and will serve to while away another morning.
Dree, and dreary! I reflected as the good woman descended to receive the
doctor: and not exactly of the kind which I should have chosen to amuse me.
But never mind! I'll extract wholesome medicines from Mrs. Dean's bitter herbs;
and firstly, let me beware of the fascination that lurks in Catherine Heathcliff's
brilliant eyes. I should be in a curious taking if I surrendered my heart to that
young person, and the daughter turned out a second edition of the mother.

Thesaurus
disquietude: (n) anxiety, agitation, misgivings: (n) anxiety, doubt, lecture, check; (v) castigate, berate;
uneasiness, concern, alarm, misgiving, apprehension, fear, (n) admonition. ANTONYMS: (n, v)
apprehension, commotion, fear, suspicion, doubts, concern, praise, compliment; (v) commend,
unrest, turmoil; (adj, n) inquietude. consternation, disbelief, foreboding. acknowledge, approve; (n) approval.
homeward: (adj) oriented, orientated. ANTONYM: (n) equanimity. reflected: (adj) reflecting, reverberant,
iteration: (n) iterance, reiteration, run, missive: (n) epistle, note, message, reflectent.
succession, frequency, repeating, communication, billet, surrendered: (adj) given.
recurrence, rehearsal, backbone, memorandum, encyclical, thither: (adv) hither, whither, on that
stereotypy, grit. correspondence, alphabetic character, point, in that respect, at that place, in
merited: (adj) deserved, just, suitable, correpondence, circular. that location; (adj) further, ulterior,
rightful, right, due; (v) due to, richly rebuke: (n, v) reprimand, rebuff, remoter, succeeding, more distant.
deserved. reproach, chide, blame, reproof,
Emily Brontë 161

CHAPTER XV

ANOTHER week over - and I am so many days nearer health, and spring! I
have now heard all my neighbour's history, at different sittings, as the
housekeeper could spare time from more important occupations. I'll continue it
in her own words, only a little condensed. She is, on the whole, a very fair
narrator, and I don't think I could improve her style.%
In the evening, she said, the evening of my visit to the Heights, I knew, as
well as if I saw him, that Mr. Heathcliff was about the place; and I shunned
going out, because I still carried his letter in my pocket, and didn't want to be
threatened or teased any more. I had made up my mind not to give it till my
master went somewhere, as I could not guess how its receipt would affect
Catherine. The consequence was, that it did not reach her before the lapse of
three days. The fourth was Sunday, and I brought it into her room after the
family were gone to church. There was a manservant left to keep the house with
me, and we generally made a practice of locking the doors during the hours of
service; but on that occasion the weather was so warm and pleasant that I set
them wide open, and, to fulfil my engagement, as I knew who would be coming,
I told my companion that the mistress wished very much for some oranges, and
he must run over to the village and get a few, to be paid for on the morrow. He
departed, and I went up-stairs.
Mrs. Linton sat in a loose white dress, with a light shawl over her shoulders,
in the recess of the open window, as usual. Her thick, long hair had been partly

Thesaurus
condensed: (adj) concise, compressed, o'clock. madame, inamorata, lady, lover,
concentrated, succinct, compact, housekeeper: (n) factotum, mistress, fancy woman, doxy, girl, kept
summary, compendious, short, shepherd, householder, housewife, woman, missis.
shortened; (adj, v) condense; (n) domestic, cleaning woman, croupier, narrator: (n) teller, speaker, fabulist,
tabloid. ANTONYMS: (adj) loose, domestic help, seneschal, house anecdotist, narrators, talker, lecturer,
uncondensed, diluted, expanded, servant. narrater, orator, relator, raconteur.
convoluted, long. lapse: (n, v) decline, drop, mistake; recess: (n) niche, pause, intermission,
departed: (adj) dead, bygone, late, (adj, n, v) fall; (v) expire, elapse, holiday, nook, vacation, hollow,
former, bypast, defunct, past, left; collapse, go by; (n) oversight, error, alcove, interval, interruption; (n, v)
(adj, v) gone, extinct; (n) decedent. fault. ANTONYMS: (v) behave, start, break. ANTONYM: (n) continuation.
ANTONYMS: (adj) remaining, alive. rise, renew, improve. shunned: (adj) undesirable, friendless,
hours: (n) period, duty period; (adv) mistress: (n) dame, concubine, abandoned.
162 Wuthering Heights

removed at the beginning of her illness, and now she wore it simply combed in
its natural tresses over her temples and neck. Her appearance was altered, as I
had told Heathcliff; but when she was calm, there seemed unearthly beauty in
the change. The flash of her eyes had been succeeded by a dreamy and
melancholy softness; they no longer gave the impression of looking at the objects
around her: they appeared always to gaze beyond, and far beyond - you would
have said out of this world. Then, the paleness of her face - its haggard aspect
having vanished as she recovered flesh - and the peculiar expression arising from
her mental state, though painfully suggestive of their causes, added to the
touching interest which she awakened; and - invariably to me, I know, and to
any person who saw her, I should think - refuted more tangible proofs of
convalescence, and stamped her as one doomed to decay.%
A book lay spread on the sill before her, and the scarcely perceptible wind
fluttered its leaves at intervals. I believe Linton had laid it there: for she never
endeavoured to divert herself with reading, or occupation of any kind, and he
would spend many an hour in trying to entice her attention to some subject
which had formerly been her amusement. She was conscious of his aim, and in
her better moods endured his efforts placidly, only showing their uselessness by
now and then suppressing a wearied sigh, and checking him at last with the
saddest of smiles and kisses. At other times, she would turn petulantly away,
and hide her face in her hands, or even push him off angrily; and then he took
care to let her alone, for he was certain of doing no good.
Gimmerton chapel bells were still ringing; and the full, mellow flow of the
beck in the valley came soothingly on the ear. It was a sweet substitute for the
yet absent murmur of the summer foliage, which drowned that music about the
Grange when the trees were in leaf. At Wuthering Heights it always sounded on
quiet days following a great thaw or a season of steady rain. And of Wuthering
Heights Catherine was thinking as she listened: that is, if she thought or listened
at all; but she had the vague, distant look I mentioned before, which expressed
no recognition of material things either by ear or eye.

Thesaurus
convalescence: (n) recuperation, rally, composedly, silently, meekly, spiritual, strange, heavenly.
convalesce, upturn, improvement, impassively, collectedly. ANTONYMS: (adj) natural, physical,
rehabilitation, restitution, restoration, ANTONYMS: (adv) agitatedly, acceptable, normal, human.
retrieval, healing, progress. boisterously. uselessness: (n) inutility, fruitlessness,
ANTONYM: (n) decline. soothingly: (adv) softly, quietly, pointlessness, impracticableness,
entice: (n, v) lure, attract, seduce, calmingly, lullingly, lightly, tenderly, impracticability, unusefulness,
tempt; (v) cajole, bait, draw, charm, kindly, blandly, calmly, vanity, idleness, ineffectualness,
coax, allure, captivate. ANTONYMS: comfortingly, sedatively. senselessness; (adj) useless.
(v) dissuade, repulse, discourage, tresses: (n) locks, mop, head of hair. ANTONYMS: (n) value, competence,
force. unearthly: (adj) weird, ghostly, helpfulness, effectiveness,
placidly: (adv) coolly, calmly, uncanny, ethereal, unworldly, fruitfulness, skill, utility, worthiness,
tranquilly, peacefully, stilly, quietly, preternatural, spectral, eerie, worth, ability; (adj) purposeful.
Emily Brontë 163

'There's a letter for you, Mrs. Linton,' I said, gently inserting it in one hand
that rested on her knee. 'You must read it immediately, because it wants an
answer. Shall I break the seal?' 'Yes,' she answered, without altering the
direction of her eyes. I opened it - it was very short. 'Now,' I continued, 'read it.'
She drew away her hand, and let it fall. I replaced it in her lap, and stood
waiting till it should please her to glance down; but that movement was so long
delayed that at last I resumed - 'Must I read it, ma'am? It is from Mr. Heathcliff.'
There was a start and a troubled gleam of recollection, and a struggle to
arrange her ideas. She lifted the letter, and seemed to peruse it; and when she
came to the signature she sighed: yet still I found she had not gathered its
import, for, upon my desiring to hear her reply, she merely pointed to the name,
and gazed at me with mournful and questioning eagerness.%
'Well, he wishes to see you,' said I, guessing her need of an interpreter. 'He's
in the garden by this time, and impatient to know what answer I shall bring.'
As I spoke, I observed a large dog lying on the sunny grass beneath raise its
ears as if about to bark, and then smoothing them back, announce, by a wag of
the tail, that some one approached whom it did not consider a stranger. Mrs.
Linton bent forward, and listened breathlessly. The minute after a step
traversed the hall; the open house was too tempting for Heathcliff to resist
walking in: most likely he supposed that I was inclined to shirk my promise,
and so resolved to trust to his own audacity. With straining eagerness Catherine
gazed towards the entrance of her chamber. He did not hit the right room
directly: she motioned me to admit him, but he found it out ere I could reach the
door, and in a stride or two was at her side, and had her grasped in his arms.
He neither spoke nor loosed his hold for some five minutes, during which
period he bestowed more kisses than ever he gave in his life before, I daresay:
but then my mistress had kissed him first, and I plainly saw that he could hardly
bear, for downright agony, to look into her face! The same conviction had
stricken him as me, from the instant he beheld her, that there was no prospect of
ultimate recovery there - she was fated, sure to die.

Thesaurus
altering: (n) castration, fixing, awarded, accurate. pensive, gloomy, lugubrious,
interchange, neutering; (adj) breathlessly: (adv) pantingly, eagerly, lamentable; (adj, n) plaintive.
changing, alterant. windedly, deadly, inanimately, ANTONYMS: (adj) joyful, happy,
audacity: (n) nerve, audaciousness, breathtakingly, impatiently, emotionless.
effrontery, arrogance, temerity, animatedly, hungrily, chokingly, peruse: (v) examine, look through,
cheek, impertinence, insolence, pulselessly. inspect, study, leaf, flip, flick, learn,
courage; (n, v) impudence; (adj, n) fated: (adj) inevitable, destined, review, to read, browse. ANTONYM:
presumption. ANTONYMS: (n) certain, predestined, damned, (v) skim.
cowardice, propriety, decorum, unavoidable, predestinate, cursed, shirk: (v) evade, avoid, dodge, duck,
circumspection, courtesy, fear, intended, forthcoming, sure. goldbrick, elude, malinger, eschew,
respect, spinelessness, reticence. mournful: (adj) sad, miserable, parry, blink, flinch. ANTONYMS: (v)
bestowed: (adj) presented, conferred, melancholy, funereal, dolorous, dark, accept, court.
164 Wuthering Heights

'Oh, Cathy! Oh, my life! how can I bear it?' was the first sentence he uttered,
in a tone that did not seek to disguise his despair. And now he stared at her so
earnestly that I thought the very intensity of his gaze would bring tears into his
eyes; but they burned with anguish: they did not melt.%
'What now?' said Catherine, leaning back, and returning his look with a
suddenly clouded brow: her humour was a mere vane for constantly varying
caprices. 'You and Edgar have broken my heart, Heathcliff! And you both come
to bewail the deed to me, as if you were the people to be pitied! I shall not pity
you, not I. You have killed me - and thriven on it, I think. How strong you are!
How many years do you mean to live after I am gone?'
Heathcliff had knelt on one knee to embrace her; he attempted to rise, but she
seized his hair, and kept him down.
'I wish I could hold you,' she continued, bitterly, 'till we were both dead! I
shouldn't care what you suffered. I care nothing for your sufferings. Why
shouldn't you suffer? I do! Will you forget me? Will you be happy when I am in
the earth? Will you say twenty years hence, "That's the grave of Catherine
Earnshaw? I loved her long ago, and was wretched to lose her; but it is past. I've
loved many others since: my children are dearer to me than she was; and, at
death, I shall not rejoice that I are going to her: I shall be sorry that I must leave
them!" Will you say so, Heathcliff?'
'Don't torture me till I'm as mad as yourself,' cried he, wrenching his head
free, and grinding his teeth.
The two, to a cool spectator, made a strange and fearful picture. Well might
Catherine deem that heaven would be a land of exile to her, unless with her
mortal body she cast away her moral character also. Her present countenance
had a wild vindictiveness in its white cheek, and a bloodless lip and
scintillating eye; and she retained in her closed fingers a portion of the locks she
had been grasping. As to her companion, while raising himself with one hand,
he had taken her arm with the other; and so inadequate was his stock of
gentleness to the requirements of her condition, that on his letting go I saw four
distinct impressions left blue in the colourless skin.
Thesaurus
bewail: (v) lament, mourn, deplore, cymophanous. ANTONYM: (adj) glinting, glistering, glittery,
regret, wail, grieve, complain, weep, clear. scintillant, aglitter, brilliant.
sorrow, repent, moan. ANTONYMS: colourless: (adj) colorless, drab, pale, ANTONYM: (adj) matte.
(v) exalt, rejoice, applaud, praise. neutral, wan, pallid, ashen, clear, vane: (adj) weathercock; (n) weather
bloodless: (adj) white, livid, dead, white, washy, bloodless. vane, fan blade, cairn, staff, fan, post,
pale, pasty, wan, exsanguine, ANTONYM: (adj) colorful. beacon, hand, pointer, impeller.
blanched, anaemic, ghastly, watery. deem: (v) believe, assume, consider, vindictiveness: (n) rancor, revenge,
ANTONYMS: (adj) robust, sanguine, count, hold, think, feel, view, malice, spite, unkindness, nastiness,
rosy, bloody, florid, caring, lively. suppose, regard, imagine. spitefulness, meanness, malignity,
clouded: (adj, n) cloudy; (adj) gloomy, ANTONYMS: (v) disregard, doubt. malevolence, implacability.
dark, overcast, obscure, blurred, scintillating: (adj) sparkling, bright, wrenching: (n) extraction; (adj)
foggy, misty, hazy, bleary; (v) bubbling, effervescent, fulgid, painful.
Emily Brontë 165

'Are %you possessed with a devil,' he pursued, savagely, 'to talk in that
manner to me when you are dying? Do you reflect that all those words will be
branded in my memory, and eating deeper eternally after you have left me? You
know you lie to say I have killed you: and, Catherine, you know that I could as
soon forget you as my existence! Is it not sufficient for your infernal selfishness,
that while you are at peace I shall writhe in the torments of hell?'
'I shall not be at peace,' moaned Catherine, recalled to a sense of physical
weakness by the violent, unequal throbbing of her heart, which beat visibly and
audibly under this excess of agitation. She said nothing further till the paroxysm
was over; then she continued, more kindly -
'I'm not wishing you greater torment than I have, Heathcliff. I only wish us
never to be parted: and should a word of mine distress you hereafter, think I feel
the same distress underground, and for my own sake, forgive me! Come here
and kneel down again! You never harmed me in your life. Nay, if you nurse
anger, that will be worse to remember than my harsh words! Won't you come
here again? Do!'
Heathcliff went to the back of her chair, and leant over, but not so far as to let
her see his face, which was livid with emotion. She bent round to look at him; he
would not permit it: turning abruptly, he walked to the fireplace, where he
stood, silent, with his back towards us. Mrs. Linton's glance followed him
suspiciously: every movement woke a new sentiment in her. After a pause and
a prolonged gaze, she resumed; addressing me in accents of indignant
disappointment:-
'Oh, you see, Nelly, he would not relent a moment to keep me out of the
grave. THAT is how I'm loved! Well, never mind. That is not MY Heathcliff. I
shall love mine yet; and take him with me: he's in my soul. And,' added she
musingly, 'the thing that irks me most is this shattered prison, after all. I'm tired
of being enclosed here. I'm wearying to escape into that glorious world, and to
be always there: not seeing it dimly through tears, and yearning for it through
the walls of an aching heart: but really with it, and in it. Nelly, you think you
are better and more fortunate than I; in full health and strength: you are sorry

Thesaurus
harmed: (adj) aggrieved, injured, musingly: (adv) thoughtfully, opportunism, expedience,
impaired, incapacitated, abused, ponderingly, meditatively, individualism, self, selfness, selfish.
debilitated, physically abused, contemplatively, reflectively, ANTONYMS: (n) altruism,
battered, crippled; (v) harm, damage. ruminatively, broodingly, deep in selflessness, sensitivity,
kneel: (v) genuflect, cringe, stoop, bob, thought. ANTONYM: (adv) thoughtfulness, conformity,
cry for quarter, dip, duck, humble unthinkingly. generosity.
oneself; (n) kneeling, knee, relent: (v) give, give in, melt, soften, yearning: (n) hankering, aspiration,
movement. moderate, ease, submit, cede, relax, thirst, craving, desire, hunger,
livid: (adj) furious, irate, ashen, mad, capitulate; (adj) remit. ANTONYMS: nostalgia, eagerness; (adj) wistful,
blue, gray, ghastly, leaden, colorless, (v) worsen, strengthen, resist, stand. pining, desirous. ANTONYMS: (adj)
angry, enraged. ANTONYMS: (adj) selfishness: (n) greed, egotism, disinterested; (n) dislike,
flushed, happy, pleased. greediness, meanness, individuality, disinclination, apathy.
166 Wuthering Heights

for me - very soon that will be altered. I shall be sorry for YOU. I shall be
incomparably beyond and above you all. I WONDER he won't be near me!' She
went on to herself. 'I thought he wished it. Heathcliff, dear! you should not be
sullen now. Do come to me, Heathcliff.'
In her eagerness she rose and supported herself on the arm of the chair. At
that earnest appeal he turned to her, looking absolutely desperate. His eyes,
wide and wet, at last flashed fiercely on her; his breast heaved convulsively. An
instant they held asunder, and then how they met I hardly saw, but Catherine
made a spring, and he caught her, and they were locked in an embrace from
which I thought my mistress would never be released alive: in fact, to my eyes,
she seemed directly insensible. He flung himself into the nearest seat, and on my
approaching hurriedly to ascertain if she had fainted, he gnashed at me, and
foamed like a mad dog, and gathered her to him with greedy jealousy. I did not
feel as if I were in the company of a creature of my own species: it appeared that
he would not understand, though I spoke to him; so I stood off, and held my
tongue, in great perplexity.%
A movement of Catherine's relieved me a little presently: she put up her
hand to clasp his neck, and bring her cheek to his as he held her; while he, in
return, covering her with frantic caresses, said wildly -
'You teach me now how cruel you've been - cruel and false. WHY did you
despise me? WHY did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word
of comfort. You deserve this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me,
and cry; and wring out my kisses and tears: they'll blight you - they'll damn
you. You loved me - then what RIGHT had you to leave me? What right -
answer me - for the poor fancy you felt for Linton? Because misery and
degradation, and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have
parted us, YOU, of your own will, did it. I have not broken your heart - YOU
have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine. So much the worse for
me that I am strong. Do I want to live? What kind of living will it be when you -
oh, God! would YOU like to live with your soul in the grave?'

Thesaurus
blight: (n, v) blast, decay, plague; (v) convulsions. unwillingness, aloofness, disinterest,
damage, wither, blemish, perish; (n) despise: (v) disdain, loathe, lethargy, listlessness, patience,
bane, pest, curse, rust. ANTONYMS: depreciate, abhor, dislike, detest, gloom, reluctance.
(v) aid, help, guard, protect, enhance, slight, hate; (n, v) contemn; (n) incomparably: (adv) superlatively,
improve; (n) health, boon, bounty. contempt, deride. ANTONYMS: (v) matchlessly, uniquely, exceptionally,
clasp: (n, v) embrace, hug, grip, grasp, respect, love, adore, appreciate, outstandingly, unbeatably,
squeeze, clutch, buckle, brooch; (adj, cherish, like, praise, accept. uncomparably, excellently, very,
n, v) pin; (v) stick, cling. eagerness: (n, v) desire, aspiration; (n) greatly, beyond compare.
ANTONYMS: (v) unbuckle, loose, enthusiasm, avidity, cupidity, ANTONYM: (adv) comparably.
unclasp, relax, detach. readiness, passion, keenness, wring: (n, v) squeeze; (v) twist,
convulsively: (adv) spasmodically, ambition, fervor, avidness. wrench, wrest, torture, torment,
paroxysmally, spasticly, with ANTONYMS: (n) indifference, distort, extract, twine, contort, rack.
Emily Brontë 167

'Let me alone. Let me alone,' sobbed Catherine. 'If I've done wrong, I'm
dying for it. It is enough! You left me too: but I won't upbraid you! I forgive
you. Forgive me!'
'It is hard to forgive, and to look at those eyes, and feel those wasted hands,'
he answered. 'Kiss me again; and don't let me see your eyes! I forgive what you
have done to me. I love MY murderer - but YOURS! How can I?'
They were silent-their faces hid against each other, and washed by each
other's tears. At least, I suppose the weeping was on both sides; as it seemed
Heathcliff could weep on a great occasion like this.%
I grew very uncomfortable, meanwhile; for the afternoon wore fast away, the
man whom I had sent off returned from his errand, and I could distinguish, by
the shine of the western sun up the valley, a concourse thickening outside
Gimmerton chapel porch.
'Service is over,' I announced. 'My master will be here in half an hour.'
Heathcliff groaned a curse, and strained Catherine closer: she never moved.
Ere long I perceived a group of the servants passing up the road towards the
kitchen wing. Mr. Linton was not far behind; he opened the gate himself and
sauntered slowly up, probably enjoying the lovely afternoon that breathed as soft
as summer.
'Now he is here,' I exclaimed. 'For heaven's sake, hurry down! You'll not
meet any one on the front stairs. Do be quick; and stay among the trees till he is
fairly in.'
'I must go, Cathy,' said Heathcliff, seeking to extricate himself from his
companion's arms. 'But if I live, I'll see you again before you are asleep. I won't
stray five yards from your window.'
'You must not go!' she answered, holding him as firmly as her strength
allowed. 'You SHALL not, I tell you.'
'For one hour,' he pleaded earnestly.
'Not for one minute,' she replied.

Thesaurus
concourse: (n) assemblage, swarm, rid, untangle, disembarrass, absolve, lymph gland, knob, indivisibility.
multitude, throng, company, enfranchise, free, deliver, dislodge. upbraid: (v) rebuke, censure, blame,
merging, crowd, aggregation, ANTONYMS: (v) entangle, embroil, scold, chide, reprimand, condemn,
meeting, gathering, legion. hamper, hinder, involve, fasten, berate, objurgate, rate; (n, v) revile.
curse: (n, v) blight, plague; (n) wedge. weep: (v) wail, bawl, lament, sob,
anathema, blasphemy, malediction, stray: (v) wander, ramble, range, blubber, moan, howl, drip, greet,
denunciation; (adj, v) beshrew; (v) digress, straggle, meander, depart, whimper; (n) tear.
swear, ban, damn, vituperate. deviate, rove, drift, err. ANTONYM: weeping: (adj) tearful, lachrymose,
ANTONYMS: (n) blessing, (v) settle. dolourous, dolorous; (n, v) lament,
benediction, making; (v) thickening: (n) thickener, inspissation, lamentation; (v) wailing; (n) sobbing,
communicate. growth, lymph node, pommel, tears, cry; (adj, n) howling.
extricate: (v) clear, evolve, disengage, indiscerptibility, node, bodying up, ANTONYM: (n) celebration.
168 Wuthering Heights

'I MUST - Linton will be up immediately,' persisted the alarmed intruder.%


He would have risen, and unfixed her fingers by the act - she clung fast,
gasping: there was mad resolution in her face.
'No!' she shrieked. 'Oh, don't, don't go. It is the last time! Edgar will not hurt
us. Heathcliff, I shall die! I shall die!'
'Damn the fool! There he is,' cried Heathcliff, sinking back into his seat.
'Hush, my darling! Hush, hush, Catherine! I'll stay. If he shot me so, I'd expire
with a blessing on my lips.'
And there they were fast again. I heard my master mounting the stairs - the
cold sweat ran from my forehead: I was horrified.
'Are you going to listen to her ravings?' I said, passionately. 'She does not
know what she says. Will you ruin her, because she has not wit to help herself?
Get up! You could be free instantly. That is the most diabolical deed that ever
you did. We are all done for - master, mistress, and servant.'
I wrung my hands, and cried out; and Mr. Linton hastened his step at the
noise. In the midst of my agitation, I was sincerely glad to observe that
Catherine's arms had fallen relaxed, and her head hung down.
'She's fainted, or dead,' I thought: 'so much the better. Far better that she
should be dead, than lingering a burden and a misery-maker to all about her.'
Edgar sprang to his unbidden guest, blanched with astonishment and rage.
What he meant to do I cannot tell; however, the other stopped all
demonstrations, at once, by placing the lifeless- looking form in his arms.
'Look there!' he said. 'Unless you be a fiend, help her first - then you shall
speak to me!'
He walked into the parlour, and sat down. Mr. Linton summoned me, and
with great difficulty, and after resorting to many means, we managed to restore
her to sensation; but she was all bewildered; she sighed, and moaned, and knew
nobody. Edgar, in his anxiety for her, forgot her hated friend. I did not. I went,
at the earliest opportunity, and besought him to depart; affirming that Catherine

Thesaurus
expire: (v) end, conclude, decease, ANTONYMS: (adj) lively, stiff, alive, ANTONYMS: (adv) mildly,
elapse, pass away, depart, run out, interesting, awake, moving, upright, apathetically, calmly, halfheartedly,
succumb, perish, exhale, exit. bright, brilliant, firm, inspiring. impassively, jokingly, gently.
ANTONYMS: (v) inhale, start, lingering: (adj) long, chronic, unbidden: (adj) unbid, uninvited,
commence, begin, thrive, inspire, extended, dilatory, protracted, spontaneous, voluntary, willing,
appear, survive. prolonged, residual, lengthy, unwanted.
gasping: (adj) panting, winded, blown, inactive, dull; (n) delay. ANTONYM: unfixed: (adj, v) uncertain, vague,
out of breath, thirsty, pursy; (v) (adj) quick. ambiguous, undetermined; (adj)
spavined, touched in the wind. passionately: (adv) fervently, unsettled, nebulous, unstable,
lifeless: (adj) inanimate, dull, insipid, vehemently, violently, fiercely, undefined, loose; (adj, adv) moving;
defunct, inactive, flat, exanimate, eagerly, zealously, fervidly, fierily, (v) stray. ANTONYMS: (adj) fixed,
dreary, tedious, inert, lackluster. enthusiastically, heatedly, stormily. constant, definite.
Emily Brontë 169

was better, and he should hear from me in the morning how she passed the
night.%
'I shall not refuse to go out of doors,' he answered; 'but I shall stay in the
garden: and, Nelly, mind you keep your word to-morrow. I shall be under those
larch-trees. Mind! or I pay another visit, whether Linton be in or not.'
He sent a rapid glance through the half-open door of the chamber, and,
ascertaining that what I stated was apparently true, delivered the house of his
luckless presence.

Thesaurus
apparently: (adv) manifestly, cubicle. considered, leisurely, thorough,
evidently, patently, obviously, glance: (n, v) look, peek, flash, peep; lengthy, protracted, sluggish.
clearly, plainly, supposedly, (n) gaze, glimpse, coup d'oeil, refuse: (v) deny, reject, decline,
conspicuously, overtly, outwardly, gander; (v) bounce, glint, ricochet. disallow, rebuff, turn down; (adj, n)
allegedly. ANTONYMS: (adv) ANTONYMS: (n, v) study; (n) waste, trash; (n) offal, litter; (n, v)
unclearly, actually, doubtfully, examination, perusal; (v) stick, stare. dross. ANTONYMS: (v) allow,
questionably, uncertainly, passed: (adj) accepted, approved, receive, permit, offer, dedicate,
underneath, unlikely, truly, legal, gone. approve, agree, admit, choose, pass,
equivocally, imperceptibly. rapid: (adj, v) fast, swift, prompt, fleet; affirm.
chamber: (n) hall, bedchamber, cavity, (adj) speedy, agile, hasty, cursory, stated: (adj) set, declared, explicit,
cell, council, compartment, assembly, expeditious, sudden; (adv) quickly. regular, certain, established, settled,
apartment, ventricle, dormitory, ANTONYMS: (adj) slow, gradual, avowed, alleged, definite; (adv) given.
Emily Brontë 171

CHAPTER XVI

ABOUT twelve o'clock that night was born the Catherine you saw at
Wuthering Heights: a puny, seven-months' child; and two hours after the
mother died, having never recovered sufficient consciousness to miss Heathcliff,
or know Edgar. The latter's distraction at his bereavement is a subject too painful
to be dwelt on; its after-effects showed how deep the sorrow sunk. A great
addition, in my eyes, was his being left without an heir. I bemoaned that, as I
gazed on the feeble orphan; and I mentally abused old Linton for (what was only
natural partiality) the securing his estate to his own daughter, instead of his
son's. An unwelcomed infant it was, poor thing! It might have wailed out of life,
and nobody cared a morsel, during those first hours of existence. We redeemed
the neglect afterwards; but its beginning was as friendless as its end is likely to
be.%
Next morning - bright and cheerful out of doors - stole softened in through
the blinds of the silent room, and suffused the couch and its occupant with a
mellow, tender glow. Edgar Linton had his head laid on the pillow, and his eyes
shut. His young and fair features were almost as deathlike as those of the form
beside him, and almost as fixed: but HIS was the hush of exhausted anguish,
and HERS of perfect peace. Her brow smooth, her lids closed, her lips wearing
the expression of a smile; no angel in heaven could be more beautiful than she
appeared. And I partook of the infinite calm in which she lay: my mind was
never in a holier frame than while I gazed on that untroubled image of Divine

Thesaurus
after-effects: (n) aftermath. ANTONYM: (adj) sociable. staddle, youngster, shaver; (adj)
couch: (n) bed, sofa, settee, divan; (adj, mellow: (adj, v) ripe, mollify, smooth, orphaned.
v) lie; (v) express, put, frame, lower, soften; (adj) gentle, luscious, mild, redeemed: (adj) ransomed, blessed.
repose; (adj) recline. soft, juicy; (v) melt, ripen. suffused: (adj) distributed, covered,
deathlike: (adj) deadly, deathly, ANTONYMS: (adj) harsh, frantic, full.
ghastly, dead, cadaverous, thanatoid, fresh, bright, strict, young, frenetic. untroubled: (adj) calm, quiet, peaceful,
ghostly, pale; (v) awful, soft, solemn. morsel: (n, v) bite, mouthful; (n) composed, carefree, serene,
dwelt: (v) dwell, inhabit. crumb, chew, particle, fragment, unworried, clear, still, undisturbed;
friendless: (adj) alone, lonely, taste, piece, nibble; (adj, v) gobbet, (adj, v) smooth. ANTONYMS: (adj)
abandoned, solitary, helpless, mite. anxious, turbulent, uneasy, worried,
lonesome, forsaken, unfriended, orphan: (n) waif, caterpillar, nymph, insecure, disturbed, unnerved, strict,
deserted, introverted, unwanted. nympha, cocoon, Aurelia, tyke, heavy, bothered, perturbed.
172 Wuthering Heights

rest. I instinctively echoed the words she had uttered a few hours before:
'Incomparably beyond and above us all! Whether still on earth or now in
heaven, her spirit is at home with God!'
I don't know if it be a peculiarity in me, but I am seldom otherwise than
happy while watching in the chamber of death, should no frenzied or despairing
mourner share the duty with me. I see a repose that neither earth nor hell can
break, and I feel an assurance of the endless and shadowless hereafter - the
Eternity they have entered - where life is boundless in its duration, and love in
its sympathy, and joy in its fulness. I noticed on that occasion how much
selfishness there is even in a love like Mr. Linton's, when he so regretted
Catherine's blessed release! To be sure, one might have doubted, after the
wayward and impatient existence she had led, whether she merited a haven of
peace at last. One might doubt in seasons of cold reflection; but not then, in the
presence of her corpse. It asserted its own tranquillity, which seemed a pledge of
equal quiet to its former inhabitant.%
Do you believe such people are happy in the other world, sir? I'd give a great
deal to know.
I declined answering Mrs. Dean's question, which struck me as something
heterodox. She proceeded:
Retracing the course of Catherine Linton, I fear we have no right to think she
is; but we'll leave her with her Maker.
The master looked asleep, and I ventured soon after sunrise to quit the room
and steal out to the pure refreshing air. The servants thought me gone to shake
off the drowsiness of my protracted watch; in reality, my chief motive was
seeing Mr. Heathcliff. If he had remained among the larches all night, he would
have heard nothing of the stir at the Grange; unless, perhaps, he might catch the
gallop of the messenger going to Gimmerton. If he had come nearer, he would
probably be aware, from the lights flitting to and fro, and the opening and
shutting of the outer doors, that all was not right within. I wished, yet feared, to
find him. I felt the terrible news must be told, and I longed to get it over; but
how to do it I did not know. He was there - at least, a few yards further in the
Thesaurus
boundless: (adj) limitless, endless, hopeful, optimistic, rosy, happy, Sadducee, Sabian, Rosicrucian, magi,
unlimited, infinite, bottomless, confident, cheerful. gymnosophist.
incalculable, immense, doubted: (adj) distrusted, suspected. larches: (n) Larix, genus Larix.
immeasurable, interminable, drowsiness: (n) sleepiness, lethargy, mourner: (n) sorrower, bearer, griever,
unbounded, vast. ANTONYMS: (adj) dullness, doziness, laziness, unfortunate, pallbearer, wailer,
limited, restricted, confined, finite, somnolency, inertia, drowse, weeper.
incomplete, negligible, small. lassitude, languor, sluggishness. peculiarity: (n) idiosyncrasy,
despairing: (adj) hopeless, desperate, ANTONYM: (n) alertness. distinction, particularity, oddness,
despondent, forlorn, desolate, fulness: (n) fullness, entirety, eccentricity, distinctiveness,
dejected, pessimistic, sad, completeness, totality. abnormality, characteristic, attribute,
brokenhearted, miserable, heterodox: (adj) heretical, unorthodox, difference, individuality.
inconsolable. ANTONYMS: (adj) dissident, profane, lawless, sectarian, ANTONYM: (n) similarity.
Emily Brontë 173

park; leant against an old ash-tree, his hat off, and his hair soaked with the dew
that had gathered on the budded branches, and fell pattering round him. He had
been standing a long time in that position, for I saw a pair of ousels passing and
repassing scarcely three feet from him, busy in building their nest, and regarding
his proximity no more than that of a piece of timber. They flew off at my
approach, and he raised his eyes and spoke:- 'She's dead!' he said; 'I've not
waited for you to learn that. Put your handkerchief away - don't snivel before
me. Damn you all! she wants none of your tears!'
I was weeping as much for him as her: we do sometimes pity creatures that
have none of the feeling either for themselves or others. When I first looked into
his face, I perceived that he had got intelligence of the catastrophe; and a foolish
notion struck me that his heart was quelled and he prayed, because his lips
moved and his gaze was bent on the ground.%
'Yes, she's dead!' I answered, checking my sobs and drying my cheeks. 'Gone
to heaven, I hope; where we may, every one, join her, if we take due warning and
leave our evil ways to follow good!'
'Did SHE take due warning, then?' asked Heathcliff, attempting a sneer. 'Did
she die like a saint? Come, give me a true history of the event. How did - ?'
He endeavoured to pronounce the name, but could not manage it; and
compressing his mouth he held a silent combat with his inward agony, defying,
meanwhile, my sympathy with an unflinching, ferocious stare. 'How did she
die?' he resumed, at last - fain, notwithstanding his hardihood, to have a support
behind him; for, after the struggle, he trembled, in spite of himself, to his very
finger-ends.
'Poor wretch!' I thought; 'you have a heart and nerves the same as your
brother men! Why should you be anxious to conceal them? Your pride cannot
blind God! You tempt him to wring them, till he forces a cry of humiliation.'
'Quietly as a lamb!' I answered, aloud. 'She drew a sigh, and stretched
herself, like a child reviving, and sinking again to sleep; and five minutes after I
felt one little pulse at her heart, and nothing more!'

Thesaurus
compressing: (n) pressure, face, guts; (n, v) assurance. sniffle, snuffle; (v) weep, whimper,
compression, squeezing, ANTONYMS: (n) frailty, timidity. sniff, wail, pule; (n) sniveling.
condensation, applying pressure; pronounce: (v) articulate, declare, tempt: (adj, v) attract, allure; (v) entice,
(adj) pinching. ANTONYM: (n) affirm, say, assert, express, vocalize, decoy, charm, inveigle, invite, coax,
decompression. proclaim; (n, v) allege; (adj, v) deliver, seduce, fascinate, attempt.
fain: (adj) willing, prepared, ready, utter. ANTONYM: (v) mumble. ANTONYMS: (v) discourage, appall,
favorable, heart and soul, prone; (adv) quelled: (adj) quenched, allayed, repel.
gladly, lief, readily, willingly; (v) extinguished, extinct. unflinching: (adj) resolute, steadfast,
optative. sneer: (n, v) deride, jeer, scorn, flout, undaunted, firm, unfaltering,
hardihood: (v) audacity; (n) courage, ridicule, scoff, mock, leer, grimace, determined, dauntless, intrepid,
daring, boldness, temerity, gird; (n) smirk. undeviating, constant, unswerving.
fearlessness, fortitude, brass; (adj, n) snivel: (n, v) blubber, sob, whine, wants: (n) need, necessities.
174 Wuthering Heights

'And - did she ever mention me?' he asked, hesitating, as if he dreaded the
answer to his question would introduce details that he could not bear to hear.%
'Her senses never returned: she recognised nobody from the time you left
her,' I said. 'She lies with a sweet smile on her face; and her latest ideas
wandered back to pleasant early days. Her life closed in a gentle dream - may
she wake as kindly in the other world!'
'May she wake in torment!' he cried, with frightful vehemence, stamping his
foot, and groaning in a sudden paroxysm of ungovernable passion. 'Why, she's
a liar to the end! Where is she? Not THERE - not in heaven - not perished -
where? Oh! you said you cared nothing for my sufferings! And I pray one
prayer - I repeat it till my tongue stiffens - Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest
as long as I am living; you said I killed you - haunt me, then! The murdered DO
haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts HAVE wandered on earth.
Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only DO not leave me in this
abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I CANNOT live
without my life! I CANNOT live without my soul!'
He dashed his head against the knotted trunk; and, lifting up his eyes,
howled, not like a man, but like a savage beast being goaded to death with
knives and spears. I observed several splashes of blood about the bark of the
tree, and his hand and forehead were both stained; probably the scene I
witnessed was a repetition of others acted during the night. It hardly moved my
compassion - it appalled me: still, I felt reluctant to quit him so. But the moment
he recollected himself enough to notice me watching, he thundered a command
for me to go, and I obeyed. He was beyond my skill to quiet or console!
Mrs. Linton's funeral was appointed to take place on the Friday following her
decease; and till then her coffin remained uncovered, and strewn with flowers
and scented leaves, in the great drawing- room. Linton spent his days and
nights there, a sleepless guardian; and - a circumstance concealed from all but
me - Heathcliff spent his nights, at least, outside, equally a stranger to repose. I
held no communication with him: still, I was conscious of his design to enter, if
he could; and on the Tuesday, a little after dark, when my master, from sheer

Thesaurus
decease: (v) go, die, perish, pass, pass hesitancy, backward, hesitatingly. coin, postage, stamping of rail.
away, exit, expire; (n) demise, knotted: (adj) knotty, gnarled, gnarly, ungovernable: (adj) unruly,
passing, departure, expiration. involved, entangled, complicated, uncontrollable, irrepressible,
ANTONYMS: (n) nascency; (v) tangled, matted, knobbed, fastened; intractable, licentious, violent, wild,
survive. (adj, v) kinky. ANTONYMS: (adj) indocile, uncontrolled, turbulent; (adj,
goaded: (adj) provoked, forced, straight, tidy, relaxed. v) headstrong.
motivated, unvoluntary, aggravated, nights: (adj) nightly; (n) night. unutterable: (adj) indescribable,
compulsive, determined, sleepless: (adj) insomniac, lidless, unspeakable, inexpressible,
involuntary. vigilant, wakeful, awake, watchful, unpronounceable, indefinable,
hesitating: (adj) indecisive, irresolute, disturbed, alert, unquiet, uneasy, untellable, unnameable,
undecided, doubtful, hesitate, restive. unapproachable, beyond description,
reluctant, faltering, unwilling, stamping: (n) impression, blocking, incommunicable, terrible.
Emily Brontë 175

fatigue, had been compelled to retire a couple of hours, I went and opened one of
the windows; moved by his perseverance to give him a chance of bestowing on
the faded image of his idol one final adieu. He did not omit to avail himself of
the opportunity, cautiously and briefly; too cautiously to betray his presence by
the slightest noise. Indeed, I shouldn't have discovered that he had been there,
except for the disarrangement of the drapery about the corpse's face, and for
observing on the floor a curl of light hair, fastened with a silver thread; which,
on examination, I ascertained to have been taken from a locket hung round
Catherine's neck. Heathcliff had opened the trinket and cast out its contents,
replacing them by a black lock of his own. I twisted the two, and enclosed them
together.%
Mr. Earnshaw was, of course, invited to attend the remains of his sister to the
grave; he sent no excuse, but he never came; so that, besides her husband, the
mourners were wholly composed of tenants and servants. Isabella was not
asked.
The place of Catherine's interment, to the surprise of the villagers, was
neither in the chapel under the carved monument of the Lintons, nor yet by the
tombs of her own relations, outside. It was dug on a green slope in a corner of
the kirk-yard, where the wall is so low that heath and bilberry-plants have
climbed over it from the moor; and peat-mould almost buries it. Her husband
lies in the same spot now; and they have each a simple headstone above, and a
plain grey block at their feet, to mark the graves.

Thesaurus
adieu: (int, n) farewell; (n) vale, derangement, pandemonium. locket: (n) jewelry, medallion,
valediction, goodbye, leave, cheerio, headstone: (n) tombstone, monument, pendant, case, ornament, bracelet,
adios, bye, so long, parting; (int) bon quoin, keystone, coign, coigne, anklet, adornment, accessory,
voyage. ANTONYM: (n) greeting. cornerstone, stone, memorial, carcanet.
ascertained: (adj) discovered, building block, cemetery. observing: (adj) observant, mindful,
determined; (v) absolute, recognized, idol: (n) fetish, deity, effigy, divinity, watchful, commemorative, conscious,
received, noted, notorious, decisive, graven image, image, hero, favorite, observative, perceptive, thoughtful;
unmistakable, unequivocal, positive. star, simulacrum, beloved. (n) investigation.
disarrangement: (n) muddle, clutter, interment: (n) burial, sepulture, trinket: (n) trifle, novelty, charm,
anarchy, confusion, disarray, entombment, funeral, sepulcher, gaud, jewel, fallal; (adj, n) bauble,
disorder, disturbance, committal, obsequies, arenation, gewgaw, gimcrack; (adj) toy, paper
disorganization, tangle, burying, grave, humation. pellet.
Emily Brontë 177

CHAPTER %XVII

THAT Friday made the last of our fine days for a month. In the evening the
weather broke: the wind shifted from south to north- east, and brought rain
first, and then sleet and snow. On the morrow one could hardly imagine that
there had been three weeks of summer: the primroses and crocuses were hidden
under wintry drifts; the larks were silent, the young leaves of the early trees
smitten and blackened. And dreary, and chill, and dismal, that morrow did
creep over! My master kept his room; I took possession of the lonely parlour,
converting it into a nursery: and there I was, sitting with the moaning doll of a
child laid on my knee; rocking it to and fro, and watching, meanwhile, the still
driving flakes build up the uncurtained window, when the door opened, and
some person entered, out of breath and laughing! My anger was greater than my
astonishment for a minute. I supposed it one of the maids, and I cried - 'Have
done! How dare you show your giddiness here; What would Mr. Linton say if
he heard you?'
'Excuse me!' answered a familiar voice; 'but I know Edgar is in bed, and I
cannot stop myself.'
With that the speaker came forward to the fire, panting and holding her hand
to her side.
'I have run the whole way from Wuthering Heights!' she continued, after a
pause; 'except where I've flown. I couldn't count the number of falls I've had.
Oh, I'm aching all over! Don't be alarmed! There shall be an explanation as soon
Thesaurus
blackened: (adj) sulphured, inarticulate, dirgeful; (n) moment; (v) come down.
blackening, colored, coloured, filthy, complaining, mourning. smitten: (adj, v) stricken; (adj) in love,
achromatic, colorful. panting: (adj) gasping, breathless, crazy, enamored, struck, nuts, dotty,
flakes: (n) dust. blown, winded, puffed; (v) besotted, gaga, taken with, affected.
giddiness: (n) flightiness, frivolity, palpitation; (n) heaving, gasp, uncurtained: (adj) curtainless.
vertigo, silliness, frivolousness, asthma, heave, puff. ANTONYM: (adj) curtained.
levity, lightness, capriciousness, rocking: (adj) vivacious, merry, wintry: (adj, v) frosty, glacial, freezing,
rashness, symptom, swimming. spirited, spry, festive; (n) metalling, icy; (adj) arctic, frigid, wintery,
ANTONYMS: (n) seriousness, convulsion. frozen, chilly, chill, hibernal.
reliability. shifted: (adj) disordered, gone. ANTONYMS: (adj) mild, summery,
moaning: (n, v) lamentation; (adj) sleet: (n, v) rain; (n) hail, snift, hot, vernal, autumnal, balmy,
groaning, whining, funereal, downfall, glaze, metabolic residue, tropical, warm.
178 Wuthering Heights

as I can give it; only just have the goodness to step out and order the carriage to
take me on to Gimmerton, and tell a servant to seek up a few clothes in my
wardrobe.'
The intruder was Mrs. Heathcliff. She certainly seemed in no laughing
predicament: her hair streamed on her shoulders, dripping with snow and
water; she was dressed in the girlish dress she commonly wore, befitting her age
more than her position: a low frock with short sleeves, and nothing on either
head or neck. The frock was of light silk, and clung to her with wet, and her feet
were protected merely by thin slippers; add to this a deep cut under one ear,
which only the cold prevented from bleeding profusely, a white face scratched
and bruised, and a frame hardly able to support itself through fatigue; and you
may fancy my first fright was not much allayed when I had had leisure to
examine her.%
'My dear young lady,' I exclaimed, 'I'll stir nowhere, and hear nothing, till
you have removed every article of your clothes, and put on dry things; and
certainly you shall not go to Gimmerton to- night, so it is needless to order the
carriage.'
'Certainly I shall,' she said; 'walking or riding: yet I've no objection to dress
myself decently. And - ah, see how it flows down my neck now! The fire does
make it smart.'
She insisted on my fulfilling her directions, before she would let me touch
her; and not till after the coachman had been instructed to get ready, and a maid
set to pack up some necessary attire, did I obtain her consent for binding the
wound and helping to change her garments.
'Now, Ellen,' she said, when my task was finished and she was seated in an
easy-chair on the hearth, with a cup of tea before her, 'you sit down opposite me,
and put poor Catherine's baby away: I don't like to see it! You mustn't think I
care little for Catherine, because I behaved so foolishly on entering: I've cried,
too, bitterly - yes, more than any one else has reason to cry. We parted
unreconciled, you remember, and I sha'n't forgive myself. But, for all that, I was
not going to sympathise with him - the brute beast! Oh, give me the poker! This
Thesaurus
allayed: (adj) quenched, slaked. inappropriately, immorally. juvenile, adolescent, innocent,
attire: (n, v) array, garb, apparel, wear; feet: (v) legs, pegs, pins, trotters; (n) schoolgirlish, babyish, immature,
(n) costume, garment, outfit, clothes; foots, ft, fete, meter, rescue. youthful, female.
(v) enrobe, clothe, dress up. foolishly: (adv) idiotically, poker: (n) draw, lotto, nap, fire hook,
ANTONYMS: (v) disrobe, bare, strip, ridiculously, stupidly, indiscreetly, monte, reversis, shovel, squeezers,
unclothe; (n) nakedness. silly, insanely, injudiciously, tongs, trivet, rake.
decently: (adv) becomingly, preposterously, absurdly, senselessly; profusely: (adv) lavishly, copiously,
decorously, fairly, correctly, seemly, (adj, adv) madly. ANTONYMS: (adv) extravagantly, bountifully,
fitly, courteously, justly, sensibly, solemnly, shrewdly, generously, plentifully, galore,
appropriately, rightly, right. prudently, responsibly, judiciously, prodigally, richly, excessively, amply.
ANTONYMS: (adv) rudely, carefully, rationally. ANTONYMS: (adv) meagerly,
improperly, disreputably, girlish: (adj) boyish, childish, kittenish, stingily, thinly.
Emily Brontë 179

is the last thing of his I have about me:' she slipped the gold ring from her third
finger, and threw it on the floor. 'I'll smash it!' she continued, striking it with
childish spite, 'and then I'll burn it!' and she took and dropped the misused
article among the coals. 'There! he shall buy another, if he gets me back again.
He'd be capable of coming to seek me, to tease Edgar. I dare not stay, lest that
notion should possess his wicked head! And besides, Edgar has not been kind,
has he? And I won't come suing for his assistance; nor will I bring him into more
trouble. Necessity compelled me to seek shelter here; though, if I had not
learned he was out of the way, I'd have halted at the kitchen, washed my face,
warmed myself, got you to bring what I wanted, and departed again to
anywhere out of the reach of my accursed - of that incarnate goblin! Ah, he was
in such a fury! If he had caught me! It's a pity Earnshaw is not his match in
strength: I wouldn't have run till I'd seen him all but demolished, had Hindley
been able to do it!'
'Well, don't talk so fast, Miss!' I interrupted; 'you'll disorder the handkerchief
I have tied round your face, and make the cut bleed again. Drink your tea, and
take breath, and give over laughing: laughter is sadly out of place under this
roof, and in your condition!'
'An undeniable truth,' she replied. 'Listen to that child! It maintains a
constant wail - send it out of my hearing for an hour; I sha'n't stay any longer.'
I rang the bell, and committed it to a servant's care; and then I inquired what
had urged her to escape from Wuthering Heights in such an unlikely plight, and
where she meant to go, as she refused remaining with us.%
'I ought, and I wished to remain,' answered she, 'to cheer Edgar and take care
of the baby, for two things, and because the Grange is my right home. But I tell
you he wouldn't let me! Do you think he could bear to see me grow fat and
merry - could bear to think that we were tranquil, and not resolve on poisoning
our comfort? Now, I have the satisfaction of being sure that he detests me, to the
point of its annoying him seriously to have me within ear-shot or eyesight: I
notice, when I enter his presence, the muscles of his countenance are
involuntarily distorted into an expression of hatred; partly arising from his

Thesaurus
bleed: (v) run, ooze, phlebotomize, misused: (adj) tainted, perverted, lost, tease: (n, v) annoy; (adj, v) molest,
leak, percolate, shed blood, trickle, changed, misrepresented. harry, worry, bait; (v) taunt, kid,
hemorrhage, fleece; (n) ache, smart. ANTONYMS: (adj) unchanged, used. pester, plague, provoke, mock.
coals: (n) ashes, fire, residue, embers. poisoning: (n) intoxication, gassing, ANTONYM: (v) placate.
eyesight: (n) sight, seeing, corruption, carbon monoxide undeniable: (adj) incontrovertible,
discernment, vision power, ability to poisoning, defoedation, irrefutable, certain, indisputable,
make discerning judgments, view, discoloration, ergotism, caffeinism, positive, incontestable, obvious,
sightedness, optics, beholding. alkali poisoning, Malathion indubitable, unquestionable,
incarnate: (adj) embodied, bodied, poisoning, cyanide poisoning. conclusive, evident. ANTONYMS:
material, corporeal; (v) materialize, suing: (adj) suppliant, begging, (adj) disputable, dubious, doubted,
typify, actualize, substantiate, beseeching, entreating, imploring; (n) contestable, questionable, debatable,
personify, be, body forth. prayer, entreaty. uncertain, equivocal, unconvincing.
180 Wuthering Heights

knowledge of the good causes I have to feel that sentiment for him, and partly
from original aversion. It is strong enough to make me feel pretty certain that he
would not chase me over England, supposing I contrived a clear escape; and
therefore I must get quite away. I've recovered from my first desire to be killed
by him: I'd rather he'd kill himself! He has extinguished my love effectually,
and so I'm at my ease. I can recollect yet how I loved him; and can dimly
imagine that I could still be loving him, if - no, no! Even if he had doted on me,
the devilish nature would have revealed its existence somehow. Catherine had
an awfully perverted taste to esteem him so dearly, knowing him so well.
Monster! would that he could be blotted out of creation, and out of my memory!'
'Hush, hush! He's a human being,' I said. 'Be more charitable: there are
worse men than he is yet!'
'He's not a human being,' she retorted; 'and he has no claim on my charity. I
gave him my heart, and he took and pinched it to death, and flung it back to me.
People feel with their hearts, Ellen: and since he has destroyed mine, I have not
power to feel for him: and I would not, though he groaned from this to his dying
day, and wept tears of blood for Catherine! No, indeed, indeed, I wouldn't!'
And here Isabella began to cry; but, immediately dashing the water from her
lashes, she recommenced. 'You asked, what has driven me to flight at last? I was
compelled to attempt it, because I had succeeded in rousing his rage a pitch
above his malignity. Pulling out the nerves with red hot pincers requires more
coolness than knocking on the head. He was worked up to forget the fiendish
prudence he boasted of, and proceeded to murderous violence. I experienced
pleasure in being able to exasperate him: the sense of pleasure woke my instinct
of self- preservation, so I fairly broke free; and if ever I come into his hands again
he is welcome to a signal revenge.%
'Yesterday, you know, Mr. Earnshaw should have been at the funeral. He
kept himself sober for the purpose - tolerably sober: not going to bed mad at six
o'clock and getting up drunk at twelve. Consequently, he rose, in suicidal low
spirits, as fit for the church as for a dance; and instead, he sat down by the fire
and swallowed gin or brandy by tumblerfuls.

Thesaurus
aversion: (n) antipathy, distaste, turbulence, agitation. tweezer, pair of tongs, nipper,
abhorrence, disinclination, dislike, fiendish: (adj, v) infernal, diabolic, pinchers, pair of pincers, vice; (n, v)
grudge, aversation, nausea, enmity, satanic, hellish; (adj) demonic, tongs; (v) clutches.
revulsion; (n, v) disgust. diabolical, cruel, atrocious, inhuman, proceeded: (v) proceed, yode.
ANTONYMS: (n) attraction, love, wicked, brutal. prudence: (n) foresight, economy,
inclination, predilection, desire, hearts: (n) Black Maria, spades. frugality, caution, care, forethought,
fondness, goodwill. perverted: (adj) perverse, immoral, providence, circumspection,
coolness: (n) chill, cool, composure, distorted, kinky, corrupt, twisted, judgment, deliberation; (adj, n)
assurance, cold, calmness, alienation, abnormal, debauched, deviant, wisdom. ANTONYMS: (n)
frigidity, equanimity, chilliness, reprobate, unnatural. ANTONYMS: imprudence, profligacy, generosity,
poise. ANTONYMS: (n) friendliness, (adj) normal, moral, unchanged. hindsight, recklessness,
panic, approachability, mustiness, pincers: (n) tweezers, pliers, nippers, extravagance.
Emily Brontë 181

'Heathcliff - I shudder to name him! has been a stranger in the house from
last Sunday till to-day. Whether the angels have fed him, or his kin beneath, I
cannot tell; but he has not eaten a meal with us for nearly a week. He has just
come home at dawn, and gone up-stairs to his chamber; looking himself in - as if
anybody dreamt of coveting his company! There he has continued, praying like
a Methodist: only the deity he implored is senseless dust and ashes; and God,
when addressed, was curiously confounded with his own black father! After
concluding these precious orisons - and they lasted generally till he grew hoarse
and his voice was strangled in his throat - he would be off again; always straight
down to the Grange! I wonder Edgar did not send for a constable, and give him
into custody! For me, grieved as I was about Catherine, it was impossible to
avoid regarding this season of deliverance from degrading oppression as a
holiday.%
'I recovered spirits sufficient to bear Joseph's eternal lectures without
weeping, and to move up and down the house less with the foot of a frightened
thief than formerly. You wouldn't think that I should cry at anything Joseph
could say; but he and Hareton are detestable companions. I'd rather sit with
Hindley, and hear his awful talk, than with "t' little maister" and his staunch
supporter, that odious old man! When Heathcliff is in, I'm often obliged to seek
the kitchen and their society, or starve among the damp uninhabited chambers;
when he is not, as was the case this week, I establish a table and chair at one
corner of the house fire, and never mind how Mr. Earnshaw may occupy himself;
and he does not interfere with my arrangements. He is quieter now than he used
to be, if no one provokes him: more sullen and depressed, and less furious.
Joseph affirms he's sure he's an altered man: that the Lord has touched his heart,
and he is saved "so as by fire." I'm puzzled to detect signs of the favourable
change: but it is not my business.
'Yester-evening I sat in my nook reading some old books till late on towards
twelve. It seemed so dismal to go up-stairs, with the wild snow blowing outside,
and my thoughts continually reverting to the kirk-yard and the new-made
grave! I dared hardly lift my eyes from the page before me, that melancholy

Thesaurus
coveting: (n) longing, envy; (adj) abominable, heinous, forbidding. provoked, prudent, useful,
envious. ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasant, worthwhile.
degrading: (adj) shameful, debasing, delightful, agreeable, lovable, nice. staunch: (adj) faithful, loyal, constant,
derogatory, humiliating, reverting: (n) reversion, relapse, solid, resolute, devoted, stalwart,
dishonorable, ignominious, relapsing, recidivism, lapse, secure, sturdy; (n, v) stanch; (adj, n)
disgraceful, corrupting, vile, backsliding, lapsing, regress, hardy. ANTONYM: (adj) disloyal.
scandalous; (n) infra dignitatem. reversal; (adj) returning, reversive. uninhabited: (adj) empty, desert,
ANTONYMS: (adj) humane, senseless: (adj) foolish, mindless, desolate, vacant, unoccupied,
reputable. preposterous, pointless, irrational, unpopulated, uninhabitable, lonely,
odious: (adj, v) hateful, obnoxious; absurd, stupid, insensible, idiotic, untenanted, unsettled, waste.
(adj) detestable, hideous, nasty, fatuous, purposeless. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (adj) inhabited,
execrable, disgusting, abhorrent, (adj) meaningful, wise, conscious, overcrowded, populous.
182 Wuthering Heights

scene so instantly usurped its place. Hindley sat opposite, his head leant on his
hand; perhaps meditating on the same subject. He had ceased drinking at a
point below irrationality, and had neither stirred nor spoken during two or three
hours. There was no sound through the house but the moaning wind, which
shook the windows every now and then, the faint crackling of the coals, and the
click of my snuffers as I removed at intervals the long wick of the candle.
Hareton and Joseph were probably fast asleep in bed. It was very, very sad: and
while I read I sighed, for it seemed as if all joy had vanished from the world,
never to be restored.%
'The doleful silence was broken at length by the sound of the kitchen latch:
Heathcliff had returned from his watch earlier than usual; owing, I suppose, to
the sudden storm. That entrance was fastened, and we heard him coming round
to get in by the other. I rose with an irrepressible expression of what I felt on
my lips, which induced my companion, who had been staring towards the door,
to turn and look at me.
'"I'll keep him out five minutes," he exclaimed. "You won't object?"
'"No, you may keep him out the whole night for me," I answered. "Do! put
the key in the look, and draw the bolts."
'Earnshaw accomplished this ere his guest reached the front; he then came
and brought his chair to the other side of my table, leaning over it, and searching
in my eyes for a sympathy with the burning hate that gleamed from his: as he
both looked and felt like an assassin, he couldn't exactly find that; but he
discovered enough to encourage him to speak.
'"You, and I," he said, "have each a great debt to settle with the man out
yonder! If we were neither of us cowards, we might combine to discharge it.
Are you as soft as your brother? Are you willing to endure to the last, and not
once attempt a repayment?"
'"I'm weary of enduring now," I replied; "and I'd be glad of a retaliation that
wouldn't recoil on myself; but treachery and violence are spears pointed at both
ends; they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies."

Thesaurus
crackling: (adj, n) crisp; (adj) snapping, uncontainable, unmanageable, Stirn, horny, susceptible, stirred up.
crepitant, cheerful, brittle, noisy; (n) wanton, inextinguishable, rampant, treachery: (n) betrayal, disloyalty,
crepitation, decrepitation, effervescent; (v) ungovernable, infidelity, duplicity, treason, perfidy,
crackleware, crackle China, volcanic, stanchless, simmering. falseness, faithlessness,
bohemian crackle. ANTONYM: (adj) orderly. perfidiousness, guile, dishonesty.
irrationality: (n) absurdity, recoil: (n, v) rebound, kick, bounce, ANTONYMS: (n) loyalty,
unreasonableness, inconsistency, shrink; (n) reaction, repercussion, faithfulness, fidelity, reliability,
illogicality, unreason, insanity; (adj, backlash; (v) bound, cringe, flinch, allegiance, goodness.
n) folly; (adj) unreasonable, frivolity, quail. usurped: (adj) tortious.
lip wisdom, nugacity. ANTONYMS: snuffers: (n) pair of scissors. wick: (n) taper, candlewick, wax light,
(n) sense, sensibleness, worthiness. stirred: (adj) excited, agitated, moved, cord, candle, sleeve bearing wick,
irrepressible: (adj) uncontrollable, affected, aroused, emotional, aflame, burner.
Emily Brontë 183

'"Treachery and violence are a just return for treachery and violence!" cried
Hindley. "Mrs. Heathcliff, I'll ask you to do nothing; but sit still and be dumb.
Tell me now, can you? I'm sure you would have as much pleasure as I in
witnessing the conclusion of the fiend's existence; he'll be YOUR death unless
you overreach him; and he'll be MY ruin. Damn the hellish villain! He knocks at
the door as if he were master here already! Promise to hold your tongue, and
before that clock strikes - it wants three minutes of one - you're a free woman!"
'He took the implements which I described to you in my letter from his
breast, and would have turned down the candle. I snatched it away, however,
and seized his arm.%
'"I'll not hold my tongue!" I said; "you mustn't touch him. Let the door
remain shut, and be quiet!"
'"No! I've formed my resolution, and by God I'll execute it!" cried the
desperate being. "I'll do you a kindness in spite of yourself, and Hareton justice!
And you needn't trouble your head to screen me; Catherine is gone. Nobody
alive would regret me, or be ashamed, though I cut my throat this minute - and
it's time to make an end!"
'I might as well have struggled with a bear, or reasoned with a lunatic. The
only resource left me was to run to a lattice and warn his intended victim of the
fate which awaited him.
'"You'd better seek shelter somewhere else to-night!" I exclaimed, in rather a
triumphant tone. "Mr. Earnshaw has a mind to shoot you, if you persist in
endeavouring to enter."
'"You'd better open the door, you - " he answered, addressing me by some
elegant term that I don't care to repeat.
'"I shall not meddle in the matter," I retorted again. "Come in and get shot, if
you please. I've done my duty."
'With that I shut the window and returned to my place by the fire; having too
small a stock of hypocrisy at my command to pretend any anxiety for the danger
that menaced him. Earnshaw swore passionately at me: affirming that I loved

Thesaurus
awaited: (adj) expected, appointed, sincerity, honesty. reasoned: (adj) coherent, rational,
scheduled, forthcoming, prospective. implements: (n) equipment, sound, logical, valid, reasonable,
execute: (v) do, achieve, complete, apparatus, gear, tackle, rigging, carefully considered, intelligent,
perform, accomplish, act, effect, carry outfit, hardware, trappings. heavy, healthy, good. ANTONYM:
out, enforce, make, fulfill. lunatic: (n) madman, maniac, (adj) confused.
ANTONYMS: (v) abandon, ignore, bedlamite; (adj) insane, foolish, triumphant: (adj) victorious,
disregard, Miss, forget, shirk, revive. moonstruck, mad, mental, deranged, successful, triumphal, exulting,
hypocrisy: (n, v) insincerity; (n) cant, idiotic; (adj, n) madcap. ANTONYM: winning, joyful, rejoicing, elated,
dissimulation, falsity, deception, (adj) sensible. conquering, prideful; (adj, v) exultant.
falseness, sanctimony, deceit, lip overreach: (v) outwit, cheat, overdo, ANTONYMS: (adj) disappointed,
service; (v) double dealing; (adj) outsmart, beat, do, beguile, fool, failing, losing, defeated, miserable,
hypocritical. ANTONYMS: (n) dupe, overpass, mislead. sorrowful.
184 Wuthering Heights

the villain yet; and calling me all sorts of names for the base spirit I evinced. And
I, in my secret heart (and conscience never reproached me), thought what a
blessing it would be for HIM should Heathcliff put him out of misery; and what
a blessing for ME should he send Heathcliff to his right abode! As I sat nursing
these reflections, the casement behind me was banged on to the floor by a blow
from the latter individual, and his black countenance looked blightingly through.
The stanchions stood too close to suffer his shoulders to follow, and I smiled,
exulting in my fancied security. His hair and clothes were whitened with snow,
and his sharp cannibal teeth, revealed by cold and wrath, gleamed through the
dark.%
'"Isabella, let me in, or I'll make you repent!" he "girned," as Joseph calls it.
'"I cannot commit murder," I replied. "Mr. Hindley stands sentinel with a
knife and loaded pistol."
'"Let me in by the kitchen door," he said.
'"Hindley will be there before me," I answered: "and that's a poor love of
yours that cannot bear a shower of snow! We were left at peace in our beds as
long as the summer moon shone, but the moment a blast of winter returns, you
must run for shelter! Heathcliff, if I were you, I'd go stretch myself over her
grave and die like a faithful dog. The world is surely not worth living in now, is
it? You had distinctly impressed on me the idea that Catherine was the whole joy
of your life: I can't imagine how you think of surviving her loss."
'"He's there, is he?" exclaimed my companion, rushing to the gap. "If I can get
my arm out I can hit him!"
'I'm afraid, Ellen, you'll set me down as really wicked; but you don't know all,
so don't judge. I wouldn't have aided or abetted an attempt on even HIS life for
anything. Wish that he were dead, I must; and therefore I was fearfully
disappointed, and unnerved by terror for the consequences of my taunting
speech, when he flung himself on Earnshaw's weapon and wrenched it from his
grasp.

Thesaurus
aided: (adj) power, favored. returns: (n, v) proceeds, income, scorn, witty; (adj) mocking, gibelike,
cannibal: (n) savage, barbarian, profits; (n) earnings, return, census, sarcastic, jeering, unkind; (adj, n)
anthropophagus, brute; (adj) take, revenue, wage, takings, result. satirical.
anthropophagous, carnivorous. rushing: (adv) rushingly; (n) haste, unnerved: (v) relaxed; (adj) enervated,
exulting: (adj) jubilant, flushed, hurry, hurrying, running, hastening, afraid, alarmed, anxious, fearful,
triumphant, experiencing triumph, flush, movement; (adj) flowing, hysterical, scared, tense, terrified,
rejoicing, prideful, elated, disdainful, headlong, moving. timid. ANTONYM: (adj) confident.
triumphal; (v) exult; (n) joy. surviving: (adj) extant, living, wrath: (n) rage, resentment, ire, fury,
fancied: (adj) unreal, chimerical, enduring, survive, remaining, displeasure, indignation, passion,
fictional, fanciful, fictitious, existing, present, ongoing, in madness, choler, irritation; (adj)
fabricated, preferred, assumed, existence, current, absolute. angry. ANTONYMS: (n) happiness,
illusory, imagined, ideal. taunting: (n) twit, taunt, ridicule, love, composure, serenity.
Emily Brontë 185

'The charge exploded, and the knife, in springing back, closed into its owner's
wrist. Heathcliff pulled it away by main force, slitting up the flesh as it passed
on, and thrust it dripping into his pocket. He then took a stone, struck down the
division between two windows, and sprang in. His adversary had fallen
senseless with excessive pain and the flow of blood, that gushed from an artery
or a large vein. The ruffian kicked and trampled on him, and dashed his head
repeatedly against the flags, holding me with one hand, meantime, to prevent me
summoning Joseph. He exerted preterhuman self-denial in abstaining from
finishing him completely; but getting out of breath, he finally desisted, and
dragged the apparently inanimate body on to the settle. There he tore off the
sleeve of Earnshaw's coat, and bound up the wound with brutal roughness;
spitting and cursing during the operation as energetically as he had kicked
before. Being at liberty, I lost no time in seeking the old servant; who, having
gathered by degrees the purport of my hasty tale, hurried below, gasping, as he
descended the steps two at once.%
'"What is ther to do, now? what is ther to do, now?"
'"There's this to do," thundered Heathcliff, "that your master's mad; and
should he last another month, I'll have him to an asylum. And how the devil did
you come to fasten me out, you toothless hound? Don't stand muttering and
mumbling there. Come, I'm not going to nurse him. Wash that stuff away; and
mind the sparks of your candle - it is more than half brandy!"
'"And so ye've been murthering on him?" exclaimed Joseph, lifting his hands
and eyes in horror. "If iver I seed a seeght loike this! May the Lord - "
'Heathcliff gave him a push on to his knees in the middle of the blood, and
flung a towel to him; but instead of proceeding to dry it up, he joined his hands
and began a prayer, which excited my laughter from its odd phraseology. I was
in the condition of mind to be shocked at nothing: in fact, I was as reckless as
some malefactors show themselves at the foot of the gallows.
'"Oh, I forgot you," said the tyrant. "You shall do that. Down with you. And
you conspire with him against me, do you, viper? There, that is work fit for
you!"
Thesaurus
abstaining: (adj) sober; (n) incoherent. summoning: (n) induction,
nonparticipation, abstinence, denial. phraseology: (n) language, expression, conjuration, conjuring, conjury,
conspire: (v) concur, complot, connive, phrasing, wording, idiom, demand, elicitation, adjuration,
plot, plan, cabal, contribute, vernacular, dialect, choice of words, exhortation.
collaborate, conspiring, intrigue, terminology, locution; (n, v) style. toothless: (adj) powerless,
confederate. purport: (n, v) aim, amount; (n) intent, immobilized, edentulous, dull.
gallows: (n) gibbet, gallous, gallows- drift, intention, meaning, end, effect, ANTONYM: (adj) effective.
bitts, hanging, noose, scaffold, halter, design; (v) mean, propose. trampled: (adj) crushed, damaged,
tree, rope, gallowstree, bough. self-denial: (n) renunciation, flattened, compressed, packed down.
mumbling: (n) gumming, diction, abstinence, austerity, restraint, viper: (n) adder, snake, asp, cerastes,
enunciation, chewing, mussitation, temperance. reptile, horned viper, asp viper,
mastication; (adj) inarticulate, sparks: (n) fire. basilisk, beast, brute, cockatrice.
186 Wuthering Heights

'He shook me till my teeth rattled, and pitched me beside Joseph, who
steadily concluded his supplications, and then rose, vowing he would set off for
the Grange directly. Mr. Linton was a magistrate, and though he had fifty wives
dead, he should inquire into this. He was so obstinate in his resolution, that
Heathcliff deemed it expedient to compel from my lips a recapitulation of what
had taken place; standing over me, heaving with malevolence, as I reluctantly
delivered the account in answer to his questions. It required a great deal of
labour to satisfy the old man that Heathcliff was not the aggressor; especially
with my hardly-wrung replies. However, Mr. Earnshaw soon convinced him
that he was alive still; Joseph hastened to administer a dose of spirits, and by
their succour his master presently regained motion and consciousness.
Heathcliff, aware that his opponent was ignorant of the treatment received while
insensible, called him deliriously intoxicated; and said he should not notice his
atrocious conduct further, but advised him to get to bed. To my joy, he left us,
after giving this judicious counsel, and Hindley stretched himself on the
hearthstone. I departed to my own room, marvelling that I had escaped so
easily.%
'This morning, when I came down, about half an hour before noon, Mr.
Earnshaw was sitting by the fire, deadly sick; his evil genius, almost as gaunt
and ghastly, leant against the chimney. Neither appeared inclined to dine, and,
having waited till all was cold on the table, I commenced alone. Nothing
hindered me from eating heartily, and I experienced a certain sense of
satisfaction and superiority, as, at intervals, I cast a look towards my silent
companions, and felt the comfort of a quiet conscience within me. After I had
done, I ventured on the unusual liberty of drawing near the fire, going round
Earnshaw's seat, and kneeling in the corner beside him.
'Heathcliff did not glance my way, and I gazed up, and contemplated his
features almost as confidently as if they had been turned to stone. His forehead,
that I once thought so manly, and that I now think so diabolical, was shaded
with a heavy cloud; his basilisk eyes were nearly quenched by sleeplessness,
and weeping, perhaps, for the lashes were wet then: his lips devoid of their

Thesaurus
aggressor: (n) assaulter, attacker, incoherently, insanely, excitedly. palingenesis; (v) capitation, dead
initiator, instigator, mugger, invader, intoxicated: (adj) drunken, drunk, reckoning, muster, poll. ANTONYM:
raider, offender, intruder, trespasser, inebriate, tipsy, elated, stimulated, (n) cenogenesis.
avenger. intoxicate, infatuated, fuddled, sleeplessness: (n) wakefulness,
basilisk: (n) reptile, basilica, iguanid, loaded, plastered. ANTONYM: (adj) restlessness, nerves, insomnolence,
urchin, culverin, viper, serpent, sober. disquietude, unrest; (v) vigil.
mortar, howitzer, heavy gun, field quenched: (adj) extinct, quelled, out, ANTONYM: (n) sleepiness.
piece. slaked, squelched, dead, kayoed, succour: (n, v) succor; (n) consolation,
contemplated: (adj) intended, willful. permanently inactive, prohibited, relief, ministration, mercy, assistance,
deliriously: (adv) frantically, franticly, proscribed, put out. helping, ease, embossment; (v)
frenziedly, wildly, frenetically, recapitulation: (n) recap, outline, relieve, further.
ravingly, crazily, ramblingly, summary, resume, epanodos, review, wives: (n) woman.
Emily Brontë 187

ferocious sneer, and sealed in an expression of unspeakable sadness. Had it


been another, I would have covered my face in the presence of such grief. In HIS
case, I was gratified; and, ignoble as it seems to insult a fallen enemy, I couldn't
miss this chance of sticking in a dart: his weakness was the only time when I
could taste the delight of paying wrong for wrong.'
'Fie, fie, Miss!' I interrupted. 'One might suppose you had never opened a
Bible in your life. If God afflict your enemies, surely that ought to suffice you. It
is both mean and presumptuous to add your torture to his!'
'In general I'll allow that it would be, Ellen,' she continued; 'but what misery
laid on Heathcliff could content me, unless I have a hand in it? I'd rather he
suffered less, if I might cause his sufferings and he might KNOW that I was the
cause. Oh, I owe him so much. On only one condition can I hope to forgive him.
It is, if I may take an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; for every wrench of agony
return a wrench: reduce him to my level. As he was the first to injure, make
him the first to implore pardon; and then - why then, Ellen, I might show you
some generosity. But it is utterly impossible I can ever be revenged, and
therefore I cannot forgive him. Hindley wanted some water, and I handed him a
glass, and asked him how he was.%
'"Not as ill as I wish," he replied. "But leaving out my arm, every inch of me
is as sore as if I had been fighting with a legion of imps!"
'"Yes, no wonder," was my next remark. "Catherine used to boast that she
stood between you and bodily harm: she meant that certain persons would not
hurt you for fear of offending her. It's well people don't REALLY rise from their
grave, or, last night, she might have witnessed a repulsive scene! Are not you
bruised, and cut over your chest and shoulders?"
'"I can't say," he answered, "but what do you mean? Did he dare to strike me
when I was down?"
'"He trampled on and kicked you, and dashed you on the ground," I
whispered. "And his mouth watered to tear you with his teeth; because he's only
half man: not so much, and the rest fiend."

Thesaurus
afflict: (n, v) pain, distress; (v) trouble, fell, bloodthirsty, brutish; (adj, v) protect, help.
grieve, torment, hurt, strike, fierce, savage. ANTONYMS: (adj) offending: (adj) opprobrious, criminal,
aggrieve, smite, bother, disturb. gentle, mild, tender, tame, aberrant, guilty, delinquent,
ANTONYMS: (v) aid, comfort, nonviolent, kind, calm. antisocial, scurrilous, errant.
encourage, help, soothe. implore: (v) beg, beseech, supplicate, unspeakable: (adj) ineffable, dreadful,
dart: (n, v) dash, run, flit; (v) bound, ask, conjure, crave, pray, importune, awful, terrible, inexpressible, nasty,
flash, shoot, rush, race, gallop; (adj, n) appeal, plead, solicit. ANTONYMS: horrible, atrocious, indefinable,
arrow, rocket. ANTONYMS: (v) plod, (v) demand, grant, reject. shocking; (adj, v) unutterable.
trudge, slog, linger, dawdle, dally, injure: (n, v) damage, harm, impair; ANTONYMS: (adj) nice, wonderful,
delay, amble; (n) tonic. (v) contuse, disfigure, maim, bruise, pleasant, good, lovely, bearable.
ferocious: (adj) cruel, brutal, blemish, wound, insult; (adj, v) abuse. watered: (adj) irriguous, dewy,
barbarous, feral, truculent, atrocious, ANTONYMS: (v) heal, enable, repair, watermarked, moist.
188 Wuthering Heights

'Mr. Earnshaw looked up, like me, to the countenance of our mutual foe;
who, absorbed in his anguish, seemed insensible to anything around him: the
longer he stood, the plainer his reflections revealed their blackness through his
features.%
'"Oh, if God would but give me strength to strangle him in my last agony, I'd
go to hell with joy," groaned the impatient man, writhing to rise, and sinking
back in despair, convinced of his inadequacy for the struggle.
'"Nay, it's enough that he has murdered one of you," I observed aloud. "At
the Grange, every one knows your sister would have been living now had it not
been for Mr. Heathcliff. After all, it is preferable to be hated than loved by him.
When I recollect how happy we were - how happy Catherine was before he came
- I'm fit to curse the day."
'Most likely, Heathcliff noticed more the truth of what was said, than the
spirit of the person who said it. His attention was roused, I saw, for his eyes
rained down tears among the ashes, and he drew his breath in suffocating sighs.
I stared full at him, and laughed scornfully. The clouded windows of hell
flashed a moment towards me; the fiend which usually looked out, however, was
so dimmed and drowned that I did not fear to hazard another sound of derision.
'"Get up, and begone out of my sight," said the mourner.
'I guessed he uttered those words, at least, though his voice was hardly
intelligible.
'"I beg your pardon," I replied. "But I loved Catherine too; and her brother
requires attendance, which, for her sake, I shall supply. Now, that she's dead, I
see her in Hindley: Hindley has exactly her eyes, if you had not tried to gouge
them out, and made them black and red; and her - "
'"Get up, wretched idiot, before I stamp you to death!" he cried, making a
movement that caused me to make one also.
'"But then," I continued, holding myself ready to flee, "if poor Catherine had
trusted you, and assumed the ridiculous, contemptible, degrading title of Mrs.
Heathcliff, she would soon have presented a similar picture! SHE wouldn't have

Thesaurus
contemptible: (adj) abject, mean, base, admiration, praise, approval. virtue, superiority, perfection,
pitiful, little, worthless, unworthy, dimmed: (adj) wan, soft, blurred, fruitfulness, competence, capability.
miserable, ignoble, abominable, vague, faint, dull, bleak, black, dense. intelligible: (adj) clear,
shameful. ANTONYMS: (adj) gouge: (v) swindle, deceive, beguile, understandable, articulate, luminous,
estimable, admired, deserving, fleece, dig, scoop, extort, defraud, apprehensible, graspable, simple,
worthy, honorable, respectable, cut; (n, v) groove, dent. lucid, definite, distinct, perspicuous.
respectful, noble, generous, inadequacy: (n) imperfection, defect, ANTONYMS: (adj) difficult, illegible.
commendable, good. inability, failure, shortage, writhing: (adj, n) twisting; (adj)
derision: (n) contempt, mockery, incompetence, fault, deficit, wriggly, squirming, wiggling,
scorn, banter, jeering, disdain, scoff, inadequate, dearth, disproportion. wiggly, twisty, tortuous, snaky,
insult, irony, sport, gibe. ANTONYMS: (n) adequacy, winding, sinuous; (n) twist.
ANTONYMS: (n) applause, esteem, sufficiency, efficiency, abundance,
Emily Brontë 189

borne your abominable behaviour quietly: her detestation and disgust must
have found voice."
'The back of the settle and Earnshaw's person interposed between me and
him; so instead of endeavouring to reach me, he snatched a dinner-knife from the
table and flung it at my head. It struck beneath my ear, and stopped the sentence
I was uttering; but, pulling it out, I sprang to the door and delivered another;
which I hope went a little deeper than his missile. The last glimpse I caught of
him was a furious rush on his part, checked by the embrace of his host; and both
fell locked together on the hearth. In my flight through the kitchen I bid Joseph
speed to his master; I knocked over Hareton, who was hanging a litter of puppies
from a chair-back in the doorway; and, blessed as a soul escaped from purgatory,
I bounded, leaped, and flew down the steep road; then, quitting its windings,
shot direct across the moor, rolling over banks, and wading through marshes:
precipitating myself, in fact, towards the beacon-light of the Grange. And far
rather would I be condemned to a perpetual dwelling in the infernal regions
than, even for one night, abide beneath the roof of Wuthering Heights again.'
Isabella ceased speaking, and took a drink of tea; then she rose, and bidding
me put on her bonnet, and a great shawl I had brought, and turning a deaf ear to
my entreaties for her to remain another hour, she stepped on to a chair, kissed
Edgar's and Catherine's portraits, bestowed a similar salute on me, and
descended to the carriage, accompanied by Fanny, who yelped wild with joy at
recovering her mistress. She was driven away, never to revisit this
neighbourhood: but a regular correspondence was established between her and
my master when things were more settled. I believe her new abode was in the
south, near London; there she had a son born a few months subsequent to her
escape. He was christened Linton, and, from the first, she reported him to be an
ailing, peevish creature.%
Mr. Heathcliff, meeting me one day in the village, inquired where she lived. I
refused to tell. He remarked that it was not of any moment, only she must
beware of coming to her brother: she should not be with him, if he had to keep
her himself. Though I would give no information, he discovered, through some

Thesaurus
abide: (v) endure, bide, undergo, unconfined, unlimited, free. kiln, home, abode.
tolerate, take, suffer, stomach, bear, detestation: (n) abomination, hatred, precipitating: (adj) down.
brook; (adj, v) stay, dwell. odium, antipathy, aversion, purgatory: (n) limbo, abyss, purgation,
ANTONYMS: (v) check, depart, repulsion, dislike, execration, hell, situation, imaginary place, living
disallow, disapprove, disbelieve, loathing, revulsion; (n, v) hate. death, punishment, Gehenna, grief.
journey, dodge, leave, migrate, move, ANTONYM: (n) adoration. regions: (n) area, region, parts.
pass. dwelling: (n) domicile, home, reported: (adj) narrative, reputed.
bounded: (adj) restricted, limited, residence, house, place, revisit: (v) go back, get back, frequent,
delimited, encircled, enclosed, accommodation, address, building, come back, review, revise, flood back,
confined, leap, spring, bordered, lodge, habitation; (adj, n) dwell. return to, go home, hang around in,
circumscribed, constrained. hearth: (n) fire, oven, fireside, stove, have a second look at. ANTONYM:
ANTONYMS: (adj) unbounded, chimney, focus, furnace, dwelling, (v) depart.
190 Wuthering Heights

of the other servants, both her place of residence and the existence of the child.
Still, he didn't molest her: for which forbearance she might thank his aversion, I
suppose. He often asked about the infant, when he saw me; and on hearing its
name, smiled grimly, and observed: 'They wish me to hate it too, do they?'
'I don't think they wish you to know anything about it,' I answered.%
'But I'll have it,' he said, 'when I want it. They may reckon on that!'
Fortunately its mother died before the time arrived; some thirteen years after
the decease of Catherine, when Linton was twelve, or a little more.
On the day succeeding Isabella's unexpected visit I had no opportunity of
speaking to my master: he shunned conversation, and was fit for discussing
nothing. When I could get him to listen, I saw it pleased him that his sister had
left her husband; whom he abhorred with an intensity which the mildness of his
nature would scarcely seem to allow. So deep and sensitive was his aversion,
that he refrained from going anywhere where he was likely to see or hear of
Heathcliff. Grief, and that together, transformed him into a complete hermit: he
threw up his office of magistrate, ceased even to attend church, avoided the
village on all occasions, and spent a life of entire seclusion within the limits of
his park and grounds; only varied by solitary rambles on the moors, and visits to
the grave of his wife, mostly at evening, or early morning before other wanderers
were abroad. But he was too good to be thoroughly unhappy long. HE didn't
pray for Catherine's soul to haunt him. Time brought resignation, and a
melancholy sweeter than common joy. He recalled her memory with ardent,
tender love, and hopeful aspiring to the better world; where he doubted not she
was gone.
And he had earthly consolation and affections also. For a few days, I said, he
seemed regardless of the puny successor to the departed: that coldness melted as
fast as snow in April, and ere the tiny thing could stammer a word or totter a
step it wielded a despot's sceptre in his heart. It was named Catherine; but he
never called it the name in full, as he had never called the first Catherine short:
probably because Heathcliff had a habit of doing so. The little one was always
Cathy: it formed to him a distinction from the mother, and yet a connection with
Thesaurus
abhorred: (adj) disgusted, unpopular. mildness: (adj, n) gentleness, kindness, retirement, isolation, secrecy,
aspiring: (adj) aspirant, wishful, benignity, compassion, goodness; (n) concealment, insulation, separation,
enterprising, envious, desirous, lenity, mercy, meekness, leniency, hermitage; (adj, n) solitude,
coming; (v) aspire, vaulting. lenience, tenderness. ANTONYMS: loneliness. ANTONYMS: (n)
ANTONYM: (adj) desperate. (n) roughness, pungency. company, closeness, inclusion.
avoided: (adj) unpopular. molest: (v) harass, assail, assault, stammer: (v) falter, hesitate, stumble,
forbearance: (n) patience, clemency, plague, bother, harry, attack, annoy, bumble, fumble, mumble, utter,
pardon, abstention, abstinence, haunt, beset, chevy. ANTONYM: (v) verbalize, waver, halt, splutter.
mercy, longanimity, avoidance, defend. thirteen: (n) long dozen, large integer.
postponement, indulgence, restraint. sceptre: (n) sovereignty, verge, wand, totter: (v) stumble, shake, falter, lurch,
ANTONYMS: (n) impatience, bauble, mace, brink. rock, teeter, waver, waddle, toddle,
intolerance. seclusion: (n) retreat, segregation, stagger, shamble.
Emily Brontë 191

her; and his attachment sprang from its relation to her, far more than from its
being his own.%
I used to draw a comparison between him and Hindley Earnshaw, and
perplex myself to explain satisfactorily why their conduct was so opposite in
similar circumstances. They had both been fond husbands, and were both
attached to their children; and I could not see how they shouldn't both have
taken the same road, for good or evil. But, I thought in my mind, Hindley, with
apparently the stronger head, has shown himself sadly the worse and the weaker
man. When his ship struck, the captain abandoned his post; and the crew,
instead of trying to save her, rushed into riot and confusion, leaving no hope for
their luckless vessel. Linton, on the contrary, displayed the true courage of a
loyal and faithful soul: he trusted God; and God comforted him. One hoped,
and the other despaired: they chose their own lots, and were righteously
doomed to endure them. But you'll not want to hear my moralising, Mr.
Lockwood; you'll judge, as well as I can, all these things: at least, you'll think
you will, and that's the same. The end of Earnshaw was what might have been
expected; it followed fast on his sister's: there were scarcely six months between
them. We, at the Grange, never got a very succinct account of his state preceding
it; all that I did learn was on occasion of going to aid in the preparations for the
funeral. Mr. Kenneth came to announce the event to my master.
'Well, Nelly,' said he, riding into the yard one morning, too early not to alarm
me with an instant presentiment of bad news, 'it's yours and my turn to go into
mourning at present. Who's given us the slip now, do you think?'
'Who?' I asked in a flurry.
'Why, guess!' he returned, dismounting, and slinging his bridle on a hook by
the door. 'And nip up the corner of your apron: I'm certain you'll need it.'
'Not Mr. Heathcliff, surely?' I exclaimed.
'What! would you have tears for him?' said the doctor. 'No, Heathcliff's a
tough young fellow: he looks blooming to-day. I've just seen him. He's rapidly
regaining flesh since he lost his better half.'

Thesaurus
blooming: (adj) rosy, thriving, dismounting: (n) dismantling, arrival. righteously: (adv) uprightly, justly,
flourishing, healthy, prosperous, displayed: (adj) extendant, expanded, honestly, right, rightly, correctly,
ruddy, booming, blossoming, cherry, splay. morally, rightfully, properly, truly,
verdant, green. ANTONYMS: (adj) mourning: (n) lament, lamentation, rightwisely . ANTONYMS: (adv)
arid, pale. bereavement, gloom, woe, memorial, improperly, sinfully.
bridle: (n, v) curb, check, control, sorrowfulness, sadness, sorrow; (adj) slinging: (n) fling, cast, throw, slinger
snaffle, rein, leash; (n) arrest, reins, grieving; (v) lamenting. moulding.
brake; (v) inhibit, contain. regaining: (n) regain, clawback, succinct: (adj) concise, brief,
ANTONYMS: (v) unbridle, proceeds, payoff, paying back, compendious, short, summary, pithy,
unharness, release. reappearance, indemnity, issue, laconic, condensed, compact, curt,
comforted: (adj) thankful, pleased, recapture, recurrence, redress. sententious. ANTONYMS: (adj) long,
comfortable, calmed. ANTONYM: (n) loss. convoluted.
192 Wuthering Heights

'Who is it, then, Mr. Kenneth?' I repeated impatiently.%


'Hindley Earnshaw! Your old friend Hindley,' he replied, 'and my wicked
gossip: though he's been too wild for me this long while. There! I said we
should draw water. But cheer up! He died true to his character: drunk as a lord.
Poor lad! I'm sorry, too. One can't help missing an old companion: though he
had the worst tricks with him that ever man imagined, and has done me many a
rascally turn. He's barely twenty-seven, it seems; that's your own age: who
would have thought you were born in one year?'
I confess this blow was greater to me than the shock of Mrs. Linton's death:
ancient associations lingered round my heart; I sat down in the porch and wept
as for a blood relation, desiring Mr. Kenneth to get another servant to introduce
him to the master. I could not hinder myself from pondering on the question -
'Had he had fair play?' Whatever I did, that idea would bother me: it was so
tiresomely pertinacious that I resolved on requesting leave to go to Wuthering
Heights, and assist in the last duties to the dead. Mr. Linton was extremely
reluctant to consent, but I pleaded eloquently for the friendless condition in
which he lay; and I said my old master and foster-brother had a claim on my
services as strong as his own. Besides, I reminded him that the child Hareton
was his wife's nephew, and, in the absence of nearer kin, he ought to act as its
guardian; and he ought to and must inquire how the property was left, and look
over the concerns of his brother-in- law. He was unfit for attending to such
matters then, but he bid me speak to his lawyer; and at length permitted me to
go. His lawyer had been Earnshaw's also: I called at the village, and asked him
to accompany me. He shook his head, and advised that Heathcliff should be let
alone; affirming, if the truth were known, Hareton would be found little else
than a beggar.
'His father died in debt,' he said; 'the whole property is mortgaged, and the
sole chance for the natural heir is to allow him an opportunity of creating some
interest in the creditor's heart, that he may be inclined to deal leniently towards
him.'

Thesaurus
beggar: (n) mendicant, mumper, enquire, inspect, research, consult, pondering: (adj) pensive, musing,
pauper, tramp, sponger, joker, poor pry, request, wonder; (n, v) question. meditative, contemplative,
man, cadger, bloke; (v) beg, ANTONYM: (v) answer. thoughtful, reflective; (n)
pauperize. ANTONYM: (n) giver. leniently: (adv) indulgently, tolerantly, consideration, deliberation,
creating: (v) create; (n) making. mildly, kindly, mercifully, blandly, cogitation, reflection, lucubration.
eloquently: (adv) fluently, softly, easygoingly, generously, porch: (n) lobby, hall, vestibule,
expressively, persuasively, easily, compliantly. veranda, door, entrance, deck,
significantly, meaningfully, clearly, pertinacious: (adj) obstinate, dogged, gallery, portico, balcony, inlet.
glibly, tellingly, forcefully, stubborn, obdurate, dour, tenacious, rascally: (adj) dirty, contemptible,
evocatively, movingly. ANTONYMS: unyielding, headstrong, restive, stiff, abject, mean, mischievous,
(adv) inarticulately, innocently. pigheaded. ANTONYM: (adj) scoundrelly, roguish, scabby, scurvy,
inquire: (v) demand, ask, explore, agreeable. shabby, paltry.
Emily Brontë 193

When I reached the Heights, I explained that I had come to see everything
carried on decently; and Joseph, who appeared in sufficient distress, expressed
satisfaction at my presence. Mr. Heathcliff said he did not perceive that I was
wanted; but I might stay and order the arrangements for the funeral, if I chose.%
'Correctly,' he remarked, 'that fool's body should he buried at the cross-roads,
without ceremony of any kind. I happened to leave him ten minutes yesterday
afternoon, and in that interval he fastened the two doors of the house against me,
and he has spent the night in drinking himself to death deliberately! We broke in
this morning, for we heard him sporting like a horse; and there he was, laid over
the settle: flaying and scalping would not have wakened him. I sent for
Kenneth, and he came; but not till the beast had changed into carrion: he was
both dead and cold, and stark; and so you'll allow it was useless making more
stir about him!'
The old servant confirmed this statement, but muttered:
'I'd rayther he'd goan hisseln for t' doctor! I sud ha,' taen tent o' t' maister
better nor him - and he warn't deead when I left, naught o' t' soart!'
I insisted on the funeral being respectable. Mr. Heathcliff said I might have
my own way there too: only, he desired me to remember that the money for the
whole affair came out of his pocket. He maintained a hard, careless deportment,
indicative of neither joy nor sorrow: if anything, it expressed a flinty
gratification at a piece of difficult work successfully executed. I observed once,
indeed, something like exultation in his aspect: it was just when the people were
bearing the coffin from the house. He had the hypocrisy to represent a mourner:
and previous to following with Hareton, he lifted the unfortunate child on to the
table and muttered, with peculiar gusto, 'Now, my bonny lad, you are MINE!
And we'll see if one tree won't grow as crooked as another, with the same wind
to twist it!' The unsuspecting thing was pleased at this speech: he played with
Heathcliff's whiskers, and stroked his cheek; but I divined its meaning, and
observed tartly, 'That boy must go back with me to Thrushcross Grange, sir.
There is nothing in the world less yours than he is!'
'Does Linton say so?' he demanded.
Thesaurus
carrion: (n) carcass, offal, dead body, ecstasy, elation, rejoicing, revelling, disenchantment, dismay, discontent,
corpse, filth, ket, any filth, caroigne; transport, joyousness, bliss, glee. anxiety.
(adj) garbage. ANTONYMS: (n) depression, gusto: (n) relish, enjoyment, zest,
cross-roads: (n) intersection, crossing, desolation, misery, sorrow. pleasure, gust, taste, enthusiasm,
crossroad. flinty: (adj) rocky, unyielding, grim, delight, delicacy, flavour; (n, v) glow.
deportment: (n, v) bearing, demeanor, unfeeling, stern, stony, severe, hard, ANTONYMS: (n) apathy,
conduct, carriage; (n) manner, cruel, obdurate, heartless. sluggishness.
attitude, demeanour, behaviour, gratification: (adj, n) delight; (n, v) scalping: (n) defeat.
comportment, dealing, air. content; (n) enjoyment, pleasure, tartly: (adv) sharply, sarcastically,
executed: (adj) finished, fulfilled, satisfaction, fruition, complacency, sourly, bitingly, bitterly, acerbically,
complete. joy, luxury, treat, fulfillment. harshly, caustically, keenly, cuttingly,
exultation: (n) jubilation, joy, delight, ANTONYMS: (n) dissatisfaction, vinegarily. ANTONYM: (adv) kindly.
194 Wuthering Heights

'Of course - he has ordered me to take him,' I replied.%


'Well,' said the scoundrel, 'we'll not argue the subject now: but I have a fancy
to try my hand at rearing a young one; so intimate to your master that I must
supply the place of this with my own, if he attempt to remove it. I don't engage
to let Hareton go undisputed; but I'll be pretty sure to make the other come!
Remember to tell him.'
This hint was enough to bind our hands. I repeated its substance on my
return; and Edgar Linton, little interested at the commencement, spoke no more
of interfering. I'm not aware that he could have done it to any purpose, had he
been ever so willing.
The guest was now the master of Wuthering Heights: he held firm
possession, and proved to the attorney - who, in his turn, proved it to Mr. Linton
- that Earnshaw had mortgaged every yard of land he owned for cash to supply
his mania for gaming; and he, Heathcliff, was the mortgagee. In that manner
Hareton, who should now be the first gentleman in the neighbourhood, was
reduced to a state of complete dependence on his father's inveterate enemy; and
lives in his own house as a servant, deprived of the advantage of wages: quite
unable to right himself, because of his friendlessness, and his ignorance that he
has been wronged.

Thesaurus
attorney: (n) advocate, counsel, gamble, recreation, vice, betting. rearing: (n) breeding, nurture,
counselor, agent, legal representative, inveterate: (adj) incorrigible, education, bringing up, raising,
barrister, counsellor, solicitor, factor, confirmed, chronic, ingrained, old, fostering, upbringing, background,
prosecutor, ambulance chaser. irredeemable; (adj, v) fixed; (v) fosterage, nursing; (adj) rampant.
commencement: (n) opening, start, rooted, ingrafted, hackneyed; (n) undisputed: (adj, v) undoubted,
origin, birth, kickoff, inauguration, ineffaceable. unquestioned; (adj) unchallenged,
inception, onset, outset, origination, mania: (n) passion, craze, delirium, unquestionable, accepted,
source. ANTONYMS: (n) middle, fad, fury, enthusiasm, rage, recognized, recognised, indubitable,
termination, finishing, finish, ending, obsession; (adj, n) insanity, lunacy, absolute, decided; (v) uncontested.
conclusion, culmination. madness. ANTONYMS: (adj) doubtful,
gaming: (n) play, game, diversion, mortgagee: (n) lender, lessor, disputable, dubious, individual,
speculation, wager, frolic, bet, mortgage holder. questionable.
Emily Brontë 195

CHAPTER %XVIII

THE twelve years, continued Mrs. Dean, following that dismal period were
the happiest of my life: my greatest troubles in their passage rose from our little
lady's trifling illnesses, which she had to experience in common with all
children, rich and poor. For the rest, after the first six months, she grew like a
larch, and could walk and talk too, in her own way, before the heath blossomed
a second time over Mrs. Linton's dust. She was the most winning thing that ever
brought sunshine into a desolate house: a real beauty in face, with the
Earnshaws' handsome dark eyes, but the Lintons' fair skin and small features,
and yellow curling hair. Her spirit was high, though not rough, and qualified by
a heart sensitive and lively to excess in its affections. That capacity for intense
attachments reminded me of her mother: still she did not resemble her: for she
could be soft and mild as a dove, and she had a gentle voice and pensive
expression: her anger was never furious; her love never fierce: it was deep and
tender. However, it must be acknowledged, she had faults to foil her gifts. A
propensity to be saucy was one; and a perverse will, that indulged children
invariably acquire, whether they be good tempered or cross. If a servant
chanced to vex her, it was always - 'I shall tell papa!' And if he reproved her,
even by a look, you would have thought it a heart-breaking business: I don't
believe he ever did speak a harsh word to her. He took her education entirely on
himself, and made it an amusement. Fortunately, curiosity and a quick intellect

Thesaurus
curling: (adj) curled, curly, moving, black larch, coniferous tree, larch properly adapted, emotionally
curled up; (adv) curlingly; (n) croquet, tree. hardened, treated. ANTONYM: (adj)
pallone, polo, tipcat, golf, curling propensity: (n) proclivity, leaning, untempered.
edge. disposition, bias, bent, aptitude, trifling: (adj) paltry, slight, petty,
desolate: (adj, v) desert, forlorn; (adj) aptness, proneness, predisposition, negligible, immaterial, worthless,
bare, barren, alone, bleak, deserted, predilection, penchant. ANTONYM: trivial, minor, small; (adj, v)
cheerless, disconsolate; (v) devastate, (n) inability. inconsequential; (adj, n) frivolity.
destroy. ANTONYMS: (adj) cheerful, reproved: (adj) reprimanded, ANTONYMS: (adj) significant,
inhabited, happy, sheltered, mobbed, chastened, admonished. worthwhile, major, considerable,
overcrowded, ecstatic, hopeful; (v) tempered: (adj) attempered, crucial, enormous, great, mature,
create, construct, build. temperate, moderated, toughened, profound, substantial; (n)
larch: (n) wood, larches, tamarack, subdued, set, enured, proportioned, importance.
196 Wuthering Heights

made her an apt scholar: she learned rapidly and eagerly, and did honour to his
teaching.
Till she reached the age of thirteen she had not once been beyond the range of
the park by herself. Mr. Linton would take her with him a mile or so outside, on
rare occasions; but he trusted her to no one else. Gimmerton was an
unsubstantial name in her ears; the chapel, the only building she had
approached or entered, except her own home. Wuthering Heights and Mr.
Heathcliff did not exist for her: she was a perfect recluse; and, apparently,
perfectly contented. Sometimes, indeed, while surveying the country from her
nursery window, she would observe -
'Ellen, how long will it be before I can walk to the top of those hills? I wonder
what lies on the other side - is it the sea?'
'No, Miss Cathy,' I would answer; 'it is hills again, just like these.'
'And what are those golden rocks like when you stand under them?' she once
asked.%
The abrupt descent of Penistone Crags particularly attracted her notice;
especially when the setting sun shone on it and the topmost heights, and the
whole extent of landscape besides lay in shadow. I explained that they were bare
masses of stone, with hardly enough earth in their clefts to nourish a stunted
tree.
'And why are they bright so long after it is evening here?' she pursued.
'Because they are a great deal higher up than we are,' replied I; 'you could not
climb them, they are too high and steep. In winter the frost is always there
before it comes to us; and deep into summer I have found snow under that black
hollow on the north-east side!'
'Oh, you have been on them!' she cried gleefully. 'Then I can go, too, when I
am a woman. Has papa been, Ellen?'
'Papa would tell you, Miss,' I answered, hastily, 'that they are not worth the
trouble of visiting. The moors, where you ramble with him, are much nicer; and
Thrushcross Park is the finest place in the world.'
Thesaurus
contented: (adj) content, happy, nourish: (v) foster, keep, bring up, surveying: (n) mensuration,
comfortable, quiet, cheerful, smug, nurture, sustain, aliment, cherish, measurement, investigation,
complacent, satisfied, easy, proud, feed, maintain, cultivate; (n, v) cradle. triangulation; (v) inspect, examine;
delighted. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (v) starve, sap. (adj) observant.
discontented, unhappy, depressed, recluse: (n) hermit, anchoret, solitary, topmost: (adj) highest, upmost, upper,
unsatisfied, sad, anxious. ascetic, eremite, loner, troglodyte; maximum, uppermost, head,
gleefully: (adv) joyously, joyfully, (adj) reclusive, secluded, cloistered, supreme, utmost, crowning, apical,
gaily, jovially, jubilantly, merrily, withdrawn. ANTONYM: (n) native. uttermost. ANTONYM: (adj) bottom.
cheerfully, mirthfully, elatedly, stunted: (adj) scrubby, little, scrawny, unsubstantial: (adj) unreal, airy, thin,
blithely; (adv, v) happily. diminutive, puny, short, spare, weak, imaginary, shadowy, light, empty,
ANTONYMS: (adv) joylessly, sadly, underdeveloped, dwarfish; (v) immaterial, insignificant, vaporous;
despondently. strangulated. ANTONYM: (adj) tall. (adj, v) flimsy.
Emily Brontë 197

'But I know the park, and I don't know those,' she murmured to herself. 'And
I should delight to look round me from the brow of that tallest point: my little
pony Minny shall take me some time.'
One of the maids mentioning the Fairy Cave, quite turned her head with a
desire to fulfil this project: she teased Mr. Linton about it; and he promised she
should have the journey when she got older. But Miss Catherine measured her
age by months, and, 'Now, am I old enough to go to Penistone Crags?' was the
constant question in her mouth. The road thither wound close by Wuthering
Heights. Edgar had not the heart to pass it; so she received as constantly the
answer, 'Not yet, love: not yet.'
I said Mrs. Heathcliff lived above a dozen years after quitting her husband.
Her family were of a delicate constitution: she and Edgar both lacked the ruddy
health that you will generally meet in these parts. What her last illness was, I am
not certain: I conjecture, they died of the same thing, a kind of fever, slow at its
commencement, but incurable, and rapidly consuming life towards the close.
She wrote to inform her brother of the probable conclusion of a four-months'
indisposition under which she had suffered, and entreated him to come to her,
if possible; for she had much to settle, and she wished to bid him adieu, and
deliver Linton safely into his hands. Her hope was that Linton might be left with
him, as he had been with her: his father, she would fain convince herself, had no
desire to assume the burden of his maintenance or education. My master
hesitated not a moment in complying with her request: reluctant as he was to
leave home at ordinary calls, he flew to answer this; commanding Catherine to
my peculiar vigilance, in his absence, with reiterated orders that she must not
wander out of the park, even under my escort he did not calculate on her going
unaccompanied.%
He was away three weeks. The first day or two my charge sat in a corner of
the library, too sad for either reading or playing: in that quiet state she caused
me little trouble; but it was succeeded by an interval of impatient, fretful
weariness; and being too busy, and too old then, to run up and down amusing
her, I hit on a method by which she might entertain herself. I used to send her

Thesaurus
complying: (adj) compliant, overwhelming, burning, absorbing, disinclination, dislike, distaste,
submissive, consenting, complaisant, corrosive; (v) grating, searching, aversion, reluctance, hesitation; (n, v)
assentive; (adj, v) tractable; (v) grinding, racking; (n) consumption, illness, disorder, disease; (adj, n)
willing, commodious, chosen, wasting. infirmity. ANTONYM: (n)
causing ease; (n) agreement. dozen: (adj, n) XII; (n) dozens, boxcars. inclination.
conjecture: (n) supposition, entertain: (v) amuse, delight, bear, reiterated: (adj) repeated, monotonous,
speculation, assumption, surmise, cherish, beguile, admit, frequent.
hypothesis; (v) suppose, believe, accommodate, harbor, hold, distract; suffered: (adj) permitted, permissive.
anticipate, assume, speculate; (n, v) (n, v) interest. ANTONYMS: (v) weariness: (n) exhaustion, tiredness,
estimate. ANTONYMS: (n) certainty; disregard, ignore, banish, forget, tire, lassitude, languor, asthenopia,
(v) demonstrate, know, learn, prove. displease. defatigation, grogginess, listlessness,
consuming: (adj) blazing, indisposition: (adj, n, v) ailment; (n) boredom, ennui, prostration.
198 Wuthering Heights

on her travels round the grounds - now on foot, and now on a pony; indulging
her with a patient audience of all her real and imaginary adventures when she
returned.%
The summer shone in full prime; and she took such a taste for this solitary
rambling that she often contrived to remain out from breakfast till tea; and then
the evenings were spent in recounting her fanciful tales. I did not fear her
breaking bounds; because the gates were generally looked, and I thought she
would scarcely venture forth alone, if they had stood wide open. Unluckily, my
confidence proved misplaced. Catherine came to me, one morning, at eight
o'clock, and said she was that day an Arabian merchant, going to cross the Desert
with his caravan; and I must give her plenty of provision for herself and beasts:
a horse, and three camels, personated by a large hound and a couple of pointers.
I got together good store of dainties, and slung them in a basket on one side of
the saddle; and she sprang up as gay as a fairy, sheltered by her wide-brimmed
hat and gauze veil from the July sun, and trotted off with a merry laugh,
mocking my cautious counsel to avoid galloping, and come back early. The
naughty thing never made her appearance at tea. One traveller, the hound,
being an old dog and fond of its ease, returned; but neither Cathy, nor the pony,
nor the two pointers were visible in any direction: I despatched emissaries down
this path, and that path, and at last went wandering in search of her myself.
There was a labourer working at a fence round a plantation, on the borders of the
grounds. I inquired of him if he had seen our young lady.
'I saw her at morn,' he replied: 'she would have me to cut her a hazel switch,
and then she leapt her Galloway over the hedge yonder, where it is lowest, and
galloped out of sight.'
You may guess how I felt at hearing this news. It struck me directly she must
have started for Penistone Crags. 'What will become of her?' I ejaculated,
pushing through a gap which the man was repairing, and making straight to the
high-road. I walked as if for a wager, mile after mile, till a turn brought me in
view of the Heights; but no Catherine could I detect, far or near. The Crags lie
about a mile and a half beyond Mr. Heathcliff's place, and that is four from the

Thesaurus
camels: (n) suborder Ruminantia, hound: (v) bloodhound, chase, hunt, rambling: (adj) disjointed, incoherent,
Camelidae, caravan, bison, follow, badger, course, bait, pursue; desultory, discursive, erratic,
Ruminantia, antelopes. (n) greyhound, blackguard, cad. excursive, meandering, diffuse, loose,
fanciful: (adj) mythical, fantastic, ANTONYM: (v) soothe. errant; (adj, n) wandering.
capricious, unreal, arbitrary, indulging: (n) pampering, excess, ANTONYMS: (adj) coherent, abrupt,
romantic, ideal, chimerical, notional, indulgence, orgy, folly, foolery, conclusive, pithy, taciturn, compact.
visionary; (adj, v) fancy. gratification. recounting: (n) narration, relation,
ANTONYMS: (adj) prosaic, real, misplaced: (v) misjoined, mismatched; recital, narrative, tale, story,
realistic, plausible, normal. (adj) mislaid, inept, inappropriate, notification, practice, recitation,
gauze: (n) film, curtain, blind, disordered, gone astray, lost relating, unfolding.
bandage, mask, mantle, muslin, temporarily, misguided, missing, not repairing: (n) repair, adjustment; (adj)
screen, gauze bandage, shutter, daze. there. ANTONYM: (adj) found. remedial.
Emily Brontë 199

Grange, so I began to fear night would fall ere I could reach them. 'And what if
she should have slipped in clambering among them,' I reflected, 'and been killed,
or broken some of her bones?' My suspense was truly painful; and, at first, it
gave me delightful relief to observe, in hurrying by the farmhouse, Charlie, the
fiercest of the pointers, lying under a window, with swelled head and bleeding
ear. I opened the wicket and ran to the door, knocking vehemently for
admittance. A woman whom I knew, and who formerly lived at Gimmerton,
answered: she had been servant there since the death of Mr. Earnshaw.%
'Ah,' said she, 'you are come a-seeking your little mistress! Don't be
frightened. She's here safe: but I'm glad it isn't the master.'
'He is not at home then, is he?' I panted, quite breathless with quick walking
and alarm.
'No, no,' she replied: 'both he and Joseph are off, and I think they won't
return this hour or more. Step in and rest you a bit.'
I entered, and beheld my stray lamb seated on the hearth, rocking herself in a
little chair that had been her mother's when a child. Her hat was hung against the
wall, and she seemed perfectly at home, laughing and chattering, in the best
spirits imaginable, to Hareton - now a great, strong lad of eighteen - who stared
at her with considerable curiosity and astonishment: comprehending precious
little of the fluent succession of remarks and questions which her tongue never
ceased pouring forth.
'Very well, Miss!' I exclaimed, concealing my joy under an angry
countenance. 'This is your last ride, till papa comes back. I'll not trust you over
the threshold again, you naughty, naughty girl!'
'Aha, Ellen!' she cried, gaily, jumping up and running to my side. 'I shall have
a pretty story to tell to-night; and so you've found me out. Have you ever been
here in your life before?'
'Put that hat on, and home at once,' said I. 'I'm dreadfully grieved at you,
Miss Cathy: you've done extremely wrong! It's no use pouting and crying: that
won't repay the trouble I've had, scouring the country after you. To think how

Thesaurus
concealing: (n) covering, concealment, sunnily, blithely, lively. implausible.
burial, stealing, stealth, screening, ANTONYMS: (adv) sadly, anxiously, killed: (n) casualty; (adj) fallen.
burying, screenings, activity; (adj) dully, despondently. pouting: (adj) sullen.
suppressive. hurrying: (n) hastening, speed, swelled: (adj) big, inflated, bloated,
fluent: (adj) flowing, eloquent, quickening, rushing, early, speeding, swollen, adult, boastful, bighearted,
smooth, facile, clear, articulate, speeding up, stepping up, bad, fully grown, crowing, elder.
graceful, fluid, glib, liquid, voluble. amphetamine, forward, eager. vehemently: (adj, adv) ardently; (adv)
ANTONYMS: (adj) illiterate, reticent, imaginable: (adj) conceivable, violently, zealously, strongly,
hesitant, halting, formal. possible, thinkable, plausible, earthly, fervently, passionately, ferociously,
gaily: (adv, v) happily; (adv) gladly, believable, credible, feasible, fervidly, keenly, intensely, furiously.
jovially, joyfully, cheerfully, immediate, likely, near. ANTONYMS: (adv) feebly, gently,
mirthfully, joyously, gleefully, ANTONYMS: (adj) unimaginable, impassively.
200 Wuthering Heights

Mr. Linton charged me to keep you in; and you stealing off so! It shows you are
a cunning little fox, and nobody will put faith in you any more.'
'What have I done?' sobbed she, instantly checked. 'Papa charged me
nothing: he'll not scold me, Ellen - he's never cross, like you!'
'Come, come!' I repeated. 'I'll tie the riband. Now, let us have no petulance.
Oh, for shame! You thirteen years old, and such a baby!'
This exclamation was caused by her pushing the hat from her head, and
retreating to the chimney out of my reach.%
'Nay,' said the servant, 'don't be hard on the bonny lass, Mrs. Dean. We made
her stop: she'd fain have ridden forwards, afeard you should be uneasy.
Hareton offered to go with her, and I thought he should: it's a wild road over the
hills.'
Hareton, during the discussion, stood with his hands in his pockets, too
awkward to speak; though he looked as if he did not relish my intrusion.
'How long am I to wait?' I continued, disregarding the woman's interference.
'It will be dark in ten minutes. Where is the pony, Miss Cathy? And where is
Phoenix? I shall leave you, unless you be quick; so please yourself.'
'The pony is in the yard,' she replied, 'and Phoenix is shut in there. He's
bitten - and so is Charlie. I was going to tell you all about it; but you are in a bad
temper, and don't deserve to hear.'
I picked up her hat, and approached to reinstate it; but perceiving that the
people of the house took her part, she commenced capering round the room; and
on my giving chase, ran like a mouse over and under and behind the furniture,
rendering it ridiculous for me to pursue. Hareton and the woman laughed, and
she joined them, and waxed more impertinent still; till I cried, in great irritation, -
'Well, Miss Cathy, if you were aware whose house this is you'd be glad enough
to get out.'
'It's YOUR father's, isn't it?' said she, turning to Hareton.
'Nay,' he replied, looking down, and blushing bashfully.

Thesaurus
afeard: (adj) afraid. wily, sly, shrewd, tricky, artful; (n) recover, heal, mend. ANTONYM: (v)
bashfully: (adv) diffidently, modestly, craftiness, craft, cleverness. withdraw.
shyly, ashamedly, retiringly, ANTONYMS: (adj) simple, honest, retreating: (n) flight; (adj) moving
timorously, reservedly, stupid, unimaginative, gullible, back.
embarrassedly, coyly, sheepishly, ingenuous, straightforward, candid, riband: (n) ribbon, fascia, band,
nervously. ANTONYMS: (adv) sincere; (n) frankness, ribband, spill, slip, shred, strip,
brazenly, brashly. straightforwardness. wreath, medal, list.
blushing: (adj) rosy, coy, blushful, disregarding: (adv) irregardless, no scold: (v) reprimand, chide, berate,
flushed, red, shy, bashful, matter, disregardless, irrespective. rebuke, abuse, lecture, reproach, rail,
overmodest, ruddy; (adv) blushingly, reinstate: (v) restore, rehabilitate, grouch; (n, v) nag; (adj, n) shrew.
ablush. ANTONYM: (adj) pale. reestablish, return, replace, ANTONYMS: (v) praise, compliment,
cunning: (adj) crafty, canny, adroit, reconstruct, bring back, redeem, approve.
Emily Brontë 201

He could not stand a steady gaze from her eyes, though they were just his
own.%
'Whose then - your master's?' she asked.
He coloured deeper, with a different feeling, muttered an oath, and turned
away.
'Who is his master?' continued the tiresome girl, appealing to me. 'He talked
about "our house," and "our folk." I thought he had been the owner's son. And
he never said Miss: he should have done, shouldn't he, if he's a servant?'
Hareton grew black as a thunder-cloud at this childish speech. I silently
shook my questioner, and at last succeeded in equipping her for departure.
'Now, get my horse,' she said, addressing her unknown kinsman as she
would one of the stable-boys at the Grange. 'And you may come with me. I
want to see where the goblin-hunter rises in the marsh, and to hear about the
FAIRISHES, as you call them: but make haste! What's the matter? Get my horse,
I say.'
'I'll see thee damned before I be THY servant!' growled the lad.
"You'll see me WHAT!' asked Catherine in surprise.
'Damned - thou saucy witch!' he replied.
'There, Miss Cathy! you see you have got into pretty company,' I interposed.
'Nice words to be used to a young lady! Pray don't begin to dispute with him.
Come, let us seek for Minny ourselves, and begone.'
'But, Ellen,' cried she, staring fixed in astonishment, 'how dare he speak so to
me? Mustn't he be made to do as I ask him? You wicked creature, I shall tell
papa what you said. - Now, then!'
Hareton did not appear to feel this threat; so the tears sprang into her eyes
with indignation. 'You bring the pony,' she exclaimed, turning to the woman,
'and let my dog free this moment!'

Thesaurus
astonishment: (n) admiration, armament, arming, fitting out. questioner: (n) inquirer, interrogator,
wonder, wonderment, surprise, kinsman: (n) relation, relative, kin, enquirer, interviewer, querist,
marvel, stupefaction, confusion, kindred, kinswoman, description, investigator, examiner, asker,
consternation, awe, alarm, startle. forefather, countryman, detail, doubter, talker, speaker.
ANTONYMS: (n) calmness, belief, consanguinity; (v) confederate. tiresome: (adj) tedious, dull, laborious,
contempt. oath: (n) expletive, malediction, irksome, monotonous, annoying,
childish: (adj) childlike, naive, imprecation, promise, affidavit, cuss, slow, dreary, bothersome; (adj, v)
babyish, immature, simple, puerile, swearing, pledge, assurance, wearisome, troublesome.
infantile, juvenile, silly, frivolous, asseveration; (v) swear. ANTONYMS: (adj) stimulating, fun,
young. ANTONYMS: (adj) sensible, papa: (n) father, pa, daddy, Dada, sire, varied, soothing, pleasant, brisk,
old, wise, adult, jaded. pappa, pop, old man, paterfamilias, exciting, convenient, refreshing.
equipping: (n) equip, outfitting, cardinal, high priest.
202 Wuthering Heights

'Softly, Miss,' answered she addressed: 'you'll lose nothing by being civil.
Though Mr. Hareton, there, be not the master's son, he's your cousin: and I was
never hired to serve you.'
'HE my cousin!' cried Cathy, with a scornful laugh.%
'Yes, indeed,' responded her reprover.
'Oh, Ellen! don't let them say such things,' she pursued in great trouble.
'Papa is gone to fetch my cousin from London: my cousin is a gentleman's son.
That my - ' she stopped, and wept outright; upset at the bare notion of
relationship with such a clown.
'Hush, hush!' I whispered; 'people can have many cousins and of all sorts,
Miss Cathy, without being any the worse for it; only they needn't keep their
company, if they be disagreeable and bad.'
'He's not - he's not my cousin, Ellen!' she went on, gathering fresh grief from
reflection, and flinging herself into my arms for refuge from the idea.
I was much vexed at her and the servant for their mutual revelations; having
no doubt of Linton's approaching arrival, communicated by the former, being
reported to Mr. Heathcliff; and feeling as confident that Catherine's first thought
on her father's return would be to seek an explanation of the latter's assertion
concerning her rude-bred kindred. Hareton, recovering from his disgust at
being taken for a servant, seemed moved by her distress; and, having fetched the
pony round to the door, he took, to propitiate her, a fine crooked-legged terrier
whelp from the kennel, and putting it into her hand, bid her whist! for he meant
nought. Pausing in her lamentations, she surveyed him with a glance of awe and
horror, then burst forth anew.
I could scarcely refrain from smiling at this antipathy to the poor fellow; who
was a well-made, athletic youth, good-looking in features, and stout and healthy,
but attired in garments befitting his daily occupations of working on the farm
and lounging among the moors after rabbits and game. Still, I thought I could
detect in his physiognomy a mind owning better qualities than his father ever
possessed. Good things lost amid a wilderness of weeds, to be sure, whose

Thesaurus
anew: (adv) again, newly, lately, amiable, inoffensive, acceptable, reprover: (n) upbraider, detractor,
recently, over again, once more, once desirable, easygoing, happy, rebuker.
again, new; (adj) only yesterday, the pleasing, sweet, nice. terrier: (n) cairn, bullterrier, ratter, rat
other day, just now. kennel: (n) doghouse, ditch, gully, terrier, piercer, Lhasa, fox terrier,
attired: (adj) clad, appareled, clothed, fosse, dike, drain, culvert, sewer, stylet, hunting dog, perforator,
garbed, habilimented, robed; (adj, gutter, hutch, trough. schnauzer.
prep) garmented. kindred: (adj) cognate, akin, similar, well-made: (adj) strong, fine, sturdy,
disagreeable: (adj) nasty, offensive, allied, related; (n) kin, consanguinity, buxom, dainty.
uncomfortable, distasteful, relation, folk, folks, kin group. whist: (adj) quiet, noiseless; (n) long
cantankerous, cross, ungrateful, owning: (n) admission, avowal, whist, short whist, whisk, tut, tush,
abhorrent, horrible, bad, painful. confession, courteous recognition, dummy whist, cards, card game; (v)
ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasant, friendly, acknowledgment. shut up.
Emily Brontë 203

rankness %far over-topped their neglected growth; yet, notwithstanding,


evidence of a wealthy soil, that might yield luxuriant crops under other and
favourable circumstances. Mr. Heathcliff, I believe, had not treated him
physically ill; thanks to his fearless nature, which offered no temptation to that
course of oppression: he had none of the timid susceptibility that would have
given zest to ill-treatment, in Heathcliff s judgment. He appeared to have bent
his malevolence on making him a brute: he was never taught to read or write;
never rebuked for any bad habit which did not annoy his keeper; never led a
single step towards virtue, or guarded by a single precept against vice. And
from what I heard, Joseph contributed much to his deterioration, by a narrow-
minded partiality which prompted him to flatter and pet him, as a boy, because
he was the head of the old family. And as he had been in the habit of accusing
Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, when children, of putting the master past his
patience, and compelling him to seek solace in drink by what he termed their
'offald ways,' so at present he laid the whole burden of Hareton's faults on the
shoulders of the usurper of his property. If the lad swore, he wouldn't correct
him: nor however culpably he behaved. It gave Joseph satisfaction, apparently,
to watch him go the worst lengths: he allowed that the lad was ruined: that his
soul was abandoned to perdition; but then he reflected that Heathcliff must
answer for it. Hareton's blood would be required at his hands; and there lay
immense consolation in that thought. Joseph had instilled into him a pride of
name, and of his lineage; he would, had he dared, have fostered hate between
him and the present owner of the Heights: but his dread of that owner amounted
to superstition; and he confined his feelings regarding him to muttered
innuendoes and private comminations. I don't pretend to be intimately
acquainted with the mode of living customary in those days at Wuthering
Heights: I only speak from hearsay; for I saw little. The villagers affirmed Mr.
Heathcliff was NEAR, and a cruel hard landlord to his tenants; but the house,
inside, had regained its ancient aspect of comfort under female management, and
the scenes of riot common in Hindley's time were not now enacted within its
walls. The master was too gloomy to seek companionship with any people, good
or bad; and he is yet.

Thesaurus
crops: (n) crop. ill-treatment: (n) hurt. n) rule.
fearless: (adj, n) daring; (adj) brave, luxuriant: (adj, n) lush; (adj) abundant, rankness: (n) foulness,
dauntless, courageous, undaunted, lavish, exuberant, dense, thick, fertile, malodourousness, overgrowth, scent,
intrepid, heroic, audacious, gallant, flourishing, fecund, opulent, profuse. smell, exuberance, odour, odor, body
confident, valiant. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) barren, meager, odor, plenty, profusion.
afraid, frightened, scared, unhealthy, arid, withering, sparse, rebuked: (adj) reproved, admonished,
apprehensive, terrified, timid. shabby, unadorned. chastened.
fostered: (adj) nourished. muttered: (adj) garbled, incoherent, zest: (n) gusto, taste, savor, flavor,
hearsay: (n) report, gossip, rumour, broken, inarticulate. enthusiasm, piquancy, energy,
buzz, on dit, news, scandal, fame, precept: (n) canon, decree, command, enjoyment, tang, appetite; (n, v) spice.
talk, comment; (v) bruit. ANTONYM: mandate, charge, lesson, injunction, ANTONYMS: (n) lethargy,
(n) fact. law, commandment, principle; (adj, blandness, dullness, indifference.
204 Wuthering Heights

This, however, is not making progress with my story. Miss Cathy rejected
the peace-offering of the terrier, and demanded her own dogs, Charlie and
Phoenix. They came limping and hanging their heads; and we set out for home,
sadly out of sorts, every one of us. I could not wring from my little lady how she
had spent the day; except that, as I supposed, the goal of her pilgrimage was
Penistone Crags; and she arrived without adventure to the gate of the farm-
house, when Hareton happened to issue forth, attended by some canine
followers, who attacked her train. They had a smart battle, before their owners
could separate them: that formed an introduction. Catherine told Hareton who
she was, and where she was going; and asked him to show her the way: finally,
beguiling him to accompany her. He opened the mysteries of the Fairy Cave,
and twenty other queer places. But, being in disgrace, I was not favoured with a
description of the interesting objects she saw. I could gather, however, that her
guide had been a favourite till she hurt his feelings by addressing him as a
servant; and Heathcliff's housekeeper hurt hers by calling him her cousin. Then
the language he had held to her rankled in her heart; she who was always 'love,'
and 'darling,' and 'queen,' and 'angel,' with everybody at the Grange, to be
insulted so shockingly by a stranger! She did not comprehend it; and hard work
I had to obtain a promise that she would not lay the grievance before her father.
I explained how he objected to the whole household at the Heights, and how
sorry he would be to find she had been there; but I insisted most on the fact, that
if she revealed my negligence of his orders, he would perhaps be so angry that I
should have to leave; and Cathy couldn't bear that prospect: she pledged her
word, and kept it for my sake. After all, she was a sweet little girl.%

Thesaurus
beguiling: (adj) beguile, enchanting, respect, esteem, credit; (v) glorify, claudication, gimpiness, gameness;
delusive, deceptive, enticing, gyp, dignify, praise; (n) merit, grace, (adj) hobbling, crippled, halting,
misleading, seductive, inviting, pride, rise, worthiness. inefficient, imperfect, claudicant.
fallacious, deceitful. ANTONYMS: favoured: (adj) preferred, preferential. pilgrimage: (n, v) expedition,
(adj) forgettable, repellent. grievance: (n) injustice, wrong, excursion; (v) trip, tour,
canine: (n) canine tooth, canid, grudge, affliction, protest, objection, peregrination, ramble, discursion,
dogtooth, eyetooth, cuspid, fang; (adj) disaffection, discontentment, circuit; (n) hajj, haj, career.
laniary, bovine, animal, feline, fishy. dissatisfaction; (adj) annoyance; (adj, pledged: (adj, v) affianced; (adj)
disgrace: (adj, n, v) dishonor; (n, v) n) distress. ANTONYMS: (n) justice, betrothed, busy, bound, occupied,
discredit, shame, stain, blemish, blot, praise. bespoken, promised, sworn,
slur, reproach; (v) degrade, debase; hers: (pron) she, his; (adj) own. responsible, intermeshed,
(n) degradation. ANTONYMS: (n, v) limping: (n) lameness, gimp, guaranteed.
Emily Brontë 205

CHAPTER XIX

A LETTER, edged with black, announced the day of my master's return,


Isabella was dead; and he wrote to bid me get mourning for his daughter, and
arrange a room, and other accommodations, for his youthful nephew. Catherine
ran wild with joy at the idea of welcoming her father back; and indulged most
sanguine anticipations of the innumerable excellencies of her 'real' cousin. The
evening of their expected arrival came. Since early morning she had been busy
ordering her own small affairs; and now attired in her new black frock - poor
thing! her aunt's death impressed her with no definite sorrow - she obliged me,
by constant worrying, to walk with her down through the grounds to meet
them.%
'Linton is just six months younger than I am,' she chattered, as we strolled
leisurely over the swells and hollows of mossy turf, under shadow of the trees.
'How delightful it will be to have him for a playfellow! Aunt Isabella sent papa
a beautiful lock of his hair; it was lighter than mine - more flaxen, and quite as
fine. I have it carefully preserved in a little glass box; and I've often thought
what a pleasure it would be to see its owner. Oh! I am happy - and papa, dear,
dear papa! Come, Ellen, let us run! come, run.'
She ran, and returned and ran again, many times before my sober footsteps
reached the gate, and then she seated herself on the grassy bank beside the path,
and tried to wait patiently; but that was impossible: she couldn't be still a
minute.

Thesaurus
edged: (adj) cutting, sharp, bordered, immeasurable, untold. ANTONYM: familiar, comrade, companion,
pointed, bounded, keen, penetrating, (adj) finite. buddy, playfere, chum, friend.
sharper, stinging, unkind, bleak. leisurely: (adj) slow, deliberate, turf: (n) sward, greensward, ground,
grassy: (adj) verdant, gramineous, easygoing, leisure, at ease, unhurried, grass, field, peat, lawn, green, divot,
weedy, herby, woody, fertile, measured, idle; (adv) deliberately, Corso, race course.
blossoming, abundant, leafy, lush, slowly, at leisure. ANTONYMS: (adj) welcoming: (n) welcome, salutation;
flourishing. ANTONYMS: (adj) rushed, hurried, formal, vigorous, (adj) cordial, friendly, inviting,
grassless, urban, withering. speedy, fast; (adv) formally, quickly. restful, attractive, pleasing, warm,
innumerable: (adj) countless, mossy: (adj) floral, mosslike, moldy, affable, alluring. ANTONYMS: (adj)
numberless, incalculable, hoary, musty, covered, musciform, inhospitable, reserved, unwelcoming,
multitudinous, infinite, innumerous, stodgy, hoar, chromatic, canescent. unappealing, unapproachable,
unnumbered, uncounted, myriad, playfellow: (n) fellow, associate, pal, uncomfortable.
206 Wuthering Heights

'How long they are!' she exclaimed. 'Ah, I see, some dust on the road - they
are coming! No! When will they be here? May we not go a little way - half a
mile, Ellen, only just half a mile? Do say Yes: to that clump of birches at the
turn!'
I refused staunchly. At length her suspense was ended: the travelling
carriage rolled in sight. Miss Cathy shrieked and stretched out her arms as soon
as she caught her father's face looking from the window. He descended, nearly
as eager as herself; and a considerable interval elapsed ere they had a thought to
spare for any but themselves. While they exchanged caresses I took a peep in to
see after Linton. He was asleep in a corner, wrapped in a warm, fur-lined cloak,
as if it had been winter. A pale, delicate, effeminate boy, who might have been
taken for my master's younger brother, so strong was the resemblance: but there
was a sickly peevishness in his aspect that Edgar Linton never had. The latter
saw me looking; and having shaken hands, advised me to close the door, and
leave him undisturbed; for the journey had fatigued him. Cathy would fain
have taken one glance, but her father told her to come, and they walked together
up the park, while I hastened before to prepare the servants.%
'Now, darling,' said Mr. Linton, addressing his daughter, as they halted at the
bottom of the front steps: 'your cousin is not so strong or so merry as you are,
and he has lost his mother, remember, a very short time since; therefore, don't
expect him to play and run about with you directly. And don't harass him much
by talking: let him be quiet this evening, at least, will you?'
'Yes, yes, papa,' answered Catherine: 'but I do want to see him; and he hasn't
once looked out.'
The carriage stopped; and the sleeper being roused, was lifted to the ground
by his uncle.
'This is your cousin Cathy, Linton,' he said, putting their little hands together.
'She's fond of you already; and mind you don't grieve her by crying to-night. Try
to be cheerful now; the travelling is at an end, and you have nothing to do but
rest and amuse yourself as you please.'

Thesaurus
clump: (n, v) cluster, bundle; (n) lump, worn, tired out, jaded, spent, worn freight car, parlor car, express car.
group, clot, knot, tuft, chunk, clod, out, done in, fagged, run-down. staunchly: (adv) stanchly, solidly,
ball; (v) plod. ANTONYMS: (adj) refreshed, alert, firmly, strongly, faithfully, steadily,
effeminate: (adj) womanish, delicate, lively, energized, energetic. steadfastly, resolutely, hardily,
epicene, sissy, emasculate, tender, sickly: (adj, adv) poorly; (n) invalid; sturdily, devotedly.
ladylike, cissy, easy, voluptuous; (adj, (adj) sick, ailing, pale, sallow, undisturbed: (adj) peaceful, quiet,
v) feminate. ANTONYMS: (adj) indisposed, morbid, diseased; (adj, n, tranquil, serene, placid, still, easy,
macho, manly, masculine. v) infirm; (adj, v) faint. ANTONYMS: smooth, uninterrupted, untroubled,
elapsed: (adj) gone, forgotten, lapsed, (adj) healthy, bitter, robust. composed. ANTONYMS: (adj) tense,
back, beyond, onwards, over and sleeper: (n) railroad tie, crosstie, tie, anxious, agitated, bothered,
done. noctambulist, baggage car, disordered, disturbed, noisy, scared.
fatigued: (adj) tired, weary, beat, slumberer, dreamer, Pullman car,
Emily Brontë 207

'Let me go to bed, then,' answered the boy, shrinking from Catherine's salute;
and he put his fingers to remove incipient tears.%
'Come, come, there's a good child,' I whispered, leading him in. 'You'll make
her weep too - see how sorry she is for you!'
I do not know whether it was sorrow for him, but his cousin put on as sad a
countenance as himself, and returned to her father. All three entered, and
mounted to the library, where tea was laid ready. I proceeded to remove
Linton's cap and mantle, and placed him on a chair by the table; but he was no
sooner seated than he began to cry afresh. My master inquired what was the
matter.
'I can't sit on a chair,' sobbed the boy.
'Go to the sofa, then, and Ellen shall bring you some tea,' answered his uncle
patiently.
He had been greatly tried, during the journey, I felt convinced, by his fretful
ailing charge. Linton slowly trailed himself off, and lay down. Cathy carried a
footstool and her cup to his side. At first she sat silent; but that could not last:
she had resolved to make a pet of her little cousin, as she would have him to be;
and she commenced stroking his curls, and kissing his cheek, and offering him
tea in her saucer, like a baby. This pleased him, for he was not much better: he
dried his eyes, and lightened into a faint smile.
'Oh, he'll do very well,' said the master to me, after watching them a minute.
'Very well, if we can keep him, Ellen. The company of a child of his own age will
instil new spirit into him soon, and by wishing for strength he'll gain it.'
'Ay, if we can keep him!' I mused to myself; and sore misgivings came over
me that there was slight hope of that. And then, I thought, how ever will that
weakling live at Wuthering Heights? Between his father and Hareton, what
playmates and instructors they'll be. Our doubts were presently decided - even
earlier than I expected. I had just taken the children up-stairs, after tea was
finished, and seen Linton asleep - he would not suffer me to leave him till that
was the case - I had come down, and was standing by the table in the hall,

Thesaurus
footstool: (n) footrest, hassock, curtain, blind, coat; (n, v) cover, veil; sorrow: (n, v) regret, lament, grieve;
footboard, Ottoman. (adj, n, v) blush, flush. (v) mourn; (n) mourning, heartache,
incipient: (adj) initial, budding, patiently: (adv) perseveringly, repentance, remorse; (adj, n) sadness,
nascent, imperfectly formed, invalidly, quietly, uncomplainingly, misery; (adj, n, v) distress.
commencing, first, undeveloped; (adj, persistently, forbearingly, resignedly, ANTONYMS: (n) joy, delight,
v) introductory; (v) inceptive; (n) steadily, doggedly, calmly, meekly. happiness, peace, hopefulness,
beginning. ANTONYM: (adv) eagerly. cheerfulness, shamelessness, calm,
instil: (v) implant, inculcate, instill, shrinking: (n) contraction, recoil, content; (v) rejoice.
transfuse, introduce, impregnate, reduction, decrease, condensation; (n, weakling: (adj) softling, feeble; (n)
imbue, impress, infix, ingrain, impart v) lessening; (adj) timid, fearful, shy, doormat, invalid, crybaby, wimp,
gradually. bashful; (adj, adv) cowardly. sap, softy, weak sister, somebody,
mantle: (n) cloak, cape, pall, blanket, ANTONYM: (adj) confident. someone.
208 Wuthering Heights

lighting a bedroom candle for Mr. Edgar, when a maid stepped out of the kitchen
and informed me that Mr. Heathcliff's servant Joseph was at the door, and
wished to speak with the master.%
'I shall ask him what he wants first,' I said, in considerable trepidation. 'A
very unlikely hour to be troubling people, and the instant they have returned
from a long journey. I don't think the master can see him.'
Joseph had advanced through the kitchen as I uttered these words, and now
presented himself in the hall. He was donned in his Sunday garments, with his
most sanctimonious and sourest face, and, holding his hat in one hand, and his
stick in the other, he proceeded to clean his shoes on the mat.
'Good-evening, Joseph,' I said, coldly. 'What business brings you here to-
night?'
'It's Maister Linton I mun spake to,' he answered, waving me disdainfully
aside.
'Mr. Linton is going to bed; unless you have something particular to say, I'm
sure he won't hear it now,' I continued. 'You had better sit down in there, and
entrust your message to me.'
'Which is his rahm?' pursued the fellow, surveying the range of closed doors.
I perceived he was bent on refusing my mediation, so very reluctantly I went
up to the library, and announced the unseasonable visitor, advising that he
should be dismissed till next day. Mr. Linton had no time to empower me to do
so, for Joseph mounted close at my heels, and, pushing into the apartment,
planted himself at the far side of the table, with his two fists clapped on the head
of his stick, and began in an elevated tone, as if anticipating opposition -
'Hathecliff has sent me for his lad, and I munn't goa back 'bout him.'
Edgar Linton was silent a minute; an expression of exceeding sorrow overcast
his features: he would have pitied the child on his own account; but, recalling
Isabella's hopes and fears, and anxious wishes for her son, and her
commendations of him to his care, he grieved bitterly at the prospect of yielding
him up, and searched in his heart how it might be avoided. No plan offered
Thesaurus
anticipating: (v) anticipate; (adj) enable, sanction, invest, permit, hypocrite.
pregnant, anticipant, hopeful, ready, entitle, endow. ANTONYMS: (v) trepidation: (n) fear, tremor, alarm,
oracular. exclude, disallow, forbid. apprehension, fright, terror, dread,
disdainfully: (adv) contemptuously, entrust: (v) deposit, depute, dismay, consternation, perturbation,
superciliously, haughtily, proudly, commission, commend, delegate, disquiet. ANTONYMS: (n)
cavalierly, derogatorily, surrender, trust, assign, hand over, contentment, calm, confidence,
contumeliously, sneeringly, commit, confide. ANTONYM: (v) equanimity, bravery, reassurance.
arrogantly, insultingly, retain. unseasonable: (adj) inopportune,
condescendingly. ANTONYMS: (adv) sanctimonious: (adj) pious, pharisaic, inappropriate, premature, ill timed,
humbly, hopefully. pietistic, hypocritical, sanctimonial, improper, immature, inconvenient,
empower: (v) delegate, accredit, pharisaical, sanctified, unctuous; (adj, ill-timed, inept, unchancy; (v)
authorize, commission, constitute, v) pietistical; (v) canting; (n) illtimed.
Emily Brontë 209

itself: the very exhibition of any desire to keep him would have rendered the
claimant more peremptory: there was nothing left but to resign him. However,
he was not going to rouse him from his sleep.%
'Tell Mr. Heathcliff,' he answered calmly, 'that his son shall come to
Wuthering Heights to-morrow. He is in bed, and too tired to go the distance
now. You may also tell him that the mother of Linton desired him to remain
under my guardianship; and, at present, his health is very precarious.'
'Noa!' said Joseph, giving a thud with his prop on the floor, and assuming an
authoritative air. 'Noa! that means naught. Hathecliff maks noa 'count o' t'
mother, nor ye norther; but he'll heu' his lad; und I mun tak' him - soa now ye
knaw!'
'You shall not to-night!' answered Linton decisively. 'Walk down stairs at
once, and repeat to your master what I have said. Ellen, show him down. Go - '
And, aiding the indignant elder with a lift by the arm, he rid the room of him
and closed the door.
'Varrah weell!' shouted Joseph, as he slowly drew off. 'To-morn, he's come
hisseln, and thrust HIM out, if ye darr!'

Thesaurus
aiding: (adj) healthy, subventitious, unconvincingly, indecisively, peremptory: (adj) imperious,
subsidiary, serviceable, auxiliary, aimlessly, insignificantly, commanding, dictatorial,
convenient. halfheartedly, hesitantly. overbearing, decisive, magisterial;
claimant: (n) candidate, applicant, guardianship: (n) custody, care, (adj, v) authoritative, dogmatic, flat,
pretender, aspirant, plaintiff, charge, keeping, safekeeping, absolute; (v) decided. ANTONYM:
complainant, suitor, claimer, tutelage, conservation, protection, (adj) polite.
prosecutor, postulant, competitor. wardship; (adj, n) ward; (adj) guard. prop: (n, v) support, buttress, brace,
decisively: (adv) resolutely, indignant: (adj) angry, incensed, shore, rest; (n) post, fulcrum,
conclusively, firmly, finally, fatefully, furious, enraged, wrathful, hurt, property, mainstay; (v) bolster, hold.
crucially, definitively, positively, rage, provoked, hot, anger, irate. thud: (n) crash, clunk, clump; (n, v)
absolutely, definitely, flatly. ANTONYMS: (adj) cool, content, bang, beat, rap, knock, pulse; (v)
ANTONYMS: (adv) irresolutely, unaffected. bump, hit, crump.
Emily Brontë 211

CHAPTER XX

TO obviate the danger of this threat being fulfilled, Mr. Linton commissioned
me to take the boy home early, on Catherine's pony; and, said he - 'As we shall
now have no influence over his destiny, good or bad, you must say nothing of
where he is gone to my daughter: she cannot associate with him hereafter, and it
is better for her to remain in ignorance of his proximity; lest she should be
restless, and anxious to visit the Heights. Merely tell her his father sent for him
suddenly, and he has been obliged to leave us.'
Linton was very reluctant to be roused from his bed at five o'clock, and
astonished to be informed that he must prepare for further travelling; but I
softened off the matter by stating that he was going to spend some time with his
father, Mr. Heathcliff, who wished to see him so much, he did not like to defer
the pleasure till he should recover from his late journey.%
'My father!' he cried, in strange perplexity. 'Mamma never told me I had a
father. Where does he live? I'd rather stay with uncle.'
'He lives a little distance from the Grange,' I replied; 'just beyond those hills:
not so far, but you may walk over here when you get hearty. And you should be
glad to go home, and to see him. You must try to love him, as you did your
mother, and then he will love you.'
'But why have I not heard of him before?' asked Linton. 'Why didn't mamma
and he live together, as other people do?'

Thesaurus
associate: (n, v) affiliate, connect, link; folly, unwisdom, innocence, (n) remoteness.
(n) partner, fellow, companion, denseness, ignorancy, stupidity, restless: (adj) fidgety, uneasy,
assistant, accomplice, adjunct; (v) obtuseness, tabula rasa, impatient, restive, agitated, fretful,
company, relate. ANTONYMS: (v) unawareness. ANTONYMS: (n) turbulent, feverish; (adj, n) nervous,
avoid, distance, separate, disconnect, intelligence, acquaintance, education. apprehensive; (adj, v) unquiet.
clear, divide, estrange; (adj) chief; (n) pony: (n) crib, nag, trot, mustang, ANTONYMS: (adj) relaxed, peaceful,
stranger, rival, competitor. clavis, cayuse, jigger, rendering, lethargic, unbroken, still, contented.
destiny: (n) fate, chance, fortune, racehorse, translation, version. softened: (adj) diffused, muffled,
kismet, luck, lot, destination, portion, proximity: (n) propinquity, vicinity, muted, quiet, slow, touched,
weird, life; (n, v) doom. adjacency, neighborhood, contiguity, sluggish, soften, pultaceous,
ANTONYMS: (n) chance, design. presence, closeness, contact, nearby, subdued, low-key.
ignorance: (n) illiteracy, nescience, juxtaposition, approach. ANTONYM: stating: (n) reference.
212 Wuthering Heights

'He had business to keep him in the north,' I answered, 'and your mother's
health required her to reside in the south.'
'And why didn't mamma speak to me about him?' persevered the child. 'She
often talked of uncle, and I learnt to love him long ago. How am I to love papa?
I don't know him.'
'Oh, all children love their parents,' I said. 'Your mother, perhaps, thought
you would want to be with him if she mentioned him often to you. Let us make
haste. An early ride on such a beautiful morning is much preferable to an hour's
more sleep.'
'Is SHE to go with us,' he demanded, 'the little girl I saw yesterday?'
'Not now,' replied I.%
'Is uncle?' he continued.
'No, I shall be your companion there,' I said.
Linton sank back on his pillow and fell into a brown study.
'I won't go without uncle,' he cried at length: 'I can't tell where you mean to
take me.'
I attempted to persuade him of the naughtiness of showing reluctance to
meet his father; still he obstinately resisted any progress towards dressing, and I
had to call for my master's assistance in coaxing him out of bed. The poor thing
was finally got off, with several delusive assurances that his absence should be
short: that Mr. Edgar and Cathy would visit him, and other promises, equally
ill-founded, which I invented and reiterated at intervals throughout the way.
The pure heather-scented air, the bright sunshine, and the gentle canter of
Minny, relieved his despondency after a while. He began to put questions
concerning his new home, and its inhabitants, with greater interest and
liveliness.
'Is Wuthering Heights as pleasant a place as Thrushcross Grange?' he
inquired, turning to take a last glance into the valley, whence a light mist
mounted and formed a fleecy cloud on the skirts of the blue.

Thesaurus
canter: (n, v) run, jump; (n) amble, authentic. rascality, disobedience, badness,
caracole, caracoler, Fisk, frisk, prance; fleecy: (adj) fluffy, hairy, brushed, soft, mischievousness, roguishness,
(v) gallop, jog, sit. woolly, silky, napped. insubordination, devilry, impishness,
coaxing: (n) blarney, flattery, sweet ill-founded: (adj) invalid. roguery, breaking the rules.
talk, temptation, enticement, soft liveliness: (adj, n) animation, ANTONYM: (n) obedience.
soap; (adv) coaxingly; (adj) briskness; (n) life, effervescence, pillow: (v) rest, breathe, lie, not move;
ingratiatory, persuasive, oily. buoyancy, exuberance, vigor, (adj) wadding; (n) throw pillow,
delusive: (adj) deceptive, false, activity, agility, cheerfulness, Wanger, bed pillow, feather bed, long
misleading, fallacious, untrue, unreal, enthusiasm. ANTONYMS: (n) pillow, padding.
imaginary, fictitious, delusory, vain, lethargy, awkwardness, lifelessness, reside: (adj, v) inhabit, dwell; (v) exist,
illusory. ANTONYMS: (adj) truthful, laziness, sadness, apathy. occupy, remain, live, belong, abide,
real, honest, genuine, actual, naughtiness: (n) misbehavior, lodge, populate, lie.
Emily Brontë 213

'It is not so buried in trees,' I replied, 'and it is not quite so large, but you can
see the country beautifully all round; and the air is healthier for you - fresher
and drier. You will, perhaps, think the building old and dark at first; though it is
a respectable house: the next best in the neighbourhood. And you will have
such nice rambles on the moors. Hareton Earnshaw - that is, Miss Cathy's other
cousin, and so yours in a manner - will show you all the sweetest spots; and you
can bring a book in fine weather, and make a green hollow your study; and, now
and then, your uncle may join you in a walk: he does, frequently, walk out on
the hills.'
'And what is my father like?' he asked. 'Is he as young and handsome as
uncle?'
'He's as young,' said I; 'but he has black hair and eyes, and looks sterner; and
he is taller and bigger altogether. He'll not seem to you so gentle and kind at
first, perhaps, because it is not his way: still, mind you, be frank and cordial with
him; and naturally he'll be fonder of you than any uncle, for you are his own.'
'Black hair and eyes!' mused Linton. 'I can't fancy him. Then I am not like
him, am I?'
'Not much,' I answered: not a morsel, I thought, surveying with regret the
white complexion and slim frame of my companion, and his large languid eyes -
his mother's eyes, save that, unless a morbid touchiness kindled them a moment,
they had not a vestige of her sparkling spirit.%
'How strange that he should never come to see mamma and me!' he
murmured. 'Has he ever seen me? If he has, I must have been a baby. I
remember not a single thing about him!'
'Why, Master Linton,' said I, 'three hundred miles is a great distance; and ten
years seem very different in length to a grown-up person compared with what
they do to you. It is probable Mr. Heathcliff proposed going from summer to
summer, but never found a convenient opportunity; and now it is too late. Don't
trouble him with questions on the subject: it will disturb him, for no good.'

Thesaurus
complexion: (n, v) tint; (n) cast, worse. bright, brilliant, radiant, glittery,
character, appearance, look, hue, languid: (adj) lazy, dull, indolent, bubbly, glittering, scintillating,
aspect, flush, glow, dye, fashion. feeble, lethargic, lackadaisical, shining, scintillant; (n) sparkle.
drier: (n) dryer, drying agent, kiln, sluggish, faint, torpid, inert, ANTONYMS: (adj) dull, dirty,
clothes dryer, desiccant, core carrier, apathetic. ANTONYMS: (adj) active, lifeless, lethargic.
appliance, exsiccator; (adj) dried. lively, exciting, vigorous. spots: (n) damp, drifter, floater,
fresher: (n) fresh, lowerclassman, morbid: (adj) diseased, gruesome, floating policy, muscae volitantes,
underclassman, neophyte, fledgeling, macabre, corrupt, pathologic, Musca volitans.
entrant, fledgling. unwholesome, peccant, sick, vestige: (n, v) trace, remains, track,
grown-up: (adj) mature, big, full- unhealthy, pathological; (adj, v) token, footprint; (n) relic, shadow,
grown, ripe, grown, full-fledged. sickly. remnant, indication, evidence,
healthier: (adj) fitter. ANTONYM: (adj) sparkling: (adj, v) effervescent; (adj) remainder.
214 Wuthering Heights

The boy was fully occupied with his own cogitations for the remainder of the
ride, till we halted before the farmhouse garden- gate. I watched to catch his
impressions in his countenance. He surveyed the carved front and low-browed
lattices, the straggling gooseberry-bushes and crooked firs, with solemn
intentness, and then shook his head: his private feelings entirely disapproved of
the exterior of his new abode. But he had sense to postpone complaining: there
might be compensation within. Before he dismounted, I went and opened the
door. It was half-past six; the family had just finished breakfast: the servant was
clearing and wiping down the table. Joseph stood by his master's chair telling
some tale concerning a lame horse; and Hareton was preparing for the hayfield.%
'Hallo, Nelly!' said Mr. Heathcliff, when he saw me. 'I feared I should have to
come down and fetch my property myself. You've brought it, have you? Let us
see what we can make of it.'
He got up and strode to the door: Hareton and Joseph followed in gaping
curiosity. Poor Linton ran a frightened eye over the faces of the three.
'Sure-ly,' said Joseph after a grave inspection, 'he's swopped wi' ye, Maister,
an' yon's his lass!'
Heathcliff, having stared his son into an ague of confusion, uttered a scornful
laugh.
'God! what a beauty! what a lovely, charming thing!' he exclaimed. 'Hav'n't
they reared it on snails and sour milk, Nelly? Oh, damn my soul! but that's
worse than I expected - and the devil knows I was not sanguine!'
I bid the trembling and bewildered child get down, and enter. He did not
thoroughly comprehend the meaning of his father's speech, or whether it were
intended for him: indeed, he was not yet certain that the grim, sneering stranger
was his father. But he clung to me with growing trepidation; and on Mr.
Heathcliff's taking a seat and bidding him 'come hither' he hid his face on my
shoulder and wept.
'Tut, tut!' said Heathcliff, stretching out a hand and dragging him roughly
between his knees, and then holding up his head by the chin. 'None of that

Thesaurus
ague: (n) acute, symptom, sickness, lawful, level, moral, flat, aligned, concentration, absorption,
malady, illness, malaria, paludism, honorable. engrossment, intentiveness, earnest,
swamp fever, chills and fever; (adj) disapproved: (adj) old-fashioned, complete attention, handsel.
appendicitis, angina pectoris. contraband, chid. lame: (adj) crippled, disabled, halting,
bidding: (n) behest, order, dictate, exterior: (adj, n) outside, surface, feeble, halt, weak, paralytic; (adj, n)
charge, bid, request, call, dictation, outward; (n) appearance, skin, front; game; (adj, v) paralyze, maim,
direction, fiat; (adj) imperative. (adj) external, superficial, outlying, becripple.
crooked: (adj) bent, corrupt, dishonest, outer, outdoor. ANTONYMS: (adj, n) postpone: (v) defer, delay, adjourn,
curved, unfair, deformed; (adj, n, v) interior, inside; (adj) inner, internal, procrastinate, put off, suspend, hold
awry; (adj, v) irregular, askew, wry, intrinsic, middle, deep. over, remit, shelve; (adj, v) retard,
indirect. ANTONYMS: (adj) straight, intentness: (adj, n) earnestness, zeal; waive. ANTONYMS: (v) advance,
honest, principled, even, aboveboard, (adj) ardor, empressement; (n) continue.
Emily Brontë 215

nonsense! We're not going to hurt thee, Linton - isn't that thy name? Thou art
thy mother's child, entirely! Where is my share in thee, puling chicken?'
He took off the boy's cap and pushed back his thick flaxen curls, felt his
slender arms and his small fingers; during which examination Linton ceased
crying, and lifted his great blue eyes to inspect the inspector.%
'Do you know me?' asked Heathcliff, having satisfied himself that the limbs
were all equally frail and feeble.
'No,' said Linton, with a gaze of vacant fear.
'You've heard of me, I daresay?'
'No,' he replied again.
'No! What a shame of your mother, never to waken your filial regard for
me! You are my son, then, I'll tell you; and your mother was a wicked slut to
leave you in ignorance of the sort of father you possessed. Now, don't wince,
and colour up! Though it is something to see you have not white blood. Be a
good lad; and I'll do for you. Nelly, if you be tired you may sit down; if not, get
home again. I guess you'll report what you hear and see to the cipher at the
Grange; and this thing won't be settled while you linger about it.'
'Well,' replied I, 'I hope you'll be kind to the boy, Mr. Heathcliff, or you'll not
keep him long; and he's all you have akin in the wide world, that you will ever
know - remember.'
'I'll be very kind to him, you needn't fear,' he said, laughing. 'Only nobody
else must be kind to him: I'm jealous of monopolising his affection. And, to
begin my kindness, Joseph, bring the lad some breakfast. Hareton, you infernal
calf, begone to your work. Yes, Nell,' he added, when they had departed, 'my son
is prospective owner of your place, and I should not wish him to die till I was
certain of being his successor. Besides, he's MINE, and I want the triumph of
seeing MY descendant fairly lord of their estates; my child hiring their children
to till their fathers' lands for wages. That is the sole consideration which can
make me endure the whelp: I despise him for himself, and hate him for the
memories he revives! But that consideration is sufficient: he's as safe with me,

Thesaurus
akin: (adj) near, like, allied, equivalent, descendant: (adj, n) descendent; (n) procrastinate, dawdle, tarry, saunter.
alike, similar, analogous, parallel, offspring, progeny, scion, offshoot, ANTONYMS: (v) hurry, end, rush,
cognate, kindred, corresponding. successor, relation, heir, derivative, depart, lead.
ANTONYMS: (adj) unconnected, follower, sprig. ANTONYMS: (n) slut: (n) hussy, slattern, jade, floozy,
alien, disconnected, dissimilar, precursor, progenitor, parent, trollop, prostitute, hooker, quean,
different. forebear, ascendant, predecessor. wench, sloven; (adj) dowdy.
cipher: (n) zero, nothing, number, nil, filial: (adj) dutiful. waken: (v) stir, awaken, wake, wake
nobody, null; (n, v) figure, cypher, hiring: (n) employment, engagement, up, arouse, awake, excite, call, kindle,
code; (v) calculate; (adj, n) nonentity. staffing, booking. evoke, provoke.
ANTONYMS: (n) infinity; (v) encode, lands: (n) park, estate, kingdom. wince: (v) shrink, cringe, quail, cower,
decode, code, scramble. linger: (v) loiter, delay, dally, hover, jump, contract; (n, v) flinch, start,
curls: (n) hair, tresses, ringlets. stay, hesitate, hang around, winch; (adj) bear ill; (n) sit on thorns.
216 Wuthering Heights

and shall be tended as carefully as your master tends his own. I have a room up-
stairs, furnished for him in handsome style; I've engaged a tutor, also, to come
three times a week, from twenty miles' distance, to teach him what he pleases to
learn. I've ordered Hareton to obey him: and in fact I've arranged everything
with a view to preserve the superior and the gentleman in him, above his
associates. I do regret, however, that he so little deserves the trouble: if I wished
any blessing in the world, it was to find him a worthy object of pride; and I'm
bitterly disappointed with the whey-faced, whining wretch!'
While he was speaking, Joseph returned bearing a basin of milk- porridge,
and placed it before Linton: who stirred round the homely mess with a look of
aversion, and affirmed he could not eat it. I saw the old man-servant shared
largely in his master's scorn of the child; though he was compelled to retain the
sentiment in his heart, because Heathcliff plainly meant his underlings to hold
him in honour.%
'Cannot ate it?' repeated he, peering in Linton's face, and subduing his voice
to a whisper, for fear of being overheard. 'But Maister Hareton nivir ate naught
else, when he wer a little 'un; and what wer gooid enough for him's gooid
enough for ye, I's rayther think!'
'I SHA'N'T eat it!' answered Linton, snappishly. 'Take it away.'
Joseph snatched up the food indignantly, and brought it to us.
'Is there aught ails th' victuals?' he asked, thrusting the tray under
Heathcliff's nose.
'What should ail them?' he said.
'Wah!' answered Joseph, 'yon dainty chap says he cannut ate 'em. But I guess
it's raight! His mother wer just soa - we wer a'most too mucky to sow t' corn for
makking her breead.'
'Don't mention his mother to me,' said the master, angrily. 'Get him
something that he can eat, that's all. What is his usual food, Nelly?'
I suggested boiled milk or tea; and the housekeeper received instructions to
prepare some. Come, I reflected, his father's selfishness may contribute to his
Thesaurus
boiled: (adj) intoxicated, poached, mucky: (adj) muddy, grubby, filthy, fretfully, waspishly, testily, shortly,
stewed; (v) sodden. foul, miry, grimy, unclean, squalid, fractiously, crustily. ANTONYM:
homely: (adj) plain, common, rustic, soiled, dingy, marshy. (adv) verbosely.
artless, home, snug, homelike, scorn: (v) despise, contemn, reject; (n, subduing: (adj) aggressively haughty,
domestic; (adj, adv) ugly; (adv) v) ridicule, neglect, disregard, deride, conquering, domineering, insolent,
plainly, simplely. ANTONYMS: (adj) slight; (n) contempt, derision, overbearing, overcoming,
sophisticated, striking, mockery. ANTONYMS: (n, v) respect, overpowering, repressing,
uncomfortable, bleak. praise; (v) appreciate, revere, value, suppressive; (n) bondage, oppression.
indignantly: (adv) irately, angrily, approve, admire, accept; (n) thrusting: (n) thrust, push, jab, poke,
wrathfully, enragedly, sorely, admiration, commendation, humility. jabbing, stab, driving force, scoke,
acrimoniously, cynically, sulkily, snappishly: (adv) abruptly, brusquely, sack, punch, Phytolacca Americana.
hotly, exasperatedly, furiously. petulantly, snappily, grumpily, whey-faced: (adj) pasty.
Emily Brontë 217

comfort. He perceives his delicate constitution, and the necessity of treating him
tolerably. I'll console Mr. Edgar by acquainting him with the turn Heathcliff's
humour has taken. Having no excuse for lingering longer, I slipped out, while
Linton was engaged in timidly rebuffing the advances of a friendly sheep-dog.
But he was too much on the alert to be cheated: as I closed the door, I heard a
cry, and a frantic repetition of the words -
'Don't leave me! I'll not stay here! I'll not stay here!'
Then the latch was raised and fell: they did not suffer him to come forth. I
mounted Minny, and urged her to a trot; and so my brief guardianship ended.%

Thesaurus
advances: (v) access, approach. frantic: (adj) desperate, crazy, excited, ANTONYM: (n) disappearance.
alert: (adj) active, agile, quick, lively, distraught, frenetic, distracted; (adj, timidly: (adv) fearfully, timorously,
intelligent, aware, vigilant, clever, v) frenzied, furious, wild, raging; (n) cautiously, shyly, diffidently,
animated, ready; (adj, v) awake. maniac. ANTONYMS: (adj) mellow, anxiously, nervously, shily, gingerly,
ANTONYMS: (adj) drowsy, composed. modestly, apprehensively.
absentminded, dazed, tired, sleepy, mounted: (adj) equestrian, mounting, ANTONYMS: (adv) confidently,
unconscious, slow, asleep, mounts, set, firm, affixed, decorated. bravely, daringly, brashly, fearlessly,
unobservant, forgetful, dim. ANTONYM: (adj) unmounted. decisively, brazenly.
forth: (adv) away, along, onward, repetition: (n) gemination, reiteration, trot: (n, v) run; (n) crib, canter, pony,
ahead, before, on, off, on the high recurrence, replication, iteration, gait, ride, lope; (v) gallop, general,
road, on the road, on the way, under return, repeating, renewal, frequent, household.
way. duplication, rehearsal, reduplication.
Emily Brontë 219

CHAPTER XXI

WE had sad work with little Cathy that day: she rose in high glee, eager to
join her cousin, and such passionate tears and lamentations followed the news of
his departure that Edgar himself was obliged to soothe her, by affirming he
should come back soon: he added, however, 'if I can get him'; and there were no
hopes of that. This promise poorly pacified her; but time was more potent; and
though still at intervals she inquired of her father when Linton would return,
before she did see him again his features had waxed so dim in her memory that
she did not recognise him.%
When I chanced to encounter the housekeeper of Wuthering Heights, in
paying business visits to Gimmerton, I used to ask how the young master got on;
for he lived almost as secluded as Catherine herself, and was never to be seen. I
could gather from her that he continued in weak health, and was a tiresome
inmate. She said Mr. Heathcliff seemed to dislike him ever longer and worse,
though he took some trouble to conceal it: he had an antipathy to the sound of
his voice, and could not do at all with his sitting in the same room with him
many minutes together. There seldom passed much talk between them: Linton
learnt his lessons and spent his evenings in a small apartment they called the
parlour: or else lay in bed all day: for he was constantly getting coughs, and
colds, and aches, and pains of some sort.
'And I never know such a fainthearted creature,' added the woman; 'nor one
so careful of hisseln. He WILL go on, if I leave the window open a bit late in the

Thesaurus
fainthearted: (adj) faint, denizen, prisoner, con, patient, reclusive, privy, cloistered, isolated,
chickenhearted, timid, coward, jailbird, lodger, occupant, resident. lonely, retired, sequestered, solitary;
henhearted, craven, spineless, fearful, ANTONYM: (n) outpatient. (adj, v) hidden. ANTONYMS: (adj)
recreant, timorous, shy. ANTONYM: pacified: (adj) appeased. nearby, near, exposed, busy,
(adj) brave. pains: (n) nisus, labor, trouble, effort, accessible.
glee: (n) delight, cheerfulness, mirth, exertion, labour, pain, care, struggle, soothe: (n, v) comfort, allay, console,
fun, gaiety, hilarity, joy, rejoicing, attempt, strain. solace; (v) alleviate, palliate, ease,
frolic, jubilation, happiness. parlour: (n) living room, parlor, sitting calm, mitigate; (adj, v) appease; (adj,
ANTONYMS: (n) sadness, gloom, room, front room, livingroom, room n, v) assuage. ANTONYMS: (v) upset,
sorrow, despondency, displeasure, to meet guests, parlours, parlors, irritate, aggravate, annoy, intensify,
misery, boredom. salon, reception room, room. worry, enrage, scare, provoke, incite,
inmate: (n) captive, convict, gaolbird, secluded: (adj) remote, secret, disturb.
220 Wuthering Heights

evening. Oh! it's killing, a breath of night air! And he must have a fire in the
middle of summer; and Joseph's bacca-pipe is poison; and he must always have
sweets and dainties, and always milk, milk for ever - heeding naught how the
rest of us are pinched in winter; and there he'll sit, wrapped in his furred cloak
in his chair by the fire, with some toast and water or other slop on the hob to sip
at; and if Hareton, for pity, comes to amuse him - Hareton is not bad-natured,
though he's rough - they're sure to part, one swearing and the other crying. I
believe the master would relish Earnshaw's thrashing him to a mummy, if he
were not his son; and I'm certain he would be fit to turn him out of doors, if he
knew half the nursing he gives hisseln. But then he won't go into danger of
temptation: he never enters the parlour, and should Linton show those ways in
the house where he is, he sends him up-stairs directly.'
I divined, from this account, that utter lack of sympathy had rendered young
Heathcliff selfish and disagreeable, if he were not so originally; and my interest
in him, consequently, decayed: though still I was moved with a sense of grief at
his lot, and a wish that he had been left with us. Mr. Edgar encouraged me to
gain information: he thought a great deal about him, I fancy, and would have
run some risk to see him; and he told me once to ask the housekeeper whether he
ever came into the village? She said he had only been twice, on horseback,
accompanying his father; and both times he pretended to be quite knocked up
for three or four days afterwards. That housekeeper left, if I recollect rightly, two
years after he came; and another, whom I did not know, was her successor; she
lives there still.%
Time wore on at the Grange in its former pleasant way till Miss Cathy
reached sixteen. On the anniversary of her birth we never manifested any signs
of rejoicing, because it was also the anniversary of my late mistress's death. Her
father invariably spent that day alone in the library; and walked, at dusk, as far
as Gimmerton kirkyard, where he would frequently prolong his stay beyond
midnight. Therefore Catherine was thrown on her own resources for
amusement. This twentieth of March was a beautiful spring day, and when her
father had retired, my young lady came down dressed for going out, and said

Thesaurus
decayed: (adj) spoiled, corrupt, ANTONYM: (adj) relaxed. gusto, liking, palate, enthusiasm,
dilapidated, rank, rusty, rotting, prolong: (v) extend, delay, protract, enjoyment; (adj, n) flavor; (v) bask,
decaying, rotted, putrid; (adj, v) keep up, expand, elongate, drag out, like. ANTONYM: (n) apathy.
wasted; (v) stale. ANTONYMS: (adj) maintain, lengthen, draw out, swearing: (n) curse, expletive,
matured, restored, strengthened. procrastinate. ANTONYMS: (v) stop, profanity, oath, abuse, blasphemy,
furred: (adj) hairy, hirsute, fur lined, cancel, curtail, quit. swearword, execration, adjuration,
wooly, fuzzy. rejoicing: (n) exultation, jubilation, asseveration; (v) swear.
horseback: (n) hogback, body part. happiness, joy, mirth, pleasure, thrashing: (n) beating, lashing,
pinched: (adj) haggard, drawn, elation; (adj) jubilant, exultant; (v) flogging, whipping, drubbing,
emaciated, cadaverous, narrow, rejoice; (adv) rejoicingly. ANTONYM: licking, flagellation, rout, tanning,
penurious, thin, penniless, adenoidal; (n) sadness. hiding, debacle. ANTONYMS: (n)
(adj, n) necessitous; (n) distressed. relish: (n, v) enjoy, fancy, love; (n) victory, win.
Emily Brontë 221

she asked to have a ramble on the edge of the moor with me: Mr. Linton had
given her leave, if we went only a short distance and were back within the hour.%
'So make haste, Ellen!' she cried. 'I know where I wish to go; where a colony
of moor-game are settled: I want to see whether they have made their nests yet.'
'That must be a good distance up,' I answered; 'they don't breed on the edge
of the moor.'
'No, it's not,' she said. 'I've gone very near with papa.'
I put on my bonnet and sallied out, thinking nothing more of the matter. She
bounded before me, and returned to my side, and was off again like a young
greyhound; and, at first, I found plenty of entertainment in listening to the larks
singing far and near, and enjoying the sweet, warm sunshine; and watching her,
my pet and my delight, with her golden ringlets flying loose behind, and her
bright cheek, as soft and pure in its bloom as a wild rose, and her eyes radiant
with cloudless pleasure. She was a happy creature, and an angel, in those days.
It's a pity she could not be content.
'Well,' said I, 'where are your moor-game, Miss Cathy? We should be at
them: the Grange park-fence is a great way off now.'
'Oh, a little further - only a little further, Ellen,' was her answer, continually.
'Climb to that hillock, pass that bank, and by the time you reach the other side I
shall have raised the birds.'
But there were so many hillocks and banks to climb and pass, that, at length, I
began to be weary, and told her we must halt, and retrace our steps. I shouted to
her, as she had outstripped me a long way; she either did not hear or did not
regard, for she still sprang on, and I was compelled to follow. Finally, she dived
into a hollow; and before I came in sight of her again, she was two miles nearer
Wuthering Heights than her own home; and I beheld a couple of persons arrest
her, one of whom I felt convinced was Mr. Heathcliff himself.
Cathy had been caught in the fact of plundering, or, at least, hunting out the
nests of the grouse. The Heights were Heathcliff's land, and he was reproving
the poacher.

Thesaurus
cloudless: (adj) bright, clean, fair, light, (adj, n) knoll, hummock; (adj) mole. glowing, beautiful. ANTONYMS:
sunny, unclouded, pure, distinct, plundering: (n) rape, pillage, (adj) gloomy, dark, pale, unhappy.
legible, perspicuous; (v) unalloyed. depredation, despoliation, rapine, reproving: (adj) admonitory,
greyhound: (adj) race horse, gazelle, spoliation, despoilment, plunder, admonishing, exemplary,
courser, eagle; (n) grayhound. looting; (adj) predatory, marauding. disparaging, disapproving, deterrent,
grouse: (n, v) bellyache, moan, poacher: (n) alligatorfish, scorpaenoid, critical, unfavorable, cautionary; (adj,
grumble, beef, whine, groan; (v) lurcher, armed bullhead, n) accusing; (n) condemning.
complain, mutter; (n) complaint, gormandizer, sea poker, smuggler, retrace: (v) recollect, recall, trace,
ptarmigan, partridge. ANTONYM: glutton, sea poacher. etymologize, recognize, construct,
(v) rejoice. radiant: (adj, v) bright, glittering, call up, bethink oneself, speculate; (n,
hillock: (n) hill, mound, rise, barrow, lustrous, beamy, glorious; (adj) v) reconsider; (n) flyback.
kopje, hammock, elevation, heap; beaming, luminous, effulgent, lucid,
222 Wuthering Heights

'I've neither taken any nor found any,' she said, as I toiled to them, expanding
her hands in corroboration of the statement. 'I didn't mean to take them; but
papa told me there were quantities up here, and I wished to see the eggs.'
Heathcliff glanced at me with an ill-meaning smile, expressing his
acquaintance with the party, and, consequently, his malevolence towards it, and
demanded who 'papa' was?
'Mr. Linton of Thrushcross Grange,' she replied. 'I thought you did not know
me, or you wouldn't have spoken in that way.'
'You suppose papa is highly esteemed and respected, then?' he said,
sarcastically.%
'And what are you?' inquired Catherine, gazing curiously on the speaker.
'That man I've seen before. Is he your son?'
She pointed to Hareton, the other individual, who had gained nothing but
increased bulk and strength by the addition of two years to his age: he seemed
as awkward and rough as ever.
'Miss Cathy,' I interrupted, 'it will be three hours instead of one that we are
out, presently. We really must go back.'
'No, that man is not my son,' answered Heathcliff, pushing me aside. 'But I
have one, and you have seen him before too; and, though your nurse is in a
hurry, I think both you and she would be the better for a little rest. Will you just
turn this nab of heath, and walk into my house? You'll get home earlier for the
ease; and you shall receive a kind welcome.'
I whispered Catherine that she mustn't, on any account, accede to the
proposal: it was entirely out of the question.
'Why?' she asked, aloud. 'I'm tired of running, and the ground is dewy: I
can't sit here. Let us go, Ellen. Besides, he says I have seen his son. He's
mistaken, I think; but I guess where he lives: at the farmhouse I visited in
coming from Penistone' Crags. Don't you?'

Thesaurus
accede: (v) assent, consent, defer, fall ignorance, inexperience, humid, moist, damp, fresh, new,
in with, agree, acknowledge, accept, unfamiliarity, animosity, enemy. roric, undried, rorid.
submit, fit, accord, comply with. aloud: (adv) loud, out loud, strong, farmhouse: (n) toft, farmstead,
ANTONYMS: (v) dissent, veto, out, audibly, hard, forte. hacienda, house, cottage, manor,
refuse, oppose, disallow, deny, ANTONYMS: (adv) softly, inaudibly, grange, homestead, building,
denounce, demur, condemn, protest, quietly. accommodation, bungalow.
disagree. corroboration: (n) evidence, quantities: (n) quantity.
acquaintance: (n) connection, friend, certification, testimony, proof, respected: (adj) illustrious, respectable,
acquaintanceship, mate, awareness, support, ratification, verification, honored, appreciated, dear, revered,
associate, buddy, friendship, approval, authentication, confirm, valued, redoubtable, celebrated,
intercourse, companion; (n, v) corroborate. glorious, famous. ANTONYMS: (adj)
knowledge. ANTONYMS: (n) dewy: (adj) wet, dank, bedewed, ordinary, unreliable, weak.
Emily Brontë 223

'I do. Come, Nelly, hold your tongue - it will he a treat for her to look in on
us. Hareton, get forwards with the lass. You shall walk with me, Nelly.'
'No, she's not going to any such place,' I cried, struggling to release my arm,
which he had seized: but she was almost at the door-stones already, scampering
round the brow at full speed. Her appointed companion did not pretend to
escort her: he shied off by the road-side, and vanished.%
'Mr. Heathcliff, it's very wrong,' I continued: 'you know you mean no good.
And there she'll see Linton, and all will be told as soon as ever we return; and I
shall have the blame.'
'I want her to see Linton,' he answered; 'he's looking better these few days; it's
not often he's fit to be seen. And we'll soon persuade her to keep the visit secret:
where is the harm of it?'
'The harm of it is, that her father would hate me if he found I suffered her to
enter your house; and I am convinced you have a bad design in encouraging her
to do so,' I replied.
'My design is as honest as possible. I'll inform you of its whole scope,' he
said. 'That the two cousins may fall in love, and get married. I'm acting
generously to your master: his young chit has no expectations, and should she
second my wishes she'll be provided for at once as joint successor with Linton.'
'If Linton died,' I answered, 'and his life is quite uncertain, Catherine would
be the heir.'
'No, she would not,' he said. 'There is no clause in the will to secure it so: his
property would go to me; but, to prevent disputes, I desire their union, and am
resolved to bring it about.'
'And I'm resolved she shall never approach your house with me again,' I
returned, as we reached the gate, where Miss Cathy waited our coming.
Heathcliff bade me be quiet; and, preceding us up the path, hastened to open
the door. My young lady gave him several looks, as if she could not exactly
make up her mind what to think of him; but now he smiled when he met her eye,
and softened his voice in addressing her; and I was foolish enough to imagine
Thesaurus
brow: (n) peak, brink, brows, height, foolish: (adj) childish, fool, crazy, acquisitively, selfishly, prudently,
summit, forehead, eyebrow, edge, dumb, daft, fatuous, stupid, unwise, grudgingly, malevolently,
crown, brim, border. ANTONYM: (n) preposterous, dopey; (adj, n) silly. parsimoniously, harshly, scantily,
trough. ANTONYMS: (adj) wise, sensible, stingily, thinly, ungenerously.
chit: (n) check, bill, chick, bairn, brat, shrewd, prudent, visionary, preceding: (adj, adv) anterior, earlier;
receipt, tab, voucher, ticket, diplomatic, levelheaded, sane, (adj) foregoing, former, previous,
memorandum; (adj) Liliputian. rational, mature, judicious. prior, past, precedent, prevenient;
escort: (n, v) chaperon, attend, convoy, generously: (adv) profusely, copiously, (adv) forward; (prep) before.
guard, guide, conduct, date; (v) bountifully, abundantly, largely, ANTONYMS: (adj) following,
accompany, see; (n) suite, attendant. magnanimously, munificently, succeeding, next, present.
ANTONYMS: (v) abandon, desert, kindly, handsomely, freely, scampering: (n) running.
leave, follow. benevolently. ANTONYMS: (adv)
224 Wuthering Heights

the memory of her mother might disarm him from desiring her injury. Linton
stood on the hearth. He had been out walking in the fields, for his cap was on,
and he was calling to Joseph to bring him dry shoes. He had grown tall of his
age, still wanting some months of sixteen. His features were pretty yet, and his
eye and complexion brighter than I remembered them, though with merely
temporary lustre borrowed from the salubrious air and genial sun.%
'Now, who is that?' asked Mr. Heathcliff, turning to Cathy. 'Can you tell?'
'Your son?' she said, having doubtfully surveyed, first one and then the other.
'Yes, yes,' answered he: 'but is this the only time you have beheld him?
Think! Ah! you have a short memory. Linton, don't you recall your cousin, that
you used to tease us so with wishing to see?'
'What, Linton!' cried Cathy, kindling into joyful surprise at the name. 'Is that
little Linton? He's taller than I am! Are you Linton?'
The youth stepped forward, and acknowledged himself: she kissed him
fervently, and they gazed with wonder at the change time had wrought in the
appearance of each. Catherine had reached her full height; her figure was both
plump and slender, elastic as steel, and her whole aspect sparkling with health
and spirits. Linton's looks and movements were very languid, and his form
extremely slight; but there was a grace in his manner that mitigated these
defects, and rendered him not unpleasing. After exchanging numerous marks of
fondness with him, his cousin went to Mr. Heathcliff, who lingered by the door,
dividing his attention between the objects inside and those that lay without:
pretending, that is, to observe the latter, and really noting the former alone.
'And you are my uncle, then!' she cried, reaching up to salute him. 'I thought
I liked you, though you were cross at first. Why don't you visit at the Grange
with Linton? To live all these years such close neighbours, and never see us, is
odd: what have you done so for?'
'I visited it once or twice too often before you were born,' he answered.
'There - damn it! If you have any kisses to spare, give them to Linton: they are
thrown away on me.'

Thesaurus
disarm: (v) disable, demilitarize, impassively, halfheartedly, mitigated: (adj) eased, palliate, ease,
demilitarise, convince, divest; (adj, v) flippantly. relieved, disguised, cloaked.
invalidate, disqualify; (adj, n) joyful: (adj) gay, glad, elated, cheerful, noting: (adj) conscious.
propitiate; (adj) conciliate, tie the gleeful, cheery, delighted, joyous, salubrious: (adj) healthful,
hands, unfit. ANTONYMS: (v) jolly, blissful, blithe. ANTONYMS: wholesome, beneficial, hygienic,
fortify, dissuade, discourage, annoy. (adj) miserable, sorrowful, unhappy, salutary, good for you, invigorating,
fervently: (adv) fierily, fervidly, despairing, unpleasant, staid, sorry, lusty, hale, good, advantageous.
zealously, passionately, intensely, disappointed, depressed, heavy. ANTONYMS: (adj) rundown, musty.
eagerly, enthusiastically, warmly, lustre: (n) brilliance, gloss, brilliancy, unpleasing: (adj) displeasing,
vehemently, seriously, fiercely. grandeur, splendour, effulgence, graceless, ungracious, unpleasant,
ANTONYMS: (adv) mildly, splendor, shininess, shine, sheen, disagreeable, wicked, not grateful,
apathetically, unenthusiastically, brightness. offensive, perturbed, restless, stiff.
Emily Brontë 225

'Naughty Ellen!' exclaimed Catherine, flying to attack me next with her lavish
caresses. 'Wicked Ellen! to try to hinder me from entering. But I'll take this walk
every morning in future: may I, uncle? and sometimes bring papa. Won't you be
glad to see us?'
'Of course,' replied the uncle, with a hardly suppressed grimace, resulting
from his deep aversion to both the proposed visitors. 'But stay,' he continued,
turning towards the young lady. 'Now I think of it, I'd better tell you. Mr.
Linton has a prejudice against me: we quarrelled at one time of our lives, with
unchristian ferocity; and, if you mention coming here to him, he'll put a veto on
your visits altogether. Therefore, you must not mention it, unless you be careless
of seeing your cousin hereafter: you may come, if you will, but you must not
mention it.'
'Why did you quarrel?' asked Catherine, considerably crestfallen.%
'He thought me too poor to wed his sister,' answered Heathcliff, 'and was
grieved that I got her: his pride was hurt, and he'll never forgive it.'
'That's wrong!' said the young lady: 'some time I'll tell him so. But Linton
and I have no share in your quarrel. I'll not come here, then; he shall come to the
Grange.'
'It will be too far for me,' murmured her cousin: 'to walk four miles would
kill me. No, come here, Miss Catherine, now and then: not every morning, but
once or twice a week.'
The father launched towards his son a glance of bitter contempt.
'I am afraid, Nelly, I shall lose my labour,' he muttered to me. 'Miss
Catherine, as the ninny calls her, will discover his value, and send him to the
devil. Now, if it had been Hareton! - Do you know that, twenty times a day, I
covet Hareton, with all his degradation? I'd have loved the lad had he been
some one else. But I think he's safe from HER love. I'll pit him against that paltry
creature, unless it bestir itself briskly. We calculate it will scarcely last till it is
eighteen. Oh, confound the vapid thing! He's absorbed in drying his feet, and
never looks at her. - Linton!'

Thesaurus
bestir: (v) activate, agitate, stir, degeneration, humiliation, abundant, bountiful, excessive,
actuate, turn on, arouse, provoke, deposition, disgrace. ANTONYMS: improvident; (adj, v) profuse.
move, excite, wake, awaken. (n) elevation, glorification, honor. ANTONYMS: (adj) simple, scant,
briskly: (adv) busily, energetically, drying: (n) curing, desiccation, economical, impoverished, frugal,
vigorously, quickly, freshly, actively, seasoning, dryness, ventilation, unadorned, plain; (v) stint, skimp,
sharply, rapidly, vividly, brightly, drying up, aeration, airing; (adj) begrudge, economize.
merrily. ANTONYMS: (adv) desiccative, siccative, parching. ninny: (n) idiot, nincompoop, sap,
seriously, laboriously, civilly, grimace: (n, v) scowl, glower, sneer, noodle, poop, booby, moron, gawk,
pleasantly, languorously. smile, roar; (n) face, mop, mouth, dunce, tomfool, ass.
degradation: (n) fall, abasement, expression; (v) pull a face, wince. unchristian: (adj) uncharitable,
degeneracy, corruption, abjection, lavish: (v) dissipate; (adj) exuberant, christless, pagan, remorseless,
debasement, decadence, generous, copious, prodigal, ample, unchristianly, antichristian.
226 Wuthering Heights

'Yes, father,' answered the boy.%


'Have you nothing to show your cousin anywhere about, not even a rabbit or
a weasel's nest? Take her into the garden, before you change your shoes; and
into the stable to see your horse.'
'Wouldn't you rather sit here?' asked Linton, addressing Cathy in a tone
which expressed reluctance to move again.
'I don't know,' she replied, casting a longing look to the door, and evidently
eager to be active.
He kept his seat, and shrank closer to the fire. Heathcliff rose, and went into
the kitchen, and from thence to the yard, calling out for Hareton. Hareton
responded, and presently the two re-entered. The young man had been washing
himself, as was visible by the glow on his cheeks and his wetted hair.
'Oh, I'll ask YOU, uncle,' cried Miss Cathy, recollecting the housekeeper's
assertion. 'That is not my cousin, is he?'
'Yes,' he, replied, 'your mother's nephew. Don't you like him!'
Catherine looked queer.
'Is he not a handsome lad?' he continued.
The uncivil little thing stood on tiptoe, and whispered a sentence in
Heathcliff's ear. He laughed; Hareton darkened: I perceived he was very
sensitive to suspected slights, and had obviously a dim notion of his inferiority.
But his master or guardian chased the frown by exclaiming -
'You'll be the favourite among us, Hareton! She says you are a - What was it?
Well, something very flattering. Here! you go with her round the farm. And
behave like a gentleman, mind! Don't use any bad words; and don't stare when
the young lady is not looking at you, and be ready to hide your face when she is;
and, when you speak, say your words slowly, and keep your hands out of your
pockets. Be off, and entertain her as nicely as you can.'
He watched the couple walking past the window. Earnshaw had his
countenance completely averted from his companion. He seemed studying the

Thesaurus
casting: (n) cast, hurl, pouring, subordinacy, minority, disadvantage, brother's son, niece, cousin, uncle,
molding, teeming, block, Malleable calibre, vulgarity, quality, kinsman.
castings, fling, to throw something a subordination, meanness, deteriority. recollecting: (n) recollection.
long distance, flinging, pelt. ANTONYMS: (n) superiority, tiptoe: (v) tip, tippytoe, creep, patter,
darkened: (adj) darkens, obscured, advantage, excellence, preeminence. skirt, skip, tilt, sidle, lean; (adj) alert;
old, obfuscate, murky, cloudy, longing: (n, v) desire, aspiration; (adj) (n) quieter. ANTONYM: (v) clump.
opaque, overcast. eager, wistful, nostalgic; (n) nostalgia, uncivil: (adj) discourteous,
frown: (adj, v) lower; (adj, n) scowl; (n, wish, hankering, urge, appetite; (adj, disrespectful, impolite, coarse,
v) pout, grimace, glower, glare; (adj) n) yearning. ANTONYMS: (n) brusque, curt, blunt, barbarous,
black looks, gloam, glout; (v) sulk, apathy, disinclination; (adj) satisfied, short; (adj, n) rough, harsh.
gnash. ANTONYM: (v) approve. unconcerned. ANTONYMS: (adj) polite, courteous,
inferiority: (n) poorness, degeneracy, nephew: (n) aunt, grandnephew, gracious.
Emily Brontë 227

familiar landscape with a stranger's and an artist's interest. Catherine took a sly
look at him, expressing small admiration. She then turned her attention to
seeking out objects of amusement for herself, and tripped merrily on, lilting a
tune to supply the lack of conversation.%
'I've tied his tongue,' observed Heathcliff. 'He'll not venture a single syllable
all the time! Nelly, you recollect meat his age - nay, some years younger. Did I
ever look so stupid: so "gaumless," as Joseph calls it?'
'Worse,' I replied, 'because more sullen with it.'
'I've a pleasure in him,' he continued, reflecting aloud. 'He has satisfied my
expectations. If he were a born fool I should not enjoy it half so much. But he's
no fool; and I can sympathise with all his feelings, having felt them myself. I
know what he suffers now, for instance, exactly: it is merely a beginning of what
he shall suffer, though. And he'll never be able to emerge from his bathos of
coarseness and ignorance. I've got him faster than his scoundrel of a father
secured me, and lower; for he takes a pride in his brutishness. I've taught him to
scorn everything extra- animal as silly and weak. Don't you think Hindley
would be proud of his son, if he could see him? almost as proud as I am of mine.
But there's this difference; one is gold put to the use of paving- stones, and the
other is tin polished to ape a service of silver. MINE has nothing valuable about
it; yet I shall have the merit of making it go as far as such poor stuff can go. HIS
had first-rate qualities, and they are lost: rendered worse than unavailing. I
have nothing to regret; he would have more than any but I are aware of. And the
best of it is, Hareton is damnably fond of me! You'll own that I've outmatched
Hindley there. If the dead villain could rise from his grave to abuse me for his
offspring's wrongs, I should have the fun of seeing the said offspring fight him
back again, indignant that he should dare to rail at the one friend he has in the
world!'
Heathcliff chuckled a fiendish laugh at the idea. I made no reply, because I
saw that he expected none. Meantime, our young companion, who sat too
removed from us to hear what was said, began to evince symptoms of
uneasiness, probably repenting that he had denied himself the treat of

Thesaurus
bathos: (adj, n) anticlimax; (n) refinement, smoothness, swingy, light.
conclusion, ending, sentimentality, sophistication, tastefulness, civility, symptoms: (n) syndrome.
heavy heart, sorrow, sadness, pity, grace, propriety, decency. unavailing: (adj) fruitless, bootless,
misery, figure of speech, damnably: (adv) damned, cursedly, useless, ineffectual, inefficacious,
mawkishness. odiously. otiose, inutile, ineffective, idle, vain,
brutishness: (n) brutality, beastliness, expressing: (adj) significant; (n) pointless.
bestiality. speech. uneasiness: (n) disquiet, discomfort,
coarseness: (n) grossness, indelicacy, first-rate: (adj) excellent, stunning, inquietude, anxiety, unease, malaise,
inelegance, indecency, vulgarism, capital, posh, tiptop, dandy, ace, disquietude, apprehension, unrest,
commonness, rudeness, inferiority, superior, classic, fine, clinking. impatience; (n, v) agitation.
crudeness, crudity, awkwardness. lilting: (adj) tripping, musical, ANTONYMS: (n) peace, calm,
ANTONYMS: (n) delicacy, purity, lightsome, rhythmic, rhythmical, confidence.
228 Wuthering Heights

Catherine's society for fear of a little fatigue. His father remarked the restless
glances wandering to the window, and the hand irresolutely extended towards
his cap.%
'Get up, you idle boy!' he exclaimed, with assumed heartiness.
'Away after them! they are just at the corner, by the stand of hives.'
Linton gathered his energies, and left the hearth. The lattice was open, and,
as he stepped out, I heard Cathy inquiring of her unsociable attendant what was
that inscription over the door? Hareton stared up, and scratched his head like a
true clown.
'It's some damnable writing,' he answered. 'I cannot read it.'
'Can't read it?' cried Catherine; 'I can read it: it's English. But I want to know
why it is there.'
Linton giggled: the first appearance of mirth he had exhibited.
'He does not know his letters,' he said to his cousin. 'Could you believe in the
existence of such a colossal dunce?'
'Is he all as he should be?' asked Miss Cathy, seriously; 'or is he simple: not
right? I've questioned him twice now, and each time he looked so stupid I think
he does not understand me. I can hardly understand him, I'm sure!'
Linton repeated his laugh, and glanced at Hareton tauntingly; who certainly
did not seem quite clear of comprehension at that moment.
'There's nothing the matter but laziness; is there, Earnshaw?' he said. 'My
cousin fancies you are an idiot. There you experience the consequence of
scorning "book-larning," as you would say. Have you noticed, Catherine, his
frightful Yorkshire pronunciation?'
'Why, where the devil is the use on't?' growled Hareton, more ready in
answering his daily companion. He was about to enlarge further, but the two
youngsters broke into a noisy fit of merriment: my giddy miss being delighted
to discover that she might turn his strange talk to matter of amusement.

Thesaurus
clown: (n) fool, joker, jester, boor, fancies: (n) stock. undecidedly, indecisively, hesitantly,
harlequin, joke, comedian, rustic, giddy: (adj, v) flighty; (adj) dizzy, faint, uncertainly, hesitatingly, weakly,
comic, acrobat; (v) antic. silly, changeable, vertiginous, infirmly, spinelessly, unsteadily,
enlarge: (v) expand, aggrandize, featherbrained, light, fickle, unsettledly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
augment, dilate, distend, widen, capricious; (adv) careless. decisively, firmly.
increase, elaborate, extend, blow up, ANTONYMS: (adj) serious, dull. mirth: (adj, n) merriment, jollity; (n)
grow. ANTONYMS: (v) reduce, heartiness: (n) eagerness, fervor, amusement, happiness, delight, joy,
shrink, contract, decrease, compress, geniality, zeal, sincerity, hilarity, cheerfulness, festivity,
condense, diminish, lessen, wholeheartedness, inwardness, gladness, exhilaration. ANTONYMS:
minimize, narrow, abridge. ardor, avidity, craving; (adj, n) (n) gloom, sadness, misery.
exhibited: (adj) ostensible, avowed, hospitality. tauntingly: (adv) jeeringly, mockingly,
apparent, declared. irresolutely: (adv) waveringly, sarcastically, satirically.
Emily Brontë 229

'Where is the use of the devil in that sentence?' tittered Linton. 'Papa told you
not to say any bad words, and you can't open your mouth without one. Do try to
behave like a gentleman, now do!'
'If thou weren't more a lass than a lad, I'd fell thee this minute, I would;
pitiful lath of a crater!' retorted the angry boor, retreating, while his face burnt
with mingled rage and mortification! for he was conscious of being insulted, and
embarrassed how to resent it.%
Mr. Heathcliff having overheard the conversation, as well as I, smiled when
he saw him go; but immediately afterwards cast a look of singular aversion on
the flippant pair, who remained chattering in the door-way: the boy finding
animation enough while discussing Hareton's faults and deficiencies, and
relating anecdotes of his goings on; and the girl relishing his pert and spiteful
sayings, without considering the ill-nature they evinced. I began to dislike, more
than to compassionate Linton, and to excuse his father in some measure for
holding him cheap.
We stayed till afternoon: I could not tear Miss Cathy away sooner; but
happily my master had not quitted his apartment, and remained ignorant of our
prolonged absence. As we walked home, I would fain have enlightened my
charge on the characters of the people we had quitted: but she got it into her
head that I was prejudiced against them.
'Aha!' she cried, 'you take papa's side, Ellen: you are partial I know; or else
you wouldn't have cheated me so many years into the notion that Linton lived a
long way from here. I'm really extremely angry; only I'm so pleased I can't show
it! But you must hold your tongue about MY uncle; he's my uncle, remember;
and I'll scold papa for quarrelling with him.'
And so she ran on, till I relinquished the endeavour to convince her of her
mistake. She did not mention the visit that night, because she did not see Mr.
Linton. Next day it all came out, sadly to my chagrin; and still I was not
altogether sorry: I thought the burden of directing and warning would be more
efficiently borne by him than me. But he was too timid in giving satisfactory
reasons for his wish that she should shun connection with the household of the
Thesaurus
chagrin: (n) mortification, vexation, list, ribbon, strip, rod, flat timber, relishing: (n) savoring, tasting,
annoyance, shame, disappointment, spill; (v) frame. feeding, eating, degustation,
letdown, humiliation; (n, v) disquiet, mortification: (n) chagrin, savouring; (adj) tastable, savory,
gangrene; (v) disappoint, mortify. embarrassment, shame, gangrene, palatable.
ANTONYMS: (v) please, delight; (n) disappointment, disgrace, corruption, spiteful: (adj) malicious, malevolent,
pride, satisfaction. necrosis, degradation; (adj, n) sinister, nasty, malignant, venomous,
flippant: (adj) frivolous, airy, saucy, vexation; (adj) grievance. despiteful, ill-natured, vindictive,
giddy, impertinent, impudent, rude, pert: (adj) impertinent, bold, cruel, hateful. ANTONYMS: (adj)
lightheaded, pert; (adj, v) glib; (v) impudent, insolent, forward, fresh, benevolent, harmless, merciful,
voluble. ANTONYMS: (adj) earnest, brazen, saucy, malapert, irreverent, kindhearted, friendly, pleasant,
caring, respectful. cheeky. ANTONYM: (adj) listless. loving, benign, generous, gentle,
lath: (n) fillet, spline, batten, plank, reasons: (n) proof. flattering.
230 Wuthering Heights

Heights, and Catherine liked good reasons for every restraint that harassed her
petted will.%
'Papa!' she exclaimed, after the morning's salutations, 'guess whom I saw
yesterday, in my walk on the moors. Ah, papa, you started! you've not done
right, have you, now? I saw - but listen, and you shall hear how I found you out;
and Ellen, who is in league with you, and yet pretended to pity me so, when I
kept hoping, and was always disappointed about Linton's coming back!'
She gave a faithful account of her excursion and its consequences; and my
master, though he cast more than one reproachful look at me, said nothing till
she had concluded. Then he drew her to him, and asked if she knew why he had
concealed Linton's near neighbourhood from her? Could she think it was to
deny her a pleasure that she might harmlessly enjoy?
'It was because you disliked Mr. Heathcliff,' she answered.
'Then you believe I care more for my own feelings than yours, Cathy?' he
said. 'No, it was not because I disliked Mr. Heathcliff, but because Mr. Heathcliff
dislikes me; and is a most diabolical man, delighting to wrong and ruin those he
hates, if they give him the slightest opportunity. I knew that you could not keep
up an acquaintance with your cousin without being brought into contact with
him; and I knew he would detest you on my account; so for your own good, and
nothing else, I took precautions that you should not see Linton again. I meant to
explain this some time as you grew older, and I'm sorry I delayed it.'
'But Mr. Heathcliff was quite cordial, papa,' observed Catherine, not at all
convinced; 'and he didn't object to our seeing each other: he said I might come to
his house when I pleased; only I must not tell you, because you had quarrelled
with him, and would not forgive him for marrying aunt Isabella. And you won't.
YOU are the one to be blamed: he is willing to let us be friends, at least; Linton
and I; and you are not.'
My master, perceiving that she would not take his word for her uncle-in-
law's evil disposition, gave a hasty sketch of his conduct to Isabella, and the
manner in which Wuthering Heights became his property. He could not bear to

Thesaurus
delighting: (adj) satisfactory, calm, carefree. sensible, gradual, thorough, cautious,
attractive. harmlessly: (adv) innocuously, careful, roundabout, prudent,
detest: (n, v) hate; (v) abominate, inoffensively, hurtlessly, simplely, patient.
loathe, despise, execrate, dislike, innoxiously, safely, benignly, precautions: (n) protection, defense,
nauseate, contemn, dislike intensely; unoffendingly, gentlely, intactly, safety net.
(n) loathing, abhorrence. guiltlessly. ANTONYMS: (adv) reproachful: (adj, v) condemnatory,
ANTONYMS: (v) adore, like, cherish, maliciously, detrimentally, disparaging, vituperative; (adj)
admire. offensively, harmfully. admonitory, opprobrious,
harassed: (adj) annoyed, pestered, hasty: (adj) fast, abrupt, cursory, fleet, disgraceful, shameful, reproving,
irritated, bothered, annoy, jittery, sudden, rash, impetuous, careless, objurgatory, contumelious; (v)
worried, troubled, beleaguered, speedy, hurried, quick. ANTONYMS: denunciatory.
obsessed, harried. ANTONYMS: (adj) (adj) deliberate, considered, leisurely, salutations: (n) respects.
Emily Brontë 231

discourse long upon the topic; for though he spoke little of it, he still felt the
same horror and detestation of his ancient enemy that had occupied his heart
ever since Mrs. Linton's death. 'She might have been living yet, if it had not been
for him!' was his constant bitter reflection; and, in his eyes, Heathcliff seemed a
murderer. Miss Cathy - conversant with no bad deeds except her own slight acts
of disobedience, injustice, and passion, arising from hot temper and
thoughtlessness, and repented of on the day they were committed - was amazed
at the blackness of spirit that could brood on and cover revenge for years, and
deliberately prosecute its plans without a visitation of remorse. She appeared so
deeply impressed and shocked at this new view of human nature - excluded
from all her studies and all her ideas till now - that Mr. Edgar deemed it
unnecessary to pursue the subject. He merely added: 'You will know hereafter,
darling, why I wish you to avoid his house and family; now return to your old
employments and amusements, and think no more about them.'
Catherine kissed her father, and sat down quietly to her lessons for a couple
of hours, according to custom; then she accompanied him into the grounds, and
the whole day passed as usual: but in the evening, when she had retired to her
room, and I went to help her to undress, I found her crying, on her knees by the
bedside.%
'Oh, fie, silly child!' I exclaimed. 'If you had any real griefs you'd be ashamed
to waste a tear on this little contrariety. You never had one shadow of
substantial sorrow, Miss Catherine. Suppose, for a minute, that master and I
were dead, and you were by yourself in the world: how would you feel, then?
Compare the present occasion with such an affliction as that, and be thankful for
the friends you have, instead of coveting more.'
'I'm not crying for myself, Ellen,' she answered, 'it's for him. He expected to
see me again to-morrow, and there he'll be so disappointed: and he'll wait for
me, and I sha'n't come!'
'Nonsense!' said I, 'do you imagine he has thought as much of you as you
have of him? Hasn't he Hareton for a companion? Not one in a hundred would

Thesaurus
affliction: (n, v) adversity; (n) distress, experienced, skilled. ANTONYMS: care, responsibility, carefulness,
regret, martyrdom, torment, curse, (adj) unfamiliar, oblivious, caution, wisdom, diplomacy,
trial, bane, misadventure, sorrow, inexperienced. sensitivity.
agony. ANTONYMS: (n) gift, deeds: (n) works, activity, actions, undress: (v) strip, unclothe, divest,
godsend, solace, blessing. conduct, background, events, discase, doff, unrobe, strip down,
contrariety: (n) difference, antithesis, happenings, performance, activities. uncase; (n) dishabille, disarray,
discrepancy, conflict, contradiction, thoughtlessness: (n) inconsideration, morning dress. ANTONYMS: (v)
contrast, opposition, repugnance, rashness, carelessness, dress, clothe.
antagonism, contrariness, foil. impulsiveness, imprudence, visitation: (v) visit, examination; (n)
conversant: (adj) proficient, knowing, indiscretion, heedlessness, bluntness, tribulation, calamity, annoyance,
informed, familiar, versed, learned, foolhardiness, neglect, negligence. misfortune, irritation, infliction,
cognizant, conscious, erudite, ANTONYMS: (n) thoughtfulness, inspection, test, ordeal.
232 Wuthering Heights

weep at losing a relation they had just seen twice, for two afternoons. Linton will
conjecture how it is, and trouble himself no further about you.'
'But may I not write a note to tell him why I cannot come?' she asked, rising
to her feet. 'And just send those books I promised to lend him? His books are
not as nice as mine, and he wanted to have them extremely, when I told him how
interesting they were. May I not, Ellen?'
'No, indeed! no, indeed!' replied I with decision. 'Then he would write to
you, and there'd never be an end of it. No, Miss Catherine, the acquaintance
must be dropped entirely: so papa expects, and I shall see that it is done.'
'But how can one little note - ?' she recommenced, putting on an imploring
countenance.%
'Silence!' I interrupted. 'We'll not begin with your little notes. Get into bed.'
She threw at me a very naughty look, so naughty that I would not kiss her
good-night at first: I covered her up, and shut her door, in great displeasure; but,
repenting half-way, I returned softly, and lo! there was Miss standing at the table
with a bit of blank paper before her and a pencil in her hand, which she guiltily
slipped out of sight on my entrance.
'You'll get nobody to take that, Catherine,' I said, 'if you write it; and at
present I shall put out your candle.'
I set the extinguisher on the flame, receiving as I did so a slap on my hand
and a petulant 'cross thing!' I then quitted her again, and she drew the bolt in
one of her worst, most peevish humours. The letter was finished and forwarded
to its destination by a milk- fetcher who came from the village; but that I didn't
learn till some time afterwards. Weeks passed on, and Cathy recovered her
temper; though she grew wondrous fond of stealing off to corners by herself and
often, if I came near her suddenly while reading, she would start and bend over
the book, evidently desirous to hide it; and I detected edges of loose paper
sticking out beyond the leaves. She also got a trick of coming down early in the
morning and lingering about the kitchen, as if she were expecting the arrival of
something; and she had a small drawer in a cabinet in the library, which she

Thesaurus
bolt: (v) bar, gobble, abscond, fasten; sinfully, awkwardly, sorrily, petulant: (adj) irritable, peevish, cross,
(n) arrow; (adj, n) pin; (n, v) dash, ashamedly. testy, irascible, cranky, fractious,
lock, latch, escape; (adv) bang. imploring: (adj) appealing, begging, fretful, pettish, touchy, choleric.
ANTONYMS: (v) nibble, unbolt, suppliant, pleading, entreating, ANTONYMS: (adj) easygoing,
loosen, amble, snack, wait, open, piteous, importunate, entreating amiable, calm, affable, cheerful.
unfasten, stroll, saunter, unscrew. urgently; (v) supplicate, plead; (n) slap: (n, v) clap, cuff, knock, hit,
detected: (adj) apparent, convicted, prayer. whack, beat, strike, spank; (n) blow;
detect. naughty: (adj) mischievous, impish, (v) buffet; (adv) bang.
extinguisher: (n) device, asphyxiator. blue, improper, disobedient, stealing: (n) pilferage, larceny, theft,
guiltily: (adv) blameworthily, insubordinate, wicked, evil, lewd, steal, burglary, misappropriation,
criminally, hangdogly, wickedly, dark, unruly. ANTONYMS: (adj) embezzlement, stolen, thievery,
faultily, sheepishly, delinquently, decent, behaved, obedient, clean. pilfering, thieving.
Emily Brontë 233

would trifle over for hours, and whose key she took special care to remove when
she left it.%
One day, as she inspected this drawer, I observed that the playthings and
trinkets which recently formed its contents were transmuted into bits of folded
paper. My curiosity and suspicions were roused; I determined to take a peep at
her mysterious treasures; so, at night, as soon as she and my master were safe
upstairs, I searched, and readily found among my house keys one that would fit
the lock. Having opened, I emptied the whole contents into my apron, and took
them with me to examine at leisure in my own chamber. Though I could not but
suspect, I was still surprised to discover that they were a mass of correspondence
- daily almost, it must have been - from Linton Heathcliff: answers to documents
forwarded by her. The earlier dated were embarrassed and short; gradually,
however, they expanded into copious love- letters, foolish, as the age of the
writer rendered natural, yet with touches here and there which I thought were
borrowed from a more experienced source. Some of them struck me as
singularly odd compounds of ardour and flatness; commencing in strong
feeling, and concluding in the affected, wordy style that a schoolboy might use to
a fancied, incorporeal sweetheart. Whether they satisfied Cathy I don't know;
but they appeared very worthless trash to me. After turning over as many as I
thought proper, I tied them in a handkerchief and set them aside, relocking the
vacant drawer.
Following her habit, my young lady descended early, and visited the kitchen:
I watched her go to the door, on the arrival of a certain little boy; and, while the
dairymaid filled his can, she tucked something into his jacket pocket, and
plucked something out. I went round by the garden, and laid wait for the
messenger; who fought valorously to defend his trust, and we spilt the milk
between us; but I succeeded in abstracting the epistle; and, threatening serious
consequences if he did not look sharp home, I remained under the wall and
perused Miss Cathy's affectionate composition. It was more simple and more
eloquent than her cousin's: very pretty and very silly. I shook my head, and
went meditating into the house. The day being wet, she could not divert herself

Thesaurus
ardour: (n) fervency, fervidness, disembodied, insubstantial, valuables, sense, possessions, assets,
fervor, fervour, fire, elan, zeal, intangible, bodiless, ethereal, fact; (v) renovate, conserve.
violence, ardency, assiduity, incorporal, impalpable, metaphysical, trinkets: (n) finery, jewels.
application. incorporate. ANTONYM: (adj) valorously: (adv) gallantly, fearlessly,
dairymaid: (n) farmhand, fieldhand, tangible. courageously, boldly, stoutly,
dey. plucked: (v) ploughed; (adj) pulled, bravely, intrepidly, gamely,
flatness: (n) dullness, monotony, unfeathered, featherless, moulting, heroically, heroicly, undauntedly.
plain, flat, tedium, sameness, pilled. wordy: (adj) prolix, windy, lengthy,
insipidness, tediousness, platitude, trash: (n) rubbish, litter, scum, verbose, redundant, loquacious,
smoothing, smooth. ANTONYM: (n) garbage, refuse, rubble, debris; (n, v) talkative, garrulous, rambling,
unevenness. scrap, junk; (v) destroy; (adj, n) tedious, exuberant. ANTONYMS:
incorporeal: (adj) immaterial, spiritual, trumpery. ANTONYMS: (n) (adj) taciturn, quiet.
234 Wuthering Heights

with rambling about the park; so, at the conclusion of her morning studies, she
resorted to the solace of the drawer. Her father sat reading at the table; and I, on
purpose, had sought a bit of work in some unripped fringes of the window-
curtain, keeping my eye steadily fixed on her proceedings. Never did any bird
flying back to a plundered nest, which it had left brimful of chirping young
ones, express more complete despair, in its anguished cries and flutterings, than
she by her single 'Oh!' and the change that transfigured her late happy
countenance. Mr. Linton looked up.%
'What is the matter, love? Have you hurt yourself?' he said.
His tone and look assured her HE had not been the discoverer of the hoard.
'No, papa!' she gasped. 'Ellen! Ellen! come up-stairs - I'm sick!'
I obeyed her summons, and accompanied her out.
'Oh, Ellen! you have got them,' she commenced immediately, dropping on
her knees, when we were enclosed alone. 'Oh, give them to me, and I'll never,
never do so again! Don't tell papa. You have not told papa, Ellen? say you have
not? I've been exceedingly naughty, but I won't do it any more!'
With a grave severity in my manner I bade her stand up.
'So,' I exclaimed, 'Miss Catherine, you are tolerably far on, it seems: you may
well be ashamed of them! A fine bundle of trash you study in your leisure hours,
to be sure: why, it's good enough to be printed! And what do you suppose the
master will think when I display it before him? I hav'n't shown it yet, but you
needn't imagine I shall keep your ridiculous secrets. For shame! and you must
have led the way in writing such absurdities: he would not have thought of
beginning, I'm certain.'
'I didn't! I didn't!' sobbed Cathy, fit to break her heart. 'I didn't once think of
loving him till - '
'LOVING!' cried I, as scornfully as I could utter the word. 'LOVING! Did
anybody ever hear the like! I might just as well talk of loving the miller who
comes once a year to buy our corn. Pretty loving, indeed! and both times together
you have seen Linton hardly four hours in your life! Now here is the babyish
Thesaurus
anguished: (adj) tormented, suffering, spotter, patentee. raped, robbed, emptier, empty,
tortured, dolorous, uneasy, drawer: (n) draftsman, drawers, till, fleeced, ransacked.
distressing, woeful, pained, upset, designer, box car, cartoonist, summons: (n) call, invitation, bidding,
distressed, worried. ANTONYMS: commode, engraver, chest, case, process, writ, invocation, warrant,
(adj) cheerful, content, happy. locker. command; (n, v) summon; (v)
brimful: (adj) teeming, brimfull, full, fringes: (n) outer edge, border. demand, cite.
packed, replete, topful, abundant, full hoard: (v) amass, gather, collect, utter: (v) say, state, speak, breathe,
to the brim, brimful of, crowded, garner; (n, v) cache, store, stock, heap, articulate, deliver, voice, pronounce;
overfilled. bank, stash; (n) accumulation. (adj, n, v) express, declare; (adj, v) tell.
discoverer: (n) inventor, finder, ANTONYMS: (v) squander, disperse, ANTONYMS: (adj) qualified,
creator, bell, explorer, scout, spend, use. incomplete, uncertain, rather, slight;
observer, perceiver, originator, plundered: (adj) pillaged, despoiled, (v) conceal, hide, block.
Emily Brontë 235

trash. I'm going with it to the library; and we'll see what your father says to such
LOVING.'
She sprang at her precious epistles, but I hold them above my head; and then
she poured out further frantic entreaties that I would burn them - do anything
rather than show them. And being really fully as much inclined to laugh as scold
- for I esteemed it all girlish vanity - I at length relented in a measure, and asked,
- 'If I consent to burn them, will you promise faithfully neither to send nor
receive a letter again, nor a book (for I perceive you have sent him books), nor
locks of hair, nor rings, nor playthings?'
'We don't send playthings,' cried Catherine, her pride overcoming her
shame.%
'Nor anything at all, then, my lady?' I said. 'Unless you will, here I go.'
'I promise, Ellen!' she cried, catching my dress. 'Oh, put them in the fire, do,
do!'
But when I proceeded to open a place with the poker the sacrifice was too
painful to be borne. She earnestly supplicated that I would spare her one or two.
'One or two, Ellen, to keep for Linton's sake!'
I unknotted the handkerchief, and commenced dropping them in from an
angle, and the flame curled up the chimney.
'I will have one, you cruel wretch!' she screamed, darting her hand into the
fire, and drawing forth some half-consumed fragments, at the expense of her
fingers.
'Very well - and I will have some to exhibit to papa!' I answered, shaking
back the rest into the bundle, and turning anew to the door.
She emptied her blackened pieces into the flames, and motioned me to finish
the immolation. It was done; I stirred up the ashes, and interred them under a
shovelful of coals; and she mutely, and with a sense of intense injury, retired to
her private apartment. I descended to tell my master that the young lady's
qualm of sickness was almost gone, but I judged it best for her to lie down a

Thesaurus
darting: (adj) arrowy, moving; (v) inaccurately. overcoming: (adj) fortunate.
Sally. immolation: (n) holocaust, human rings: (n) ornaments, necklaces, jewels,
emptied: (adj) empty, void, depleted, sacrifices, suttee; (v) oblation, costume jewelry, charms, bracelets.
emptier, annulled, open, vacuous. offering, sacrifice, favor, free gift, shovelful: (n) spadeful, power shovel,
epistles: (n) revelations, gospels, boon, benefaction, grant. excavator, digger, containerful.
apocalypse, evangelists. interred: (adj) buried, inhumed, vanity: (n) egotism, pride, emptiness,
faithfully: (adv) exactly, accurately, hidden. ANTONYM: (adj) unburied. arrogance, futility, inanity, vainglory,
sincerely, staunchly, precisely, truly, mutely: (adv) dumbly, wordlessly, conceitedness, pretension,
authentically, dutifully, literally, stilly, speechlessly, taciturnly, pomposity; (adj, n) amour propre.
steadfastly, truely. ANTONYMS: unspokenly, quietly, noiselessly, ANTONYMS: (n) selflessness,
(adv) unfaithfully, approximately, dully, soundlessly, dummily. humility, importance, value,
falsely, insincerely, carelessly, ANTONYM: (adv) noisily. effectiveness.
236 Wuthering Heights

while. She wouldn't dine; but she reappeared at tea, pale, and red about the eyes,
and marvellously subdued in outward aspect. Next morning I answered the
letter by a slip of paper, inscribed, 'Master Heathcliff is requested to send no
more notes to Miss Linton, as she will not receive them.' And, henceforth, the
little boy came with vacant pockets.%

Thesaurus
dine: (v) feed, lunch, breakfast, dining, tremendously, tally. repressed, low, meek; (adj, v)
meal, give, have supper, take tea, outward: (adj) external, apparent, resigned. ANTONYMS: (adj)
grub, consume, entertain. extrinsic, outer, superficial, surface, enthusiastic, lively, uninhibited,
ANTONYM: (v) abstain. outside, ostensible, foreign, outdoor; unsubdued, rebellious, noisy, bright,
henceforth: (adv) hence, in future, (adv) out. ANTONYMS: (adj, adv) elaborate, frivolous, upbeat.
after this; (adj) following. inward; (adj) inner, internal, deep. vacant: (adj) blank, hollow, unfilled,
inscribed: (adj) etched, incised, slip: (adj, n, v) lapse, miss; (adj, n) fault, void, free, unoccupied, bare, idle,
graven, written, carved, carven. blunder; (n, v) slide, drop, mistake, expressionless, open; (adj, v) devoid.
marvellously: (adv) wondrously, escape, skid, trip; (n) cutting. ANTONYMS: (adj) full, cognizant,
wonderfully, terrifically, superbly, ANTONYM: (n) invoice. overflowing, inhabited, aware,
fantastically, miraculously, terrificly, subdued: (adj) quiet, muffled, dull, comprehending, animated, solid,
phenomenally, gloriously, restrained, muted, tame, faint, expressive, knowing.
Emily Brontë 237

CHAPTER XXII

SUMMER drew to an end, and early autumn: it was past Michaelmas, but
the harvest was late that year, and a few of our fields were still uncleared. Mr.
Linton and his daughter would frequently walk out among the reapers; at the
carrying of the last sheaves they stayed till dusk, and the evening happening to
be chill and damp, my master caught a bad cold, that settled obstinately on his
lungs, and confined him indoors throughout the whole of the winter, nearly
without intermission.%
Poor Cathy, frightened from her little romance, had been considerably sadder
and duller since its abandonment; and her father insisted on her reading less,
and taking more exercise. She had his companionship no longer; I esteemed it a
duty to supply its lack, as much as possible, with mine: an inefficient substitute;
for I could only spare two or three hours, from my numerous diurnal
occupations, to follow her footsteps, and then my society was obviously less
desirable than his.
On an afternoon in October, or the beginning of November - a fresh watery
afternoon, when the turf and paths were rustling with moist, withered leaves,
and the cold blue sky was half hidden by clouds - dark grey streamers, rapidly
mounting from the west, and boding abundant rain - I requested my young lady
to forego her ramble, because I was certain of showers. She refused; and I
unwillingly donned a cloak, and took my umbrella to accompany her on a stroll
to the bottom of the park: a formal walk which she generally affected if low-

Thesaurus
boding: (n) presentiment, forego: (v) disclaim, antedate, unwillingly: (adv) grudgingly, loathly,
premonition, foreboding, portent, renounce, antecede, waive, abandon, aversely, unenthusiastically,
augury, forewarning, hunch, resign, forgo, precede, relinquish, indisposedly, resentfully,
apprehensiveness, apprehension. spare. involuntarily, recalcitrantly,
companionship: (n) company, society, paths: (n) path. refractorily, lothly, hesitatingly.
fellowship, camaraderie, partnership, rustling: (n) rustle, whispering, ANTONYM: (adv) wholeheartedly.
friendship, fraternity, amity, whisper, larceny; (adj) murmurous, watery: (adj) moist, diluted, wet,
coexistence, brotherhood, susurrous, active, soughing. dilute, washy, thin, damp, fluid,
communion. ANTONYMS: (n) showers: (n) rain. aqueous, weak, insipid.
animosity, enmity, solitude. stroll: (n, v) ramble, saunter, walk, ANTONYMS: (adj) strong, solid, dry,
diurnal: (adj) journal, quotidian, diary, amble, wander, promenade, tramp, soft, dehydrated, lively, dark, clear,
everyday, cyclical, cyclic, ephemeral. hike; (v) roam, go for a walk, range. thick, hard.
238 Wuthering Heights

spirited - and that she invariably was when Mr. Edgar had been worse than
ordinary, a thing never known from his confession, but guessed both by her and
me from his increased silence and the melancholy of his countenance. She went
sadly on: there was no running or bounding now, though the chill wind might
well have tempted her to race. And often, from the side of my eye, I could detect
her raising a hand, and brushing something off her cheek. I gazed round for a
means of diverting her thoughts. On one side of the road rose a high, rough
bank, where hazels and stunted oaks, with their roots half exposed, held
uncertain tenure: the soil was too loose for the latter; and strong winds had
blown some nearly horizontal. In summer Miss Catherine delighted to climb
along these trunks, and sit in the branches, swinging twenty feet above the
ground; and I, pleased with her agility and her light, childish heart, still
considered it proper to scold every time I caught her at such an elevation, but so
that she knew there was no necessity for descending. From dinner to tea she
would lie in her breeze-rocked cradle, doing nothing except singing old songs -
my nursery lore - to herself, or watching the birds, joint tenants, feed and entice
their young ones to fly: or nestling with closed lids, half thinking, half
dreaming, happier than words can express.%
'Look, Miss!' I exclaimed, pointing to a nook under the roots of one twisted
tree. 'Winter is not here yet. There's a little flower up yonder, the last bud from
the multitude of bluebells that clouded those turf steps in July with a lilac mist.
Will you clamber up, and pluck it to show to papa?' Cathy stared a long time at
the lonely blossom trembling in its earthy shelter, and replied, at length - 'No, I'll
not touch it: but it looks melancholy, does it not, Ellen?'
'Yes,' I observed, 'about as starved and suckless as you your cheeks are
bloodless; let us take hold of hands and run. You're so low, I daresay I shall keep
up with you.'
'No,' she repeated, and continued sauntering on, pausing at intervals to muse
over a bit of moss, or a tuft of blanched grass, or a fungus spreading its bright
orange among the heaps of brown foliage; and, ever and anon, her hand was
lifted to her averted face.

Thesaurus
bounding: (n) jumping, confinement; recreative, intriguing. knowledge, knowledge, wide
(v) confine, salient; (adj) terminal, earthy: (adj) coarse, mundane, earthly, information, lesson, legend.
moving, subsultory. realistic, vulgar, worldly, gross, muse: (v) meditate, ponder, deliberate,
clamber: (v) scramble, crawl, scale, terrestrial, natural, terrene, rude. consider, cogitate, reflect, brood,
ascend, mount, shinny, shin, ANTONYMS: (adj) sophisticated, ruminate, speculate, think, mull.
struggle, surmount, ramp, climber. cultured, clean. ANTONYM: (v) wander.
cradle: (n) cot, birthplace, nursery, lilac: (adj) lavender, mauve, purple, nestling: (n) chick, bairn, toddler,
berth, crib, nest, hammock, bassinet, violet, puce, chromatic; (n) shrub, baby bird, bambino, changeling, fry,
origin; (v) hold, groundwork. heliotrope, ash, common lilac, family kiddy, nesting, pullet, tadpole.
diverting: (adj, v) entertaining; (adj) Oleaceae. tuft: (n) wisp, crest, cluster, truss,
comical, fun, amusive, droll, comic, lore: (n) erudition, folklore, letters, knot, fagot, tassel, strand, thicket,
laughable, funny, humorous, literature, tradition, science, acquired curl; (adj, n) feather.
Emily Brontë 239

'Catherine, why are you crying, love?' I asked, approaching and putting my
arm over her shoulder. 'You mustn't cry because papa has a cold; be thankful it
is nothing worse.'
She now put no further restraint on her tears; her breath was stifled by sobs.%
'Oh, it will be something worse,' she said. 'And what shall I do when papa
and you leave me, and I am by myself? I can't forget your words, Ellen; they are
always in my ear. How life will be changed, how dreary the world will be, when
papa and you are dead.'
'None can tell whether you won't die before us,' I replied. 'It's wrong to
anticipate evil. We'll hope there are years and years to come before any of us go:
master is young, and I am strong, and hardly forty-five. My mother lived till
eighty, a canty dame to the last. And suppose Mr. Linton I were spared till he
saw sixty, that would be more years than you have counted, Miss. And would it
not be foolish to mourn a calamity above twenty years beforehand?'
'But Aunt Isabella was younger than papa,' she remarked, gazing up with
timid hope to seek further consolation.
'Aunt Isabella had not you and me to nurse her,' I replied. 'She wasn't as
happy as Master: she hadn't as much to live for. All you need do, is to wait well
on your father, and cheer him by letting him see you cheerful; and avoid giving
him anxiety on any subject: mind that, Cathy! I'll not disguise but you might kill
him if you were wild and reckless, and cherished a foolish, fanciful affection for
the son of a person who would be glad to have him in his grave; and allowed
him to discover that you fretted over the separation he has judged it expedient to
make.'
'I fret about nothing on earth except papa's illness,' answered my companion.
'I care for nothing in comparison with papa. And I'll never - never - oh, never,
while I have my senses, do an act or say a word to vex him. I love him better
than myself, Ellen; and I know it by this: I pray every night that I may live after
him; because I would rather be miserable than that he should be: that proves I
love him better than myself.'

Thesaurus
anticipate: (v) expect, foretell, think, inconvenient, foolish. obligation, appreciatory, welcome.
forecast, forestall, calculate, estimate, mourn: (v) bewail, grieve, deplore, cry, ANTONYMS: (adj) worried,
predict, prevent, presume, guess. bemoan, regret, distress, sad, wail, unappreciative, unthankful, sorry.
ANTONYM: (v) doubt. mourning, weep. ANTONYMS: (v) timid: (adj) shy, afraid, diffident, coy,
canty: (adj) cheerful, lively, sprightly, rejoice, celebrate, applaud. bashful, nervous, frightened,
janty, energetic. stifled: (adj) strangled, suppressed, apprehensive, modest; (adj, adv)
expedient: (adj) fit, advisable, muffled, deafened, completely cowardly; (adj, n) cautious.
becoming, desirable, adequate, apt, covered, dead, deadened, weak, deaf ANTONYMS: (adj, n) brave; (adj)
convenient, suitable; (n) contrivance, corn, regardless, decayed. confident, bold, fearless, resolute,
resource, artifice. ANTONYMS: (adj) thankful: (adj) appreciative, indebted, forward, daring, brazen, extrovert,
inappropriate, inexpedient, beholden, obliged, contented, brash, talkative.
impractical, futile, detrimental, pleased, gratified, relieved, under
240 Wuthering Heights

'Good words,' I replied. 'But deeds must prove it also; and after he is well,
remember you don't forget resolutions formed in the hour of fear.'
As we talked, we neared a door that opened on the road; and my young lady,
lightening into sunshine again, climbed up and seated herself on the top of the
wall, reaching over to gather some hips that bloomed scarlet on the summit
branches of the wild-rose trees shadowing the highway side: the lower fruit had
disappeared, but only birds could touch the upper, except from Cathy's present
station. In stretching to pull them, her hat fell off; and as the door was locked,
she proposed scrambling down to recover it. I bid her be cautious lest she got a
fall, and she nimbly disappeared. But the return was no such easy matter: the
stones were smooth and neatly cemented, and the rose-bushes and black-berry
stragglers could yield no assistance in re-ascending. I, like a fool, didn't recollect
that, till I heard her laughing and exclaiming - 'Ellen! you'll have to fetch the key,
or else I must run round to the porter's lodge. I can't scale the ramparts on this
side!'
'Stay where you are,' I answered; 'I have my bundle of keys in my pocket:
perhaps I may manage to open it; if not, I'll go.'
Catherine amused herself with dancing to and fro before the door, while I
tried all the large keys in succession. I had applied the last, and found that none
would do; so, repeating my desire that she would remain there, I was about to
hurry home as fast as I could, when an approaching sound arrested me. It was
the trot of a horse; Cathy's dance stopped also.%
'Who is that?' I whispered.
'Ellen, I wish you could open the door,' whispered back my companion,
anxiously.
'Ho, Miss Linton!' cried a deep voice (the rider's), 'I'm glad to meet you.
Don't be in haste to enter, for I have an explanation to ask and obtain.'
'I sha'n't speak to you, Mr. Heathcliff,' answered Catherine. 'Papa says you
are a wicked man, and you hate both him and me; and Ellen says the same.'

Thesaurus
amused: (adj) amusing, smiling, highway: (n) highroad, way, path, lethargically, heavily, awkwardly.
tickled pink, pleased, diverted. route, street, thoroughfare, course, ramparts: (n) rampart, fortification.
anxiously: (adv) uneasily, restlessly, main road, expressway, bus, freeway. repeating: (n) repeat, iteration,
carefully, worriedly, fearfully, lightening: (v) lighten, lightning; (n) renewal, repetition, redundancy,
nervously, concernedly, solicitously, mitigation, change of color, copying, reduplication; (adj)
timidly, keenly, enthusiastically. whitening, alleviation, brightening, repetitious, iterating, iterative,
ANTONYMS: (adv) calmly, consolation, assuagement; (adj) repetitive.
confidently, merrily, indifferently, comforting, fulgurant. scrambling: (adj) boisterous,
fearlessly, nonchalantly, patiently, nimbly: (adv) adroitly, alertly, lightly, impetuous, cursory, furious.
unconcernedly. energetically, cleverly, hastily, deftly, shadowing: (n) screening, shielding,
cemented: (n) harmonious, united; rapidly, readily; (adj) dexterously; shading, pursuit, cast shadowing;
(adj) stiff. (adj, adv) neatly. ANTONYMS: (adv) (adj) following surreptitiously.
Emily Brontë 241

'That %is nothing to the purpose,' said Heathcliff. (He it was.) 'I don't hate my
son, I suppose; and it is concerning him that I demand your attention. Yes; you
have cause to blush. Two or three months since, were you not in the habit of
writing to Linton? making love in play, eh? You deserved, both of you, flogging
for that! You especially, the elder; and less sensitive, as it turns out. I've got your
letters, and if you give me any pertness I'll send them to your father. I presume
you grew weary of the amusement and dropped it, didn't you? Well, you
dropped Linton with it into a Slough of Despond. He was in earnest: in love,
really. As true as I live, he's dying for you; breaking his heart at your fickleness:
not figuratively, but actually. Though Hareton has made him a standing jest for
six weeks, and I have used more serious measures, and attempted to frighten
him out of his idiotcy, he gets worse daily; and he'll be under the sod before
summer, unless you restore him!'
'How can you lie so glaringly to the poor child?' I called from the inside.
'Pray ride on! How can you deliberately get up such paltry falsehoods? Miss
Cathy, I'll knock the lock off with a stone: you won't believe that vile nonsense.
You can feel in yourself it is impossible that a person should die for love of a
stranger.'
'I was not aware there were eavesdroppers,' muttered the detected villain.
'Worthy Mrs. Dean, I like you, but I don't like your double-dealing,' he added
aloud. 'How could YOU lie so glaringly as to affirm I hated the "poor child"?
and invent bugbear stories to terrify her from my door-stones? Catherine Linton
(the very name warms me), my bonny lass, I shall be from home all this week; go
and see if have not spoken truth: do, there's a darling! Just imagine your father
in my place, and Linton in yours; then think how you would value your careless
lover if he refused to stir a step to comfort you, when your father himself
entreated him; and don't, from pure stupidity, fall into the same error. I swear,
on my salvation, he's going to his grave, and none but you can save him!'
The lock gave way and I issued out.
'I swear Linton is dying,' repeated Heathcliff, looking hard at me. 'And grief
and disappointment are hastening his death. Nelly, if you won't let her go, you

Thesaurus
affirm: (v) prove, assert, declare, dagger, boogeyman, booger, parabolicly, flowerily, symbolicly,
protest, avow, maintain, approve, nightmare, bogy, bogey, apparition, floridly, figurally. ANTONYM: (adv)
accept, assure, profess, promise. bogle, goblin, hobgoblin. factually.
ANTONYMS: (v) negate, veto, fickleness: (n) faithlessness, levity, frighten: (v) cow, alarm, daunt, terrify,
nullify, refute, repress. volatility, instability, capriciousness, appall, scare, affright, intimidate,
attempted: (adj) unsuccessful. changeableness, falseness, flightiness; terrorize, appal; (n, v) fright.
blush: (n, v) glow, color; (v) redden, (n, v) caprice; (v) fancy, legerete. ANTONYMS: (v) comfort, reassure,
crimson; (n) red, bloom, rosiness, ANTONYMS: (n) fidelity, loyalty, soothe, calm.
ruddiness, redness; (adj) bashful; predictability. glaringly: (adv) dazzlingly, blazingly,
(adv) blushingly. ANTONYMS: (v) figuratively: (adv) allegorically, brilliantly, plainly, obviously,
blanch, pale, blench; (n) paleness. symbolically, tropically, typically, grossly, rankly, flagrantly, flamingly,
bugbear: (n) bogeyman, air drawn representatively, parabolically, brightly; (adj) famously.
242 Wuthering Heights

can walk over yourself. But I shall not return till this time next week; and I think
your master himself would scarcely object to her visiting her cousin.'
'Come in,' said I, taking Cathy by the arm and half forcing her to re-enter; for
she lingered, viewing with troubled eyes the features of the speaker, too stern to
express his inward deceit.%
He pushed his horse close, and, bending down, observed - 'Miss Catherine,
I'll own to you that I have little patience with Linton; and Hareton and Joseph
have less. I'll own that he's with a harsh set. He pines for kindness, as well as
love; and a kind word from you would be his best medicine. Don't mind Mrs.
Dean's cruel cautions; but be generous, and contrive to see him. He dreams of
you day and night, and cannot be persuaded that you don't hate him, since you
neither write nor call.'
I closed the door, and rolled a stone to assist the loosened lock in holding it;
and spreading my umbrella, I drew my charge underneath: for the rain began to
drive through the moaning branches of the trees, and warned us to avoid delay.
Our hurry prevented any comment on the encounter with Heathcliff, as we
stretched towards home; but I divined instinctively that Catherine's heart was
clouded now in double darkness. Her features were so sad, they did not seem
hers: she evidently regarded what she had heard as every syllable true.
The master had retired to rest before we came in. Cathy stole to his room to
inquire how he was; he had fallen asleep. She returned, and asked me to sit with
her in the library. We took our tea together; and afterwards she lay down on the
rug, and told me not to talk, for she was weary. I got a book, and pretended to
read. As soon as she supposed me absorbed in my occupation, she
recommenced her silent weeping: it appeared, at present, her favourite
diversion. I suffered her to enjoy it a while; then I expostulated: deriding and
ridiculing all Mr. Heathcliff's assertions about his son, as if I were certain she
would coincide. Alas! I hadn't skill to counteract the effect his account had
produced: it was just what he intended.

Thesaurus
bending: (n) bow, bend, deflection, diversion: (n) amusement, stern: (adj) rigid, rigorous, austere,
deflexion, refraction, flexure, crook; entertainment, pastime, deviation, hard, strict, grim, solemn, rough; (adj,
(adj) flexible, supple, winding, pliant. distraction, detour, fun, sport, v) harsh; (n) back; (adj, n) rear.
ANTONYM: (adj) stiff. recreation, digression, deflexion. ANTONYMS: (adj) friendly,
cautions: (adj) guardful. loosened: (adj) disentangled, loose, approving, lenient, funny, genial,
counteract: (v) antagonize, freed, disengaged, extricated, gentle, kindly, lax, liberal, cheerful,
counterbalance, check, balance, unsnarled. flexible.
cancel, hinder, neutralize, contradict, pretended: (adj, v) sham, mock, syllable: (n) antepenultimate,
resist, compensate, contravene. counterfeit, pseudo, spurious; (adj) antepenult, penultima, penultimate,
ANTONYMS: (v) help, cooperate, assumed, fake, feigned, fictitious, articulate, utter, linguistic unit, solfa
assist, approve, coordinate, support, bogus, affected. syllable, speech sound, syllabe,
back, reinforce. ridiculing: (adj) sneering, satirical. language unit.
Emily Brontë 243

'You may be right, Ellen,' she answered; 'but I shall never feel at ease till I
know. And I must tell Linton it is not my fault that I don't write, and convince
him that I shall not change.'
What use were anger and protestations against her silly credulity? We parted
that night - hostile; but next day beheld me on the road to Wuthering Heights, by
the side of my wilful young mistress's pony. I couldn't bear to witness her
sorrow: to see her pale, dejected countenance, and heavy eyes: and I yielded, in
the faint hope that Linton himself might prove, by his reception of us, how little
of the tale was founded on fact.%

Thesaurus
convince: (v) persuade, convert, sway, unhappy, spiritless, sorrowful, founded: (prep) established, institute;
reassure, prevail on, induce, entice, miserable, melancholy. ANTONYMS: (v) fusil, cast.
argue, convict, win over; (adj, v) (adj) elated, happy, euphoric, joyous, parted: (adj) divided, separate,
satisfy. ANTONYMS: (v) discourage, encouraged, positive, enthusiastic, distributed, separated, divisible,
repel. hopeful. disunited, compounder, compound,
credulity: (n) credulousness, faint: (adj, n, v) swoon; (adj) dim, dividable.
trustingness, trust, innocence, feeble, dizzy, indistinct, vague, soft, wilful: (adj) headstrong, deliberate,
trustfulness, faith, lack of caution, dull; (adj, v) weak; (v) languish, pass intentional, knowing, designed,
navet, unwariness, acceptance. out. ANTONYMS: (adj) distinct, wayward, obstinate, willful,
ANTONYM: (n) wariness. clear, obvious, loud, considerable, stubborn, studied, persistent.
dejected: (adj) sad, depressed, low, pungent, invigorated, hearty, yielded: (v) yold, yolden.
downhearted, gloomy, down, energetic, defined; (v) revive.
Emily Brontë 245

CHAPTER XXIII

THE rainy night had ushered in a misty morning - half frost, half drizzle -
and temporary brooks crossed our path - gurgling from the uplands. My feet
were thoroughly wetted; I was cross and low; exactly the humour suited for
making the most of these disagreeable things. We entered the farm-house by the
kitchen way, to ascertain whether Mr. Heathcliff were really absent: because I
put slight faith in his own affirmation.%
Joseph seemed sitting in a sort of elysium alone, beside a roaring fire; a quart
of ale on the table near him, bristling with large pieces of toasted oat-cake; and
his black, short pipe in his mouth. Catherine ran to the hearth to warm herself. I
asked if the master was in? My question remained so long unanswered, that I
thought the old man had grown deaf, and repeated it louder.
'Na - ay!' he snarled, or rather screamed through his nose. 'Na - ay! yah muh
goa back whear yah coom frough.'
'Joseph!' cried a peevish voice, simultaneously with me, from the inner room.
'How often am I to call you? There are only a few red ashes now. Joseph! come
this moment.'
Vigorous puffs, and a resolute stare into the grate, declared he had no ear for
this appeal. The housekeeper and Hareton were invisible; one gone on an
errand, and the other at his work, probably. We knew Linton's tones, and
entered.

Thesaurus
bristling: (n) brisling; (adj) thorny, gall, gnash, fret, rub, aggravate, inflexible, brave, adamant, dogged,
muricated, pectinated, studded, provoke; (n) lattice. unbending, courageous.
thistly, bristled, bushy, teeming, pieces: (n) debris, trash. ANTONYMS: (adj) weak, uncertain,
horrid, horrent. quart: (n) quartile, quartic, uncommitted, timid, fickle, feeble,
drizzle: (n, v) rain, spray, mist; (v) quartilunar, quartole, quartlet, indecisive, flexible, flippant, hesitant,
drip, dribble, splosh; (n) rainfall, light quarts, quarto, quarter. undecided.
rain, wet, plash; (adj) drizzling. rainy: (adj) moist, pluvial, damp, toasted: (adj) heated.
ANTONYM: (v) deluge. pluvious, stormy, juicy, dirty, soppy, unanswered: (v) unrefuted,
elysium: (n) heaven, paradise, Elysia, raining, drizzly; (adj, v) showery. unconfuted; (adj) unsolved,
Elysian, Eden, Valhalla, Arcadia, easy ANTONYM: (adj) pleasant. unresolved, unrequited,
street, rapture. resolute: (adj, n) constant, firm, fixed, unreciprocated, unsettled.
grate: (v) grind, creak, scrape, abrade, steady; (adj, v) determined; (adj)
246 Wuthering Heights

'Oh, I hope you'll die in a garret, starved to death!' said the boy, mistaking
our approach for that of his negligent attendant.%
He stopped on observing his error: his cousin flew to him.
'Is that you, Miss Linton?' he said, raising his head from the arm of the great
chair, in which he reclined. 'No - don't kiss me: it takes my breath. Dear me!
Papa said you would call,' continued he, after recovering a little from Catherine's
embrace; while she stood by looking very contrite. 'Will you shut the door, if
you please? you left it open; and those - those DETESTABLE creatures won't
bring coals to the fire. It's so cold!'
I stirred up the cinders, and fetched a scuttleful myself. The invalid
complained of being covered with ashes; but he had a tiresome cough, and
looked feverish and ill, so I did not rebuke his temper.
'Well, Linton,' murmured Catherine, when his corrugated brow relaxed, 'are
you glad to see me? Can I do you any good?'
'Why didn't you come before?' he asked. 'You should have come, instead of
writing. It tired me dreadfully writing those long letters. I'd far rather have
talked to you. Now, I can neither bear to talk, nor anything else. I wonder where
Zillah is! Will you' (looking at me) 'step into the kitchen and see?'
I had received no thanks for my other service; and being unwilling to run to
and fro at his behest, I replied - 'Nobody is out there but Joseph.'
'I want to drink,' he exclaimed fretfully, turning away. 'Zillah is constantly
gadding off to Gimmerton since papa went: it's miserable! And I'm obliged to
come down here - they resolved never to hear me up-stairs.'
'Is your father attentive to you, Master Heathcliff?' I asked, perceiving
Catherine to be checked in her friendly advances.
'Attentive? He makes them a little more attentive at least,' he cried. 'The
wretches! Do you know, Miss Linton, that brute Hareton laughs at me! I hate
him! indeed, I hate them all: they are odious beings.'

Thesaurus
ashes: (n) dust, cinders, remains, corrugated: (adj) waved, wrinkly, mistaking: (n) misunderstanding,
cinder, clay, earth, embers, clinker; undulate, corrugate, wavy, crimped, mistake, imbroglio,
(adj) scoriae, mother, precipitate. grooved, ridged. ANTONYM: (adj) misinterpretation, misconstruction,
behest: (n) command, dictate, order, flat. misapprehension, misconstrual,
bidding, dictum, ordinance, hest, fiat, fretfully: (adv) restlessly, uneasily, interpretation, misreading; (adj)
charge, mandate, injunction. anxiously, querulously, testily, mistaken, misleading.
contrite: (adj) apologetic, sorry, snappishly, fractiously, petulantly, starved: (adj) famished, starving,
remorseful, regretful, rueful, bad, crossly, nervously, worriedly. ravenous, meager, emaciated,
ashamed, humble, sorrowful, dreary; ANTONYM: (adv) unconcernedly. malnourished, thin, esurient,
(adj, v) repentant. ANTONYMS: (adj) gadding: (v) monadic, vagrant, hungerly, lean, starveling.
unrepentant, indifferent, hurtful, migratory, itinerant, Peripatetic, ANTONYM: (adj) healthy.
mean, proud, unremorseful. rambling, roving; (adj) discursive.
Emily Brontë 247

Cathy began searching for some water; she lighted on a pitcher in the dresser,
filled a tumbler, and brought it. He bid her add a spoonful of wine from a bottle
on the table; and having swallowed a small portion, appeared more tranquil,
and said she was very kind.%
'And are you glad to see me?' asked she, reiterating her former question and
pleased to detect the faint dawn of a smile.
'Yes, I am. It's something new to hear a voice like yours!' he replied. 'But I
have been vexed, because you wouldn't come. And papa swore it was owing to
me: he called me a pitiful, shuffling, worthless thing; and said you despised me;
and if he had been in my place, he would be more the master of the Grange than
your father by this time. But you don't despise me, do you, Miss - ?'
'I wish you would say Catherine, or Cathy,' interrupted my young lady.
'Despise you? No! Next to papa and Ellen, I love you better than anybody
living. I don't love Mr. Heathcliff, though; and I dare not come when he returns:
will he stay away many days?'
'Not many,' answered Linton; 'but he goes on to the moors frequently, since
the shooting season commenced; and you might spend an hour or two with me
in his absence. Do say you will. I think I should not be peevish with you: you'd
not provoke me, and you'd always be ready to help me, wouldn't you?'
'Yes" said Catherine, stroking his long soft hair: 'if I could only get papa's
consent, I'd spend half my time with you. Pretty Linton! I wish you were my
brother.'
'And then you would like me as well as your father?' observed he, more
cheerfully. 'But papa says you would love me better than him and all the world,
if you were my wife; so I'd rather you were that.'
'No, I should never love anybody better than papa,' she returned gravely.
'And people hate their wives, sometimes; but not their sisters and brothers: and
if you were the latter, you would live with us, and papa would be as fond of you
as he is of me.'

Thesaurus
gravely: (adv) seriously, soberly, inflame, invite, get. ANTONYMS: (v) composed, equable. ANTONYMS:
severely, solemnly, badly, staidly, please, soothe, mollify, deter, inhibit, (adj) noisy, tense, agitated, anxious,
momentously, heavily, earnestly, dampen, arbitrate, allay, defuse, troubled, bustling, loud, perturbed,
weightily, grievously. ANTONYMS: discourage, douse. frenetic, moving, bothered.
(adv) lightheartedly, mildly, slightly; reiterating: (adj) reiterant, redundant. worthless: (adj, v) futile, vain; (adj)
(adj) soft. shuffling: (n) shuffle, evasion, vile, idle, empty, trifling, void, trivial,
portion: (n, v) division, lot, allot, shambling, make, shamble; (adj) cheap, miserable, null. ANTONYMS:
dividend, divide; (n) piece, parcel, evasive, moral turpitude, milling, (adj) precious, useful, worthwhile,
fragment, component, section; (adj, n) laxity, abjection; (n, v) prevarication. priceless, meaningful, helpful,
constituent. ANTONYM: (n) whole. tranquil: (adj, v) quiet, unruffled, invaluable, deserving, valid, worthy,
provoke: (n, v) excite; (v) defy, offend, smooth; (adj, n) peaceful; (adj) placid, substantial.
enrage, anger, irritate, arouse, kindle, still, serene, sedate, collected,
248 Wuthering Heights

Linton denied that people ever hated their wives; but Cathy affirmed they
did, and, in her wisdom, instanced his own father's aversion to her aunt. I
endeavoured to stop her thoughtless tongue. I couldn't succeed till everything
she knew was out. Master Heathcliff, much irritated, asserted her relation was
false.%
'Papa told me; and papa does not tell falsehoods,' she answered pertly.
'MY papa scorns yours!' cried Linton. 'He calls him a sneaking fool.'
'Yours is a wicked man,' retorted Catherine; 'and you are very naughty to
dare to repeat what he says. He must be wicked to have made Aunt Isabella
leave him as she did.'
'She didn't leave him,' said the boy; 'you sha'n't contradict me.'
'She did,' cried my young lady.
'Well, I'll tell you something!' said Linton. 'Your mother hated your father:
now then.'
'Oh!' exclaimed Catherine, too enraged to continue.
'And she loved mine,' added he.
'You little liar! I hate you now!' she panted, and her face grew red with
passion.
'She did! she did!' sang Linton, sinking into the recess of his chair, and
leaning back his head to enjoy the agitation of the other disputant, who stood
behind.
'Hush, Master Heathcliff!' I said; 'that's your father's tale, too, I suppose.'
'It isn't: you hold your tongue!' he answered. 'She did, she did, Catherine!
she did, she did!'
Cathy, beside herself, gave the chair a violent push, and caused him to fall
against one arm. He was immediately seized by a suffocating cough that soon
ended his triumph. It lasted so long that it frightened even me. As to his cousin,
she wept with all her might, aghast at the mischief she had done: though she
said nothing. I held him till the fit exhausted itself. Then he thrust me away,

Thesaurus
aghast: (adj) dismayed, appalled, litigant, wrangler, polemic, denier, pertly: (adv) impudently,
horrified, frightened, scared, brawler, accuser, brangler. impertinently, freshly, rudely,
terrified, confounded, astonished; (n) exhausted: (adj) fatigued, tired, spent, perkily, smartly, brashly,
agape; (v) all agog, breathless. dry, empty, depleted, jaded, immodestly, forwardly, briskly,
ANTONYMS: (adj) undisturbed, enervated, faint; (adj, v) gone, weak. sassily.
unperturbed, unsurprised. ANTONYMS: (adj) fresh, refreshed, sang: (n) panax quinquefolius, sing,
cough: (v) clear the throat, to cough, strong, restored, vigorous, herb, herbaceous plant.
spit up, cough up, expectorate; (n) unexhausted, replenished, remaining, sinking: (n) sinkage, settling, fall,
expiration, exhalation, symptom, energized, invigorated, restocked. descent, foundering, depression,
sneeze, breathing out. liar: (n) deceiver, fibber, fabricator, immersion, submersion,
disputant: (n) debater, falsifier, trickster, prevaricator, con submergence; (v) decrease, decline.
controversialist, arguer, contestant, artist, phony, lie, impostor, swindler. ANTONYM: (adj) rising.
Emily Brontë 249

and leant his head down silently. Catherine quelled her lamentations also, took a
seat opposite, and looked solemnly into the fire.%
'How do you feel now, Master Heathcliff?' I inquired, after waiting ten
minutes.
'I wish SHE felt as I do,' he replied: 'spiteful, cruel thing! Hareton never
touches me: he never struck me in his life. And I was better to-day: and there - '
his voice died in a whimper.
'I didn't strike you!' muttered Cathy, chewing her lip to prevent another burst
of emotion.
He sighed and moaned like one under great suffering, and kept it up for a
quarter of an hour; on purpose to distress his cousin apparently, for whenever he
caught a stifled sob from her he put renewed pain and pathos into the inflexions
of his voice.
'I'm sorry I hurt you, Linton,' she said at length, racked beyond endurance.
'But I couldn't have been hurt by that little push, and I had no idea that you
could, either: you're not much, are you, Linton? Don't let me go home thinking
I've done you harm. Answer! speak to me.'
'I can't speak to you,' he murmured; 'you've hurt me so that I shall lie awake
all night choking with this cough. If you had it you'd know what it was; but
YOU'LL be comfortably asleep while I'm in agony, and nobody near me. I
wonder how you would like to pass those fearful nights!' And he began to wail
aloud, for very pity of himself.
'Since you are in the habit of passing dreadful nights,' I said, 'it won't be Miss
who spoils your ease: you'd be the same had she never come. However, she
shall not disturb you again; and perhaps you'll get quieter when we leave you.'
'Must I go?' asked Catherine dolefully, bending over him. 'Do you want me
to go, Linton?'
'You can't alter what you've done,' he replied pettishly, shrinking from her,
'unless you alter it for the worse by teasing me into a fever.'

Thesaurus
chewing: (n) chew, mastication, chaw, frailty, discontinuation, renewed: (adj) changed, born again,
change of state; (adj) masticatory. discontinuance, death. new, fresh, redintegrate,
dolefully: (adv) sadly, mournfully, pathos: (v) emotion, inspiration, rehabilitated, transformed,
disconsolately, gloomily, dismally, impression, affection; (n) poignancy, regenerate, reformed, Renate.
glumly, somberly, ruefully, pity, ruth, commiseration, grief, spoils: (n) prize, stolen goods, booty,
melancholy, funereally, unhappily. poignance, sympathy. plunder, haul, swag, pickings,
endurance: (adj, n) sufferance; (n) pettishly: (adv) testily, irritably, trophy, boodle, prize money,
stamina, tolerance, courage, crossly, tetchily, peevishly, techily, treasure.
permanence, continuance, energy, huffily, touchily, fractiously, fretfully, whimper: (n, v) cry, wail, moan,
fortitude, tenacity, duration, moodily. groan, sigh; (v) sob, weep, howl,
toughness. ANTONYMS: (n) racked: (adj) assured, confident, snivel, pule, blubber. ANTONYM: (v)
weakness, inconsistency, impatience, miserable. laugh.
250 Wuthering Heights

'Well, then, I must go?' she repeated.%


'Let me alone, at least,' said he; 'I can't bear your talking.'
She lingered, and resisted my persuasions to departure a tiresome while; but
as he neither looked up nor spoke, she finally made a movement to the door, and
I followed. We were recalled by a scream. Linton had slid from his seat on to the
hearthstone, and lay writhing in the mere perverseness of an indulged plague of
a child, determined to be as grievous and harassing as it can. I thoroughly
gauged his disposition from his behaviour, and saw at once it would be folly to
attempt humouring him. Not so my companion: she ran back in terror, knelt
down, and cried, and soothed, and entreated, till he grew quiet from lack of
breath: by no means from compunction at distressing her.
'I shall lift him on to the settle,' I said, 'and he may roll about as he pleases:
we can't stop to watch him. I hope you are satisfied, Miss Cathy, that you are not
the person to benefit him; and that his condition of health is not occasioned by
attachment to you. Now, then, there he is! Come away: as soon as he knows
there is nobody by to care for his nonsense, he'll be glad to lie still.'
She placed a cushion under his head, and offered him some water; he rejected
the latter, and tossed uneasily on the former, as if it were a stone or a block of
wood. She tried to put it more comfortably.
'I can't do with that,' he said; 'it's not high enough.'
Catherine brought another to lay above it.
'That's too high,' murmured the provoking thing.
'How must I arrange it, then?' she asked despairingly.
He twined himself up to her, as she half knelt by the settle, and converted her
shoulder into a support.
'No, that won't do,' I said. 'You'll be content with the cushion, Master
Heathcliff. Miss has wasted too much time on you already: we cannot remain
five minutes longer.'

Thesaurus
despairingly: (adv) forlornly, heartwarming, pleasing, willfulness, contumacy, obliquity,
desperately, despondently, unemotional, soothing, comforting, degeneracy, depravity, deliberate
dejectedly, sadly, desolately, comfortable, cheerful, appealing, unruliness, crotchetiness.
disconsolately, resignedly, happy. provoking: (adj) provocative,
sorrowfully, frantically, franticly. harassing: (adj) troublesome, carking, annoying, aggravating, galling,
ANTONYMS: (adv) energetically, galling, thorny, vexatious; (v) maddening, vexatious, agitative,
expectantly, cheerfully. bothering, pestering, tormenting, tempting, agitating; (adj, v) irritating,
distressing: (adj) sorrowful, worrying, annoy, harass. insulting. ANTONYMS: (adj)
deplorable, pitiful, painful, bad, neither: (conj) either, no-one, not conciliatory, courteous, satisfying.
depressing, disturbing, sore, either, nor, nother. soothed: (adj) composed.
lamentable, hurtful, worrying. perverseness: (n) perversity, twined: (adj) bent, coiled, contorted,
ANTONYMS: (adj) reassuring, cussedness, unruliness, wilfulness, distorted, misrepresented, perverted.
Emily Brontë 251

'Yes, yes, we can!' replied Cathy. 'He's good and patient now. He's beginning
to think I shall have far greater misery than he will to-night, if I believe he is the
worse for my visit: and then I dare not come again. Tell the truth about it,
Linton; for I musn't come, if I have hurt you.'
'You must come, to cure me,' he answered. 'You ought to come, because you
have hurt me: you know you have extremely! I was not as ill when you entered
as I am at present - was I?'
'But you've made yourself ill by crying and being in a passion. - I didn't do it
all,' said his cousin. 'However, we'll be friends now. And you want me: you
would wish to see me sometimes, really?'
'I told you I did,' he replied impatiently. 'Sit on the settle and let me lean on
your knee. That's as mamma used to do, whole afternoons together. Sit quite
still and don't talk: but you may sing a song, if you can sing; or you may say a
nice long interesting ballad - one of those you promised to teach me; or a story.
I'd rather have a ballad, though: begin.'
Catherine repeated the longest she could remember. The employment
pleased both mightily. Linton would have another, and after that another,
notwithstanding my strenuous objections; and so they went on until the clock
struck twelve, and we heard Hareton in the court, returning for his dinner.%
'And to-morrow, Catherine, will you be here to-morrow?' asked young
Heathcliff, holding her frock as she rose reluctantly.
'No,' I answered, 'nor next day neither.' She, however, gave a different
response evidently, for his forehead cleared as she stooped and whispered in his
ear.
'You won't go to-morrow, recollect, Miss!' I commenced, when we were out
of the house. 'You are not dreaming of it, are you?'
She smiled.
'Oh, I'll take good care,' I continued: 'I'll have that lock mended, and you can
escape by no way else.'

Thesaurus
ballad: (n) song, folk song, carol, uncomplainingly, calmly, nonetheless, though, still, all the
poem, ballade, recitative, solfeggio, unenthusiastically, lightly. same; (prep) despite.
pastoral, recitativo, ditty, bravura. longest: (adj) best, lengest, fastest, top, stooped: (adj) hunched, stoop,
dreaming: (n) reverie, ambition, record, best ever, greatest. stooping, crooked, bended, not
nightmare, conception, castle in the mightily: (adv) powerfully, straight, inclined, not erect, arched,
air; (adj) absent-minded, asleep, vigorously, strongly, greatly, asymmetrical, droopy.
visionary, vacant, wistful, rapt. potently, fiercely, sturdily, violently, strenuous: (adj) arduous, energetic,
impatiently: (adv) petulantly, robustly, puissantly, vastly. hard, grueling, active, keen, tough,
restlessly, keenly, intolerantly, ANTONYMS: (adv) weakly, slightly. eager, dynamic, forward, difficult.
hastily, avidly, uneasily, notwithstanding: (adv, conj) ANTONYMS: (adj) weak,
enthusiastically, edgily, fidgetily, nevertheless, although, even though, undemanding, refreshing, effortless,
restively. ANTONYMS: (adv) yet, but; (conj) albeit; (adv) feeble, light.
252 Wuthering Heights

'I can get over the wall,' she said laughing. 'The Grange is not a prison, Ellen,
and you are not my gaoler. And besides, I'm almost seventeen: I'm a woman.
And I'm certain Linton would recover quickly if he had me to look after him. I'm
older than he is, you know, and wiser: less childish, am I not? And he'll soon do
as I direct him, with some slight coaxing. He's a pretty little darling when he's
good. I'd make such a pet of him, if he were mine. We should, never quarrel,
should we after we were used to each other? Don't you like him, Ellen?'
'Like him!' I exclaimed. 'The worst-tempered bit of a sickly slip that ever
struggled into its teens. Happily, as Mr. Heathcliff conjectured, he'll not win
twenty. I doubt whether he'll see spring, indeed. And small loss to his family
whenever he drops off. And lucky it is for us that his father took him: the kinder
he was treated, the more tedious and selfish he'd be. I'm glad you have no
chance of having him for a husband, Miss Catherine.'
My companion waxed serious at hearing this speech. To speak of his death
so regardlessly wounded her feelings.%
'He's younger than I,' she answered, after a protracted pause of meditation,
'and he ought to live the longest: he will - he must live as long as I do. He's as
strong now as when he first came into the north; I'm positive of that. It's only a
cold that ails him, the same as papa has. You say papa will get better, and why
shouldn't he?'
'Well, well,' I cried, 'after all, we needn't trouble ourselves; for listen, Miss, -
and mind, I'll keep my word, - if you attempt going to Wuthering Heights again,
with or without me, I shall inform Mr. Linton, and, unless he allow it, the
intimacy with your cousin must not be revived.'
'It has been revived,' muttered Cathy, sulkily.
'Must not be continued, then,' I said.
'We'll see,' was her reply, and she set off at a gallop, leaving me to toil in the
rear.
We both reached home before our dinner-time; my master supposed we had
been wandering through the park, and therefore he demanded no explanation of

Thesaurus
gallop: (v) speed, dart, dash, race, regardlessly: (adv) thoughtlessly, concise, exotic, pleasant.
spring, tear, hasten, sprint; (adj, v) fly; unheedingly, carelessly, heedlessly, teens: (n) minority, tender age,
(n, v) trot; (n) gait. inadvertently, neglectfully, teenage years, childhood, large
gaoler: (n) keeper, screw, turnkey, negligently, blindly, remissly, integer, puberty, youth, boyhood,
warder, jailor, custos, custodian, unmindfully, unconcernedly. adolescence, bloom.
lawman, guard, ass, ranger. seventeen: (n) large integer. toil: (n, v) labor, work, drudge, sweat,
meditation: (n, v) contemplation, tedious: (adj) tiresome, boring, dreary, drudgery, grind, labour, travail; (v)
study; (n) consideration, reflection, slow, heavy, humdrum, irksome, plod; (n) effort, exertion.
deliberation, thought, introspection, lifeless; (adj, v) monotonous, arid, ANTONYMS: (n) pastime,
musing, rumination, conception, dry. ANTONYMS: (adj) exciting, entertainment, fun, relaxation; (v)
reflexion. ANTONYM: (n) varied, easy, readable, lively, laze, neglect.
distraction. entertaining, enthralling, brisk,
Emily Brontë 253

our absence. As soon as I entered I hastened to change my soaked shoes and


stockings; but sitting such awhile at the Heights had done the mischief. On the
succeeding morning I was laid up, and during three weeks I remained
incapacitated for attending to my duties: a calamity never experienced prior to
that period, and never, I am thankful to say, since.%
My little mistress behaved like an angel in coming to wait on me, and cheer
my solitude; the confinement brought me exceedingly low. It is wearisome, to a
stirring active body: but few have slighter reasons for complaint than I had. The
moment Catherine left Mr. Linton's room she appeared at my bedside. Her day
was divided between us; no amusement usurped a minute: she neglected her
meals, her studies, and her play; and she was the fondest nurse that ever
watched. She must have had a warm heart, when she loved her father so, to give
so much to me. I said her days were divided between us; but the master retired
early, and I generally needed nothing after six o'clock, thus the evening was her
own. Poor thing! I never considered what she did with herself after tea. And
though frequently, when she looked in to bid me good-night, I remarked a fresh
colour in her cheeks and a pinkness over her slender fingers, instead of fancying
the line borrowed from a cold ride across the moors, I laid it to the charge of a
hot fire in the library.

Thesaurus
awhile: (adj) in transitu, en passant; pinkness: (n) blush. rousing, spirited, touching, thrilling,
(adv) briefly. soaked: (adj) wet, drenched, sopping, active; (n) agitation; (v) eventful,
confinement: (n, v) childbirth, soggy, soaking, drunk, wet through, brisk. ANTONYMS: (adj) depressing,
delivery; (n) detention, custody, soaking wet, damp, sloshed; (adj, v) boring, inactive, dull, conciliatory,
restraint, internment, prison, labor, sodden. ANTONYM: (adj) dry. asleep, uninspiring, unimpressive; (n)
containment, incarceration, arrest. solitude: (n) desolation, loneliness, suppression.
ANTONYMS: (n) release, death, seclusion, privacy, aloneness, succeeding: (adj) following,
liberation. isolation, retirement, lonesomeness, subsequent, after, consecutive,
incapacitated: (adj) powerless, unfit, retreat, desert, solitariness. posterior, ensuing, consequent,
handicapped, helpless, incompetent, ANTONYMS: (n) companionship, successive, consequential; (adj, adv)
out of action, impotent, unable, weak, closeness. later; (v) succeed. ANTONYMS: (adj)
under disability, prostrate. stirring: (adj) lively, exciting, alive, outgoing, preceding.
Emily Brontë 255

CHAPTER XXIV

AT the close of three weeks I was able to quit my chamber and move about
the house. And on the first occasion of my sitting up in the evening I asked
Catherine to read to me, because my eyes were weak. We were in the library, the
master having gone to bed: she consented, rather unwillingly, I fancied; and
imagining my sort of books did not suit her, I bid her please herself in the choice
of what she perused. She selected one of her own favourites, and got forward
steadily about an hour; then came frequent questions.%
'Ellen, are not you tired? Hadn't you better lie down now? You'll be sick,
keeping up so long, Ellen.'
'No, no, dear, I'm not tired,' I returned, continually.
Perceiving me immovable, she essayed another method of showing her
disrelish for her occupation. It changed to yawning, and stretching, and -
'Ellen, I'm tired.'
'Give over then and talk,' I answered.
That was worse: she fretted and sighed, and looked at her watch till eight,
and finally went to her room, completely overdone with sleep; judging by her
peevish, heavy look, and the constant rubbing she inflicted on her eyes. The
following night she seemed more impatient still; and on the third from
recovering my company she complained of a headache, and left me. I thought
her conduct odd; and having remained alone a long while, I resolved on going

Thesaurus
disrelish: (n, v) dislike, distaste, ANTONYMS: (adj) loose, moving, getting better, on the road to
disgust; (n) disinclination, mobile, flexible, movable, recovery, improving.
displeasure, antipathy, aversion, acquiescent, temporary, irresolute. rubbing: (n) friction, abrasion,
repulsion, disapprobation, overdone: (adj) exaggerated, grinding, detrition, rub, grip,
disaffection, disfavor. overstated, overcooked, excessive, resistance, chafe, sweat, travail,
imagining: (n) conception, daydream, immoderate, extravagant, fulsome, massage. ANTONYM: (n)
fantasy, opinion; (v) imagine; (adj) overdo, undue, overwrought, smoothness.
imaginant. profuse. ANTONYMS: (adj) yawning: (adj, v) gaping, oscitant; (n)
immovable: (adj, v) firm, fixed; (adj) restrained, tender. yawn, hiation, pandiculation,
adamant, steadfast, motionless, recovering: (v) recover, regain, restore; oscitancy; (adj) cavernous, open,
unyielding, unmovable, set, (adj) better; (n) rehabilitation, drowsy, profound, sleepy.
imperturbable, inflexible; (v) fast. recovery, rescue, relaxation; (adv) ANTONYMS: (adj) cramped, narrow.
256 Wuthering Heights

and inquiring whether she were better, and asking her to come and lie on the
sofa, instead of up-stairs in the dark. No Catherine could I discover up-stairs,
and none below. The servants affirmed they had not seen her. I listened at Mr.
Edgar's door; all was silence. I returned to her apartment, extinguished my
candle, and seated myself in the window.%
The moon shone bright; a sprinkling of snow covered the ground, and I
reflected that she might, possibly, have taken it into her head to walk about the
garden, for refreshment. I did detect a figure creeping along the inner fence of
the park; but it was not my young mistress: on its emerging into the light, I
recognised one of the grooms. He stood a considerable period, viewing the
carriage-road through the grounds; then started off at a brisk pace, as if he had
detected something, and reappeared presently, leading Miss's pony; and there
she was, just dismounted, and walking by its side. The man took his charge
stealthily across the grass towards the stable. Cathy entered by the casement-
window of the drawing-room, and glided noiselessly up to where I awaited her.
She put the door gently too, slipped off her snowy shoes, untied her hat, and was
proceeding, unconscious of my espionage, to lay aside her mantle, when I
suddenly rose and revealed myself. The surprise petrified her an instant: she
uttered an inarticulate exclamation, and stood fixed.
'My dear Miss Catherine,' I began, too vividly impressed by her recent
kindness to break into a scold, 'where have you been riding out at this hour?
And why should you try to deceive me by telling a tale? Where have you been?
Speak!'
'To the bottom of the park,' she stammered. 'I didn't tell a tale.'
'And nowhere else?' I demanded.
'No,' was the muttered reply.
'Oh, Catherine!' I cried, sorrowfully. 'You know you have been doing wrong,
or you wouldn't be driven to uttering an untruth to me. That does grieve me. I'd
rather be three months ill, than hear you frame a deliberate lie.'
She sprang forward, and bursting into tears, threw her arms round my neck.

Thesaurus
espionage: (n) reconnaissance, spy, statue, lacking sensation. underhandedly, in secret, privately,
intelligence, spying, watch, autopsy, ANTONYMS: (adj) mobile, fearless. sneakingly; (adj, adv) noiselessly.
speculation. sorrowfully: (adv) dolefully, ANTONYM: (adv) brazenly.
inarticulate: (adj) unintelligible, silent, mournfully, gloomily, woefully, untied: (adj) unfastened, unchained,
vague, muffled, incoherent, mute, unhappily, sorrily, ruefully, unshackled, unlaced, unbound,
incomprehensible, unarticulate, dejectedly, grievously, forlornly, unfettered, free, unsewed, open,
speechless, guttural, fuzzy. contritely. ANTONYMS: (adv) unconnected, rambling.
ANTONYMS: (adj) articulate, happily, unrepentantly, joyfully, ANTONYMS: (adj) tied, laced.
eloquent, fluent, distinct, talkative. cheerfully. untruth: (n) falsehood, fiction, lie,
petrified: (adj) mineralized, stealthily: (adv) furtively, sneakily, falsity, deception, fable, deceit, story,
motionless, frightened, scared, numb, surreptitiously, covertly, tale, misrepresentation, invention.
stiff, harder, firm, mineral, like a clandestinely, underhandly, ANTONYM: (n) fact.
Emily Brontë 257

'Well, Ellen, I'm so afraid of you being angry,' she said. 'Promise not to be
angry, and you shall know the very truth: I hate to hide it.'
We sat down in the window-seat; I assured her I would not scold, whatever
her secret might be, and I guessed it, of course; so she commenced -
'I've been to Wuthering Heights, Ellen, and I've never missed going a day
since you fell ill; except thrice before, and twice after you left your room. I gave
Michael books and pictures to prepare Minny every evening, and to put her back
in the stable: you mustn't scold him either, mind. I was at the Heights by half-
past six, and generally stayed till half-past eight, and then galloped home. It was
not to amuse myself that I went: I was often wretched all the time. Now and
then I was happy: once in a week perhaps. At first, I expected there would be
sad work persuading you to let me keep my word to Linton: for I had engaged
to call again next day, when we quitted him; but, as you stayed up-stairs on the
morrow, I escaped that trouble. While Michael was refastening the lock of the
park door in the afternoon, I got possession of the key, and told him how my
cousin wished me to visit him, because he was sick, and couldn't come to the
Grange; and how papa would object to my going: and then I negotiated with
him about the pony. He is fond of reading, and he thinks of leaving soon to get
married; so he offered, if I would lend him books out of the library, to do what I
wished: but I preferred giving him my own, and that satisfied him better.%
'On my second visit Linton seemed in lively spirits; and Zillah (that is their
housekeeper) made us a clean room and a good fire, and told us that, as Joseph
was out at a prayer-meeting and Hareton Earnshaw was off with his dogs -
robbing our woods of pheasants, as I heard afterwards - we might do what we
liked. She brought me some warm wine and gingerbread, and appeared
exceedingly good- natured, and Linton sat in the arm-chair, and I in the little
rocking chair on the hearth-stone, and we laughed and talked so merrily, and
found so much to say: we planned where we would go, and what we would do
in summer. I needn't repeat that, because you would call it silly.
'One time, however, we were near quarrelling. He said the pleasantest
manner of spending a hot July day was lying from morning till evening on a

Thesaurus
engaged: (adj) occupied, betrothed, delicate, adoring, doting, ardent, keen, busy, gay, fresh, jovial.
employed, affianced, engrossed, attached. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) lethargic, listless,
reserved, absorbed, working, aversion, cold, rough. inactive, unexciting, lifeless,
pledged, involved, committed. gingerbread: (adj) bedizened, extra, awkward, sad, gentle, tired, insipid,
ANTONYMS: (adj) free, unengaged, fancy; (v) flimsy, unsubstantial, subdued.
unemployed, uncommitted, insubstantial; (n) ornament, trim, pheasants: (n) Phasianidae, brush
unattached, single, detached, idle. embellishment, frill, garnish. turkeys, chickens, curassows, family
escaped: (adj) at large, at liberty, loose, lend: (v) grant, give, advance, impart, Phasianidae, Galliformes, grouse,
on the loose, runaway, easy, wild; (n) bestow, contribute, borrow, bring, hoatzins, order Galliformes,
freer; (v) escaping. add, confer; (n) lending. partridges.
fond: (adj) affectionate, caring, lively: (adj, adv) jolly, sprightly; (adj, v) robbing: (adj) freebooting, practicing
devoted, tender, loving, amorous, active, cheerful; (adj) energetic, agile, freebootery; (n) theft.
258 Wuthering Heights

bank of heath in the middle of the moors, with the bees humming dreamily
about among the bloom, and the larks singing high up overhead, and the blue
sky and bright sun shining steadily and cloudlessly. That was his most perfect
idea of heaven's happiness: mine was rocking in a rustling green tree, with a
west wind blowing, and bright white clouds flitting rapidly above; and not only
larks, but throstles, and blackbirds, and linnets, and cuckoos pouring out music
on every side, and the moors seen at a distance, broken into cool dusky dells; but
close by great swells of long grass undulating in waves to the breeze; and woods
and sounding water, and the whole world awake and wild with joy. He wanted
all to lie in an ecstasy of peace; I wanted all to sparkle and dance in a glorious
jubilee. I said his heaven would be only half alive; and he said mine would be
drunk: I said I should fall asleep in his; and he said he could not breathe in mine,
and began to grow very snappish. At last, we agreed to try both, as soon as the
right weather came; and then we kissed each other and were friends.%
'After sitting still an hour, I looked at the great room with its smooth
uncarpeted floor, and thought how nice it would be to play in, if we removed the
table; and I asked Linton to call Zillah in to help us, and we'd have a game at
blindman's-buff; she should try to catch us: you used to, you know, Ellen. He
wouldn't: there was no pleasure in it, he said; but he consented to play at ball
with me. We found two in a cupboard, among a heap of old toys, tops, and
hoops, and battledores and shuttlecocks. One was marked C., and the other H.; I
wished to have the C., because that stood for Catherine, and the H. might be for
Heathcliff, his name; but the bran came out of H., and Linton didn't like it. I beat
him constantly: and he got cross again, and coughed, and returned to his chair.
That night, though, he easily recovered his good humour: he was charmed with
two or three pretty songs - YOUR songs, Ellen; and when I was obliged to go, he
begged and entreated me to come the following evening; and I promised. Minny
and I went flying home as light as air; and I dreamt of Wuthering Heights and
my sweet, darling cousin, till morning.
'On the morrow I was sad; partly because you were poorly, and partly that I
wished my father knew, and approved of my excursions: but it was beautiful

Thesaurus
bran: (adj) farina, sporule, flour, dingy, sooty, somber. ANTONYMS: morose. ANTONYMS: (adj)
paddy, rice, meal; (n) stubble, (adj) light, bright, sunny, radiant, easygoing, gentle, rambling.
cellulose, roughage, fiber, bren. clear. sparkle: (n, v) flicker, flash, shimmer,
charmed: (adj) enchanted, delighted, hoops: (n) basketball game, earrings, spark, shine, blaze, fizz, gleam,
fascinated, spellbound, entranced, studs, jewelry, basketball. glitter; (v) blink, glare. ANTONYMS:
captive, beguiled, infatuated, linnets: (n) canaries, cardinals, (n) apathy, dullness, lifelessness.
absorbed, enamored, captive hours. Carduelis, buntings, crossbills, genus undulating: (adj) sinuous, waved,
cloudlessly: (adv) uncloudedly, Carduelis, grosbeaks, family undulant, undulatory, curly,
brightly, clearly, lightly, cleanly. Fringillidae, chaffinches, bullfinches. apprenticed, zigzag, crimped, curvy,
cuckoos: (n) order Cuculiformes. snappish: (adj) irritable, snappy, indented, intended. ANTONYMS:
dusky: (adj) dark, cloudy, gloomy, fractious, crusty, curt, irascible, (adj) steep, straight.
black, swarthy, dull, murky, obscure, brusque, waspish, peppery, peevish,
Emily Brontë 259

moonlight after tea; and, as I rode on, the gloom cleared. I shall have another
happy evening, I thought to myself; and what delights me more, my pretty
Linton will. I trotted up their garden, and was turning round to the back, when
that fellow Earnshaw met me, took my bridle, and bid me go in by the front
entrance. He patted Minny's neck, and said she was a bonny beast, and
appeared as if he wanted me to speak to him. I only told him to leave my horse
alone, or else it would kick him. He answered in his vulgar accent, "It wouldn't
do mitch hurt if it did;" and surveyed its legs with a smile. I was half inclined to
make it try; however, he moved off to open the door, and, as he raised the latch,
he looked up to the inscription above, and said, with a stupid mixture of
awkwardness and elation: "Miss Catherine! I can read yon, now."
'"Wonderful," I exclaimed. "Pray let us hear you - you ARE grown clever!"
'He spelt, and drawled over by syllables, the name - "Hareton Earnshaw."
'"And the figures?" I cried, encouragingly, perceiving that he came to a dead
halt.%
'"I cannot tell them yet," he answered.
'"Oh, you dunce!" I said, laughing heartily at his failure.
'The fool stared, with a grin hovering about his lips, and a scowl gathering
over his eyes, as if uncertain whether he might not join in my mirth: whether it
were not pleasant familiarity, or what it really was, contempt. I settled his
doubts, by suddenly retrieving my gravity and desiring him to walk away, for I
came to see Linton, not him. He reddened - I saw that by the moonlight -
dropped his hand from the latch, and skulked off, a picture of mortified vanity.
He imagined himself to be as accomplished as Linton, I suppose, because he
could spell his own name; and was marvellously discomfited that I didn't think
the same.'
'Stop, Miss Catherine, dear!' - I interrupted. 'I shall not scold, but I don't like
your conduct there. If you had remembered that Hareton was your cousin as
much as Master Heathcliff, you would have felt how improper it was to behave
in that way. At least, it was praiseworthy ambition for him to desire to be as

Thesaurus
awkwardness: (n) embarrassment, ease, disappointed, embarrassed, praiseworthy: (adj, v) laudable; (adj)
stiffness, unwieldiness, frustrated, thwarted, self-conscious, admirable, meritorious, worthy,
inconvenience, gawkiness, mortified, humiliated, unsuccessful; creditable, good, deserving,
inelegance, troublesomeness, (adj, n) defeated. honorable, applaudable, exemplary;
ineptitude, ineptness, gaucherie; (adj, hovering: (adj) suspended, poised, (adj, n) excellent. ANTONYMS: (adj)
n) delicacy. ANTONYMS: (n) impending, flying, high. blameworthy, disgraceful,
gracefulness, grace, comfort, mortified: (adj) humiliated, despicable, dishonorable, poor,
coordination, pride, urbanity, ease, embarrassed, abashed, gangrenous, unworthy.
assurance, liveliness, confidence, sheepish, chagrined, feeling shame, reddened: (adj) red, ablaze, aflame,
cooperation. feeling guilty, guilty, hangdog, flushed, crimson, inflamed, blazing,
delights: (n) delices. humbled. ANTONYM: (adj) aroused, blemished, red as scarlet,
discomfited: (adj) uncomfortable, ill at unabashed. spotty.
260 Wuthering Heights

accomplished as Linton; and probably he did not learn merely to show off: you
had made him ashamed of his ignorance before, I have no doubt; and he wished
to remedy it and please you. To sneer at his imperfect attempt was very bad
breeding. Had you been brought up in his circumstances, would you be less
rude? He was as quick and as intelligent a child as ever you were; and I'm hurt
that he should be despised now, because that base Heathcliff has treated him so
unjustly.'
'Well, Ellen, you won't cry about it, will you?' she exclaimed, surprised at my
earnestness. 'But wait, and you shall hear if he conned his A B C to please me;
and if it were worth while being civil to the brute. I entered; Linton was lying on
the settle, and half got up to welcome me.%
'"I'm ill to-night, Catherine, love," he said; "and you must have all the talk,
and let me listen. Come, and sit by me. I was sure you wouldn't break your
word, and I'll make you promise again, before you go."
'I knew now that I mustn't tease him, as he was ill; and I spoke softly and put
no questions, and avoided irritating him in any way. I had brought some of my
nicest books for him: he asked me to read a little of one, and I was about to
comply, when Earnshaw burst the door open: having gathered venom with
reflection. He advanced direct to us, seized Linton by the arm, and swung him
off the seat.
'"Get to thy own room!" he said, in a voice almost inarticulate with passion;
and his face looked swelled and furious. "Take her there if she comes to see thee:
thou shalln't keep me out of this. Begone wi' ye both!"
'He swore at us, and left Linton no time to answer, nearly throwing him into
the kitchen; and he clenched his fist as I followed, seemingly longing to knock
me down. I was afraid for a moment, and I let one volume fall; he kicked it after
me, and shut us out. I heard a malignant, crackly laugh by the fire, and turning,
beheld that odious Joseph standing rubbing his bony hands, and quivering.

Thesaurus
bony: (adj) osseous, gaunt, lean, thin, proficiently, masterly, excellently, virulent, sinister, mischievous,
emaciated, scrawny, skinny, angular, primely, skilledly, adeptly, startly, pernicious, venomous.
lanky, meager, boney. ANTONYMS: superiorly, capitally. quivering: (adj, n) trembling, tremor,
(adj) plump, boneless, fat, stout. earnestness: (n) seriousness, sincerity, quaking, trepidation; (n) palpitation,
brute: (adj) brutal, harsh, gruff, gravity, fervor, devotion, graveness, quiver, vibration; (adj) flutter,
brutish; (adj, n) animal, savage; (n) staidness, honesty; (adj, n) ardor, zeal, quavering, shivering, tremulous.
barbarian, fiend, creature, monster; intentness. ANTONYMS: (n) ANTONYM: (adj) steady.
(adv) beastly. ANTONYMS: (adj) slackness, lightness, carelessness, venom: (n) poison, malice, bane, spite,
weak, refined, mild, gentle; (n) frivolousness, cheerfulness, rancor, malevolence, maliciousness,
gentleman. insincerity, flippancy. malignity, hate, bitterness; (adj, n)
clenched: (adj) tight, clinched. malignant: (adj) malevolent, gall. ANTONYM: (n) affection.
crackly: (adv) burstly, superly, malicious, evil, malefic, fatal, spiteful,
Emily Brontë 261

'"I wer sure he'd sarve ye out! He's a grand lad! He's getten t' raight sperrit
in him! HE knaws - ay, he knaws, as weel as I do, who sud be t' maister yonder -
Ech, ech, ech! He made ye skift properly! Ech, ech, ech!"
'"Where must we go?" I asked of my cousin, disregarding the old wretch's
mockery.%
'Linton was white and trembling. He was not pretty then, Ellen: oh, no! he
looked frightful; for his thin face and large eyes were wrought into an expression
of frantic, powerless fury. He grasped the handle of the door, and shook it: it
was fastened inside.
'"If you don't let me in, I'll kill you! - If you don't let me in, I'll kill you!" he
rather shrieked than said. "Devil! devil! - I'll kill you - I'll kill you!"
Joseph uttered his croaking laugh again.
'"Thear, that's t' father!" he cried. "That's father! We've allas summut o' either
side in us. Niver heed, Hareton, lad - dunnut be 'feard - he cannot get at thee!"
'I took hold of Linton's hands, and tried to pull him away; but he shrieked so
shockingly that I dared not proceed. At last his cries were choked by a dreadful
fit of coughing; blood gushed from his mouth, and he fell on the ground. I ran
into the yard, sick with terror; and called for Zillah, as loud as I could. She soon
heard me: she was milking the cows in a shed behind the barn, and hurrying
from her work, she inquired what there was to do? I hadn't breath to explain;
dragging her in, I looked about for Linton. Earnshaw had come out to examine
the mischief he had caused, and he was then conveying the poor thing up-stairs.
Zillah and I ascended after him; but he stopped me at the top of the steps, and
said I shouldn't go in: I must go home. I exclaimed that he had killed Linton,
and I WOULD enter. Joseph locked the door, and declared I should do "no sich
stuff," and asked me whether I were "bahn to be as mad as him." I stood crying
till the housekeeper reappeared. She affirmed he would be better in a bit, but he
couldn't do with that shrieking and din; and she took me, and nearly carried me
into the house.

Thesaurus
choked: (adj) clogged, smothered, croaking: (adj) hollow, raucous, feeble, incapable, ineffective,
congested, annoyed, high-strung, sepulchral, dry, cacophonic, harsh, ineffectual, infirm, inefficient,
strained, neurotic, tense, angry, guttural, gruff, croaky, cacophonous, nerveless, weak, prostrate.
anxious, insecure. husky. ANTONYMS: (adj) powerful, strong,
conveying: (n) conveyance, delivery, heed: (n, v) consideration, concern, effective, capable, able.
conveyancing, conveyance of title, regard, mind, attention, notice; (n) trembling: (adj, n) shaking; (adj, n, v)
transference, transmission, convey, caution, advertence, advertency; (v) tremor; (adj) shaky, quaking,
transmit, assigning, transfer, attend, hear. ANTONYMS: (n, v) shivering, flutter; (n) palpitation,
delegation. disregard; (n) inattentiveness. quiver, vibration, shiver, quake.
cows: (n) cattle, cow, bull, ox, oxen, joseph: (n) chief Joseph, vestal, ANTONYMS: (adj) stable, steady.
Bos Taurus, bullock, beef, Cowes, Hippolytus. wrought: (adj) shaped, done, worked,
steer, milker. powerless: (adj) impotent, unable, worked up, formed.
262 Wuthering Heights

'Ellen, I was ready to tear my hair off my head! I sobbed and wept so that my
eyes were almost blind; and the ruffian you have such sympathy with stood
opposite: presuming every now and then to bid me "wisht," and denying that it
was his fault; and, finally, frightened by my assertions that I would tell papa, and
that he should be put in prison and hanged, he commenced blubbering himself,
and hurried out to hide his cowardly agitation. Still, I was not rid of him: when
at length they compelled me to depart, and I had got some hundred yards off the
premises, he suddenly issued from the shadow of the road-side, and checked
Minny and took hold of me.%
'"Miss Catherine, I'm ill grieved," he began, "but it's rayther too bad - "
'I gave him a cut with my whip, thinking perhaps he would murder me. He
let go, thundering one of his horrid curses, and I galloped home more than half
out of my senses.
'I didn't bid you good-night that evening, and I didn't go to Wuthering
Heights the next: I wished to go exceedingly; but I was strangely excited, and
dreaded to hear that Linton was dead, sometimes; and sometimes shuddered at
the thought of encountering Hareton. On the third day I took courage: at least, I
couldn't bear longer suspense, and stole off once more. I went at five o'clock,
and walked; fancying I might manage to creep into the house, and up to Linton's
room, unobserved. However, the dogs gave notice of my approach. Zillah
received me, and saying "the lad was mending nicely," showed me into a small,
tidy, carpeted apartment, where, to my inexpressible joy, I beheld Linton laid on
a little sofa, reading one of my books. But he would neither speak to me nor look
at me, through a whole hour, Ellen: he has such an unhappy temper. And what
quite confounded me, when he did open his mouth, it was to utter the falsehood
that I had occasioned the uproar, and Hareton was not to blame! Unable to
reply, except passionately, I got up and walked from the room. He sent after me
a faint "Catherine!" He did not reckon on being answered so: but I wouldn't
turn back; and the morrow was the second day on which I stayed at home, nearly
determined to visit him no more. But it was so miserable going to bed and
getting up, and never hearing anything about him, that my resolution melted

Thesaurus
blubbering: (n) babble, tear; (adj) unutterable, indefinable, insolent, familiar, overconfident,
tearful. incommunicable, nameless, untold, conceited, assuming, rash, brash,
cowardly: (adj, adv) dastardly, scared, beyond description, unexpressible, pretentious, confident.
shrinking; (adj) timid, afraid, craven, undefinable. ANTONYM: (adj) thundering: (adj) thumping,
gutless, sneaky, fainthearted, faint; definite. whopping, lumpish, gaunt, hulky,
(adv) recreantly. ANTONYMS: (adj, issued: (adj) executed, done. lubberly, spanking, big, loud, striking
adv) brave, daring, bold, courageous; mending: (n) fix, repair, fixing, terror; (n) thunder.
(adj) intrepid, fearless, strong, maintenance, restoration, reparation, uproar: (adj, n, v) hubbub, disturbance,
determined; (adv) dauntless, gutsy, improvement, darning, mend, tumult; (n) din, noise, turmoil,
unafraid. amendment, correction. commotion, disorder, confusion; (adj,
inexpressible: (adj, v) indescribable; o'clock: (n) period, hours. n) row; (n, v) brawl. ANTONYMS: (n)
(adj) ineffable, unspeakable, presuming: (adj) forward, arrogant, calm, peace, serenity, order.
Emily Brontë 263

into air before it was properly formed. It had appeared wrong to take the
journey once; now it seemed wrong to refrain. Michael came to ask if he must
saddle Minny; I said "Yes," and considered myself doing a duty as she bore me
over the hills. I was forced to pass the front windows to get to the court: it was
no use trying to conceal my presence.%
'"Young master is in the house," said Zillah, as she saw me making for the
parlour. I went in; Earnshaw was there also, but he quitted the room directly.
Linton sat in the great arm-chair half asleep; walking up to the fire, I began in a
serious tone, partly meaning it to be true -
'"As you don't like me, Linton, and as you think I come on purpose to hurt
you, and pretend that I do so every time, this is our last meeting: let us say good-
bye; and tell Mr. Heathcliff that you have no wish to see me, and that he mustn't
invent any more falsehoods on the subject."
'"Sit down and take your hat off, Catherine," he answered. "You are so much
happier than I am, you ought to be better. Papa talks enough of my defects, and
shows enough scorn of me, to make it natural I should doubt myself. I doubt
whether I am not altogether as worthless as he calls me, frequently; and then I
feel so cross and bitter, I hate everybody! I am worthless, and bad in temper, and
bad in spirit, almost always; and, if you choose, you may say good-bye: you'll
get rid of an annoyance. Only, Catherine, do me this justice: believe that if I
might be as sweet, and as kind, and as good as you are, I would be; as willingly,
and more so, than as happy and as healthy. And believe that your kindness has
made me love you deeper than if I deserved your love: and though I couldn't,
and cannot help showing my nature to you, I regret it and repent it; and shall
regret and repent it till I die!"
'I felt he spoke the truth; and I felt I must forgive him: and, though we
should quarrel the next moment, I must forgive him again. We were reconciled;
but we cried, both of us, the whole time I stayed: not entirely for sorrow; yet I
WAS sorry Linton had that distorted nature. He'll never let his friends be at
ease, and he'll never be at ease himself! I have always gone to his little parlour,
since that night; because his father returned the day after.

Thesaurus
conceal: (v) hide, disguise, bury, kindness: (n) generosity, clemency, unreconciled.
screen, cloak, smother, shield, compassion, grace, good will, saddle: (v) charge, load, burden,
suppress, mask, obscure; (n, v) veil. graciousness, humanity, goodness, encumber, adjure, bear down, blame;
ANTONYMS: (v) reveal, show, affection; (adj, n) courtesy, gentleness. (n) pillion, seat, saddleback, bicycle
expose, divulge, clarify, uncover, ANTONYMS: (n) miserliness, spite, seat. ANTONYM: (v) relieve.
disclose, tell, admit, spotlight, flaunt. nastiness, callousness, cruelty, willingly: (adv) readily, voluntarily,
distorted: (adj) deformed, contorted, unfriendliness, maliciousness, cheerfully, spontaneously, helpfully,
twisted, misshapen, perverted, wry, thoughtlessness, sourness, severity, disposedly, actively, openly,
bent, misrepresented, malformed, disservice. obligingly, eagerly; (adj, adv) freely.
distort; (adj, adv) awry. ANTONYMS: reconciled: (adj) consistent, resigned, ANTONYMS: (adv) grudgingly,
(adj) unchanged, distinct, balanced, serene, meet; (v) made friends, reluctantly, uncooperatively,
perfect. affriended. ANTONYM: (adj) unenthusiastically.
264 Wuthering Heights

'About three times, I think, we have been merry and hopeful, as we were the
first evening; the rest of my visits were dreary and troubled: now with his
selfishness and spite, and now with his sufferings: but I've learned to endure the
former with nearly as little resentment as the latter. Mr. Heathcliff purposely
avoids me: I have hardly seen him at all. Last Sunday, indeed, coming earlier
than usual, I heard him abusing poor Linton cruelly for his conduct of the night
before. I can't tell how he knew of it, unless he listened. Linton had certainly
behaved provokingly: however, it was the business of nobody but me, and I
interrupted Mr. Heathcliff's lecture by entering and telling him so. He burst into
a laugh, and went away, saying he was glad I took that view of the matter. Since
then, I've told Linton he must whisper his bitter things. Now, Ellen, you have
heard all. I can't be prevented from going to Wuthering Heights, except by
inflicting misery on two people; whereas, if you'll only not tell papa, my going
need disturb the tranquillity of none. You'll not tell, will you? It will be very
heartless, if you do.'
'I'll make up my mind on that point by to-morrow, Miss Catherine,' I replied.
'It requires some study; and so I'll leave you to your rest, and go think it over.'
I thought it over aloud, in my master's presence; walking straight from her
room to his, and relating the whole story: with the exception of her
conversations with her cousin, and any mention of Hareton. Mr. Linton was
alarmed and distressed, more than he would acknowledge to me. In the
morning, Catherine learnt my betrayal of her confidence, and she learnt also that
her secret visits were to end. In vain she wept and writhed against the interdict,
and implored her father to have pity on Linton: all she got to comfort her was a
promise that he would write and give him leave to come to the Grange when he
pleased; but explaining that he must no longer expect to see Catherine at
Wuthering Heights. Perhaps, had he been aware of his nephew's disposition and
state of health, he would have seen fit to withhold even that slight consolation.%

Thesaurus
cruelly: (adv) harshly, ferociously, ANTONYMS: (v) perish, die, break, advisedly, knowingly; (adv)
fiercely, viciously, inhumanly, fall, discontinue, crumble, end, enjoy, intentionally, on purpose, by design,
mercilessly, pitilessly, heartlessly, resign, quit, collapse. consciously, by choice, calculatedly,
roughly, unkindly; (adj, adv) bitterly. interdict: (n, v) ban, veto; (v) forbid, explicitly; (adj) wittingly.
ANTONYMS: (adv) kindly, enjoin, inhibit, prohibit, proscribe, ANTONYM: (adv) unintentionally.
mercifully, sympathetically, tamely, debar, outlaw; (n) embargo, tranquillity: (adj, n, v) quiet; (n)
peacefully, humanely, prohibition. ANTONYM: (v) allow. serenity, quietness, relaxation,
compassionately, sensitively, provokingly: (adv) annoyingly, quietude, peacefulness, calmness; (n,
respectfully, innocently, genially. maddeningly, exasperatingly, v) repose, rest; (adj, n) stillness, calm.
endure: (adj, n, v) continue, support; irritatingly, aggravatingly, gallingly, ANTONYMS: (n) noise, agitation,
(n, v) bear, suffer, stand, be; (v) vexatiously. movement, panic, turbulence,
accept, undergo, allow, stay, tolerate. purposely: (adj, adv) designedly, turmoil.
Emily Brontë 265

CHAPTER %XXV

'THESE things happened last winter, sir,' said Mrs. Dean; 'hardly more than a
year ago. Last winter, I did not think, at another twelve months' end, I should be
amusing a stranger to the family with relating them! Yet, who knows how long
you'll be a stranger? You're too young to rest always contented, living by
yourself; and I some way fancy no one could see Catherine Linton and not love
her. You smile; but why do you look so lively and interested when I talk about
her? and why have you asked me to hang her picture over your fireplace? and
why - ?'
'Stop, my good friend!' I cried. 'It may be very possible that I should love her;
but would she love me? I doubt it too much to venture my tranquillity by
running into temptation: and then my home is not here. I'm of the busy world,
and to its arms I must return. Go on. Was Catherine obedient to her father's
commands?'
'She was,' continued the housekeeper. 'Her affection for him was still the
chief sentiment in her heart; and he spoke without anger: he spoke in the deep
tenderness of one about to leave his treasure amid perils and foes, where his
remembered words would be the only aid that he could bequeath to guide her.
He said to me, a few days afterwards, "I wish my nephew would write, Ellen, or
call. Tell me, sincerely, what you think of him: is he changed for the better, or is
there a prospect of improvement, as he grows a man?"

Thesaurus
amusing: (adj) humorous, fun, take. tenderness: (n) fondness, soreness,
pleasant, entertaining, risible, obedient: (adj) submissive, compliant, love, affection, sympathy; (adj, n)
comical, diverting, enjoyable, good, conformable, tame, clemency, mildness, compassion,
laughable, agreeable, pleasing. acquiescent, dutiful, meek, biddable, gentleness, softness, delicacy.
ANTONYMS: (adj) tragic, boring, amenable, subservient. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (n) pleasure, dryness,
unpleasant, unfunny, tiring, grim, (adj) defiant, assertive, rebellious, hatred, strength, detachment.
depressing, sad, annoying, heavy, crooked, intractable, naughty, wild, treasure: (n) gem, fortune, riches,
serious. resistant. funds; (n, v) hoard, prize, store; (v)
bequeath: (n, v) will; (v) leave, give, sentiment: (n) emotion, mind, notion, cherish, appreciate; (adj, n) jewel,
pass on, demise, entrust, endow, feeling, persuasion, opinion, precious stone. ANTONYMS: (v)
devise, transmit, remember, donate. judgment, sense, judgement, attitude, dislike, disparage, scorn, neglect; (n)
ANTONYMS: (v) disown, withdraw, impression. dud, poverty.
266 Wuthering Heights

'"He's very delicate, sir," I replied; "and scarcely likely to reach manhood: but
this I can say, he does not resemble his father; and if Miss Catherine had the
misfortune to marry him, he would not be beyond her control: unless she were
extremely and foolishly indulgent. However, master, you'll have plenty of time
to get acquainted with him and see whether he would suit her: it wants four
years and more to his being of age."'
Edgar sighed; and, walking to the window, looked out towards Gimmerton
Kirk. It was a misty afternoon, but the February sun shone dimly, and we could
just distinguish the two fir-trees in the yard, and the sparely-scattered
gravestones.%
'I've prayed often,' he half soliloquised, 'for the approach of what is coming;
and now I begin to shrink, and fear it. I thought the memory of the hour I came
down that glen a bridegroom would be less sweet than the anticipation that I
was soon, in a few months, or, possibly, weeks, to be carried up, and laid in its
lonely hollow! Ellen, I've been very happy with my little Cathy: through winter
nights and summer days she was a living hope at my side. But I've been as
happy musing by myself among those stones, under that old church: lying,
through the long June evenings, on the green mound of her mother's grave, and
wishing - yearning for the time when I might lie beneath it. What can I do for
Cathy? How must I quit her? I'd not care one moment for Linton being
Heathcliff's son; nor for his taking her from me, if he could console her for my
loss. I'd not care that Heathcliff gained his ends, and triumphed in robbing me of
my last blessing! But should Linton be unworthy - only a feeble tool to his father
- I cannot abandon her to him! And, hard though it be to crush her buoyant
spirit, I must persevere in making her sad while I live, and leaving her solitary
when I die. Darling! I'd rather resign her to God, and lay her in the earth before
me.'
'Resign her to God as it is, sir,' I answered, 'and if we should lose you - which
may He forbid - under His providence, I'll stand her friend and counsellor to the
last. Miss Catherine is a good girl: I don't fear that she will go wilfully wrong;
and people who do their duty are always finally rewarded.'

Thesaurus
bridegroom: (v) bride; (n) severe, restrained, harsh, unworthy: (adj) undeserving, base,
honeymooner, newlywed, hardhearted, abstemious, disgraceful, ignoble, low,
participant, fiance, husband. disapproving. contemptible, despicable, ugly,
ANTONYM: (n) wife. manhood: (n) majority, maturity, unmerited, unseemly, shameful.
glen: (n) dell, valley, ravine, dale, valor, resolution, personality, ANTONYMS: (adj) deserving,
dingle, vale, Combe, kloof, gorge, humanity, integrity, bravery; (adj) valuable, honorable, estimable,
defile, cove. manliness, ripe age, maturity full age. reputable.
indulgent: (adj) forgiving, gentle, persevere: (v) persist, continue, wilfully: (adv) willfully, designedly,
clement, lenient, soft, kind, gracious, endure, abide, go on, hang on, hold deliberately, knowingly, frowardly,
tolerant, merciful, compassionate; on, follow, keep, remain, pursue. headstrongly, consciously,
(adj, v) permissive. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (v) surrender, stop, stubbornly, purposefully,
(adj) intolerant, unsympathetic, quit. persistently, on purpose.
Emily Brontë 267

Spring advanced; yet my master gathered no real strength, though he


resumed his walks in the grounds with his daughter. To her inexperienced
notions, this itself was a sign of convalescence; and then his cheek was often
flushed, and his eyes were bright; she felt sure of his recovering. On her
seventeenth birthday, he did not visit the churchyard: it was raining, and I
observed - 'You'll surely not go out to-night, sir?'
He answered, - 'No, I'll defer it this year a little longer.' He wrote again to
Linton, expressing his great desire to see him; and, had the invalid been
presentable, I've no doubt his father would have permitted him to come. As it
was, being instructed, he returned an answer, intimating that Mr. Heathcliff
objected to his calling at the Grange; but his uncle's kind remembrance delighted
him, and he hoped to meet him sometimes in his rambles, and personally to
petition that his cousin and he might not remain long so utterly divided.%
That part of his letter was simple, and probably his own. Heathcliff knew he
could plead eloquently for Catherine's company, then.
'I do not ask,' he said, 'that she may visit here; but am I never to see her,
because my father forbids me to go to her home, and you forbid her to come to
mine? Do, now and then, ride with her towards the Heights; and let us exchange
a few words, in your presence! We have done nothing to deserve this separation;
and you are not angry with me: you have no reason to dislike me, you allow,
yourself. Dear uncle! send me a kind note to-morrow, and leave to join you
anywhere you please, except at Thrushcross Grange. I believe an interview
would convince you that my father's character is not mine: he affirms I am more
your nephew than his son; and though I have faults which render me unworthy
of Catherine, she has excused them, and for her sake, you should also. You
inquire after my health - it is better; but while I remain cut off from all hope, and
doomed to solitude, or the society of those who never did and never will like me,
how can I be cheerful and well?'
Edgar, though he felt for the boy, could not consent to grant his request;
because he could not accompany Catherine. He said, in summer, perhaps, they
might meet: meantime, he wished him to continue writing at intervals, and

Thesaurus
churchyard: (n) graveyard, burial inexperienced: (adj) naive, young, presentable: (adj) decent, personable,
ground, yard, necropolis, cloisters, callow, ignorant, unsophisticated, satisfactory, acceptable, suitable,
kirkyard. new, unexperienced, clumsy; (adj, v) passable, comely, tidy, neat,
flushed: (adj, n) red, sanguine; (adj) raw; (v) green; (n) inexperience. becoming, sufficient. ANTONYMS:
feverish, glowing, aroused, aflame, ANTONYMS: (adj) trained, (adj) unsatisfactory, untidy,
burning, exultant, exulting; (n) flush, sophisticated, skilled, inadequate.
elated. ANTONYM: (adj) cool. knowledgeable, expert, accustomed, raining: (adj) rainy, showery, drizzly;
forbid: (v) prohibit, ban, disallow, bar, sharp, seasoned. (n) woe. ANTONYM: (adj) dry.
obstruct, exclude, deny, avert, plead: (v) entreat, implore, beg, adjure, render: (v) interpret, explain, give,
frustrate, to prohibit, enjoin. petition, ask, appeal, defend, invoke, offer, furnish, pay, construe, return,
ANTONYMS: (v) allow, let, approve, sue; (n, v) allege. ANTONYMS: (v) provide, impart, translate.
authorize, stand. answer, demand.
268 Wuthering Heights

engaged to give him what advice and comfort he was able by letter; being well
aware of his hard position in his family. Linton complied; and had he been
unrestrained, would probably have spoiled all by filling his epistles with
complaints and lamentations. but his father kept a sharp watch over him; and, of
course, insisted on every line that my master sent being shown; so, instead of
penning his peculiar personal sufferings and distresses, the themes constantly
uppermost in his thoughts, he harped on the cruel obligation of being held
asunder from his friend and love; and gently intimated that Mr. Linton must
allow an interview soon, or he should fear he was purposely deceiving him with
empty promises.%
Cathy was a powerful ally at home; and between them they at length
persuaded my master to acquiesce in their having a ride or a walk together
about once a week, under my guardianship, and on the moors nearest the
Grange: for June found him still declining. Though he had set aside yearly a
portion of his income for my young lady's fortune, he had a natural desire that
she might retain - or at least return in a short time to - the house of her ancestors;
and he considered her only prospect of doing that was by a union with his heir;
he had no idea that the latter was failing almost as fast as himself; nor had any
one, I believe: no doctor visited the Heights, and no one saw Master Heathcliff to
make report of his condition among us. I, for my part, began to fancy my
forebodings were false, and that he must be actually rallying, when he
mentioned riding and walking on the moors, and seemed so earnest in pursuing
his object. I could not picture a father treating a dying child as tyrannically and
wickedly as I afterwards learned Heathcliff had treated him, to compel this
apparent eagerness: his efforts redoubling the more imminently his avaricious
and unfeeling plans were threatened with defeat by death.

Thesaurus
acquiesce: (v) assent, accept, agree, closely, comingly, forthcomingly, despoticly, harshly, autocratically,
consent, acknowledge, yield, submit, pendingly, prospectively, nextly. peremptorily, unfairly, repressively,
concur, permit, surrender, defer. intimated: (adj) tacit, furtive, dejected. arbitrarily, lordly.
ANTONYMS: (v) resist, disagree, penning: (n) writing, composition, unrestrained: (adj, n, v) loose; (adj)
dissent, protest, object, fight, authorship, fabrication, drafting, unconstrained, wild, uncontrolled,
challenge, rebuff. lexicography, committal to writing, immoderate, extravagant,
avaricious: (adj) greedy, grasping, composing, musical composition, unconfined, mad, uninhibited; (adj, v)
acquisitive, avid, miserly, grabby, redaction, versification. dissolute, wanton. ANTONYMS:
parsimonious, penurious; (adj, v) pursuing: (n) pursuit, search, hunt; (adj) restrained, restricted, contained,
mercenary, sordid, extortionate. (adj) coming, engaged. limited, partial, biddable, frugal,
imminently: (adv) nearly, menacingly, tyrannically: (adv) cruelly, hidden, inhibited, manageable,
threateningly, nighly, approachingly, despotically, oppressively, reserved.
Emily Brontë 269

CHAPTER %XXVI

SUMMER was already past its prime, when Edgar reluctantly yielded his
assent to their entreaties, and Catherine and I set out on our first ride to join her
cousin. It was a close, sultry day: devoid of sunshine, but with a sky too
dappled and hazy to threaten rain: and our place of meeting had been fixed at
the guide-stone, by the cross-roads. On arriving there, however, a little herd-
boy, despatched as a messenger, told us that, - 'Maister Linton wer just o' this
side th' Heights: and he'd be mitch obleeged to us to gang on a bit further.'
'Then Master Linton has forgot the first injunction of his uncle,' I observed:
'he bid us keep on the Grange land, and here we are off at once.'
'Well, we'll turn our horses' heads round when we reach him,' answered my
companion; 'our excursion shall lie towards home.'
But when we reached him, and that was scarcely a quarter of a mile from his
own door, we found he had no horse; and we were forced to dismount, and leave
ours to graze. He lay on the heath, awaiting our approach, and did not rise till
we came within a few yards. Then he walked so feebly, and looked so pale, that I
immediately exclaimed, - 'Why, Master Heathcliff, you are not fit for enjoying a
ramble this morning. How ill you do look!'
Catherine surveyed him with grief and astonishment: she changed the
ejaculation of joy on her lips to one of alarm; and the congratulation on their

Thesaurus
congratulation: (n) compliment, unproductively, unpersuasively, smooth.
greeting, congratulate, unconvincingly, uncertainly, hazy: (adj) fuzzy, cloudy, vague,
congratulations, acknowledgement, reluctantly, powerlessly, insipidly. blurred, foggy, nebulous, misty,
gratulation, acknowledgment. ANTONYMS: (adv) robustly, indistinct, blurry, faint, dull.
dappled: (adj) speckled, motley, confidently, domineeringly, ANTONYMS: (adj) bright, distinct,
flecked, dapple, freckled, spotty, vehemently, stubbornly, strongly, precise, sunny, thick, detailed,
spotted, dotted, multicolored, effectively, convincingly, definite, strong.
brindled, brindle. ANTONYMS: (adj) competently, admirably, sultry: (adj) hot, humid, muggy,
sunny, spotless, monochrome, wholeheartedly. oppressive, stifling, sticky, ardent,
uniform. graze: (n, v) browse, scrape, touch; (v) sensual, stuffy, sweltering, torrid.
feebly: (adv) faintly, rub, chafe, eat, shave, brush, crop, ANTONYMS: (adj) fresh, cool, cold,
unenthusiastically, dimly, hopelessly, crease; (n) cut. ANTONYM: (v) temperate, dry.
270 Wuthering Heights

long-postponed meeting to an anxious inquiry, whether he were worse than


usual?
'No - better - better!' he panted, trembling, and retaining her hand as if he
needed its support, while his large blue eyes wandered timidly over her; the
hollowness round them transforming to haggard wildness the languid
expression they once possessed.%
'But you have been worse,' persisted his cousin; 'worse than when I saw you
last; you are thinner, and - '
'I'm tired,' he interrupted, hurriedly. 'It is too hot for walking, let us rest here.
And, in the morning, I often feel sick - papa says I grow so fast.'
Badly satisfied, Cathy sat down, and he reclined beside her.
'This is something like your paradise,' said she, making an effort at
cheerfulness. 'You recollect the two days we agreed to spend in the place and
way each thought pleasantest? This is nearly yours, only there are clouds; but
then they are so soft and mellow: it is nicer than sunshine. Next week, if you
can, we'll ride down to the Grange Park, and try mine.'
Linton did not appear to remember what she talked of and he had evidently
great difficulty in sustaining any kind of conversation. His lack of interest in the
subjects she started, and his equal incapacity to contribute to her entertainment,
were so obvious that she could not conceal her disappointment. An indefinite
alteration had come over his whole person and manner. The pettishness that
might be caressed into fondness, had yielded to a listless apathy; there was less
of the peevish temper of a child which frets and teases on purpose to be soothed,
and more of the self-absorbed moroseness of a confirmed invalid, repelling
consolation, and ready to regard the good-humoured mirth of others as an insult.
Catherine perceived, as well as I did, that he held it rather a punishment, than a
gratification, to endure our company; and she made no scruple of proposing,
presently, to depart. That proposal, unexpectedly, roused Linton from his
lethargy, and threw him into a strange state of agitation. He glanced fearfully
towards the Heights, begging she would remain another half-hour, at least.

Thesaurus
cheerfulness: (n) glee, happiness, solidity, validity. repelling: (adj) offensive, repellant,
exhilaration, hilarity, mirth, incapacity: (n) inability, impotence, repellent, loathsome, disgusting,
merriment, gladness, cheer, good incapability, disqualification, repel, severe, repulsion, powerful,
spirits, pleasure, joviality. inadequacy, disablement, wicked, yucky.
ANTONYMS: (n) sadness, grimness, inefficiency, powerlessness, self-absorbed: (adj) egotistic,
seriousness, misery, resentment, insufficiency, incompetency; (adj) egocentric.
uncheerfulness, solemnity, lethargy, imbecility. ANTONYMS: (n) sustaining: (adj) underneath,
bleakness, gravity, gloominess. capacity, ability, strength. alimentary, at the bottom of,
hollowness: (n) hollow, concavity, pettishness: (n) irritability, surliness, comforting, filling, fundamental,
insincerity, cavity, futility, blank, snappishness, biliousness, healthy, profitable, rich; (n)
concaveness, void, nothingness, fretfulness, petulance, temper, continuation, maintenance.
vacuum, vacuity. ANTONYMS: (n) petulancy, mood, irritation, ill nature.
Emily Brontë 271

'But I think,' said Cathy, 'you'd be more comfortable at home than sitting
here; and I cannot amuse you to-day, I see, by my tales, and songs, and chatter:
you have grown wiser than I, in these six months; you have little taste for my
diversions now: or else, if I could amuse you, I'd willingly stay.'
'Stay to rest yourself,' he replied. 'And, Catherine, don't think or say that I'm
VERY unwell: it is the heavy weather and heat that make me dull; and I walked
about, before you came, a great deal for me. Tell uncle I'm in tolerable health,
will you?'
'I'll tell him that YOU say so, Linton. I couldn't affirm that you are,' observed
my young lady, wondering at his pertinacious assertion of what was evidently
an untruth.%
'And be here again next Thursday,' continued he, shunning her puzzled
gaze. 'And give him my thanks for permitting you to come - my best thanks,
Catherine. And - and, if you DID meet my father, and he asked you about me,
don't lead him to suppose that I've been extremely silent and stupid: don't look
sad and downcast, as you are doing - he'll be angry.'
'I care nothing for his anger,' exclaimed Cathy, imagining she would be its
object.
'But I do,' said her cousin, shuddering. 'DON'T provoke him against me,
Catherine, for he is very hard.'
'Is he severe to you, Master Heathcliff?' I inquired. 'Has he grown weary of
indulgence, and passed from passive to active hatred?'
Linton looked at me, but did not answer; and, after keeping her seat by his
side another ten minutes, during which his head fell drowsily on his breast, and
he uttered nothing except suppressed moans of exhaustion or pain, Cathy began
to seek solace in looking for bilberries, and sharing the produce of her researches
with me: she did not offer them to him, for she saw further notice would only
weary and annoy.
'Is it half-an-hour now, Ellen?' she whispered in my ear, at last. 'I can't tell
why we should stay. He's asleep, and papa will be wanting us back.'

Thesaurus
annoy: (v) pester, displease, anger, positive. tolerable: (adj) passable, mediocre,
harass, bother, vex, aggravate, grate, moans: (adj) moaning. bearable, fair, middling, reasonable,
molest; (n) annoyance; (n, v) afflict. shuddering: (adj, n) quivering, adequate, respectable, endurable,
ANTONYMS: (v) pacify, soothe, shaking; (adv) shudderingly; (n) cold sufferable; (adj, v) satisfactory.
gratify, placate, comfort, encourage, sweat, tremor; (adj) rough, shaky, ANTONYMS: (adj) intolerable,
delight. jumpy, quaking, shivery, bumpy. exceptional, unbearable,
downcast: (adj) depressed, dejected, ANTONYM: (adj) smooth. unsatisfactory, bad, inadequate,
dispirited, blue, desolate, shunning: (n) avoidance, evasion, appalling, inadmissible.
disconsolate, gloomy, low, sad, dodging, avoiding, evitation, unwell: (adj) sick, ill, poorly, ailing,
downhearted, discouraged. aversion, deliberately avoiding, sickly, unhealthy, seedy, bad,
ANTONYMS: (adj) cheerful, dodge, averting, rejection, run- diseased, frail; (adj, v) indisposed.
vivacious, cheery, elated, joyous, up, around. ANTONYMS: (adj) healthy, well, fit.
272 Wuthering Heights

'Well, we must not leave him asleep,' I answered; 'wait till lie wakes, and be
patient. You were mighty eager to set off, but your longing to see poor Linton
has soon evaporated!'
'Why did HE wish to see me?' returned Catherine. 'In his crossest humours,
formerly, I liked him better than I do in his present curious mood. It's just as if it
were a task he was compelled to perform - this interview - for fear his father
should scold him. But I'm hardly going to come to give Mr. Heathcliff pleasure;
whatever reason he may have for ordering Linton to undergo this penance.
And, though I'm glad he's better in health, I'm sorry he's so much less pleasant,
and so much less affectionate to me.'
'You think HE IS better in health, then?' I said.%
'Yes,' she answered; 'because he always made such a great deal of his
sufferings, you know. He is not tolerably well, as he told me to tell papa; but he's
better, very likely.'
'There you differ with me, Miss Cathy,' I remarked; 'I should conjecture him
to be far worse.'
Linton here started from his slumber in bewildered terror, and asked if any
one had called his name.
'No,' said Catherine; 'unless in dreams. I cannot conceive how you manage
to doze out of doors, in the morning.'
'I thought I heard my father,' he gasped, glancing up to the frowning nab
above us. 'You are sure nobody spoke?'
'Quite sure,' replied his cousin. 'Only Ellen and I were disputing concerning
your health. Are you truly stronger, Linton, than when we separated in winter?
If you be, I'm certain one thing is not stronger - your regard for me: speak, - are
you?'
The tears gushed from Linton's eyes as he answered, 'Yes, yes, I am!' And,
still under the spell of the imaginary voice, his gaze wandered up and down to
detect its owner.

Thesaurus
affectionate: (adj) fond, tender, kind, clear, oriented, precise, (adv) frowningly; (n) austere,
mild, devoted, ardent, warm, cordial, understanding, alert. boisterous, coarse.
caring, brotherly; (adj, adv) fatherly. conceive: (v) think, imagine, penance: (n) atonement, sacrament,
ANTONYMS: (adj) uncaring, callous, comprehend, design, apprehend, confession, compunction, penalty,
undemonstrative, aloof, cool, realize, discover, cogitate, appreciate, expiation, remorse, repentance,
disapproving, reserved, antagonistic, invent, catch. ANTONYMS: (v) punishment, reparation, hair shirt.
paternal, rough. destroy, doubt, misunderstand, undergo: (v) experience, encounter,
bewildered: (adj) bemused, confused, question, ruin. sustain, have, endure, bear, tolerate,
confounded, perplexed, befuddled, disputing: (adj) opposed; (v) go through, take, feel, know.
puzzled, dumbfounded, taken aback, disputant. ANTONYMS: (v) commit, do,
addled, disoriented; (adj, v) lost. frowning: (adj) dismal, dark, gloomy, execute.
ANTONYMS: (adj) unimpressed, lowering, scowling, frowny, clouded;
Emily Brontë 273

Cathy rose. 'For to-day we must part,' she said. 'And I won't conceal that I
have been sadly disappointed with our meeting; though I'll mention it to nobody
but you: not that I stand in awe of Mr. Heathcliff.'
'Hush,' murmured Linton; 'for God's sake, hush! He's coming.' And he clung
to Catherine's arm, striving to detain her; but at that announcement she hastily
disengaged herself, and whistled to Minny, who obeyed her like a dog.%
'I'll be here next Thursday,' she cried, springing to the saddle. 'Good-bye.
Quick, Ellen!'
And so we left him, scarcely conscious of our departure, so absorbed was he
in anticipating his father's approach.
Before we reached home, Catherine's displeasure softened into a perplexed
sensation of pity and regret, largely blended with vague, uneasy doubts about
Linton's actual circumstances, physical and social: in which I partook, though I
counselled her not to say much; for a second journey would make us better
judges. My master requested an account of our ongoings. His nephew's offering
of thanks was duly delivered, Miss Cathy gently touching on the rest: I also
threw little light on his inquiries, for I hardly knew what to hide and what to
reveal.

Thesaurus
blended: (adj) mixed, miscellaneous, hastily: (adv) hurriedly, rapidly, perplexed: (adj) confused, puzzled,
composite, assorted, alloyed, quickly, rashly, promptly, suddenly, baffled, confounded, doubtful,
amalgamated, beaten, adulterate, thoughtlessly, impetuously, swiftly, distracted, disconcerted; (adj, v)
conglomerate; (n) medley; (v) mingle. imprudently, speedily. ANTONYMS: intricate, complicated, lost, involved.
detain: (v) arrest, confine, catch, (adv) carefully, unhurriedly, ANTONYMS: (adj) unperplexed,
capture, apprehend, stay, keep, jail, industriously, sensibly, prudently, assured, clear, knowing.
imprison, incarcerate, retard. late, calmly, thoroughly, patiently, springing: (v) jumping, climbing,
ANTONYMS: (v) free, liberate, rush. gradually, cautiously. bounding, furious, conspicuous,
disengaged: (adj) vacant, unemployed, inquiries: (n) investigation, prominent, ascending, projecting
disentangled, free, freed, examination, study, enquiries, outwardly; (n) growth, suspension,
untrammelled, devoid, unreserved, enquiry, inquiry, exploration. emanation.
detached, liberated, loosened. judges: (n) judge, adjudicators, jury.
Emily Brontë 275

CHAPTER XXVII

SEVEN days glided away, every one marking its course by the henceforth
rapid alteration of Edgar Linton's state. The havoc that months had previously
wrought was now emulated by the inroads of hours. Catherine we would fain
have deluded yet; but her own quick spirit refused to delude her: it divined in
secret, and brooded on the dreadful probability, gradually ripening into
certainty. She had not the heart to mention her ride, when Thursday came
round; I mentioned it for her, and obtained permission to order her out of doors:
for the library, where her father stopped a short time daily - the brief period he
could bear to sit up - and his chamber, had become her whole world. She
grudged each moment that did not find her bending over his pillow, or seated by
his side. Her countenance grew wan with watching and sorrow, and my master
gladly dismissed her to what he flattered himself would be a happy change of
scene and society; drawing comfort from the hope that she would not now be left
entirely alone after his death.%
He had a fixed idea, I guessed by several observations he let fall, that, as his
nephew resembled him in person, he would resemble him in mind; for Linton's
letters bore few or no indications of his defective character. And I, through
pardonable weakness, refrained from correcting the error; asking myself what
good there would be in disturbing his last moments with information that he had
neither power nor opportunity to turn to account.

Thesaurus
correcting: (n) amendment, correction, havoc: (n) devastation, mayhem, forgivable, justifiable, venial,
rectification, adjustment, destruction, damage, demolition, remissible, allowed, not heinous,
compensation, reading. debacle, wreckage, waste, chaos, understandable, veniable, explicable.
delude: (v) cheat, deceive, betray, downfall; (n, v) carnage. ANTONYM: (adj) unpardonable.
defraud, beguile, cozen, mislead, ANTONYMS: (n) peace, calm. resemble: (v) seem, imitate, compare,
fool, trick, bamboozle, circumvent. indications: (n) discriminating marks, correspond, to resemble, agree, look,
gladly: (adv, v) happily; (adv) gleefully, indicia, chance. simulate; (adj) look like; (n)
contentedly, cheerfully, fain, joyfully, inroads: (n) wear. resemblance; (adv) alike.
jovially, cheerily, delightedly, mentioned: (adj) spoken. ripening: (n) ageing, maturement,
gladsomely, readily. ANTONYMS: observations: (n) commentary, development, mellowing, aging,
(adv) reluctantly, unwillingly, sadly, remarks, explanation, comments. maturing, mature, growing, growth,
resentfully, miserably. pardonable: (adj, v) defensible; (adj) gestation, organic process.
276 Wuthering Heights

We deferred our excursion till the afternoon; a golden afternoon of August:


every breath from the hills so full of life, that it seemed whoever respired it,
though dying, might revive. Catherine's face was just like the landscape -
shadows and sunshine flitting over it in rapid succession; but the shadows rested
longer, and the sunshine was more transient; and her poor little heart
reproached itself for even that passing forgetfulness of its cares.%
We discerned Linton watching at the same spot he had selected before. My
young mistress alighted, and told me that, as she was resolved to stay a very
little while, I had better hold the pony and remain on horseback; but I dissented:
I wouldn't risk losing sight of the charge committed to me a minute; so we
climbed the slope of heath together. Master Heathcliff received us with greater
animation on this occasion: not the animation of high spirits though, nor yet of
joy; it looked more like fear.
'It is late!' he said, speaking short and with difficulty. 'Is not your father very
ill? I thought you wouldn't come.'
'WHY won't you be candid?' cried Catherine, swallowing her greeting. 'Why
cannot you say at once you don't want me? It is strange, Linton, that for the
second time you have brought me here on purpose, apparently to distress us
both, and for no reason besides!'
Linton shivered, and glanced at her, half supplicating, half ashamed; but his
cousin's patience was not sufficient to endure this enigmatical behaviour.
'My father IS very ill,' she said; 'and why am I called from his bedside? Why
didn't you send to absolve me from my promise, when you wished I wouldn't
keep it? Come! I desire an explanation: playing and trifling are completely
banished out of my mind; and I can't dance attendance on your affectations now!'
'My affectations!' he murmured; 'what are they? For heaven's sake,
Catherine, don't look so angry! Despise me as much as you please; I am a
worthless, cowardly wretch: I can't be scorned enough; but I'm too mean for
your anger. Hate my father, and spare me for contempt.'

Thesaurus
absolve: (adj, v) justify; (v) forgive, obliviousness, inattention, memory manifesting entreaty, petitory,
exculpate, exonerate, acquit, free, loss, omission, unknowingness, piteous; (v) supplicate.
pardon, remit, clear, redeem, unawareness, Lethe, carelessness, swallowing: (adj) absorptive,
discharge. ANTONYMS: (v) convict, loss of memory. ANTONYMS: (n) unsuspecting, absorbent, absorbing;
blame, condemn, sentence, punish, awareness, concentration, (n) consumption.
obligate, incriminate, impeach, hold, remembering, attention. transient: (adj) fleeting, temporary,
charge, bind. hills: (n) home, dry land, foothills, passing, transitory, fugacious,
enigmatical: (adj) mysterious, obscure, earth, ground. ephemeral, momentary, temporal,
indeterminate, oracular, perplexing, rested: (adj) comfortable. provisional; (adj, n) fugitive,
unintelligible, ambiguous, cabalistic, supplicating: (adj) imploring, vagabond. ANTONYMS: (adj)
confusing, dark, difficult. soliciting, beseeching, entreating, enduring, lasting, immanent, long;
forgetfulness: (n) neglect, amnesia, petitioning, apologetic, begging, (n) resident.
Emily Brontë 277

'Nonsense!' cried Catherine in a passion. 'Foolish, silly boy! And there! he


trembles: as if I were really going to touch him! You needn't bespeak contempt,
Linton: anybody will have it spontaneously at your service. Get off! I shall
return home: it is folly dragging you from the hearth-stone, and pretending -
what do we pretend? Let go my frock! If I pitied you for crying and looking so
very frightened, you should spurn such pity. Ellen, tell him how disgraceful this
conduct is. Rise, and don't degrade yourself into an abject reptile - DON'T!'
With streaming face and an expression of agony, Linton had thrown his
nerveless frame along the ground: he seemed convulsed with exquisite terror.%
'Oh!' he sobbed, 'I cannot bear it! Catherine, Catherine, I'm a traitor, too, and
I dare not tell you! But leave me, and I shall be killed! DEAR Catherine, my life
is in your hands: and you have said you loved me, and if you did, it wouldn't
harm you. You'll not go, then? kind, sweet, good Catherine! And perhaps you
WILL consent - and he'll let me die with you!'
My young lady, on witnessing his intense anguish, stooped to raise him. The
old feeling of indulgent tenderness overcame her vexation, and she grew
thoroughly moved and alarmed.
'Consent to what?' she asked. 'To stay! tell me the meaning of this strange
talk, and I will. You contradict your own words, and distract me! Be calm and
frank, and confess at once all that weighs on your heart. You wouldn't injure me,
Linton, would you? You wouldn't let any enemy hurt me, if you could prevent
it? I'll believe you are a coward, for yourself, but not a cowardly betrayer of
your best friend.'
'But my father threatened me,' gasped the boy, clasping his attenuated
fingers, 'and I dread him - I dread him! I DARE not tell!'
'Oh, well!' said Catherine, with scornful compassion, 'keep your secret: I'M
no coward. Save yourself: I'm not afraid!'
Her magnanimity provoked his tears: he wept wildly, kissing her
supporting hands, and yet could not summon courage to speak out. I was
cogitating what the mystery might be, and determined Catherine should never

Thesaurus
attenuated: (adj) weakened, shriveled, reflective. shellfish; (adj) abject, vile, sordid.
rawboned, marcid, barebone, tabid, magnanimity: (adj, n) generosity, spurn: (v) scorn, rebuff, repulse,
extenuated, diminished, reduced, liberality; (n) largesse, greatness, disdain, reject, refuse, snub, kick,
rare, decreased. charity, munificence, tolerance, decline, deny; (n, v) slight.
bespeak: (v) augur, reserve, point, nobleness, nobility, kindness, largess. ANTONYMS: (v) admire, court,
engage, betoken, auspicate, mark, ANTONYM: (n) pettiness. respect.
prefigure, foreshadow; (n, v) argue, nerveless: (adj) coolheaded, feeble, trembles: (n) animal disease,
imply. weak, cool, powerless, spineless, nervousness.
betrayer: (n) informer, Judas, turncoat, impuissant, flaccid, marrowless, vexation: (adj, n) annoyance, nuisance;
squealer, renegade, rat, cheat, composed, imperturbable. (n) irritation, worry, aggravation,
cheater, conspirator, deceiver, source. reptile: (n) reptilian, creeper, basilisk, displeasure, chagrin, chafe, anger,
cogitating: (n) conception; (adj) sneak, wretch, mammal, bird, frustration, botheration.
278 Wuthering Heights

suffer to benefit him or any one else, by my good will; when, hearing a rustle
among the ling, I looked up and saw Mr. Heathcliff almost close upon us,
descending the Heights. He didn't cast a glance towards my companions,
though they were sufficiently near for Linton's sobs to be audible; but hailing me
in the almost hearty tone he assumed to none besides, and the sincerity of which
I couldn't avoid doubting, he said -
'It is something to see you so near to my house, Nelly. How are you at the
Grange? Let us hear. The rumour goes,' he added, in a lower tone, 'that Edgar
Linton is on his death-bed: perhaps they exaggerate his illness?'
'No; my master is dying,' I replied: 'it is true enough. A sad thing it will be
for us all, but a blessing for him!'
'How long will he last, do you think?' he asked.%
'I don't know,' I said.
'Because,' he continued, looking at the two young people, who were fixed
under his eye - Linton appeared as if he could not venture to stir or raise his
head, and Catherine could not move, on his account - 'because that lad yonder
seems determined to beat me; and I'd thank his uncle to be quick, and go before
him! Hallo! has the whelp been playing that game long? I DID give him some
lessons about snivelling. Is he pretty lively with Miss Linton generally?'
'Lively? no - he has shown the greatest distress,' I answered. 'To see him, I
should say, that instead of rambling with his sweetheart on the hills, he ought to
be in bed, under the hands of a doctor.'
'He shall be, in a day or two,' muttered Heathcliff. 'But first - get up, Linton!
Get up!' he shouted. 'Don't grovel on the ground there up, this moment!'
Linton had sunk prostrate again in another paroxysm of helpless fear, caused
by his father's glance towards him, I suppose: there was nothing else to produce
such humiliation. He made several efforts to obey, but his little strength was
annihilated for the time, and he fell back again with a moan. Mr. Heathcliff
advanced, and lifted him to lean against a ridge of turf.

Thesaurus
audible: (adj) plain, hearable, distinct, grovel: (v) cringe, crawl, creep, fawn, prostrate: (adj, v) prone, exhaust, level,
detectable, sounding, sharp, sonic, flatter, sneak; (adj, v) crouch, wallow; fatigue; (v) fell, overwhelm,
definite, discernible, perceptible, (adj) stoop, derogate, lose caste. overcome, floor, overthrow; (adj)
sensory. ANTONYMS: (adj) ling: (n) burbot, heath, eelpout, cusk, deject, knock down. ANTONYM:
inaudible, unintelligible, broom, lota lota, Scots heather, (adj) upright.
undetectable, silent, faint. Calluna vulgaris, caltrop, cod, rustle: (n, v) whisper; (v) lift, buzz,
efforts: (n) pains. codfish. steal, pilfer, whiz, pinch, abstract,
exaggerate: (v) boast, aggravate, moan: (n, v) grumble, gripe, whine, thieve, purloin; (n) rustling.
amplify, dramatize, overdo, lament, cry, howl; (v) bewail, sweetheart: (n) dear, girl, darling,
overdraw, brag, overstate, magnify, complain, mourn; (n) complaint, mistress, flame, beloved, boyfriend,
aggrandize, enhance. ANTONYMS: lamentation. ANTONYMS: (v) love, steady; (adj, n) beau, admirer.
(v) minimize, alleviate, weaken. compliment; (n) praise. ANTONYMS: (n) foe, enemy.
Emily Brontë 279

'Now,' %said he, with curbed ferocity, 'I'm getting angry and if you don't
command that paltry spirit of yours - DAMN you! get up directly!'
'I will, father,' he panted. 'Only, let me alone, or I shall faint. I've done as you
wished, I'm sure. Catherine will tell you that I - that I - have been cheerful. Ah!
keep by me, Catherine; give me your hand.'
'Take mine,' said his father; 'stand on your feet. There now - she'll lend you
her arm: that's right, look at her. You would imagine I was the devil himself,
Miss Linton, to excite such horror. Be so kind as to walk home with him, will
you? He shudders if I touch him.'
'Linton dear!' whispered Catherine, 'I can't go to Wuthering Heights: papa
has forbidden me. He'll not harm you: why are you so afraid?'
'I can never re-enter that house,' he answered. 'I'm NOT to re- enter it
without you!'
'Stop!' cried his father. 'We'll respect Catherine's filial scruples. Nelly, take
him in, and I'll follow your advice concerning the doctor, without delay.'
'You'll do well,' replied I. 'But I must remain with my mistress: to mind your
son is not my business.'
'You are very stiff,' said Heathcliff, 'I know that: but you'll force me to pinch
the baby and make it scream before it moves your charity. Come, then, my hero.
Are you willing to return, escorted by me?'
He approached once more, and made as if he would seize the fragile being;
but, shrinking back, Linton clung to his cousin, and implored her to accompany
him, with a frantic importunity that admitted no denial. However I
disapproved, I couldn't hinder her: indeed, how could she have refused him
herself? What was filling him with dread we had no means of discerning; but
there he was, powerless under its gripe, and any addition seemed capable of
shocking him into idiotcy. We reached the threshold; Catherine walked in, and I
stood waiting till she had conducted the invalid to a chair, expecting her out
immediately; when Mr. Heathcliff, pushing me forward, exclaimed - 'My house

Thesaurus
curbed: (adj) checked, restrained, excite: (v) arouse, enliven, disturb, unreasonable, null, weak, void,
restricted, silent, small, temperate, agitate, awaken, incite, inspire, rouse, unhealthy, sick, flawed; (n) infirm; (v)
cramped, continent, chequered, electrify; (n, v) energize; (adj, v) disable. ANTONYMS: (adj) valid,
checkered, pent-up. quicken. ANTONYMS: (v) calm, legitimate, current, healthy, true,
dread: (n, v) apprehension, fear, panic; pacify, bore, soothe, stifle, watertight, correct.
(n) anxiety, awe, consternation, tranquilize, placate, quiet, dampen. pinch: (n, v) nip, arrest, twinge,
alarm, trepidation, dismay, importunity: (n, v) entreaty, squeeze; (n) emergency, crisis,
foreboding, terror. ANTONYMS: supplication; (n) urgency, appeal, exigency; (v) compress, lift, wring,
(adj) pleasing, welcomed, pleasant; earnestness; (v) solicitation, constrict.
(v) welcome, want; (n) reassurance, obsecration, interpellation, instance, scream: (n, v) shout, call, howl, yell,
fearlessness, confidence, security, obtestation, invocation. screech, shriek, wail; (v) cry out, roar,
ease, calm. invalid: (adj) false, illogical, bellow, hollo. ANTONYM: (n) bore.
280 Wuthering Heights

is not stricken with the plague, Nelly; and I have a mind to be hospitable to-day:
sit down, and allow me to shut the door.'
He shut and locked it also. I started.%
'You shall have tea before you go home,' he added. 'I am by myself. Hareton
is gone with some cattle to the Lees, and Zillah and Joseph are off on a journey of
pleasure; and, though I'm used to being alone, I'd rather have some interesting
company, if I can get it. Miss Linton, take your seat by HIM. I give you what I
have: the present is hardly worth accepting; but I have nothing else to offer. It is
Linton, I mean. How she does stare! It's odd what a savage feeling I have to
anything that seems afraid of me! Had I been born where laws are less strict and
tastes less dainty, I should treat myself to a slow vivisection of those two, as an
evening's amusement.'
He drew in his breath, struck the table, and swore to himself, 'By hell! I hate
them.'
'I am not afraid of you!' exclaimed Catherine, who could not hear the latter
part of his speech. She stepped close up; her black eyes flashing with passion
and resolution. 'Give me that key: I will have it!' she said. 'I wouldn't eat or
drink here, if I were starving.'
Heathcliff had the key in his hand that remained on the table. He looked up,
seized with a sort of surprise at her boldness; or, possibly, reminded, by her
voice and glance, of the person from whom she inherited it. She snatched at the
instrument, and half succeeded in getting it out of his loosened fingers: but her
action recalled him to the present; he recovered it speedily.
'Now, Catherine Linton,' he said, 'stand off, or I shall knock you down; and,
that will make Mrs. Dean mad.'
Regardless of this warning, she captured his closed hand and its contents
again. 'We will go!' she repeated, exerting her utmost efforts to cause the iron
muscles to relax; and finding that her nails made no impression, she applied her
teeth pretty sharply. Heathcliff glanced at me a glance that kept me from
interfering a moment. Catherine was too intent on his fingers to notice his face.

Thesaurus
boldness: (n) prowess, face, daring, enjoy having guests. ANTONYMS: bother. ANTONYM: (v) comfort.
valor, nerve, assurance, heroism, (adj) unwelcoming, inhospitable, snatched: (adj) hasty, speedy, brief,
audaciousness, spirit, cheek, valour. sinister, hostile. hurried, quick, rapid, short, sudden,
ANTONYMS: (n) cowardice, shyness, interfering: (adj, n) meddling; (adj) swift. ANTONYM: (adj) slow.
timidity, meekness, reticence. officious, busy, disturbing, stricken: (adj) smitten, struck, beaten,
flashing: (adj) bright, sparkling, meddlesome, nosy, busybodied, laid low, affected, hurt, low,
blinking, meteoric, scintillating, light, curious, overbearing, domineering; impaired, dotty; (v) heavy laden,
brilliant, dazzling, gleaming; (n) flare, (n) hindrance. victimized.
flashes. muscles: (n) sinew, strength. vivisection: (v) martyrdom, toad
hospitable: (adj) affable, receptive, plague: (v) molest, harass, afflict, under a harrow; (n) operation,
gracious, cordial, generous, amiable, hassle, annoy, badger, pester, disturb, surgical procedure, dissection,
convivial, genial, pleasant, warm, to beleaguer; (n, v) worry; (adj, n, v) surgery, division, surgical operation.
Emily Brontë 281

He opened them suddenly, and resigned the object of dispute; but, ere she had
well secured it, he seized her with the liberated hand, and, pulling her on his
knee, administered with the other a shower of terrific slaps on both sides of the
head, each sufficient to have fulfilled his threat, had she been able to fall.'
At this diabolical violence I rushed on him furiously. 'You villain!' I began to
cry, 'you villain!' A touch on the chest silenced me: I am stout, and soon put out
of breath; and, what with that and the rage, I staggered dizzily back and felt
ready to suffocate, or to burst a blood-vessel. The scene was over in two
minutes; Catherine, released, put her two hands to her temples, and looked just
as if she were not sure whether her ears were off or on. She trembled like a reed,
poor thing, and leant against the table perfectly bewildered.%
'I know how to chastise children, you see,' said the scoundrel, grimly, as he
stooped to repossess himself of the key, which had dropped to the floor. 'Go to
Linton now, as I told you; and cry at your ease! I shall be your father, to-morrow
- all the father you'll have in a few days - and you shall have plenty of that. You
can bear plenty; you're no weakling: you shall have a daily taste, if I catch such a
devil of a temper in your eyes again!'
Cathy ran to me instead of Linton, and knelt down and put her burning
cheek on my lap, weeping aloud. Her cousin had shrunk into a corner of the
settle, as quiet as a mouse, congratulating himself, I dare say, that the correction
had alighted on another than him. Mr. Heathcliff, perceiving us all confounded,
rose, and expeditiously made the tea himself. The cups and saucers were laid
ready. He poured it out, and handed me a cup.
'Wash away your spleen,' he said. 'And help your own naughty pet and
mine. It is not poisoned, though I prepared it. I'm going out to seek your
horses.'
Our first thought, on his departure, was to force an exit somewhere. We tried
the kitchen door, but that was fastened outside: we looked at the windows - they
were too narrow for even Cathy's little figure.

Thesaurus
chastise: (v) castigate, chasten, correct, silly. ANTONYM: (adv) alertly. foreclose, recruit, distrain, recapture.
reprimand, punish, criticize, beat, expeditiously: (adv) swiftly, rapidly, saucers: (n) tableware, plates, cups,
scold, chew out, flog; (n, v) scourge. fleetly, quickly, efficiently, hastily, dishware.
ANTONYMS: (v) comfort, bless, agilely, speedily, fast, expeditely, shrunk: (adj) contracted, wizened,
commend, promote, reward, fastly. withered, shrivelled, shriveled,
encourage. liberated: (adj) freed, emancipated, wizen, insipid, drawn grain, wearish.
cups: (n) plates, dishes, dishware, loose, released, exempt, liberal, silenced: (adj) mute, muffled,
tableware. independent, clear, disengaged, disabled.
dizzily: (adv) unsteadily, woozily, open, unattached. ANTONYMS: (adj) suffocate: (v) strangle, stifle, smother,
lightly, faintly, vertiginously, constrained, conventional. asphyxiate, throttle, gag, extinguish,
dazedly, frivolously, confusedly, repossess: (v) regain, reclaim, recoup, drown, die, quench; (adj) suffocating.
flippantly, thoughtlessly; (adj, adv) retrieve, get back, take back, resume, temples: (n) brow.
282 Wuthering Heights

'Master Linton,' I cried, seeing we were regularly imprisoned, 'you know


what your diabolical father is after, and you shall tell us, or I'll box your ears, as
he has done your cousin's.'
'Yes, Linton, you must tell,' said Catherine. 'It was for your sake I came; and
it will be wickedly ungrateful if you refuse.'
'Give me some tea, I'm thirsty, and then I'll tell you,' he answered. 'Mrs.
Dean, go away. I don't like you standing over me. Now, Catherine, you are
letting your tears fall into my cup. I won't drink that. Give me another.'
Catherine pushed another to him, and wiped her face. I felt disgusted at the little
wretch's composure, since he was no longer in terror for himself. The anguish he
had exhibited on the moor subsided as soon as ever he entered Wuthering
Heights; so I guessed he had been menaced with an awful visitation of wrath if
he failed in decoying us there; and, that accomplished, he had no further
immediate fears.%
'Papa wants us to be married,' he continued, after sipping some of the liquid.
'And he knows your papa wouldn't let us marry now; and he's afraid of my
dying if we wait; so we are to be married in the morning, and you are to stay
here all night; and, if you do as he wishes, you shall return home next day, and
take me with you.'
'Take you with her, pitiful changeling!' I exclaimed. 'YOU marry? Why, the
man is mad! or he thinks us fools, every one. And do you imagine that beautiful
young lady, that healthy, hearty girl, will tie herself to a little perishing monkey
like you? Are you cherishing the notion that anybody, let alone Miss Catherine
Linton, would have you for a husband? You want whipping for bringing us in
here at all, with your dastardly puling tricks: and - don't look so silly, now! I've
a very good mind to shake you severely, for your contemptible treachery, and
your imbecile conceit.'
I did give him a slight shaking; but it brought on the cough, and he took to
his ordinary resource of moaning and weeping, and Catherine rebuked me.

Thesaurus
cherishing: (n) love, conservation. recreantly. ANTONYM: (adj) honest. libant.
composure: (n) calmness, serenity, imbecile: (adj) foolish, idiotic, fatuous, whipping: (n) flagellation, beating,
poise, calm, equanimity, temper, dumb, imbecilic, simple; (n) idiot, thrashing, licking, lashing, flogging,
aplomb, tranquillity, peace, moron, cretin, ass, oaf. ANTONYM: overcasting, debacle, slaughter,
temperament, disposition. (adj) genius. overlocking; (adj) snappy.
ANTONYMS: (n) panic, monkey: (n) imp, primate, scamp, wickedly: (adv) evilly, immorally,
discomposure, anger, nervousness, rascal, battering ram; (v) tinker, badly, iniquitously, sinfully,
perturbation, anxiety, agitation, meddle, tamper, trifle, cuckoo, echo. mischievously, naughtily, wrongly,
turbulence, awkwardness. perishing: (adj) chilly, cold and damp, perversely, depravedly, criminally.
dastardly: (adj) dastard, craven, base, crumbly, starving, inclement; (n) ANTONYMS: (adv) kindly,
fearful, low, shameful, ignoble, decay. virtuously, legally, rightly,
sneaky, timorous; (n) coward; (adv) sipping: (n) imbibing, imbibition; (adj) obediently.
Emily Brontë 283

'Stay all night? No,' she said, looking slowly round. 'Ellen, I'll burn that door
down but I'll get out.'
And she would have commenced the execution of her threat directly, but
Linton was up in alarm for his dear self again. He clasped her in his two feeble
arms sobbing:- 'Won't you have me, and save me? not let me come to the
Grange? Oh, darling Catherine! you mustn't go and leave, after all. You MUST
obey my father - you MUST!'
'I must obey my own,' she replied, 'and relieve him from this cruel suspense.
The whole night! What would he think? He'll be distressed already. I'll either
break or burn a way out of the house. Be quiet! You're in no danger; but if you
hinder me - Linton, I love papa better than you!' The mortal terror he felt of Mr.
Heathcliff's anger restored to the boy his coward's eloquence. Catherine was near
distraught: still, she persisted that she must go home, and tried entreaty in her
turn, persuading him to subdue his selfish agony. While they were thus
occupied, our jailor re- entered.%
'Your beasts have trotted off,' he said, 'and - now Linton! snivelling again?
What has she been doing to you? Come, come - have done, and get to bed. In a
month or two, my lad, you'll be able to pay her back her present tyrannies with a
vigorous hand. You're pining for pure love, are you not? nothing else in the
world: and she shall have you! There, to bed! Zillah won't be here to-night; you
must undress yourself. Hush! hold your noise! Once in your own room, I'll not
come near you: you needn't fear. By chance, you've managed tolerably. I'll look
to the rest.'
He spoke these words, holding the door open for his son to pass, and the
latter achieved his exit exactly as a spaniel might which suspected the person
who attended on it of designing a spiteful squeeze. The lock was re-secured.
Heathcliff approached the fire, where my mistress and I stood silent. Catherine
looked up, and instinctively raised her hand to her cheek: his neighbourhood
revived a painful sensation. Anybody else would have been incapable of
regarding the childish act with sternness, but he scowled on her and muttered -

Thesaurus
beasts: (n) stock. comforted, glad, joyful, collected, animated, revitalized, alive,
distraught: (adj) distressed, crazy, unconcerned, unaffected. invigorated, new.
demented, frantic, upset, wild, feeble: (adj) delicate, decrepit, ailing, spaniel: (n) sycophant, beagle, harrier,
frenzied, mad, anxious, frenetic, helpless, powerless, poor, mild, lax, clumber, bootlicker, springer,
delirious. ANTONYMS: (adj) thin; (adj, v) faint, debilitated. groveller, gun dog, groveler; (v) snob,
composed, calm, tranquil, relaxed, ANTONYMS: (adj) strong, vigorous, lapdog.
serene, untroubled, sane, content. hearty, tough, effective, powerful, sternness: (n) harshness, rigor,
distressed: (adj) worried, distraught, unrelenting, robust, potent, strictness, austerity, rigour, asperity,
anxious, sad, disturbed, downcast, persuasive, able. inclemency, hardness, grimness,
hurt, distracted, wretched, shocked, jailor: (n) jailer, gaoler, warden, prison unpermissiveness, acrimony.
troubled. ANTONYMS: (adj) guard, screw, fuck, ass, fucking. ANTONYMS: (n) leniency, warmth,
composed, content, euphoric, happy, revived: (adj) fresh, refreshed, pleasantness, cheerfulness.
284 Wuthering Heights

'Oh! %you are not afraid of me? Your courage is well disguised: you seem
damnably afraid!'
'I AM afraid now,' she replied, 'because, if I stay, papa will be miserable: and
how can I endure making him miserable - when he - when he - Mr. Heathcliff, let
ME go home! I promise to marry Linton: papa would like me to: and I love
him. Why should you wish to force me to do what I'll willingly do of myself?'
'Let him dare to force you,' I cried. 'There's law in the land, thank God! there
is; though we be in an out-of-the-way place. I'd inform if he were my own son:
and it's felony without benefit of clergy!'
'Silence!' said the ruffian. 'To the devil with your clamour! I don't want YOU
to speak. Miss Linton, I shall enjoy myself remarkably in thinking your father
will be miserable: I shall not sleep for satisfaction. You could have hit on no
surer way of fixing your residence under my roof for the next twenty-four hours
than informing me that such an event would follow. As to your promise to
marry Linton, I'll take care you shall keep it; for you shall not quit this place till it
is fulfilled.'
'Send Ellen, then, to let papa know I'm safe!' exclaimed Catherine, weeping
bitterly. 'Or marry me now. Poor papa! Ellen, he'll think we're lost. What shall
we do?'
'Not he! He'll think you are tired of waiting on him, and run off for a little
amusement,' answered Heathcliff. 'You cannot deny that you entered my house
of your own accord, in contempt of his injunctions to the contrary. And it is
quite natural that you should desire amusement at your age; and that you would
weary of nursing a sick man, and that man ONLY your father. Catherine, his
happiest days were over when your days began. He cursed you, I dare say, for
coming into the world (I did, at least); and it would just do if he cursed you as
HE went out of it. I'd join him. I don't love you! How should I? Weep away.
As far as I can see, it will be your chief diversion hereafter; unless Linton make
amends for other losses: and your provident parent appears to fancy he may.
His letters of advice and consolation entertained me vastly. In his last he
recommended my jewel to be careful of his; and kind to her when he got her.
Thesaurus
amends: (n) atonement, compensation, (adj) recognizable, unmasked, precious stone; (adj) brilliant.
recompense, satisfaction, redress, uncovered, uncloaked, revealed, out-of-the-way: (adj) strange, singular,
damages, reprisal, indemnity, open, obvious. remote, devious, secluded, outlying,
requital; (n, v) restitution, restoration. entertained: (adj) diverted, pleased. distant, obscure, unusual, peculiar,
clamour: (n) clamoring, hue and cry, felony: (n) burglary, sin, extortion, far.
clamouring, blare, bedlam, uproar, capture, bribery, delinquency, provident: (adj) prudent, frugal,
vociferation, tumult, hubbub, misdeed, fault, misdemeanor, sparing, economical, farsighted,
exclamation; (v) utter. misdemeanour, offence. ANTONYM: cautious, careful, parsimonious,
disguised: (adj) cloaked, concealed, (n) uprightness. sagacious, wise; (v) precautionary.
masked, secret, hidden, veiled, in jewel: (n) gemstone, darling, ANTONYM: (adj) foolish.
disguise, incognito, blind; (adj, v) diamond, jewelry, trinket, treasure,
private; (n) groggy. ANTONYMS: ornament, idol; (adj, n) bijou,
Emily Brontë 285

Careful %and kind - that's paternal. But Linton requires his whole stock of care
and kindness for himself. Linton can play the little tyrant well. He'll undertake
to torture any number of cats, if their teeth be drawn and their claws pared.
You'll be able to tell his uncle fine tales of his KINDNESS, when you get home
again, I assure you.'
'You're right there!' I said; 'explain your son's character. Show his
resemblance to yourself: and then, I hope, Miss Cathy will think twice before she
takes the cockatrice!'
'I don't much mind speaking of his amiable qualities now,' he answered;
'because she must either accept him or remain a prisoner, and you along with
her, till your master dies. I can detain you both, quite concealed, here. If you
doubt, encourage her to retract her word, and you'll have an opportunity of
judging!'
'I'll not retract my word,' said Catherine. 'I'll marry him within this hour, if I
may go to Thrushcross Grange afterwards. Mr. Heathcliff, you're a cruel man,
but you're not a fiend; and you won't, from MERE malice, destroy irrevocably all
my happiness. If papa thought I had left him on purpose, and if he died before I
returned, could I bear to live? I've given over crying: but I'm going to kneel
here, at your knee; and I'll not get up, and I'll not take my eyes from your face till
you look back at me! No, don't turn away! DO LOOK! you'll see nothing to
provoke you. I don't hate you. I'm not angry that you struck me. Have you
never loved ANYBODY in all your life, uncle? NEVER? Ah! you must look once.
I'm so wretched, you can't help being sorry and pitying me.'
'Keep your eft's fingers off; and move, or I'll kick you!' cried Heathcliff,
brutally repulsing her. 'I'd rather be hugged by a snake. How the devil can you
dream of fawning on me? I DETEST you!'
He shrugged his shoulders: shook himself, indeed, as if his flesh crept with
aversion; and thrust back his chair; while I got up, and opened my mouth, to
commence a downright torrent of abuse. But I was rendered dumb in the
middle of the first sentence, by a threat that I should be shown into a room by
myself the very next syllable I uttered. It was growing dark - we heard a sound
Thesaurus
downright: (adj, n) absolute; (adj, v) domineering, forthright. repulsing: (adj) repelling.
sheer, clear; (adj) dead, blunt, candid, irrevocably: (adv) finally, irreversibly, retract: (v) abjure, rescind, cancel,
plain; (adv) absolutely, thoroughly, conclusively. renounce, repudiate, forswear,
wholly, decidedly. ANTONYMS: paternal: (adj) parental, agnate, repeal, recoil, reverse, revoke, recall.
(adj) semi, limited, incomplete, maternal, agnatic, concerned, ANTONYMS: (v) maintain, validate,
questionable, slight; (adv) hardly. solicitous, patrimonial, ancestral, enact.
fawning: (adj) obsequious, fatherlike, racial, fraternal. torrent: (n) flood, cloudburst,
sycophantic, servile, sniveling, ANTONYMS: (adj) filial, motherly. overflow, stream, downpour, rain,
subservient, flattering, ingratiating, pitying: (adj) sympathetic, merciful, shower, soaker, inundation; (adj, n)
soapy; (adj, n) toadying; (n) pity, pityingly, gloomy, meritless, volley, eruption. ANTONYMS: (n)
adulation, sycophancy. ANTONYMS: pitiful, sorry, sorry for, humane, drought, trickle, shower.
(adj) authoritative, assertive, dreary.
286 Wuthering Heights

of voices at the garden-gate. Our host hurried out instantly: HE had his wits
about him; WE had not. There was a talk of two or three minutes, and he
returned alone.%
'I thought it had been your cousin Hareton,' I observed to Catherine. 'I wish
he would arrive! Who knows but he might take our part?'
'It was three servants sent to seek you from the Grange,' said Heathcliff,
overhearing me. 'You should have opened a lattice and called out: but I could
swear that chit is glad you didn't. She's glad to be obliged to stay, I'm certain.'
At learning the chance we had missed, we both gave vent to our grief
without control; and he allowed us to wail on till nine o'clock. Then he bid us go
upstairs, through the kitchen, to Zillah's chamber; and I whispered my
companion to obey: perhaps we might contrive to get through the window
there, or into a garret, and out by its skylight. The window, however, was
narrow, like those below, and the garret trap was safe from our attempts; for we
were fastened in as before. We neither of us lay down: Catherine took her
station by the lattice, and watched anxiously for morning; a deep sigh being the
only answer I could obtain to my frequent entreaties that she would try to rest. I
seated myself in a chair, and rocked to and fro, passing harsh judgment on my
many derelictions of duty; from which, it struck me then, all the misfortunes of
my employers sprang. It was not the case, in reality, I am aware; but it was, in
my imagination, that dismal night; and I thought Heathcliff himself less guilty
than I.
At seven o'clock he came, and inquired if Miss Linton had risen. She ran to
the door immediately, and answered, 'Yes.' 'Here, then,' he said, opening it, and
pulling her out. I rose to follow, but he turned the lock again. I demanded my
release.
'Be patient,' he replied; 'I'll send up your breakfast in a while.'
I thumped on the panels, and rattled the latch angrily and Catherine asked
why I was still shut up? He answered, I must try to endure it another hour, and

Thesaurus
angrily: (adv) irately, passionately, deny. avow, depone, depose, aver.
fiercely, indignantly, cholericly, overhearing: (n) silent listening. ANTONYMS: (v) distrust, refute,
resentfully, enragedly, infuriatedly, rattled: (adj) hot and bothered, deny, compliment.
wrathfully, madly, crossly. perturbed, upset, unsettled, puzzled, trap: (n, v) net, catch, ambush, mesh,
ANTONYMS: (adv) warmly, lightly, disconcerted, discomposed, trick; (v) entrap, ensnare, entangle;
calmly, cheerfully, gently, gladly. bewildered, beside oneself, abashed, (n) gin, noose, entanglement.
misfortunes: (n) misfortune. addled. ANTONYM: (adj) calm. ANTONYM: (v) release.
obey: (v) comply, listen, keep, fulfill, sigh: (n, v) groan, suspire, murmur; (v) vent: (n) exit, opening, flue, chimney,
hear, conform, abide by, serve, breathe, languish, pine; (n) breath, escape, blowhole; (n, v) discharge,
comply with; (n, v) mind, heed. wail, whimper, whine, suspiration. air, release; (v) emit, ventilate.
ANTONYMS: (v) disobey, defy, swear: (v) declare, assure, assert, ANTONYMS: (n) door, closure; (v)
break, transgress, infringe, challenge, affirm, curse, pledge; (n, v) promise, block, suppress.
Emily Brontë 287

they went away. I endured it two or three hours; at length, I heard a footstep:
not Heathcliff's.
'I've brought you something to eat,' said a voice; 'oppen t' door!'
Complying eagerly, I beheld Hareton, laden with food enough to last me all
day.%
'Tak' it,' he added, thrusting the tray into my hand.
'Stay one minute,' I began.
'Nay,' cried he, and retired, regardless of any prayers I could pour forth to
detain him.
And there I remained enclosed the whole day, and the whole of the next
night; and another, and another. Five nights and four days I remained,
altogether, seeing nobody but Hareton once every morning; and he was a model
of a jailor: surly, and dumb, and deaf to every attempt at moving his sense of
justice or compassion.

Thesaurus
compassion: (adj, n) clemency, ANTONYMS: (adj) bright, covered, limited, encircled,
kindness; (n) mercy, charity, communicative, intelligent, enveloped, besieged, closed,
sympathy, commiseration, remorse, loquacious, sharp, smart, speaking, controlled; (v) contain; (adv)
tenderness, forgiveness, feeling, brilliant, talkative. herewith. ANTONYMS: (adj)
grace. ANTONYMS: (n) indifference, eagerly: (adv) zealously, readily, exposed, open, pervasive, outdoor.
disregard, unconcern, severity, keenly, fervently, avidly, greedily, laden: (adj) burdened, full, loaded,
nastiness, harshness, enthusiastically, intently, earnestly, ladened, filled, hampered, heavy,
incomprehension, malevolence, impatiently, actively. ANTONYMS: charged, encumbered; (v) lade, load.
coldness, roughness, inhumanity. (adv) apathetically, nonchalantly, ANTONYMS: (adj) empty, lacking.
dumb: (adj) mute, speechless, dense, grudgingly, patiently, halfheartedly, tray: (n) plate, salver, dish,
dim, silent, dull, slow, stupid, reluctantly, unenthusiastically. cheeseboard, tray bar, server, waiter,
inarticulate, foolish, obtuse. enclosed: (adj) surrounded, bounded, Cran, inkstand, icetray, jardiniere.
Emily Brontë 289

CHAPTER XXVIII

ON the fifth morning, or rather afternoon, a different step approached -


lighter and shorter; and, this time, the person entered the room. It was Zillah;
donned in her scarlet shawl, with a black silk bonnet on her head, and a willow-
basket swung to her arm.%
'Eh, dear! Mrs. Dean!' she exclaimed. 'Well! there is a talk about you at
Gimmerton. I never thought but you were sunk in the Blackhorse marsh, and
missy with you, till master told me you'd been found, and he'd lodged you here!
What! and you must have got on an island, sure? And how long were you in the
hole? Did master save you, Mrs. Dean? But you're not so thin - you've not been
so poorly, have you?'
'Your master is a true scoundrel!' I replied. 'But he shall answer for it. He
needn't have raised that tale: it shall all be laid bare!'
'What do you mean?' asked Zillah. 'It's not his tale: they tell that in the
village - about your being lost in the marsh; and I calls to Earnshaw, when I come
in - "Eh, they's queer things, Mr. Hareton, happened since I went off. It's a sad
pity of that likely young lass, and cant Nelly Dean." He stared. I thought he had
not heard aught, so I told him the rumour. The master listened, and he just
smiled to himself, and said, "If they have been in the marsh, they are out now,
Zillah. Nelly Dean is lodged, at this minute, in your room. You can tell her to
flit, when you go up; here is the key. The bog-water got into her head, and she
would have run home quite flighty; but I fixed her till she came round to her
Thesaurus
dean: (n) doyen, elder, senior, missy: (n) maiden, girl, lass, colleen, rumour: (n, v) rumor; (n) hearsay,
principal, clergyman, father, leader, lassie, chick, young lady, wench, fille, fame, news, story, reputation,
rector, eminence, academic doll, dame. scuttlebutt, tale; (v) bruit.
administrator, diocesan. ANTONYM: poorly: (adv) inadequately, meanly, scarlet: (adj) crimson, ruddy, carmine,
(n) student. bad, meagrely, unfortunately, ruby, sanguine, rubicund, reddish,
lighter: (n) light, flatboat, igniter, insufficiently, imperfectly; (adj, adv) cerise; (n) vermilion, orange red,
cigarette lighter, wherry, primer, ill, sickly; (adj, v) indisposed, sick. redness.
scow, kindling, fuze, fuzee, ANTONYMS: (adv) opulently, shorter: (adj) smaller, inferior.
houseboat. satisfactorily, graciously, clearly, sunk: (adj) sunken, undone, finished,
marsh: (n) quagmire, bog, swamp, fully, excellently, perfectly, ruined, profound, immersed,
morass, marish, pool, wash, outstandingly, affluently, smartly; damaged, lowed, lying flat; (v) cut
marshland, mire, swampland, sump. (adj) healthy. up, dashed.
290 Wuthering Heights

senses. You can bid her go to the Grange at once, if she be able, and carry a
message from me, that her young lady will follow in time to attend the squire's
funeral."'
'Mr. Edgar is not dead?' I gasped. 'Oh! Zillah, Zillah!'
'No, no; sit you down, my good mistress,' she replied; 'you're right sickly yet.
He's not dead; Doctor Kenneth thinks he may last another day. I met him on the
road and asked.'
Instead of sitting down, I snatched my outdoor things, and hastened below,
for the way was free. On entering the house, I looked about for some one to give
information of Catherine. The place was filled with sunshine, and the door
stood wide open; but nobody seemed at hand. As I hesitated whether to go off at
once, or return and seek my mistress, a slight cough drew my attention to the
hearth. Linton lay on the settle, sole tenant, sucking a stick of sugar-candy, and
pursuing my movements with apathetic eyes. 'Where is Miss Catherine?' I
demanded sternly, supposing I could frighten him into giving intelligence, by
catching him thus, alone. He sucked on like an innocent.%
'Is she gone?' I said.
'No,' he replied; 'she's upstairs: she's not to go; we won't let her.'
'You won't let her, little idiot!' I exclaimed. 'Direct me to her room
immediately, or I'll make you sing out sharply.'
'Papa would make you sing out, if you attempted to get there,' he answered.
'He says I'm not to be soft with Catherine: she's my wife, and it's shameful that
she should wish to leave me. He says she hates me and wants me to die, that she
may have my money; but she shan't have it: and she shan't go home! She never
shall! - she may cry, and be sick as much as she pleases!'
He resumed his former occupation, closing his lids, as if he meant to drop
asleep.
'Master Heathcliff,' I resumed, 'have you forgotten all Catherine's kindness to
you last winter, when you affirmed you loved her, and when she brought you
books and sung you songs, and came many a time through wind and snow to
Thesaurus
catching: (adj) communicable, ingress, registration, encroachment, strain, song dynasty, song, birdsong,
infectious, epidemic, gripping, entree; (adj, n) incoming; (v) go in. birdcall; (adj) spoken, outspoken,
transferable, zymotic; (n) discovery, outdoor: (adj) outside, outdoors, out, choral.
take, playing, uncovering, getting. outward, outlying, outer, external, sunshine: (n) sunlight, sun, day, light,
ANTONYM: (adj) noncommunicable. overseas, abroad, out of doors, fair weather, gladness, shine, glee,
closing: (n) end, finish, conclusion, without. ANTONYMS: (adj) inside, sunbeam, delight, brightness.
close, ending, shutting, finishing; interior, internal. supposing: (adv) admitting,
(adj) ultimate, last, final, terminal. senses: (adj) sober senses, sound mind; conditionally, in case; (n)
ANTONYMS: (adj, n) opening; (adj) (n) reason, mind, conception, supposition, conjecture, thought,
first. consciousness, judgment, faculties, theory, assumption; (conj) although,
entering: (n) entry, entrance, mother wit, right mind, sanity. what if; (v) suppose.
admission, enrollment, penetration, sung: (v) sing; (n) call, sung dynasty,
Emily Brontë 291

see you? She wept to miss one evening, because you would be disappointed;
and you felt then that she was a hundred times too good to you: and now you
believe the lies your father tells, though you know he detests you both. And you
join him against her. That's fine gratitude, is it not?'
The corner of Linton's mouth fell, and he took the sugar-candy from his lips.%
'Did she come to Wuthering Heights because she hated you?' I continued.
'Think for yourself! As to your money, she does not even know that you will
have any. And you say she's sick; and yet you leave her alone, up there in a
strange house! You who have felt what it is to be so neglected! You could pity
your own sufferings; and she pitied them, too; but you won't pity hers! I shed
tears, Master Heathcliff, you see - an elderly woman, and a servant merely - and
you, after pretending such affection, and having reason to worship her almost,
store every tear you have for yourself, and lie there quite at ease. Ah! you're a
heartless, selfish boy!'
'I can't stay with her,' he answered crossly. 'I'll not stay by myself. She cries
so I can't bear it. And she won't give over, though I say I'll call my father. I did
call him once, and he threatened to strangle her if she was not quiet; but she
began again the instant he left the room, moaning and grieving all night long,
though I screamed for vexation that I couldn't sleep.'
'Is Mr. Heathcliff out?' I inquired, perceiving that the wretched creature had
no power to sympathize with his cousin's mental tortures.
'He's in the court,' he replied, 'talking to Doctor Kenneth; who says uncle is
dying, truly, at last. I'm glad, for I shall be master of the Grange after him.
Catherine always spoke of it as her house. It isn't hers! It's mine: papa says
everything she has is mine. All her nice books are mine; she offered to give me
them, and her pretty birds, and her pony Minny, if I would get the key of our
room, and let her out; but I told her she had nothing to give, they ware all, all
mine. And then she cried, and took a little picture from her neck, and said I
should have that; two pictures in a gold case, on one side her mother, and on the
other uncle, when they were young. That was yesterday - I said they were mine,
too; and tried to get them from her. The spiteful thing wouldn't let me: she
Thesaurus
gratitude: (n) appreciation, thanks, salubrious. thoughtful, constructive, concerned,
thank, acknowledgement, pretending: (n, v) pretense; (n) abstemious, kind.
acknowledgment, appreciativeness, affectation, appearance, acting, sympathize: (v) pity, understand,
feeling, appreciate, grateful, pretence, mannerism, dissembling, condole, compassionate, feel,
thanksgiving, kindness. pretension, deception, deceit; (adv) sympathise, identify with, empathize,
ANTONYMS: (n) ingratitude, pretendingly. have compassion, feel sorry for, feel
ungratefulness. selfish: (adj) mean, greedy, mercenary, for. ANTONYMS: (v) disapprove,
neglected: (adj) dilapidated, egotistical, egotistic, egoistic, self- disregard.
disregarded, ignored, deserted, interested, stingy, egocentric, self- ware: (n) commodity, goods, wares,
derelict, forsaken, obsolete, centered, covetous. ANTONYMS: tableware; (v) beware, dissipate,
antiquated, antique, shabby, (adj) selfless, altruistic, generous, squander, luxuriate, consume; (adj)
unnoticed. ANTONYM: (adj) altruism, considerate, philanthropic, cautious, commodities.
292 Wuthering Heights

pushed me off, and hurt me. I shrieked out - that frightens her - she heard papa
coming, and she broke the hinges and divided the case, and gave me her
mother's portrait; the other she attempted to hide: but papa asked what was the
matter, and I explained it. He took the one I had away, and ordered her to resign
hers to me; she refused, and he - he struck her down, and wrenched it off the
chain, and crushed it with his foot.'
'And were you pleased to see her struck?' I asked: having my designs in
encouraging his talk.%
'I winked,' he answered: 'I wink to see my father strike a dog or a horse, he
does it so hard. Yet I was glad at first - she deserved punishing for pushing me:
but when papa was gone, she made me come to the window and showed me her
cheek cut on the inside, against her teeth, and her mouth filling with blood; and
then she gathered up the bits of the picture, and went and sat down with her
face to the wall, and she has never spoken to me since: and I sometimes think she
can't speak for pain. I don't like to think so; but she's a naughty thing for crying
continually; and she looks so pale and wild, I'm afraid of her.'
'And you can get the key if you choose?' I said.
'Yes, when I am up-stairs,' he answered; 'but I can't walk up- stairs now.'
'In what apartment is it?' I asked.
'Oh,' he cried, 'I shan't tell YOU where it is. It is our secret. Nobody, neither
Hareton nor Zillah, is to know. There! you've tired me - go away, go away!' And
he turned his face on to his arm, and shut his eyes again.
I considered it best to depart without seeing Mr. Heathcliff, and bring a
rescue for my young lady from the Grange. On reaching it, the astonishment of
my fellow-servants to see me, and their joy also, was intense; and when they
heard that their little mistress was safe, two or three were about to hurry up and
shout the news at Mr. Edgar's door: but I bespoke the announcement of it
myself. How changed I found him, even in those few days! He lay an image of
sadness and resignation awaiting his death. Very young he looked: though his
actual age was thirty-nine, one would have called him ten years younger, at least.

Thesaurus
awaiting: (adj) looming, imminent, in crushing. ANTONYMS: (adj) quit, give up, leave, abandon, drop,
the near future, pending, expectant. victorious, euphoric. deliver, surrender, forgo.
bespoke: (adj) bespoken, custom, deserved: (v) merited, richly deserved; ANTONYMS: (v) accept, continue,
engaged, affianced, commissioned, (adj) appropriate, due, fitting, just, retain, stay.
customized, made to measure, made earned, suitable, rightful, adequate, sadness: (n, v) melancholy,
to order, modified, personalized, required. despondency; (adj, n) grief, distress;
specially made. punishing: (adj) gruelling, arduous, (n) misery, sorrow, desolation, regret,
bits: (n) odds and ends, scraps, debris. labourious, laborious, hard, heavy, gloom, mourning, affliction.
crushed: (adj) beaten, subdued, low, punitive, backbreaking, clayey, ANTONYMS: (n) joy, amusement,
conquered, flattened, dispirited, accented, severe. ANTONYM: (adj) cheerfulness, laughter, contentment,
compressed, overwhelmed, undemanding. comfort, cheer, hopefulness.
shattered; (v) victimized; (n) resign: (v) renounce, cede, relinquish,
Emily Brontë 293

He thought of Catherine; for he murmured her name. I touched his hand, and
spoke.%
'Catherine is coming, dear master!' I whispered; 'she is alive and well; and
will be here, I hope, to-night.'
I trembled at the first effects of this intelligence: he half rose up, looked
eagerly round the apartment, and then sank back in a swoon. As soon as he
recovered, I related our compulsory visit, and detention at the Heights. I said
Heathcliff forced me to go in: which was not quite true. I uttered as little as
possible against Linton; nor did I describe all his father's brutal conduct - my
intentions being to add no bitterness, if I could help it, to his already over-
flowing cup.
He divined that one of his enemy's purposes was to secure the personal
property, as well as the estate, to his son: or rather himself; yet why he did not
wait till his decease was a puzzle to my master, because ignorant how nearly he
and his nephew would quit the world together. However, he felt that his will
had better be altered: instead of leaving Catherine's fortune at her own disposal,
he determined to put it in the hands of trustees for her use during life, and for
her children, if she had any, after her. By that means, it could not fall to Mr.
Heathcliff should Linton die.
Having received his orders, I despatched a man to fetch the attorney, and
four more, provided with serviceable weapons, to demand my young lady of her
jailor. Both parties were delayed very late. The single servant returned first. He
said Mr. Green, the lawyer, was out when he arrived at his house, and he had to
wait two hours for his re-entrance; and then Mr. Green told him he had a little
business in the village that must be done; but he would be at Thrushcross Grange
before morning. The four men came back unaccompanied also. They brought
word that Catherine was ill: too ill to quit her room; and Heathcliff would not
suffer them to see her. I scolded the stupid fellows well for listening to that tale,
which I would not carry to my master; resolving to take a whole bevy up to the
Heights, at day-light, and storm it literally, unless the prisoner were quietly

Thesaurus
bevy: (n) band, horde, cluster, party, confound, mystify, baffle. (adj) impractical, unusable,
gang, bunch, group, flock, array, ANTONYMS: (v) clarify, placate, unserviceable, useless, flimsy,
crew; (adj, n) swarm. ANTONYM: (n) explain; (n) explanation. worthless.
individual. resolving: (n) factoring, resolve, swoon: (adj, n, v) faint; (adj, n)
fellows: (n) fellow, membership, settlement, solving, solution, collapse; (n) fainting, syncope,
faculty. factorization, diagonalization, prostration, deliquium; (v) conk,
fetch: (v) carry, bring, bring in, declaration, firmness, resoluteness; black out, pass out, die; (adj) puff.
convey, draw, elicit, deliver, catch, (v) solve. unaccompanied: (adj) lone, solitary,
get, attract; (adj, n) feint. serviceable: (adj) practical, helpful, unescorted, unaided, unattended;
puzzle: (adj, v) perplex, confuse, handy, profitable, beneficial, (adj, adv) only, on your own, without
embarrass; (n) enigma, riddle, effective, useful, convenient, efficient, help; (adv) solo, singly, by yourself.
mystery, maze; (n, v) nonplus; (v) operative, practicable. ANTONYMS: ANTONYM: (adj) together.
294 Wuthering Heights

surrendered to us. Her father SHALL see her, I vowed, and vowed again, if that
devil be killed on his own doorstones in trying to prevent it!
Happily, I was spared the journey and the trouble. I had gone down-stairs at
three o'clock to fetch a jug of water; and was passing through the hall with it in
my hand, when a sharp knock at the front door made me jump. 'Oh! it is Green,'
I said, recollecting myself - 'only Green,' and I went on, intending to send
somebody else to open it; but the knock was repeated: not loud, and still
importunately. I put the jug on the banister and hastened to admit him myself.
The harvest moon shone clear outside. It was not the attorney. My own sweet
little mistress sprang on my neck sobbing, 'Ellen, Ellen! Is papa alive?'
'Yes,' I cried: 'yes, my angel, he is, God be thanked, you are safe with us
again!'
She wanted to run, breathless as she was, up-stairs to Mr. Linton's room; but I
compelled her to sit down on a chair, and made her drink, and washed her pale
face, chafing it into a faint colour with my apron. Then I said I must go first, and
tell of her arrival; imploring her to say, she should be happy with young
Heathcliff. She stared, but soon comprehending why I counselled her to utter the
falsehood, she assured me she would not complain.%
I couldn't abide to be present at their meeting. I stood outside the chamber-
door a quarter of an hour, and hardly ventured near the bed, then. All was
composed, however: Catherine's despair was as silent as her father's joy. She
supported him calmly, in appearance; and he fixed on her features his raised
eyes that seemed dilating with ecstasy.
He died blissfully, Mr. Lockwood: he died so. Kissing her cheek, he
murmured, - 'I am going to her; and you, darling child, shall come to us!' and
never stirred or spoke again; but continued that rapt, radiant gaze, till his pulse
imperceptibly stopped and his soul departed. None could have noticed the
exact minute of his death, it was so entirely without a struggle.
Whether Catherine had spent her tears, or whether the grief were too
weighty to let them flow, she sat there dry-eyed till the sun rose: she sat till

Thesaurus
blissfully: (adv) gladly, joyfully, bore. clamorously, earnestly.
blessedly, delightfully, joyously, imperceptibly: (adv) unnoticeably, vowed: (v) promised, named,
cheerfully, ecstatically, merrily, gradually, slightly, invisibly, gently, benempt.
delightedly, gleefully, contentedly. quietly, softly, observably, weighty: (adj) heavy, ponderous,
ANTONYM: (adv) sadly. indistinctly, scarcely, hardly. grievous, powerful, profound; (adj, v)
ecstasy: (n) delight, rapture, joy, bliss, ANTONYMS: (adv) obviously, grave, serious, momentous,
delirium, happiness, trance, visibly, audibly, conspicuously, significant, solemn, influential.
enthusiasm, exaltation, elation; (n, v) perceptibly, heavily, clearly, strongly. ANTONYMS: (adj) superficial, light,
transport. ANTONYMS: (n) importunately: (adv) pleadingly, unimportant, trivial, weightless,
desolation, gloom, downheartedness, annoyingly, persistently, pressingly, unsubstantial, thin, solvable, small,
melancholy, depression, dejection, imploringly, beseechingly, facile, easy.
anguish, sadness, despair, agony, insistently, exigently, entreatingly,
Emily Brontë 295

noon, and would still have remained brooding over that deathbed, but I insisted
on her coming away and taking some repose. It was well I succeeded in
removing her, for at dinner-time appeared the lawyer, having called at
Wuthering Heights to get his instructions how to behave. He had sold himself to
Mr. Heathcliff: that was the cause of his delay in obeying my master's summons.
Fortunately, no thought of worldly affairs crossed the latter's mind, to disturb
him, after his daughter's arrival.%
Mr. Green took upon himself to order everything and everybody about the
place. He gave all the servants but me, notice to quit. He would have carried his
delegated authority to the point of insisting that Edgar Linton should not be
buried beside his wife, but in the chapel, with his family. There was the will,
however, to hinder that, and my loud protestations against any infringement of
its directions. The funeral was hurried over; Catherine, Mrs. Linton Heathcliff
now, was suffered to stay at the Grange till her father's corpse had quitted it.
She told me that her anguish had at last spurred Linton to incur the risk of
liberating her. She heard the men I sent disputing at the door, and she gathered
the sense of Heathcliff's answer. It drove her desperate. Linton who had been
conveyed up to the little parlour soon after I left, was terrified into fetching the
key before his father re-ascended. He had the cunning to unlock and re-lock the
door, without shutting it; and when he should have gone to bed, he begged to
sleep with Hareton, and his petition was granted for once. Catherine stole out
before break of day. She dared not try the doors lest the dogs should raise an
alarm; she visited the empty chambers and examined their windows; and,
luckily, lighting on her mother's, she got easily out of its lattice, and on to the
ground, by means of the fir-tree close by. Her accomplice suffered for his share
in the escape, notwithstanding his timid contrivances.

Thesaurus
accomplice: (n) abettor, accessary, catching, catchy, taking, fetchingly, obeying: (adv) under.
partner, companion, partaker, fascinating. ANTONYMS: (adj) shutting: (n) closing, conclusion, end,
confederate, accessory after the fact, unattractive, repulsive, ugly. closure, ending, finish, mop up,
abetter, friend; (adj, n) associate, incur: (n, v) contract; (v) catch, get, culmination, closedown; (adj)
coadjutor. ANTONYMS: (n) incite, begin, cause, encounter, confining, claudent. ANTONYM: (n)
adversary, enemy, opponent, experience, obtain, suffer, receive. opening.
observer. infringement: (n) violation, infraction, spurred: (adj) barbed, calcarated.
conveyed: (v) borne, sent. encroachment, breach, trespass, unlock: (v) open, unfasten, disclose,
delegated: (adj) destined, acting, contravention, transgression, unbar, reveal, free, release,
vicarial. breaking, crime, assault, invasion. disengage, unbolt, unclose,
fetching: (adj) attractive, engaging, liberating: (adj) emancipating, withdraw. ANTONYMS: (v) fasten,
tempting, winning, fetch, charming, emancipative, therapeutic. lock, close.
Emily Brontë 297

CHAPTER XXIX

THE evening after the funeral, my young lady and I were seated in the
library; now musing mournfully - one of us despairingly - on our loss, now
venturing conjectures as to the gloomy future.%
We had just agreed the best destiny which could await Catherine would be a
permission to continue resident at the Grange; at least during Linton's life: he
being allowed to join her there, and I to remain as housekeeper. That seemed
rather too favourable an arrangement to be hoped for; and yet I did hope, and
began to cheer up under the prospect of retaining my home and my
employment, and, above all, my beloved young mistress; when a servant - one of
the discarded ones, not yet departed - rushed hastily in, and said 'that devil
Heathcliff' was coming through the court: should he fasten the door in his face?
If we had been mad enough to order that proceeding, we had not time. He
made no ceremony of knocking or announcing his name: he was master, and
availed himself of the master's privilege to walk straight in, without saying a
word. The sound of our informant's voice directed him to the library; he entered
and motioning him out, shut the door.
It was the same room into which he had been ushered, as a guest, eighteen
years before: the same moon shone through the window; and the same autumn
landscape lay outside. We had not yet lighted a candle, but all the apartment
was visible, even to the portraits on the wall: the splendid head of Mrs. Linton,
and the graceful one of her husband. Heathcliff advanced to the hearth. Time
Thesaurus
await: (v) anticipate, abide, bide, tarry, illuminate. glumly, woefully, unhappily,
wait, attend, look, hope, approach, discarded: (adj) waste, junked, scrap, plaintively, grievously, funereally,
loom, come on. ANTONYM: (v) unwanted, unnecessary, useless, dejectedly, dolorously, poignantly.
doubt. throwaway, surplus, superfluous, ANTONYMS: (adv) cheerfully,
beloved: (adj, n) dear, darling, unused, obsolete. joyfully.
favorite, pet; (adj) precious, loved, graceful: (adj) beautiful, delicate, proceeding: (n) matter, transaction,
cherished; (n) love, dearest, honey, amiable, easy, fine, charming, fair, affair, procedure, lawsuit,
sweetheart. ANTONYMS: (adj) airy, becoming, lovely, lithe. proceedings; (v) deed, act; (n, v)
detested, despised, disliked. ANTONYMS: (adj) inelegant, stocky, measure; (adv, n) happening; (adj, adv,
candle: (n) candela, light, taper, awkward, vigorous, jerky, ugly, v) going on.
bougie, CD, candlepower, lamp, wax stilted, heavy, coarse, strenuous. retaining: (adj) retentive; (n)
light, Standard candle; (v) examine, mournfully: (adv) sadly, sorrowfully, employment, reservation.
298 Wuthering Heights

had little altered his person either. There was the same man: his dark face rather
sallower and more composed, his frame a stone or two heavier, perhaps, and no
other difference. Catherine had risen with an impulse to dash out, when she saw
him.%
'Stop!' he said, arresting her by the arm. 'No more runnings away! Where
would you go? I'm come to fetch you home; and I hope you'll be a dutiful
daughter and not encourage my son to further disobedience. I was embarrassed
how to punish him when I discovered his part in the business: he's such a
cobweb, a pinch would annihilate him; but you'll see by his look that he has
received his due! I brought him down one evening, the day before yesterday,
and just set him in a chair, and never touched him afterwards. I sent Hareton
out, and we had the room to ourselves. In two hours, I called Joseph to carry him
up again; and since then my presence is as potent on his nerves as a ghost; and I
fancy he sees me often, though I am not near. Hareton says he wakes and shrieks
in the night by the hour together, and calls you to protect him from me; and,
whether you like your precious mate, or not, you must come: he's your concern
now; I yield all my interest in him to you.'
'Why not let Catherine continue here,' I pleaded, 'and send Master Linton to
her? As you hate them both, you'd not miss them: they can only be a daily
plague to your unnatural heart.'
'I'm seeking a tenant for the Grange,' he answered; 'and I want my children
about me, to be sure. Besides, that lass owes me her services for her bread. I'm
not going to nurture her in luxury and idleness after Linton is gone. Make haste
and get ready, now; and don't oblige me to compel you.'
'I shall,' said Catherine. 'Linton is all I have to love in the world, and though
you have done what you could to make him hateful to me, and me to him, you
cannot make us hate each other. And I defy you to hurt him when I am by, and I
defy you to frighten me!'
'You are a boastful champion,' replied Heathcliff; 'but I don't like you well
enough to hurt him: you shall get the full benefit of the torment, as long as it
lasts. It is not I who will make him hateful to you - it is his own sweet spirit.
Thesaurus
boastful: (adj, v) braggart; (adj) compliant, loyal, pious, meek, idleness: (n) lethargy, laziness, torpor,
pompous, arrogant, proud, vaunting, constant. ANTONYMS: (adj) inactivity, idling, unemployment,
thrasonical, vainglorious, vain, unfaithful, undutiful, disrespectful, sloth, inaction, inertia, faineance,
ostentatious; (v) Thrasonic; (adj, n) irresponsible, negligent, assertive, idlesse. ANTONYMS: (n) energy,
noble. ANTONYMS: (adj) impious, irreverent, neglectful, activity, bustle, liveliness,
deprecating, humble, insecure. thoughtful, uncaring. responsibility.
cobweb: (n) web, filament, hateful: (adj) disgusting, execrable, nurture: (v) foster, cherish, bring up,
entanglement, mouse trap, tissue, nasty, abominable, hideous, grow, nourish, care, maintain,
fibril, pitfall; (adj) chaff, straw, cork; despicable, repulsive, distasteful, educate, nurse; (n) education,
(adj, n) gossamer. foul; (adj, v) odious, obnoxious. breeding. ANTONYMS: (n, v)
dutiful: (adj) duteous, good, faithful, ANTONYMS: (adj) delightful, kind, neglect.
docile, devoted, deferential, nice, benign, desirable.
Emily Brontë 299

He's as bitter as gall at your desertion and its consequences: don't expect thanks
for this noble devotion. I heard him draw a pleasant picture to Zillah of what he
would do if he were as strong as I: the inclination is there, and his very
weakness will sharpen his wits to find a substitute for strength.'
'I know he has a bad nature,' said Catherine: 'he's your son. But I'm glad I've
a better, to forgive it; and I know he loves me, and for that reason I love him. Mr.
Heathcliff YOU have NOBODY to love you; and, however miserable you make
us, we shall still have the revenge of thinking that your cruelty arises from your
greater misery. You ARE miserable, are you not? Lonely, like the devil, and
envious like him? NOBODY loves you - NOBODY will cry for you when you
die! I wouldn't be you!'
Catherine spoke with a kind of dreary triumph: she seemed to have made up
her mind to enter into the spirit of her future family, and draw pleasure from the
griefs of her enemies.%
'You shall be sorry to be yourself presently,' said her father-in- law, 'if you
stand there another minute. Begone, witch, and get your things!'
She scornfully withdrew. In her absence I began to beg for Zillah's place at
the Heights, offering to resign mine to her; but he would suffer it on no account.
He bid me be silent; and then, for the first time, allowed himself a glance round
the room and a look at the pictures. Having studied Mrs. Linton's, he said - 'I
shall have that home. Not because I need it, but - ' He turned abruptly to the
fire, and continued, with what, for lack of a better word, I must call a smile - 'I'll
tell you what I did yesterday! I got the sexton, who was digging Linton's grave,
to remove the earth off her coffin lid, and I opened it. I thought, once, I would
have stayed there: when I saw her face again - it is hers yet! - he had hard work
to stir me; but he said it would change if the air blew on it, and so I struck one
side of the coffin loose, and covered it up: not Linton's side, damn him! I wish
he'd been soldered in lead. And I bribed the sexton to pull it away when I'm laid
there, and slide mine out too; I'll have it made so: and then by the time Linton
gets to us he'll not know which is which!'

Thesaurus
bribed: (prep) bought. negligence, apathy, disobedience, ANTONYMS: (n) disinclination,
desertion: (n) abandonment, defection, neglect, hatred, separation, reluctance, aversion, indifference,
apostasy, dereliction, withdrawal, dishonesty, infidelity. unwillingness, antipathy, dislike,
secession, rejection, decampment, envious: (adj) covetous, invidious, horror.
exposure, leaving, disappearance. jaundiced, malicious, begrudge, sexton: (n) beadle, verger, almoner,
ANTONYMS: (n) appearance, greedy, resentful, grudging, green, Anne sexton, Suisse, gravedigger,
attention, preservation. begrudging, enviable. ANTONYMS: church officer, caretaker.
devotion: (n) allegiance, attachment, (adj) fulfilled, satisfied, undesirous, sharpen: (v) focus, edge, hone,
dedication, loyalty, worship, contented. intensify, sharp, increase, heighten,
affection, enthusiasm, fondness, inclination: (n, v) desire, bent; (n) whet, pare, improve; (n, v) point.
devotedness; (adj, n) veneration, fancy, affection, tendency, leaning, ANTONYMS: (v) blunt, dull, flatten,
passion. ANTONYMS: (n) disloyalty, drift, appetite, dip, proclivity, bias. soften, spoil, blur, quench.
300 Wuthering Heights

'You were very wicked, Mr. Heathcliff!' I exclaimed; 'were you not ashamed
to disturb the dead?'
'I disturbed nobody, Nelly,' he replied; 'and I gave some ease to myself. I
shall be a great deal more comfortable now; and you'll have a better chance of
keeping me underground, when I get there. Disturbed her? No! she has
disturbed me, night and day, through eighteen years - incessantly -
remorselessly - till yesternight; and yesternight I was tranquil. I dreamt I was
sleeping the last sleep by that sleeper, with my heart stopped and my cheek
frozen against hers.'
'And if she had been dissolved into earth, or worse, what would you have
dreamt of then?' I said.%
'Of dissolving with her, and being more happy still!' he answered. 'Do you
suppose I dread any change of that sort? I expected such a transformation on
raising the lid - but I'm better pleased that it should not commence till I share it.
Besides, unless I had received a distinct impression of her passionless features,
that strange feeling would hardly have been removed. It began oddly. You
know I was wild after she died; and eternally, from dawn to dawn, praying her
to return to me her spirit! I have a strong faith in ghosts: I have a conviction that
they can, and do, exist among us! The day she was buried, there came a fall of
snow. In the evening I went to the churchyard. It blew bleak as winter - all
round was solitary. I didn't fear that her fool of a husband would wander up the
glen so late; and no one else had business to bring them there. Being alone, and
conscious two yards of loose earth was the sole barrier between us, I said to
myself - 'I'll have her in my arms again! If she be cold, I'll think it is this north
wind that chills ME; and if she be motionless, it is sleep." I got a spade from the
tool-house, and began to delve with all my might - it scraped the coffin; I fell to
work with my hands; the wood commenced cracking about the screws; I was on
the point of attaining my object, when it seemed that I heard a sigh from some
one above, close at the edge of the grave, and bending down. "If I can only get
this off," I muttered, "I wish they may shovel in the earth over us both!" and I
wrenched at it more desperately still. There was another sigh, close at my ear. I

Thesaurus
attaining: (v) attain, achieve; (n) endlessly, continually, perpetually, grimly, unpityingly, inhumanly,
attainment. continuously, unceasingly, eternally, callously.
delve: (v) burrow, investigate, persistently, unremittingly, scraped: (adj) scratched, worn out,
excavate, rummage, grub, mine, cut unendingly, steadily. ANTONYMS: worn, threadbare, frayed, hurt,
into, tunnel, root, unearth, lop and (adv) sporadically, briefly. skinned, damaged, raw.
top. ANTONYM: (v) fill. passionless: (adj) frigid, indifferent, shovel: (v) dig, rake, broom, delve,
dissolving: (n) dissolution, breakup, emotionless, soulless, spiritless, mop; (n) excavator, digger, shovelful,
dissipation, disintegration, dispassionate, impassive, apathetical, dipper, power shovel, poker.
destruction, cancellation, unimpassioned, calm, unemotional. spade: (v) grub, delve, scoop, excavate;
adjournment; (adj) solvent, diffluent, remorselessly: (adv) mercilessly, (n) nigger, coon, nigra, jigaboo, boy,
deliquescent. relentlessly, unmercifully, ruthlessly, black person, spit.
incessantly: (adv) constantly, brutally, unrelentingly, fiercely, yesternight: (n) last night.
Emily Brontë 301

appeared to feel the warm breath of it displacing the sleet-laden wind. I knew no
living %thing in flesh and blood was by; but, as certainly as you perceive the
approach to some substantial body in the dark, though it cannot be discerned, so
certainly I felt that Cathy was there: not under me, but on the earth. A sudden
sense of relief flowed from my heart through every limb. I relinquished my
labour of agony, and turned consoled at once: unspeakably consoled. Her
presence was with me: it remained while I re-filled the grave, and led me home.
You may laugh, if you will; but I was sure I should see her there. I was sure she
was with me, and I could not help talking to her. Having reached the Heights, I
rushed eagerly to the door. It was fastened; and, I remember, that accursed
Earnshaw and my wife opposed my entrance. I remember stopping to kick the
breath out of him, and then hurrying up-stairs, to my room and hers. I looked
round impatiently - I felt her by me - I could ALMOST see her, and yet I COULD
NOT! I ought to have sweat blood then, from the anguish of my yearning - from
the fervour of my supplications to have but one glimpse! I had not one. She
showed herself, as she often was in life, a devil to me! And, since then,
sometimes more and sometimes less, I've been the sport of that intolerable
torture! Infernal! keeping my nerves at such a stretch that, if they had not
resembled catgut, they would long ago have relaxed to the feebleness of
Linton's. When I sat in the house with Hareton, it seemed that on going out I
should meet her; when I walked on the moors I should meet her coming in.
When I went from home I hastened to return; she MUST be somewhere at the
Heights, I was certain! And when I slept in her chamber - I was beaten out of
that. I couldn't lie there; for the moment I closed my eyes, she was either outside
the window, or sliding back the panels, or entering the room, or even resting her
darling head on the same pillow as she did when a child; and I must open my
lids to see. And so I opened and closed them a hundred times a night - to be
always disappointed! It racked me! I've often groaned aloud, till that old rascal
Joseph no doubt believed that my conscience was playing the fiend inside of me.
Now, since I've seen her, I'm pacified - a little. It was a strange way of killing:
not by inches, but by fractions of hairbreadths, to beguile me with the spectre of
a hope through eighteen years!'

Thesaurus
beguile: (v) attract, charm, enchant, ANTONYMS: (n) perseverance, phantom, apparition, ghost, spook,
allure, captivate, bluff, entrap, success, effectiveness, competence. wraith, revenant, terror, eidolon.
enthrall, lure, fascinate; (n, v) cheat. fervour: (n) ardour, fervidness, till: (conj, prep) until, unto; (v) plow,
ANTONYMS: (v) protect, irritate, irk, fervency, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, hoe, farm, dig; (adj) up to; (n) tiller,
bore, advise, guard, annoy, repel. eagerness, zest, elan, ardency, fire. drawer; (adv) so far; (prep) to.
catgut: (n) gut, Tephrosia virginiana, limb: (n) arm, branch, member, bough, unspeakably: (adv) indescribably,
hoary pea, cord, wild sweet pea, extremity, offshoot, part, leg, wing, horrifically, horrifyingly,
bowel. appendage, edge. staggeringly, inexcusably,
feebleness: (n) weakness, frailty, relinquished: (adj) forsaken, deserted, unbearably, unkindly, unpleasantly,
decrepitude, faintness, imbecility, derelict, unoccupied, given, unutterably, offensively,
fragility, tenuity, languor, frailness; surrendered. horrendously. ANTONYM: (adv)
(adj, n) infirmity; (adj) feeble. spectre: (n) phantasm, shadow, shade, pleasantly.
302 Wuthering Heights

Mr. Heathcliff paused and wiped his forehead; his hair clung to it, wet with
perspiration; his eyes were fixed on the red embers of the fire, the brows not
contracted, but raised next the temples; diminishing the grim aspect of his
countenance, but imparting a peculiar look of trouble, and a painful appearance
of mental tension towards one absorbing subject. He only half addressed me,
and I maintained silence. I didn't like to hear him talk! After a short period he
resumed his meditation on the picture, took it down and leant it against the sofa
to contemplate it at better advantage; and while so occupied Catherine entered,
announcing that she was ready, when her pony should be saddled.%
'Send that over to-morrow,' said Heathcliff to me; then turning to her, he
added: 'You may do without your pony: it is a fine evening, and you'll need no
ponies at Wuthering Heights; for what journeys you take, your own feet will
serve you. Come along.'
'Good-bye, Ellen!' whispered my dear little mistress.
As she kissed me, her lips felt like ice. 'Come and see me, Ellen; don't forget.'
'Take care you do no such thing, Mrs. Dean!' said her new father. 'When I
wish to speak to you I'll come here. I want none of your prying at my house!'
He signed her to precede him; and casting back a look that cut my heart, she
obeyed. I watched them, from the window, walk down the garden. Heathcliff
fixed Catherine's arm under his: though she disputed the act at first evidently;
and with rapid strides he hurried her into the alley, whose trees concealed them.

Thesaurus
absorbing: (adj) fascinating, decrease, shrinking, reducing, sudor, sweating, extravasation,
engrossing, charming, enthralling, reduction; (adv) diminishingly; (v) secretion, exertion, exudation, effort,
gripping, captivating, riveting, diminish. ANTONYMS: (adj) lather, water.
absorbent, attractive, readable; (adj, v) increasing, growing, burgeoning. precede: (v) lead, head, forego,
exciting. ANTONYMS: (adj) dull, disputed: (adj) moot, disputable, antecede, antedate, anticipate,
irksome, tedious, repellent, opposed, open to discussion, introduce, forerun, pass, preface, go.
uninteresting. uncertain, dubious, doubtful, ANTONYMS: (v) succeed, postdate.
alley: (n) track, road, passage, lane, debatable. prying: (adj) inquisitive, meddlesome,
alleyway, aisle, path, runway, imparting: (n) giving, conveyance, nosy, inquiring, nosey, intrusive,
pathway, street, back street. conveyance of title, conveyancing, busy, snoopy; (n) nosiness, curiosity;
diminishing: (adj) abating, declining, conveying. (adj, n) meddling. ANTONYMS: (adj)
dwindling, lessening, waning; (n) perspiration: (n) diaphoresis, hidrosis, apathetic; (n) apathy.
Emily Brontë 303

CHAPTER XXX

I HAVE paid a visit to the Heights, but I have not seen her since she left:
Joseph held the door in his hand when I called to ask after her, and wouldn't let
me pass. He said Mrs. Linton was 'thrang,' and the master was not in. Zillah has
told me something of the way they go on, otherwise I should hardly know who
was dead and who living. She thinks Catherine haughty, and does not like her, I
can guess by her talk. My young lady asked some aid of her when she first came;
but Mr. Heathcliff told her to follow her own business, and let his daughter-in-
law look after herself; and Zillah willingly acquiesced, being a narrow-minded,
selfish woman. Catherine evinced a child's annoyance at this neglect; repaid it
with contempt, and thus enlisted my informant among her enemies, as securely
as if she had done her some great wrong. I had a long talk with Zillah about six
weeks ago, a little before you came, one day when we foregathered on the moor;
and this is what she told me.%
'The first thing Mrs. Linton did,' she said, 'on her arrival at the Heights, was
to run up-stairs, without even wishing good-evening to me and Joseph; she shut
herself into Linton's room, and remained till morning. Then, while the master
and Earnshaw were at breakfast, she entered the house, and asked all in a quiver
if the doctor might be sent for? her cousin was very ill.
'"We know that!" answered Heathcliff; "but his life is not worth a farthing,
and I won't spend a farthing on him."
'"But I cannot tell how to do," she said; "and if nobody will help me, he'll die!"
Thesaurus
contempt: (n, v) scorn; (v) despise; (n) lordly, cavalier, vain, contumelious, default; (v) ignore, fail, overlook,
disrespect, derision, mockery, grand; (n) boastful. ANTONYMS: miss, forget, drop; (n) carelessness,
disregard, ridicule, shame, slight, (adj) modest, meek, subservient, omission. ANTONYMS: (n)
reproach, discourtesy. ANTONYMS: unassuming, considerate, deferential. development, surveillance, caution,
(n) approval, admiration, regard, moor: (v) berth, fasten, dock, secure, affection, cherish; (v) do, protect,
honor, esteem. tie up; (adj, v) tie, picket, hitch; (n) complete, remember, heed; (n, v)
farthing: (n) craps, faro, ante, chuck, marsh, wilderness, wasteland. care.
doit, small change; (adj) bulrush, narrow-minded: (adj) narrow, petty, securely: (adv) surely, safely, closely,
pinch of snuff, peppercorn, old son, bigoted, provincial, stuffy, fanatical, solidly, steadily, assuredly, strongly,
jot. dogmatic, selfish, sectarian, rabid, tightly, fixly, setly, stably.
haughty: (adj) supercilious, arrogant, conventional. ANTONYM: (adv) insecurely.
assuming, contemptuous, proud, neglect: (n, v) disregard, slight,
304 Wuthering Heights

'"Walk out of the room," cried the master, "and let me never hear a word
more about him! None here care what becomes of him; if you do, act the nurse; if
you do not, lock him up and leave him."
'Then she began to bother me, and I said I'd had enough plague with the
tiresome thing; we each had our tasks, and hers was to wait on Linton: Mr.
Heathcliff bid me leave that labour to her.%
'How they managed together, I can't tell. I fancy he fretted a great deal, and
moaned hisseln night and day; and she had precious little rest: one could guess
by her white face and heavy eyes. She sometimes came into the kitchen all
wildered like, and looked as if she would fain beg assistance; but I was not going
to disobey the master: I never dare disobey him, Mrs. Dean; and, though I
thought it wrong that Kenneth should not be sent for, it was no concern of mine
either to advise or complain, and I always refused to meddle. Once or twice,
after we had gone to bed, I've happened to open my door again and seen her
sitting crying on the stairs'- top; and then I've shut myself in quick, for fear of
being moved to interfere. I did pity her then, I'm sure: still I didn't wish to lose
my place, you know.
'At last, one night she came boldly into my chamber, and frightened me out
of my wits, by saying, "Tell Mr. Heathcliff that his son is dying - I'm sure he is,
this time. Get up, instantly, and tell him."
'Having uttered this speech, she vanished again. I lay a quarter of an hour
listening and trembling. Nothing stirred - the house was quiet.
'She's mistaken, I said to myself. He's got over it. I needn't disturb them; and
I began to doze. But my sleep was marred a second time by a sharp ringing of
the bell - the only bell we have, put up on purpose for Linton; and the master
called to me to see what was the matter, and inform them that he wouldn't have
that noise repeated.
'I delivered Catherine's message. He cursed to himself, and in a few minutes
came out with a lighted candle, and proceeded to their room. I followed. Mrs.
Heathcliff was seated by the bedside, with her hands folded on her knees. Her

Thesaurus
boldly: (adj, adv) courageously, confounded; (v) accurst. concern. ANTONYMS: (v) calm,
valiantly, heroically; (adv) fearlessly, ANTONYMS: (adj) commendable, please, soothe, smooth, order,
daringly, bravely, intrepidly, honorable, nice, sweet, kine. reassure, sort, settle, respect, quiet,
impudently, audaciously, disobey: (v) violate, defy, infringe, organize.
shamelessly, brashly. ANTONYMS: disregard, contravene, ignore, resist, folded: (adj) plaited, pleated, doubled,
(adv) discreetly, modestly, nervously, rebel, breach, transgress, counteract. artful, braided, corrugated, doubled
hesitantly, shyly, fearfully, meekly, ANTONYMS: (v) conform, regard, over, fluted.
submissively, secretly, respectfully, comply, mind, observe, behave, vanished: (adj, v) extinct, lost; (adj)
diffidently. uphold. disappeared, departed, missing, died
cursed: (adj) damned, doomed, disturb: (v) trouble, disorder, out, absent, dead, wiped out, bygone;
execrable, cussed, wretched, unlucky, disconcert, distress, perturb, disquiet, (v) exhausted. ANTONYMS: (adj)
accursed, blamed, blasted, distract, discompose, disrupt, upset, found, living.
Emily Brontë 305

father-in-law went up, held the light to Linton's face, looked at him, and touched
him; afterwards he turned to her.%
'"Now - Catherine," he said, "how do you feel?"
'She was dumb.
'"How do you feel, Catherine?" he repeated.
'"He's safe, and I'm free," she answered: "I should feel well - but," she
continued, with a bitterness she couldn't conceal, "you have left me so long to
struggle against death alone, that I feel and see only death! I feel like death!"
'And she looked like it, too! I gave her a little wine. Hareton and Joseph,
who had been wakened by the ringing and the sound of feet, and heard our talk
from outside, now entered. Joseph was fain, I believe, of the lad's removal;
Hareton seemed a thought bothered: though he was more taken up with staring
at Catherine than thinking of Linton. But the master bid him get off to bed again:
we didn't want his help. He afterwards made Joseph remove the body to his
chamber, and told me to return to mine, and Mrs. Heathcliff remained by herself.
'In the morning, he sent me to tell her she must come down to breakfast: she
had undressed, and appeared going to sleep, and said she was ill; at which I
hardly wondered. I informed Mr. Heathcliff, and he replied, - "Well, let her be
till after the funeral; and go up now and then to get her what is needful; and, as
soon as she seems better, tell me."'
Cathy stayed upstairs a fortnight, according to Zillah; who visited her twice a
day, and would have been rather more friendly, but her attempts at increasing
kindness were proudly and promptly repelled.
Heathcliff went up once, to show her Linton's will. He had bequeathed the
whole of his, and what had been her, moveable property, to his father: the poor
creature was threatened, or coaxed, into that act during her week's absence,
when his uncle died. The lands, being a minor, he could not meddle with.
However, Mr. Heathcliff has claimed and kept them in his wife's right and his
also: I suppose legally; at any rate, Catherine, destitute of cash and friends,
cannot disturb his possession.

Thesaurus
attempts: (adj) trying. impecunious, penniless, necessitous; at once. ANTONYMS: (adv) slowly,
bequeathed: (adj) hereditary. (adj, v) forlorn, devoid. ANTONYMS: late, eventually.
bitterness: (n) acerbity, animosity, (adj) wealthy, privileged, prosperous, proudly: (adv) haughtily, arrogantly,
gall, malice, resentment, enmity, solvent. superciliously, boastfully, vainly,
acridity, acidity, bitter, rancor, fortnight: (n) two weeks, period, splendidly, stately, loftily, snootily,
sharpness. ANTONYMS: (n) joy, amount of time. disdainfully, conceitedly.
happiness, harmony, kindness, moveable: (adj) movable, ANTONYMS: (adv) humbly,
blandness, friendliness, goodwill, transportable, moving, transferable, modestly.
idealism, affection. transferrable, assignable, conveyable. ringing: (n) buzz, peal, resonance,
claimed: (adj) personal. promptly: (adv) instantly, readily, ring, sound; (adj) reverberant,
destitute: (adj) impoverished, needy, quickly, directly, rapidly, swiftly, jingling, loud, resounding, tinkling,
bankrupt, broke, poor, helpless, speedily, forthwith, punctually, now, hollow.
306 Wuthering Heights

'Nobody,' said Zillah, 'ever approached her door, except that once, but I; and
nobody asked anything about her. The first occasion of her coming down into
the house was on a Sunday afternoon. She had cried out, when I carried up her
dinner, that she couldn't bear any longer being in the cold; and I told her the
master was going to Thrushcross Grange, and Earnshaw and I needn't hinder her
from descending; so, as soon as she heard Heathcliff's horse trot off, she made
her appearance, donned in black, and her yellow curls combed back behind her
ears as plain as a Quaker: she couldn't comb them out.%
'Joseph and I generally go to chapel on Sundays:' the kirk, you know, has no
minister now, explained Mrs. Dean; and they call the Methodists' or Baptists'
place (I can't say which it is) at Gimmerton, a chapel. 'Joseph had gone,' she
continued, 'but I thought proper to bide at home. Young folks are always the
better for an elder's over-looking; and Hareton, with all his bashfulness, isn't a
model of nice behaviour. I let him know that his cousin would very likely sit
with us, and she had been always used to see the Sabbath respected; so he had as
good leave his guns and bits of indoor work alone, while she stayed. He
coloured up at the news, and cast his eyes over his hands and clothes. The train-
oil and gunpowder were shoved out of sight in a minute. I saw he meant to give
her his company; and I guessed, by his way, he wanted to be presentable; so,
laughing, as I durst not laugh when the master is by, I offered to help him, if he
would, and joked at his confusion. He grew sullen, and began to swear.
'Now, Mrs. Dean,' Zillah went on, seeing me not pleased by her manner, 'you
happen think your young lady too fine for Mr. Hareton; and happen you're right:
but I own I should love well to bring her pride a peg lower. And what will all
her learning and her daintiness do for her, now? She's as poor as you or I:
poorer, I'll be bound: you're saying, and I'm doing my little all that road.'
Hareton allowed Zillah to give him her aid; and she flattered him into a good
humour; so, when Catherine came, half forgetting her former insults, he tried to
make himself agreeable, by the housekeeper's account.
'Missis walked in,' she said, 'as chill as an icicle, and as high as a princess. I
got up and offered her my seat in the arm-chair. No, she turned up her nose at

Thesaurus
bashfulness: (n) diffidence, shyness, finesse, refinement, nicety. forgetting: (v) forget; (adj) oblivious;
coyness, humility, abashment, ANTONYMS: (n) inelegance, (n) disregard.
backwardness, reserve, timidity, sturdiness, ugliness. icicle: (n) ice, ickle, isicle.
constraint, embarrassment, stage descending: (v) descend; (adj) kirk: (n) church, temple, chapel,
fright. downhill, down, descendent, meetinghouse, cathedral, church
comb: (v) brush, ransack, search, decreasing, dropping, falling, building, minster.
dress, eliminate, groom; (adj) weed; sloping, degressive, occasive; (adv) sullen: (adj, n) morose, sulky, sour;
(n) crest, combing, caruncle, downward. ANTONYM: (adj) (adj) gloomy, gruff, glum, moody,
currycomb. upward. dark, cross, surly; (adj, v) grim.
daintiness: (adj, n) frailty, fragility, folks: (n) people, folk, tribe, relations, ANTONYMS: (adj) bright, cheery; (n)
weakness, dainty; (n) fineness, household, house, relatives, relative, cheeriness.
loveliness, niceness, fastidiousness, kindred, lineage, kin.
Emily Brontë 307

my civility. Earnshaw rose, too, and bid her come to the settle, and sit close by
the fire: he was sure she was starved.%
'"I've been starved a month and more," she answered, resting on the word as
scornful as she could.
'And she got a chair for herself, and placed it at a distance from both of us.
Having sat till she was warm, she began to look round, and discovered a number
of books on the dresser; she was instantly upon her feet again, stretching to
reach them: but they were too high up. Her cousin, after watching her
endeavours a while, at last summoned courage to help her; she held her frock,
and he filled it with the first that came to hand.
'That was a great advance for the lad. She didn't thank him; still, he felt
gratified that she had accepted his assistance, and ventured to stand behind as
she examined them, and even to stoop and point out what struck his fancy in
certain old pictures which they contained; nor was he daunted by the saucy style
in which she jerked the page from his finger: he contented himself with going a
bit farther back and looking at her instead of the book. She continued reading, or
seeking for something to read. His attention became, by degrees, quite centred
in the study of her thick silky curls: her face he couldn't see, and she couldn't see
him. And, perhaps, not quite awake to what he did, but attracted like a child to a
candle, at last he proceeded from staring to touching; he put out his hand and
stroked one curl, as gently as if it were a bird. He might have stuck a knife into
her neck, she started round in such a taking.
'"Get away this moment! How dare you touch me? Why are you stopping
there?" she cried, in a tone of disgust. "I can't endure you! I'll go upstairs again,
if you come near me."
'Mr. Hareton recoiled, looking as foolish as he could do: he sat down in the
settle very quiet, and she continued turning over her volumes another half hour;
finally, Earnshaw crossed over, and whispered to me.
'Will you ask her to read to us, Zillah? I'm stalled of doing naught; and I do
like - I could like to hear her! Dunnot say I wanted it, but ask of yourseln."

Thesaurus
centred: (adj) centralized, ANTONYMS: (n, v) delight; (n) love, stalled: (adj) static, delayed, disabled,
concentrated, focused, focussed, attraction, liking, adoration; (v) motionless, caught up.
centralised; (n) carbon, c, hundred, attract, allure, charm, entice, please. stoop: (v) crouch, bend, deign,
century, one C. resting: (adj) idle, quiescent, inactive, condescend, descend, squat, couch,
daunted: (adj) downcast, dispirited, dormant, quiet, sleeping, reclining, cringe, lean, lower oneself; (n) porch.
discouraged, frightened, intimidated, obligatory, unemployed, asleep; (n) ANTONYM: (v) straighten.
disheartened, dismayed, afraid, repose. stretching: (n) tension, stretch,
abashed, bashful, discomposed. silky: (adj, v) silken; (adj) glossy, soft, expansion, workout, reach,
disgust: (n) antipathy, aversion, smooth, satiny, delicate, fine, fluffy, amplification, stretchiness,
abhorrence, abomination, detestation, sericeous, slick, downy. enlargement; (adj) stretched, long; (v)
dislike, repugnance; (n, v) shock, ANTONYMS: (adj) rough, harsh, extend.
distaste; (v) nauseate, displease. coarse, dull.
308 Wuthering Heights

'"Mr. Hareton wishes you would read to us, ma'am," I said, immediately.
"He'd take it very kind - he'd be much obliged."
'She frowned; and looking up, answered -
'"Mr. Hareton, and the whole set of you, will be good enough to understand
that I reject any pretence at kindness you have the hypocrisy to offer! I despise
you, and will have nothing to say to any of you! When I would have given my
life for one kind word, even to see one of your faces, you all kept off. But I won't
complain to you! I'm driven down here by the cold; not either to amuse you or
enjoy your society."
'"What could I ha' done?" began Earnshaw. "How was I to blame?"
'"Oh! you are an exception," answered Mrs. Heathcliff. "I never missed such a
concern as you."
'"But I offered more than once, and asked," he said, kindling up at her
pertness, "I asked Mr. Heathcliff to let me wake for you - "
'"Be silent! I'll go out of doors, or anywhere, rather than have your
disagreeable voice in my ear!" said my lady.%
'Hareton muttered she might go to hell, for him! and unslinging his gun,
restrained himself from his Sunday occupations no longer. He talked now,
freely enough; and she presently saw fit to retreat to her solitude: but the frost
had set in, and, in spite of her pride, she was forced to condescend to our
company, more and more. However, I took care there should be no further
scorning at my good nature: ever since, I've been as stiff as herself; and she has
no lover or liker among us: and she does not deserve one; for, let them say the
least word to her, and she'll curl back without respect of any one. She'll snap at
the master himself, and as good as dares him to thrash her; and the more hurt
she gets, the more venomous she grows.'
At first, on hearing this account from Zillah, I determined to leave my
situation, take a cottage, and get Catherine to come and live with me: but Mr.
Heathcliff would as soon permit that as he would set up Hareton in an

Thesaurus
condescend: (adj, v) deign, vouchsafe; pretence: (n) deceit, pretext, (n, v) photograph, fracture, clack, go;
(v) stoop, patronize, patronise, dissimulation, pretense, affectation, (n) pushover, picnic, catch.
descend, lower, interact, decline, falsehood, deception, hypocrisy, ANTONYMS: (adj) roundabout,
bow, agree. bluff, appearance, pretension. considered.
deserve: (v) rate, warrant, gain, earn, restrained: (adj) reserved, quiet, stiff: (adj) hard, formal, inflexible,
to deserve, demand, justify, bear; (n, modest, temperate, discreet, limited, difficult, rigorous, numb, firm,
v) reward; (n) richly deserve, worth. reasonable, subdued, unemotional, sturdy; (adj, n) stark, severe; (n)
frost: (n, v) freeze, chill; (n) cold, reticent, guarded. ANTONYMS: (adj) corpse. ANTONYMS: (adj) soft,
hoarfrost, icing, hoar, Robert lee frost, unrestrained, open, flashy, immoral, supple, flexible, floppy, pliable, free,
failure; (adj, n) rime; (v) ice; (adj) ostentatious, wild, loud, theatrical, easy, loose, informal, mild, pliant.
frozen. ANTONYMS: (n) hot, heat, outgoing, extravagant, emotional. wishes: (n) desires, requirements,
warmth. snap: (v) bite, nip, snarl; (adj, v) break; requests, needs, will.
Emily Brontë 309

independent house; and I can see no remedy, at present, unless she could marry
again; and that scheme it does not come within my province to arrange.%
Thus ended Mrs. Dean's story. Notwithstanding the doctor's prophecy, I am
rapidly recovering strength; and though it be only the second week in January, I
propose getting out on horseback in a day or two, and riding over to Wuthering
Heights, to inform my landlord that I shall spend the next six months in London;
and, if he likes, he may look out for another tenant to take the place after
October. I would not pass another winter here for much.

Thesaurus
ended: (adj) concluded, finished, over, vaticination, prevision, prediction, medicine, relief; (v) rectify, amend,
done, completed, closed, through, prognosis, omen, revelation, relieve, correct; (n) drug.
terminated, consummate, all over; foreboding. ANTONYM: (n) poison.
(adj, v) past. propose: (v) bid, nominate, design, riding: (n) ride, horseback riding,
landlord: (n) laird, proprietor, plan, proffer, move, intend, mean, travel, hundred, tithing, soke,
landlady, owner, landholder, land aim, suggest; (n, v) advance. travelling, manege, athletics; (v)
holder, land owner, innkeeper, ANTONYMS: (v) reject, improvise, horsemanship; (adj) awheel.
property owner, slumlord, publican. oppose. tenant: (n) lodger, resident, lessee,
ANTONYM: (n) occupant. province: (n, v) district, department; inhabitant, renter, leaseholder,
likes: (n) kind, sort, type. (n) field, county, land, region, occupier, holder, inmate; (v) occupy,
prophecy: (n) oracle, augury, domain, colony, duty, sphere, line. inhabit. ANTONYM: (n) proprietor.
prognostication, forecast, remedy: (n, v) cure, redress, heal, help,
Emily Brontë 311

CHAPTER XXXI

YESTERDAY was bright, calm, and frosty. I went to the Heights as I


proposed: my housekeeper entreated me to bear a little note from her to her
young lady, and I did not refuse, for the worthy woman was not conscious of
anything odd in her request. The front door stood open, but the jealous gate was
fastened, as at my last visit; I knocked and invoked Earnshaw from among the
garden-beds; he unchained it, and I entered. The fellow is as handsome a rustic
as need be seen. I took particular notice of him this time; but then he does his
best apparently to make the least of his advantages.%
I asked if Mr. Heathcliff were at home? He answered, No; but he would be in
at dinner-time. It was eleven o'clock, and I announced my intention of going in
and waiting for him; at which he immediately flung down his tools and
accompanied me, in the office of watchdog, not as a substitute for the host.
We entered together; Catherine was there, making herself useful in preparing
some vegetables for the approaching meal; she looked more sulky and less
spirited than when I had seen her first. She hardly raised her eyes to notice me,
and continued her employment with the same disregard to common forms of
politeness as before; never returning my bow and good-morning by the slightest
acknowledgment.
'She does not seem so amiable,' I thought, 'as Mrs. Dean would persuade me
to believe. She's a beauty, it is true; but not an angel.'

Thesaurus
disregard: (n, v) disdain, slight, scorn; jaundiced, attentive. ANTONYM: ANTONYMS: (adj) spiritless, lifeless,
(n) carelessness, contempt; (v) (adj) trusting. feeble, cowardly, apathetic, lethargic,
discount, defy, despise, cut, flout; rustic: (n) countryman, peasant; (adj) spineless, dull, solemn, sluggish,
(adj, v) overlook. ANTONYMS: (v) rural, pastoral, boorish, country, lackluster.
notice, heed, value, obey, accept, bucolic, provincial, hick, agrestic, substitute: (n) deputy, backup,
consider; (n) respect, thoughtfulness, countrified. ANTONYMS: (adj) town, delegate; (n, v) alternate, shift,
consideration, attention; (n, v) regard. urbane, cultured, city, sophisticated. surrogate; (adj, n) alternative,
eyes: (n) sight, eye, vision, view, baby slightest: (adj) minimal, first, smallest makeshift; (v) change, replace, fill in.
blues, guard, propensity, eyen. amount. watchdog: (n) bandog, guard dog,
jealous: (adj) distrustful, envious, spirited: (adj) animated, frisky, guard, sentinel, guardian, warden,
covetous, suspicious, jealousy, energetic, racy, bold, gritty, quick, sentry, custodian, lookout,
resentful, invidious, green, grudging, enthusiastic, dashing, peppy, brave. watchman, pinscher.
312 Wuthering Heights

Earnshaw surlily bid her remove her things to the kitchen. 'Remove them
yourself,' she said, pushing them from her as soon as she had done; and retiring
to a stool by the window, where she began to carve figures of birds and beasts
out of the turnip-parings in her lap. I approached her, pretending to desire a
view of the garden; and, as I fancied, adroitly dropped Mrs. Dean's note on to
her knee, unnoticed by Hareton - but she asked aloud, 'What is that?' And
chucked it off.%
'A letter from your old acquaintance, the housekeeper at the Grange,' I
answered; annoyed at her exposing my kind deed, and fearful lest it should be
imagined a missive of my own. She would gladly have gathered it up at this
information, but Hareton beat her; he seized and put it in his waistcoat, saying
Mr. Heathcliff should look at it first. Thereat, Catherine silently turned her face
from us, and, very stealthily, drew out her pocket- handkerchief and applied it to
her eyes; and her cousin, after struggling awhile to keep down his softer feelings,
pulled out the letter and flung it on the floor beside her, as ungraciously as he
could. Catherine caught and perused it eagerly; then she put a few questions to
me concerning the inmates, rational and irrational, of her former home; and
gazing towards the hills, murmured in soliloquy:
'I should like to be riding Minny down there! I should like to be climbing up
there! Oh! I'm tired - I'm STALLED, Hareton!' And she leant her pretty head
back against the sill, with half a yawn and half a sigh, and lapsed into an aspect
of abstracted sadness: neither caring nor knowing whether we remarked her.
'Mrs. Heathcliff,' I said, after sitting some time mute, 'you are not aware that I
am an acquaintance of yours? so intimate that I think it strange you won't come
and speak to me. My housekeeper never wearies of talking about and praising
you; and she'll be greatly disappointed if I return with no news of or from you,
except that you received her letter and said nothing!'
She appeared to wonder at this speech, and asked, -
'Does Ellen like you?'
'Yes, very well,' I replied, hesitatingly.

Thesaurus
adroitly: (adv) aptly, dexterously, vacillatingly, falteringly. sullenly, snappishly, clownishly,
deftly, ingeniously, cleverly, agilely, ANTONYM: (adv) unhesitatingly. fretfully, chuffily, grumpily,
craftily, skillfully, proficiently, neatly, lapsed: (adj) fallen, elapsed, slip, morosely, sharply.
handily. ANTONYMS: (adv) defunct, forgotten, invalid, ungraciously: (adv) rudely,
maladroitly, ineptly, incompetently, irreligious, lost, nonchurchgoing, ungracefully, impolitely, unkindly,
awkwardly. finished. discourteously, uncivilly, surly,
carve: (v) cut up, cut, mold, incise, praising: (adj) praiseful, commending, churlishly, unceremoniously,
shape, inscribe, engrave, whittle, praise, flattering, admiring, kind, disrespectfully, unpleasingly.
slash, hew; (n) carving. complimentary, bestowing praise, ANTONYM: (adv) graciously.
hesitatingly: (adv) indecisively, eulogistic, commendatory, yawn: (v) open, ope, yaw, look
irresolutely, hesitating, waveringly, encomiastical. stupidly, breathe; (n) yawning, nod,
doubtfully, undecidedly, surlily: (adv) gruffly, brusquely, get sleep, tedium, bore, boredom.
Emily Brontë 313

'You must tell her,' she continued, 'that I would answer her letter, but I have
no materials for writing: not even a book from which I might tear a leaf.'
'No books!' I exclaimed. 'How do you contrive to live here without them? if I
may take the liberty to inquire. Though provided with a large library, I'm
frequently very dull at the Grange; take my books away, and I should be
desperate!'
'I was always reading, when I had them,' said Catherine; 'and Mr. Heathcliff
never reads; so he took it into his head to destroy my books. I have not had a
glimpse of one for weeks. Only once, I searched through Joseph's store of
theology, to his great irritation; and once, Hareton, I came upon a secret stock in
your room - some Latin and Greek, and some tales and poetry: all old friends. I
brought the last here - and you gathered them, as a magpie gathers silver spoons,
for the mere love of stealing! They are of no use to you; or else you concealed
them in the bad spirit that, as you cannot enjoy them, nobody else shall. Perhaps
YOUR envy counselled Mr. Heathcliff to rob me of my treasures? But I've most
of them written on my brain and printed in my heart, and you cannot deprive
me of those!'
Earnshaw blushed crimson when his cousin made this revelation of his
private literary accumulations, and stammered an indignant denial of her
accusations.%
'Mr. Hareton is desirous of increasing his amount of knowledge,' I said,
coming to his rescue. 'He is not ENVIOUS, but EMULOUS of your attainments.
He'll be a clever scholar in a few years.'
'And he wants me to sink into a dunce, meantime,' answered Catherine. 'Yes,
I hear him trying to spell and read to himself, and pretty blunders he makes! I
wish you would repeat Chevy Chase as you did yesterday: it was extremely
funny. I heard you; and I heard you turning over the dictionary to seek out the
hard words, and then cursing because you couldn't read their explanations!'
The young man evidently thought it too bad that he should be laughed at for
his ignorance, and then laughed at for trying to remove it. I had a similar notion;

Thesaurus
attainments: (n) knowledge, learning, dismantle, starve; (adj, v) abridge, jealousy, hatred; (adj) jealous.
achievement, menticulture, culture. curtail. ANTONYMS: (v) provide, ANTONYM: (n) generosity.
concealed: (adj) covert, clandestine, present, offer, indulge, give, endow, irritation: (n) exasperation, anger,
blind, occult, secret, mysterious, appropriate, supply, add. annoyance, displeasure, bother,
obscure, buried, invisible, secreted, dunce: (n) dolt, blockhead, excitation, temper, excitement,
surreptitious. ANTONYMS: (adj) loggerhead, ignoramus, numskull, irritability, vexation, annoying.
unconcealed, available, overt, open, ass, bonehead, booby, dunderhead, ANTONYMS: (n) satisfaction, balm,
divulged, Shown, revealed, dullard, dummy. ANTONYMS: (n) calm, calmness, equanimity, patience.
disclosed, uncovered, noticeable, thinker, scholar, intellectual, genius. magpie: (n) pie, chatterbox, gossip,
mainstream. envy: (v) begrudge, want; (n) mag, babbler, chatterer, prater,
deprive: (v) divest, bereave, despoil, enviousness, desire, heartburning, cotinga, accumulator; (v) parrot, poll.
denude, deny, rob, dispossess, resentment, envies, heartburn,
314 Wuthering Heights

and, remembering Mrs. Dean's anecdote of his first attempt at enlightening the
darkness in which he had been reared, I observed, - 'But, Mrs. Heathcliff, we
have each had a commencement, and each stumbled and tottered on the
threshold; had our teachers scorned instead of aiding us, we should stumble and
totter yet.'
'Oh!' she replied, 'I don't wish to limit his acquirements: still, he has no right
to appropriate what is mine, and make it ridiculous to me with his vile mistakes
and mispronunciations! Those books, both prose and verse, are consecrated to
me by other associations; and I hate to have them debased and profaned in his
mouth! Besides, of all, he has selected my favourite pieces that I love the most to
repeat, as if out of deliberate malice.'
Hareton's chest heaved in silence a minute: he laboured under a severe sense
of mortification and wrath, which it was no easy task to suppress. I rose, and,
from a gentlemanly idea of relieving his embarrassment, took up my station in
the doorway, surveying the external prospect as I stood. He followed my
example, and left the room; but presently reappeared, bearing half a dozen
volumes in his hands, which he threw into Catherine's lap, exclaiming, - 'Take
them! I never want to hear, or read, or think of them again!'
'I won't have them now,' she answered. 'I shall connect them with you, and
hate them.'
She opened one that had obviously been often turned over, and read a
portion in the drawling tone of a beginner; then laughed, and threw it from her.
'And listen,' she continued, provokingly, commencing a verse of an old ballad in
the same fashion.%
But his self-love would endure no further torment: I heard, and not
altogether disapprovingly, a manual cheek given to her saucy tongue. The little
wretch had done her utmost to hurt her cousin's sensitive though uncultivated
feelings, and a physical argument was the only mode he had of balancing the
account, and repaying its effects on the inflictor. He afterwards gathered the
books and hurled them on the fire. I read in his countenance what anguish it
was to offer that sacrifice to spleen. I fancied that as they consumed, he recalled
Thesaurus
debased: (adj) degraded, low, positively, hopefully, affectionately, (n) gentleman. ANTONYMS: (adj)
adulterated, base, degenerate, respectfully, helpfully. rude, unbecoming.
depraved, debauched, decadent, enlightening: (adj) edifying, profaned: (adj) defiled, impure,
perverted, corrupted, impure. instructive, illuminating, didactic, unclean.
ANTONYM: (adj) moral. educational, calming, relieving: (adj) pertinent, comforting,
disapprovingly: (adv) reproachfully, communicative, clarifying, useful, applicable; (n) encouragement.
disdainfully, unenthusiastically, taming, revealing. ANTONYMS: (adj) self-love: (n) egoism, vanity, pride,
unhelpfully, harmfully, mystifying, unedifying, arrogance.
pessimistically, unconstructively, unenlightening, unilluminating. spleen: (n) spite, anger, resentment,
depressingly, critically, gentlemanly: (adj) courteous, polite, rage, lien, malice, bitterness, rancour,
unsympathetically, scornfully. chivalrous, refined, gallant, suave, huff, grudge, rancor. ANTONYM: (n)
ANTONYMS: (adv) favorably, mannerly, genteel, gentle, well-bred; affection.
Emily Brontë 315

the pleasure they had already imparted, and the triumph and ever-increasing
pleasure he had anticipated from them; and I fancied I guessed the incitement to
his secret studies also. He had been content with daily labour and rough animal
enjoyments, till Catherine crossed his path. Shame at her scorn, and hope of her
approval, were his first prompters to higher pursuits; and instead of guarding
him from one and winning him to the other, his endeavours to raise himself had
produced just the contrary result.%
'Yes that's all the good that such a brute as you can get from them!' cried
Catherine, sucking her damaged lip, and watching the conflagration with
indignant eyes.
'You'd BETTER hold your tongue, now,' he answered fiercely.
And his agitation precluded further speech; he advanced hastily to the
entrance, where I made way for him to pass. But ere he had crossed the door-
stones, Mr. Heathcliff, coming up the causeway, encountered him, and laying
hold of his shoulder asked, - 'What's to do now, my lad?'
'Naught, naught,' he said, and broke away to enjoy his grief and anger in
solitude.
Heathcliff gazed after him, and sighed.
'It will be odd if I thwart myself,' he muttered, unconscious that I was behind
him. 'But when I look for his father in his face, I find HER every day more! How
the devil is he so like? I can hardly bear to see him.'
He bent his eyes to the ground, and walked moodily in. There was a restless,
anxious expression in his countenance. I had never remarked there before; and
he looked sparer in person. His daughter-in-law, on perceiving him through the
window, immediately escaped to the kitchen, so that I remained alone.
'I'm glad to see you out of doors again, Mr. Lockwood,' he said, in reply to
my greeting; 'from selfish motives partly: I don't think I could readily supply
your loss in this desolation. I've wondered more than once what brought you
here.'

Thesaurus
conflagration: (n) blaze, inferno, address, greet, compliments, provocation, motive, impulse; (n, v)
flame, wildfire, combustion, acknowledgment, accost, hello, hullo, goad. ANTONYMS: (n) prevention,
holocaust, burning, bonfire, nod; (v) salute. ANTONYM: (n) deterrent, disincentive.
empyrosis, flagration; (n, v) goodbye. moodily: (adv) morosely, peevishly,
deflagration. guarding: (n) surveillance, glumly, sulkily, grumpily,
fiercely: (adv) violently, bitterly, conservation, precaution, shielding, capriciously, temperamentally,
strongly, savagely, brutally, marking, civil defense, patrol, petulantly, saturninely, crossly,
intensely, wildly, cruelly, accompaniment, guardianship; (adj) erratically. ANTONYM: (adv)
vehemently, grimly, furiously. preserving, defensive. cheerily.
ANTONYMS: (adv) mildly, dully, incitement: (n) impetus, incentive, precluded: (adj) not allowed.
tame, docilely, tamely, calmly, feebly. incitation, encouragement, pursuits: (n) diversion, duties.
greeting: (n) welcome, salutation, fomentation, stimulus, stimulation,
316 Wuthering Heights

'An idle whim, I fear, sir,' was my answer; 'or else an idle whim is going to
spirit me away. I shall set out for London next week; and I must give you
warning that I feel no disposition to retain Thrushcross Grange beyond the
twelve months I agreed to rent it. I believe I shall not live there any more.'
'Oh, indeed; you're tired of being banished from the world, are you?' he said.
'But if you be coming to plead off paying for a place you won't occupy, your
journey is useless: I never relent in exacting my due from any one.'
'I'm coming to plead off nothing about it,' I exclaimed, considerably irritated.
'Should you wish it, I'll settle with you now,' and I drew my note-book from my
pocket.%
'No, no,' he replied, coolly; 'you'll leave sufficient behind to cover your debts,
if you fail to return: I'm not in such a hurry. Sit down and take your dinner with
us; a guest that is safe from repeating his visit can generally be made welcome.
Catherine bring the things in: where are you?'
Catherine reappeared, bearing a tray of knives and forks.
'You may get your dinner with Joseph,' muttered Heathcliff, aside, 'and
remain in the kitchen till he is gone.'
She obeyed his directions very punctually: perhaps she had no temptation to
transgress. Living among clowns and misanthropists, she probably cannot
appreciate a better class of people when she meets them.
With Mr. Heathcliff, grim and saturnine, on the one hand, and Hareton,
absolutely dumb, on the other, I made a somewhat cheerless meal, and bade
adieu early. I would have departed by the back way, to get a last glimpse of
Catherine and annoy old Joseph; but Hareton received orders to lead up my
horse, and my host himself escorted me to the door, so I could not fulfil my wish.
'How dreary life gets over in that house!' I reflected, while riding down the
road. 'What a realisation of something more romantic than a fairy tale it would
have been for Mrs. Linton Heathcliff, had she and I struck up an attachment, as
her good nurse desired, and migrated together into the stirring atmosphere of
the town!'

Thesaurus
disposition: (n) attitude, character, faery, faerie. ANTONYM: (n) ogre. strictly, sharp.
disposal, tendency, predisposition, idle: (adj) lazy, indolent, inactive, free, saturnine: (adj) dour, moody, morose,
inclination, propensity, bias, unfounded, fruitless, baseless, sullen, dark, glum, gloomy, heavy,
arrangement, direction, aptitude. groundless, frivolous, empty, dismal; (v) melancholic, bilious.
exacting: (adj) fastidious, austere, disengaged. ANTONYMS: (adj) transgress: (v) offend, infringe, break,
strict, trying, stern, difficult, hard, active, employed, industrious, trespass, contravene, violate,
finicky, nice; (adj, v) exigent; (adj, n) energetic, meaningful, productive, overstep, disobey, breach, infract;
exact. ANTONYMS: (adj) lenient, worthwhile, diligent; (v) change, run, (adj, v) err. ANTONYM: (v) behave.
relaxed, tolerant, unexacting, work. whim: (n, v) fancy, vagary, humor,
unfastidious, basic, careless, relaxing. punctually: (adv) precisely, exactly, freak; (n) notion, impulse, fad, mood,
fairy: (n) elf, sprite, brownie, fag, duly, accurately, correctly, on time, whimsy, thought, idea. ANTONYMS:
faggot, fagot, imp, pixie, pixy; (adj, n) regularly, timely, punctiliously, (n) plan, reality, aversion.
Emily Brontë 317

CHAPTER XXXII

1802. - This September I was invited to devastate the moors of a friend in the
north, and on my journey to his abode, I unexpectedly came within fifteen miles
of Gimmerton. The ostler at a roadside public-house was holding a pail of water
to refresh my horses, when a cart of very green oats, newly reaped, passed by,
and he remarked, - 'Yon's frough Gimmerton, nah! They're allas three wick' after
other folk wi' ther harvest.'
'Gimmerton?' I repeated - my residence in that locality had already grown
dim and dreamy. 'Ah! I know. How far is it from this?'
'Happen fourteen mile o'er th' hills; and a rough road,' he answered.%
A sudden impulse seized me to visit Thrushcross Grange. It was scarcely
noon, and I conceived that I might as well pass the night under my own roof as
in an inn. Besides, I could spare a day easily to arrange matters with my
landlord, and thus save myself the trouble of invading the neighbourhood again.
Having rested awhile, I directed my servant to inquire the way to the village;
and, with great fatigue to our beasts, we managed the distance in some three
hours.
I left him there, and proceeded down the valley alone. The grey church
looked greyer, and the lonely churchyard lonelier. I distinguished a moor-sheep
cropping the short turf on the graves. It was sweet, warm weather - too warm for
travelling; but the heat did not hinder me from enjoying the delightful scenery

Thesaurus
conceived: (adj) formed. drowsy; (v) balmy. ANTONYMS: ostler: (n) groom, stableboy,
cropping: (n) harvest, napping, (adj) cynical, vigorous, pragmatic, stableman, hostleress, jockey, tiger,
masking. practical, awake, alert, ordinary, swineherd, herdsman, hired hand,
devastate: (adj, v) consume, destroy, prosaic. hired man, gillie.
waste; (v) demolish, spoil, havoc, invading: (adj) invade, incursive, refresh: (v) air, enliven, invigorate,
ruin, annihilate, sack, wreck, ravage. attacking, impertinent, abhorrent, update, comfort, regenerate,
ANTONYMS: (v) construct, help, aid, abusive, aggressive, assailant, rejuvenate, cool, renew, restore; (adj)
improve, preserve, save, comfort, disgusting, disagreeable, distasteful. refreshing. ANTONYMS: (v) exhaust,
capitulate. oats: (n) Avena, grain, millet, cereal, tire, weary, stagnate, drain, kill.
dreamy: (adj) faraway, romantic, cereal grass, common oats, genus roadside: (n) verge, shoulder, border,
impractical, somnolent, visionary, Avena, Haver, holder, maize, edge, margin.
sleepy, pensive, moony, idealistic, buckwheat.
318 Wuthering Heights

above and below: had I seen it nearer August, I'm sure it would have tempted
me to waste a month among its solitudes. In winter nothing more dreary, in
summer nothing more divine, than those glens shut in by hills, and those bluff,
bold swells of heath.%
I reached the Grange before sunset, and knocked for admittance; but the
family had retreated into the back premises, I judged, by one thin, blue wreath,
curling from the kitchen chimney, and they did not hear. I rode into the court.
Under the porch, a girl of nine or ten sat knitting, and an old woman reclined on
the housesteps, smoking a meditative pipe.
'Is Mrs. Dean within?' I demanded of the dame.
'Mistress Dean? Nay!' she answered, 'she doesn't bide here: shoo's up at th'
Heights.'
'Are you the housekeeper, then?' I continued.
'Eea, aw keep th' hause,' she replied.
'Well, I'm Mr. Lockwood, the master. Are there any rooms to lodge me in, I
wonder? I wish to stay all night.'
'T' maister!' she cried in astonishment. 'Whet, whoiver knew yah wur
coming? Yah sud ha' send word. They's nowt norther dry nor mensful abaht t'
place: nowt there isn't!'
She threw down her pipe and bustled in, the girl followed, and I entered too;
soon perceiving that her report was true, and, moreover, that I had almost upset
her wits by my unwelcome apparition, I bade her be composed. I would go out
for a walk; and, meantime she must try to prepare a corner of a sitting-room for
me to sup in, and a bedroom to sleep in. No sweeping and dusting, only good
fire and dry sheets were necessary. She seemed willing to do her best; though
she thrust the hearth-brush into the grates in mistake for the poker, and
malappropriated several other articles of her craft: but I retired, confiding in her
energy for a resting-place against my return. Wuthering Heights was the goal of
my proposed excursion. An afterthought brought me back, when I had quitted
the court.

Thesaurus
afterthought: (n) aftercome, confiding: (adj) unsuspecting, trustful, broody, museful, ruminative,
aftercourse, aftergrowth, afterpart, artless, credulous, untutored, ingenu, musing, brooding; (v) philosophical,
afterpiece, second thought, reversal, inartificial, lain, simple, unaffected, sedate.
turnaround, turnabout, improver, unsophisticated. sheets: (n) rain, bed linen.
postscript. ANTONYMS: (n) dusting: (n) sprinkling, dry spraying, sunset: (n) dusk, sundown, nightfall,
presupposition, forethought. film, coating. twilight, night, sunsetting, periodic
bluff: (v) beguile, delude, blague; (n) excursion: (n) expedition, jaunt, event, crepuscule, atmospheric
bravado, cheat, hill; (adj) rough, outing, digression, drive, tour, airing, phenomenon, hour, recurrent event.
direct, blunt, candid; (adj, n) peak. voyage, deviation, stroll; (n, v) ANTONYMS: (n) sunrise, daybreak.
ANTONYMS: (n) truth, honesty; (v) journey. wreath: (n) crown, coronal, garland,
reveal, guide; (adj) roundabout, meditative: (adj, v) thoughtful, chaplet, lei, circle, posy, fascia,
suave, subtle, hesitant. pensive; (adj) wistful, reflective, cincture, girdle, laurels.
Emily Brontë 319

'All well at the Heights?' I inquired of the woman.%


'Eea, f'r owt ee knaw!' she answered, skurrying away with a pan of hot
cinders.
I would have asked why Mrs. Dean had deserted the Grange, but it was
impossible to delay her at such a crisis, so I turned away and made my exit,
rambling leisurely along, with the glow of a sinking sun behind, and the mild
glory of a rising moon in front - one fading, and the other brightening - as I
quitted the park, and climbed the stony by-road branching off to Mr. Heathcliff's
dwelling. Before I arrived in sight of it, all that remained of day was a beamless
amber light along the west: but I could see every pebble on the path, and every
blade of grass, by that splendid moon. I had neither to climb the gate nor to
knock - it yielded to my hand. That is an improvement, I thought. And I noticed
another, by the aid of my nostrils; a fragrance of stocks and wallflowers wafted
on the air from amongst the homely fruit- trees.
Both doors and lattices were open; and yet, as is usually the case in a coal-
district, a fine red fire illumined the chimney: the comfort which the eye derives
from it renders the extra heat endurable. But the house of Wuthering Heights is
so large that the inmates have plenty of space for withdrawing out of its
influence; and accordingly what inmates there were had stationed themselves
not far from one of the windows. I could both see them and hear them talk
before I entered, and looked and listened in consequence; being moved thereto
by a mingled sense of curiosity and envy, that grew as I lingered.
'Con-TRARY!' said a voice as sweet as a silver bell. 'That for the third time,
you dunce! I'm not going to tell you again. Recollect, or I'll pull your hair!'
'Contrary, then,' answered another, in deep but softened tones. 'And now,
kiss me, for minding so well.'
'No, read it over first correctly, without a single mistake.'
The male speaker began to read: he was a young man, respectably dressed
and seated at a table, having a book before him. His handsome features glowed
with pleasure, and his eyes kept impatiently wandering from the page to a small

Thesaurus
amber: (n) yellow, yellowness, acceptable, sustainable, granite, pebblestone; (adj) quartz.
electrum, ambergris, gold, brown, unobjectionable, manageable, patible. respectably: (adv) creditably, decently,
electron, gum; (adj) chromatic. ANTONYMS: (adj) intolerable, honorably, properly, appropriately,
branching: (n) branch, ramification, unbearable, unendurable. admirably, commendably,
fork, divarication, arborescence; (adj) fragrance: (n, v) aroma, perfume, decorously, fitly, justly, becomingly.
branched, branchy, diverging, scent, smell; (n) bouquet, odor, ANTONYMS: (adv) indecently,
forked, ramose; (n, v) forking. essence, odour, redolence, sweetness; disreputably, dishonorably.
brightening: (n) blooming, polishing, (adj) fragrant. ANTONYMS: (n) stink, thereto: (adv) thereunto, moreover;
limb, illumination, first blush, break stench. (adj) likeness, accurate, coincidence,
of day. nostrils: (n) naris, nose. correct, correctness, deportment,
endurable: (adj) bearable, supportable, pebble: (n) boulder, crystal, flint, rock, detail, exact, expected.
tolerable, livable, sufferable, scree, cobblestone, calculus, crag, trees: (n) foliage.
320 Wuthering Heights

white hand over his shoulder, which recalled him by a smart slap on the cheek,
whenever its owner detected such signs of inattention. Its owner stood behind;
her light, shining ringlets blending, at intervals, with his brown looks, as she
bent to superintend his studies; and her face - it was lucky he could not see her
face, or he would never have been so steady. I could; and I bit my lip in spite, at
having thrown away the chance I might have had of doing something besides
staring at its smiting beauty.%
The task was done, not free from further blunders; but the pupil claimed a
reward, and received at least five kisses; which, however, he generously
returned. Then they came to the door, and from their conversation I judged they
were about to issue out and have a walk on the moors. I supposed I should be
condemned in Hareton Earnshaw's heart, if not by his mouth, to the lowest pit in
the infernal regions if I showed my unfortunate person in his neighbourhood
then; and feeling very mean and malignant, I skulked round to seek refuge in the
kitchen. There was unobstructed admittance on that side also; and at the door
sat my old friend Nelly Dean, sewing and singing a song; which was often
interrupted from within by harsh words of scorn and intolerance, uttered in far
from musical accents.
'I'd rayther, by th' haulf, hev' 'em swearing i' my lugs fro'h morn to neeght,
nor hearken ye hahsiver!' said the tenant of the kitchen, in answer to an unheard
speech of Nelly's. 'It's a blazing shame, that I cannot oppen t' blessed Book, but
yah set up them glories to sattan, and all t' flaysome wickednesses that iver were
born into th' warld! Oh! ye're a raight nowt; and shoo's another; and that poor
lad 'll be lost atween ye. Poor lad!' he added, with a groan; 'he's witched: I'm
sartin on't. Oh, Lord, judge 'em, for there's norther law nor justice among wer
rullers!'
'No! or we should be sitting in flaming fagots, I suppose,' retorted the singer.
'But wisht, old man, and read your Bible like a Christian, and never mind me.
This is "Fairy Annie's Wedding" - a bonny tune - it goes to a dance.'
Mrs. Dean was about to recommence, when I advanced; and recognising me
directly, she jumped to her feet, crying - 'Why, bless you, Mr. Lockwood! How

Thesaurus
blending: (n) mixture, amalgamation, morn: (n) dawn, daybreak, forenoon, supervise, govern, handle, overlook,
combination, incorporation, union, period, prime, aurora, a, amount of inspect.
synthesis, fusion, intermixture, time, break of dawn, break of day, unheard: (adj) aspirated, atonic, deaf,
concoction, centralization; (adj) break of the day. indistinct, involving surds, nonvocal,
merging. ANTONYM: (n) separation. recognising: (v) recognize, recognise. radical, sharp, silent, surd, irrational.
inattention: (n) neglect, heedlessness, recommence: (v) renew, restart, unobstructed: (adj) open,
carelessness, forgetfulness, regenerate, rejuvenate, start again, unconstrained, clear, unhindered,
negligence, inobservance, take up, take it from the top, start unchecked, unimpeded, manifest,
inadvertence, indifference, oversight, afresh, shuffle the cards, reshuffle the uncaught, unconfined, unloaded,
slight, distraction. ANTONYMS: (n) cards, pick up. free. ANTONYMS: (adj) obstructed,
attention, notice, caution, superintend: (v) oversee, manage, unclear, restricted.
concentration. direct, administer, control, run,
Emily Brontë 321

could you think of returning in this way? All's shut up at Thrushcross Grange.
You should have given us notice!'
'I've arranged to be accommodated there, for as long as I shall stay,' I
answered. 'I depart again to-morrow. And how are you transplanted here, Mrs.
Dean? tell me that.'
'Zillah left, and Mr. Heathcliff wished me to come, soon after you went to
London, and stay till you returned. But, step in, pray! Have you walked from
Gimmerton this evening?'
'From the Grange,' I replied; 'and while they make me lodging room there, I
want to finish my business with your master; because I don't think of having
another opportunity in a hurry.'
'What business, sir?' said Nelly, conducting me into the house. 'He's gone out
at present, and won't return soon.'
'About the rent,' I answered.%
'Oh! then it is with Mrs. Heathcliff you must settle,' she observed; 'or rather
with me. She has not learnt to manage her affairs yet, and I act for her: there's
nobody else.'
I looked surprised.
'Ah! you have not heard of Heathcliff's death, I see,' she continued.
'Heathcliff dead!' I exclaimed, astonished. 'How long ago?'
'Three months since: but sit down, and let me take your hat, and I'll tell you
all about it. Stop, you have had nothing to eat, have you?'
'I want nothing: I have ordered supper at home. You sit down too. I never
dreamt of his dying! Let me hear how it came to pass. You say you don't expect
them back for some time - the young people?'
'No - I have to scold them every evening for their late rambles: but they don't
care for me. At least, have a drink of our old ale; it will do you good: you seem
weary.'

Thesaurus
accommodated: (adj) meet. last, final, ultimate, failing, ebbing. invite, plead, beseech, appeal,
arranged: (adj) settled, regular, ANTONYMS: (adj) thriving, well, importune, adjure, invoke.
prepared, orderly, fixed, organized, opening, aborning, developing, ANTONYM: (v) reject.
ready, tidy, straight, ordered, neat. flourishing, growing, reviving, returning: (adj) regressive, return,
ANTONYMS: (adj) disorderly, rejuvenating; (n) birth. reversive, recurrent, coming back,
disorganized, changing, unprepared, having: (n) estate, possession, ebbing, flowing back, new, newly
untidy. acceptance, enjoyment. appointed, newly elected, next.
conducting: (n) administration, lodging: (n) abode, apartment, ANTONYMS: (adj) outgoing, unique,
conduct, directing, managing, accommodation, housing, hostel, occasional.
direction, management. residence, quarter, home, lodgement, supper: (n) meal, tea, lunch, repast,
dying: (n) death, demise, decease, address, hospice. reception, mealtime, siesta, social
mortality; (adj) vanishing, moribund, pray: (v) beg, implore, entreat, crave, affair; (v) dejeuner, bever, whet.
322 Wuthering Heights

She hastened to fetch it before I could refuse, and I heard Joseph asking
whether 'it warn't a crying scandal that she should have followers at her time of
life? And then, to get them jocks out o' t' maister's cellar! He fair shaamed to
'bide still and see it.'
She did not stay to retaliate, but re-entered in a minute, bearing a reaming
silver pint, whose contents I lauded with becoming earnestness. And afterwards
she furnished me with the sequel of Heathcliff's history. He had a 'queer' end, as
she expressed it.%
I was summoned to Wuthering Heights, within a fortnight of your leaving us,
she said; and I obeyed joyfully, for Catherine's sake. My first interview with her
grieved and shocked me: she had altered so much since our separation. Mr.
Heathcliff did not explain his reasons for taking a new mind about my coming
here; he only told me he wanted me, and he was tired of seeing Catherine: I
must make the little parlour my sitting-room, and keep her with me. It was
enough if he were obliged to see her once or twice a day. She seemed pleased at
this arrangement; and, by degrees, I smuggled over a great number of books,
and other articles, that had formed her amusement at the Grange; and flattered
myself we should get on in tolerable comfort. The delusion did not last long.
Catherine, contented at first, in a brief space grew irritable and restless. For one
thing, she was forbidden to move out of the garden, and it fretted her sadly to be
confined to its narrow bounds as spring drew on; for another, in following the
house, I was forced to quit her frequently, and she complained of loneliness: she
preferred quarrelling with Joseph in the kitchen to sitting at peace in her
solitude. I did not mind their skirmishes: but Hareton was often obliged to seek
the kitchen also, when the master wanted to have the house to himself! and
though in the beginning she either left it at his approach, or quietly joined in my
occupations, and shunned remarking or addressing him - and though he was
always as sullen and silent as possible - after a while, she changed her behaviour,
and became incapable of letting him alone: talking at him; commenting on his
stupidity and idleness; expressing her wonder how he could endure the life he
lived - how he could sit a whole evening staring into the fire, and dozing.

Thesaurus
bounds: (n) boundary, border, limit, provide, furnish, begone, beset. smuggled: (adj) bootleg, illegal, black,
bound, margin, borderline, end, irritable: (adj) fractious, irascible, dim, ignominious, fateful, fatal,
bourn, Bourne, brink, edge. edgy, cantankerous, touchy, petulant, extremely dark, extend, disgraceful,
ANTONYMS: (n) center, middle. excitable, cross, sensitive, grumpy, fuse.
cellar: (n) basement, cellarage, wine disagreeable. ANTONYMS: (adj) stupidity: (n) foolishness, nonsense,
cellar, godown, warehouse, winery, calm, happy, cheerful, amiable, obtuseness, dullness, fatuity,
silo, pit, excavation, story, storey. patient, pleasant, stable, courteous; absurdity, stolidity, slowness,
dozing: (adj) drowsy, dozy, nodding, (n) cheeriness. denseness, idiocy, imbecility.
napping, asleep, sleepy, tired. pint: (n) dry pint. ANTONYMS: (n) sense, logic,
furnished: (adj) fitted, arranged, retaliate: (v) turn upon, pay, repay, cleverness, shrewdness, wisdom,
privileged, instruct, carrying revenge, retort, talion, strike, take ability.
weapons, equipt, enlightened; (v) revenge, reciprocate, reply, requite.
Emily Brontë 323

'He's just like a dog, is he not, Ellen?' she once observed, 'or a cart-horse? He
does his work, eats his food, and sleeps eternally! What a blank, dreary mind he
must have! Do you ever dream, Hareton? And, if you do, what is it about? But
you can't speak to me!'
Then she looked at him; but he would neither open his mouth nor look
again.%
'He's, perhaps, dreaming now,' she continued. 'He twitched his shoulder as
Juno twitches hers. Ask him, Ellen.'
'Mr. Hareton will ask the master to send you up-stairs, if you don't behave!' I
said. He had not only twitched his shoulder but clenched his fist, as if tempted
to use it.
'I know why Hareton never speaks, when I am in the kitchen,' she exclaimed,
on another occasion. 'He is afraid I shall laugh at him. Ellen, what do you think?
He began to teach himself to read once; and, because I laughed, he burned his
books, and dropped it: was he not a fool?'
'Were not you naughty?' I said; 'answer me that.'
'Perhaps I was,' she went on; 'but I did not expect him to be so silly. Hareton,
if I gave you a book, would you take it now? I'll try!'
She placed one she had been perusing on his hand; he flung it off, and
muttered, if she did not give over, he would break her neck.
'Well, I shall put it here,' she said, 'in the table-drawer; and I'm going to bed.'
Then she whispered me to watch whether he touched it, and departed. But he
would not come near it; and so I informed her in the morning, to her great
disappointment. I saw she was sorry for his persevering sulkiness and
indolence: her conscience reproved her for frightening him off improving
himself: she had done it effectually. But her ingenuity was at work to remedy
the injury: while I ironed, or pursued other such stationary employments as I
could not well do in the parlour, she would bring some pleasant volume and
read it aloud to me. When Hareton was there, she generally paused in an
interesting part, and left the book lying about: that she did repeatedly; but he
Thesaurus
eats: (n) grub, chuck, food, meat, meal, sluggishness, apathy; (adj, n) sloth. steadfast, industrious, insistent.
diet, nurture, eat, dinner, board, feed. ANTONYMS: (n) energy, ANTONYM: (adj) irresolute.
frightening: (adj) awesome, awful, nimbleness, activity, bustle, perusing: (n) poring over, studying.
menacing, alarming, fearsome, liveliness, vigor. stationary: (adj) motionless, fixed, set,
horrific, terrible, creepy, fearful, ingenuity: (adj, n) ability; (n) quiescent, permanent, immobile,
dread, formidable. ANTONYMS: adroitness, ingeniousness, cunning, steady, static, constant, unmoving,
(adj) comfortable, soothing, pleasant, imagination, acumen, resource, still. ANTONYMS: (adj) mobile,
comforting, approachable, normal, originality, skill, wit, inventiveness. shifting, flowing.
hospitable. ANTONYM: (n) ineptness. sulkiness: (n) moroseness, glumness,
indolence: (n) laziness, inaction, persevering: (adj) diligent, firm, sullenness, mood, sourness,
lethargy, inertia, inactivity, determined, constant, resolute, huffishness, temper, grumpiness,
listlessness, slowness, torpor, dogged, persistent, tenacious, rancour, resentment, sour.
324 Wuthering Heights

was as obstinate as a mule, and, instead of snatching at her bait, in wet weather
he took to smoking with Joseph; and they sat like automatons, one on each side
of the fire, the elder happily too deaf to understand her wicked nonsense, as he
would have called it, the younger doing his best to seem to disregard it. On fine
evenings the latter followed his shooting expeditions, and Catherine yawned and
sighed, and teased me to talk to her, and ran off into the court or garden the
moment I began; and, as a last resource, cried, and said she was tired of living:
her life was useless.%
Mr. Heathcliff, who grew more and more disinclined to society, had almost
banished Earnshaw from his apartment. Owing to an accident at the
commencement of March, he became for some days a fixture in the kitchen. His
gun burst while out on the hills by himself; a splinter cut his arm, and he lost a
good deal of blood before he could reach home. The consequence was that,
perforce, he was condemned to the fireside and tranquillity, till he made it up
again. It suited Catherine to have him there: at any rate, it made her hate her
room up-stairs more than ever: and she would compel me to find out business
below, that she might accompany me.
On Easter Monday, Joseph went to Gimmerton fair with some cattle; and, in
the afternoon, I was busy getting up linen in the kitchen. Earnshaw sat, morose
as usual, at the chimney corner, and my little mistress was beguiling an idle hour
with drawing pictures on the window-panes, varying her amusement by
smothered bursts of songs, and whispered ejaculations, and quick glances of
annoyance and impatience in the direction of her cousin, who steadfastly
smoked, and looked into the grate. At a notice that I could do with her no longer
intercepting my light, she removed to the hearthstone. I bestowed little attention
on her proceedings, but, presently, I heard her begin - 'I've found out, Hareton,
that I want - that I'm glad - that I should like you to be my cousin now, if you
had not grown so cross to me, and so rough.'
Hareton returned no answer.
'Hareton, Hareton, Hareton! do you hear?' she continued.
'Get off wi' ye!' he growled, with uncompromising gruffness.
Thesaurus
disinclined: (adj) reluctant, loath, ruggedness, croakiness, terseness. hybrid, crossbreed, Metis.
averse, indisposed, loth, backward, ANTONYMS: (n) courtesy, splinter: (adj, v) break, shiver, crack;
not content, opposed, dubious, smoothness, gentleness, pleasantness. (adj, n, v) split; (n, v) chip, fragment,
afraid, not in the vein. ANTONYMS: linen: (n) fabric, flax, lingerie, doily, fracture; (adj, n) shred; (n) shaving,
(adj) tending, willing, leaning, eager, doyley, doyly, cambric, underwear, part; (v) smash.
bent, keen, disposed. underclothes, hemp; (v) muslin. steadfastly: (adv) steadily, solidly,
fireside: (n) fireplace, home, family, morose: (adj) grim, dismal, glum, dark, unwaveringly, resolutely,
habitation, dwelling, abode, domicile, moody, grumpy, dour, depressed, unfalteringly, unswervingly,
country, dwelling house, fire, habitat. sullen, blue, dejected. ANTONYMS: determinedly, faithfully, persistently,
gruffness: (n) curtness, roughness, (adj) happy, cheery, stable. permanently, staunchly.
harshness, shortness, abruptness, mule: (n) ass, donkey, jackass, hinny, ANTONYMS: (adv) unreliably,
hoarseness, severity, surliness, mules, scuff, bullhead, slipper; (adj) irresolutely, unfaithfully.
Emily Brontë 325

'Let me take that pipe,' she said, cautiously advancing her hand and
abstracting it from his mouth.%
Before he could attempt to recover it, it was broken, and behind the fire. He
swore at her and seized another.
'Stop,' she cried, 'you must listen to me first; and I can't speak while those
clouds are floating in my face.'
'Will you go to the devil!' he exclaimed, ferociously, 'and let me be!'
'No,' she persisted, 'I won't: I can't tell what to do to make you talk to me;
and you are determined not to understand. When I call you stupid, I don't mean
anything: I don't mean that I despise you. Come, you shall take notice of me,
Hareton: you are my cousin, and you shall own me.'
'I shall have naught to do wi' you and your mucky pride, and your damned
mocking tricks!' he answered. 'I'll go to hell, body and soul, before I look
sideways after you again. Side out o' t' gate, now, this minute!'
Catherine frowned, and retreated to the window-seat chewing her lip, and
endeavouring, by humming an eccentric tune, to conceal a growing tendency to
sob.
'You should be friends with your cousin, Mr. Hareton,' I interrupted, 'since
she repents of her sauciness. It would do you a great deal of good: it would
make you another man to have her for a companion.'
'A companion!' he cried; 'when she hates me, and does not think me fit to
wipe her shoon! Nay, if it made me a king, I'd not be scorned for seeking her
good-will any more.'
'It is not I who hate you, it is you who hate me!' wept Cathy, no longer
disguising her trouble. 'You hate me as much as Mr. Heathcliff does, and more.'
'You're a damned liar,' began Earnshaw: 'why have I made him angry, by
taking your part, then, a hundred times? and that when you sneered at and
despised me, and - Go on plaguing me, and I'll step in yonder, and say you
worried me out of the kitchen!'

Thesaurus
advancing: (adj) progressive, moving thoughtlessly, wastefully, tactlessly, savagely, inhumanly, severely,
forward, increasing, moving, rashly, liberally. violently, vehemently, roughly,
processive, thriving, ongoing, disguising: (n) cover-up. furiously, cruelly, atrociously.
aggressive; (n) advancement, eccentric: (adj, n) odd; (adj) wacky, ANTONYMS: (adv) pleasantly,
progression, proceeding. bizarre, abnormal, crazy, strange, tamely.
cautiously: (adv) guardedly, outlandish, anomalous, cranky, mocking: (adj) derisive, ironic, jeering,
prudently, warily, circumspectly, erratic; (n) character. ANTONYMS: mock, quizzical, sarcastic, taunting,
charily, discreetly, vigilantly, timidly, (adj) normal, ordinary, conventional, derisory, teasing, sardonic, sneering.
attentively, watchfully, sparingly. usual, concentric, common, sane, ANTONYMS: (adj) respectful,
ANTONYMS: (adv) openly, dull, orthodox; (n) conformer, approving, complimentary,
irresponsibly, imprudently, bravely, traditionalist. sympathetic; (n) praise.
recklessly, incautiously, ferociously: (adv) brutally, wildly,
326 Wuthering Heights

'I didn't know you took my part,' she answered, drying her eyes; 'and I was
miserable and bitter at everybody; but now I thank you, and beg you to forgive
me: what can I do besides?'
She returned to the hearth, and frankly extended her hand. He blackened
and scowled like a thunder-cloud, and kept his fists resolutely clenched, and his
gaze fixed on the ground. Catherine, by instinct, must have divined it was
obdurate perversity, and not dislike, that prompted this dogged conduct; for,
after remaining an instant undecided, she stooped and impressed on his cheek a
gentle kiss. The little rogue thought I had not seen her, and, drawing back, she
took her former station by the window, quite demurely. I shook my head
reprovingly, and then she blushed and whispered - 'Well! what should I have
done, Ellen? He wouldn't shake hands, and he wouldn't look: I must show him
some way that I like him - that I want to be friends.'
Whether the kiss convinced Hareton, I cannot tell: he was very careful, for
some minutes, that his face should not be seen, and when he did raise it, he was
sadly puzzled where to turn his eyes.%
Catherine employed herself in wrapping a handsome book neatly in white
paper, and having tied it with a bit of ribbon, and addressed it to 'Mr. Hareton
Earnshaw,' she desired me to be her ambassadress, and convey the present to its
destined recipient.
'And tell him, if he'll take it, I'll come and teach him to read it right,' she said;
'and, if he refuse it, I'll go upstairs, and never tease him again.'
I carried it, and repeated the message; anxiously watched by my employer.
Hareton would not open his fingers, so I laid it on his knee. He did not strike it
off, either. I returned to my work. Catherine leaned her head and arms on the
table, till she heard the slight rustle of the covering being removed; then she stole
away, and quietly seated herself beside her cousin. He trembled, and his face
glowed: all his rudeness and all his surly harshness had deserted him: he could
not summon courage, at first, to utter a syllable in reply to her questioning look,
and her murmured petition.

Thesaurus
ambassadress: (n) embassador. accommodating, easygoing, caring, civility, refinement, propriety,
demurely: (adv) soberly, primly, irresolute, soft, acquiescent. courteousness, courtesy, decency,
virtuously, staidly, reservedly, perversity: (n) perverseness, respect, diplomacy, praise,
solemnly, sedately, bashfully, cussedness, evil, perversion, thoughtfulness, gentleness.
seriously, gravely, properly. willfulness, unruliness, corruption, undecided: (adj) uncertain, doubtful,
ANTONYMS: (adv) improperly, wilfulness, depravity; (adj) dubious, unresolved, pending,
brazenly, brashly, boldly. contumacy, spinosity. indecisive, irresolute, hesitant,
obdurate: (adj) inflexible, stony, rudeness: (n) disrespect, audacity, debatable, indefinite; (adj, v)
obstinate, callous, firm, stubborn, insolence, impudence, discourtesy, undetermined. ANTONYMS: (adj)
headstrong, flinty, mulish, incivility, effrontery, bad manners, certain, determined, sure, settled,
impenitent, rigid. ANTONYMS: (adj) impoliteness, impropriety, definite, decisive.
compliant, amenable, primitiveness. ANTONYMS: (n)
Emily Brontë 327

'Say you forgive me, Hareton, do. You can make me so happy by speaking
that little word.'
He muttered something inaudible.%
'And you'll be my friend?' added Catherine, interrogatively.
'Nay, you'll be ashamed of me every day of your life,' he answered; 'and the
more ashamed, the more you know me; and I cannot bide it.'
'So you won't be my friend?' she said, smiling as sweet as honey, and
creeping close up.
I overheard no further distinguishable talk, but, on looking round again, I
perceived two such radiant countenances bent over the page of the accepted
book, that I did not doubt the treaty had been ratified on both sides; and the
enemies were, thenceforth, sworn allies.
The work they studied was full of costly pictures; and those and their
position had charm enough to keep them unmoved till Joseph came home. He,
poor man, was perfectly aghast at the spectacle of Catherine seated on the same
bench with Hareton Earnshaw, leaning her hand on his shoulder; and
confounded at his favourite's endurance of her proximity: it affected him too
deeply to allow an observation on the subject that night. His emotion was only
revealed by the immense sighs he drew, as he solemnly spread his large Bible on
the table, and overlaid it with dirty bank-notes from his pocket-book, the
produce of the day's transactions. At length he summoned Hareton from his
seat.
'Tak' these in to t' maister, lad,' he said, 'and bide there. I's gang up to my
own rahm. This hoile's neither mensful nor seemly for us: we mun side out and
seearch another.'
'Come, Catherine,' I said, 'we must "side out" too: I've done my ironing. Are
you ready to go?'
'It is not eight o'clock!' she answered, rising unwillingly.

Thesaurus
creeping: (n) creep, crawl, locomotion, ironing: (n) flatwork, household linen, implacable, engaged, dedicated,
spreading; (v) lentor; (adj) reptile, flat wash. committed, betrothed, bespoken,
slow, reptant, reptatory, serpiginous, ratified: (adj) sanctioned, legal, affianced, inveterate.
moving. canonical, canonic. unmoved: (adj) apathetic, unaffected,
distinguishable: (adj, adv) appreciable, seemly: (adj, v) befitting, becoming; indifferent, unconcerned,
perceptible, definite, visible; (adj) (adj, adv) comely; (adj) respectable, unimpressed, uninspired,
distinct, apparent, marked, decorous, decent, fitting, fit, dispassionate, imperturbable, calm,
differentiable, recognizable; (adv) appropriate; (adv) becomingly, undisturbed, fixed. ANTONYMS:
observable, noticeable. ANTONYM: properly. ANTONYMS: (adj) (adj) affected, compliant, uptight,
(adj) inseparable. unseemly, unbecoming, unsuitable, concerned, enthusiastic, tolerant,
interrogatively: (adv) inquisitively, inappropriate. sensitive.
curiously. sworn: (adj) extreme, mortal,
328 Wuthering Heights

'Hareton, I'll leave this book upon the chimney-piece, and I'll bring some
more to-morrow.'
'Ony books that yah leave, I shall tak' into th' hahse,' said Joseph, 'and it'll be
mitch if yah find 'em agean; soa, yah may plase yerseln!'
Cathy threatened that his library should pay for hers; and, smiling as she
passed Hareton, went singing up-stairs: lighter of heart, I venture to say, than
ever she had been under that roof before; except, perhaps, during her earliest
visits to Linton.%
The intimacy thus commenced grew rapidly; though it encountered
temporary interruptions. Earnshaw was not to be civilized with a wish, and my
young lady was no philosopher, and no paragon of patience; but both their
minds tending to the same point - one loving and desiring to esteem, and the
other loving and desiring to be esteemed - they contrived in the end to reach it.
You see, Mr. Lockwood, it was easy enough to win Mrs. Heathcliff's heart.
But now, I'm glad you did not try. The crown of all my wishes will be the union
of those two. I shall envy no one on their wedding day: there won't be a happier
woman than myself in England!

Thesaurus
civilized: (adj) civil, refined, polite, acquaintance; (n) closeness, sufferance; (n, v) moderation,
civilised, cultivated, educated, fellowship, association, friendship, calmness. ANTONYMS: (n)
courteous, urbane, kind, gentle, intercourse, affair, camaraderie, impatience, eagerness, intolerance,
genteel. ANTONYMS: (adj) uncouth, conversance, confidence. annoyance.
noncivilized, discourteous, loutish, ANTONYMS: (n) distance, formality. philosopher: (n) thinker, bacon,
rude, inhumane, wild. paragon: (n) exemplar, ideal, model, libertarian, gymnosophist, empiricist,
contrived: (adj) affected, unnatural, perfection, paradigm, pattern, necessitarian, moralist, theorist,
false, forced, labored, spurious, jimdandy, idol; (adj, n) beau ideal; wisdom, pundit, mechanist.
feigned, unreal, strained, built, (adj) phenix, pink. tending: (n) care, hairdressing, aid,
artificially formal. ANTONYM: (adj) patience: (n) endurance, fortitude, treatment, attention, babysitting,
sincere. longanimity, equanimity, tolerance, incubation; (adj) apt, conducive,
intimacy: (adj, n) familiarity, resignation, restraint, composure, prone, disposed.
Emily Brontë 329

CHAPTER XXXIII

ON the morrow of that Monday, Earnshaw being still unable to follow his
ordinary employments, and therefore remaining about the house, I speedily
found it would be impracticable to retain my charge beside me, as heretofore.
She got downstairs before me, and out into the garden, where she had seen her
cousin performing some easy work; and when I went to bid them come to
breakfast, I saw she had persuaded him to clear a large space of ground from
currant and gooseberry bushes, and they were busy planning together an
importation of plants from the Grange.%
I was terrified at the devastation which had been accomplished in a brief
half-hour; the black-currant trees were the apple of Joseph's eye, and she had just
fixed her choice of a flower-bed in the midst of them.
'There! That will be all shown to the master,' I exclaimed, 'the minute it is
discovered. And what excuse have you to offer for taking such liberties with the
garden? We shall have a fine explosion on the head of it: see if we don't! Mr.
Hareton, I wonder you should have no more wit than to go and make that mess
at her bidding!'
'I'd forgotten they were Joseph's,' answered Earnshaw, rather puzzled; 'but
I'll tell him I did it.'
We always ate our meals with Mr. Heathcliff. I held the mistress's post in
making tea and carving; so I was indispensable at table. Catherine usually sat by

Thesaurus
bushes: (n) underbrush, thicket, ANTONYMS: (n) construction, introduction, entrance; (v) infusion,
undergrowth, minor league. building, creation, order, transport, transmission, injection.
carving: (n) sculpture, carve, cut, preservation. indispensable: (adj, v) necessary,
statue, engraving, art, image, figure, gooseberry: (n) fish story, Ribes imperative, requisite; (adj) obligatory,
etching, woodcut, bust. grossularia, shrub, bush, gooseberry fundamental, required, mandatory,
currant: (n) currant bush, shrub, black bush, feaberry. vital, urgent, absolutely necessary; (v)
currant, red currant, raisin, Corinth, heretofore: (adv) formerly, as yet, needful. ANTONYMS: (adj)
dried currant, bush, grape, berry. before, so far, yet, already, until now, dispensable, nonessential, optional,
devastation: (n) demolition, previously, once, hereunto; (adv, n) marginal, unnecessary, worthless,
desolation, ruin, catastrophe, havoc, hitherto. minor.
obliteration, damage, disaster, wreck, importation: (n) entree, importing, liberties: (n) freedoms, familiarity,
annihilation; (n, v) waste. admittance, admission, mercantilism, intimacy.
330 Wuthering Heights

me, but to-day she stole nearer to Hareton; and I presently saw she would have
no more discretion in her friendship than she had in her hostility.%
'Now, mind you don't talk with and notice your cousin too much,' were my
whispered instructions as we entered the room. 'It will certainly annoy Mr.
Heathcliff, and he'll be mad at you both.'
'I'm not going to,' she answered.
The minute after, she had sidled to him, and was sticking primroses in his
plate of porridge.
He dared not speak to her there: he dared hardly look; and yet she went on
teasing, till he was twice on the point of being provoked to laugh. I frowned,
and then she glanced towards the master: whose mind was occupied on other
subjects than his company, as his countenance evinced; and she grew serious for
an instant, scrutinizing him with deep gravity. Afterwards she turned, and
recommenced her nonsense; at last, Hareton uttered a smothered laugh. Mr.
Heathcliff started; his eye rapidly surveyed our faces, Catherine met it with her
accustomed look of nervousness and yet defiance, which he abhorred.
'It is well you are out of my reach,' he exclaimed. 'What fiend possesses you
to stare back at me, continually, with those infernal eyes? Down with them! and
don't remind me of your existence again. I thought I had cured you of laughing.'
'It was me,' muttered Hareton.
'What do you say?' demanded the master.
Hareton looked at his plate, and did not repeat the confession. Mr. Heathcliff
looked at him a bit, and then silently resumed his breakfast and his interrupted
musing. We had nearly finished, and the two young people prudently shifted
wider asunder, so I anticipated no further disturbance during that sitting: when
Joseph appeared at the door, revealing by his quivering lip and furious eyes that
the outrage committed on his precious shrubs was detected. He must have seen
Cathy and her cousin about the spot before he examined it, for while his jaws
worked like those of a cow chewing its cud, and rendered his speech difficult to
understand, he began:-

Thesaurus
cured: (adj) recovered, corned, aged, examined: (adj) qualified, studied, anger; (v) offend, violate, desecrate;
mellow, whole, better, pickle cured, considered. (adj, n, v) abuse; (n) atrocity,
salted, vulcanised, well, vulcanized. jaws: (n) jaw, chops, fauces, chaps, indignity, enormity.
defiance: (n) challenge, opposition, mandible, maw, lips, holding device; scrutinizing: (adj) exploring
rebellion, insubordination, (v) mazard. thoroughly, inquisitive, searching,
rebelliousness, disobedience, nervousness: (n) nerves, trepidation, penetrating.
resistance, contempt, intractableness, disquiet, tension, jumpiness, shrubs: (n) undergrowth.
mutiny, contradiction. ANTONYMS: restlessness, jitters, agitation, worry, teasing: (n) tease, play, joke, fun,
(n) acceptance, surrender, deference, fearfulness, edginess. ANTONYMS: banter; (adj) quizzical, vexatious,
conformance, submission, (n) boldness, confidence, reassurance, pestering, annoying, playful; (v)
acquiescence, cooperation, loyalty, calm, relief, peace, equanimity. worrying. ANTONYM: (n)
meekness, support, agreement. outrage: (n, v) insult, affront, dishonor, seriousness.
Emily Brontë 331

'I mun hev' my wage, and I mun goa! I HED aimed to dee wheare I'd sarved
fur sixty year; and I thowt I'd lug my books up into t' garret, and all my bits o'
stuff, and they sud hev' t' kitchen to theirseln; for t' sake o' quietness. It wur
hard to gie up my awn hearthstun, but I thowt I COULD do that! But nah, shoo's
taan my garden fro' me, and by th' heart, maister, I cannot stand it! Yah may
bend to th' yoak an ye will - I noan used to 't, and an old man doesn't sooin get
used to new barthens. I'd rayther arn my bite an' my sup wi' a hammer in th'
road!'
'Now, now, idiot!' interrupted Heathcliff, 'cut it short! What's your
grievance? I'll interfere in no quarrels between you and Nelly. She may thrust
you into the coal-hole for anything I care.'
'It's noan Nelly!' answered Joseph. 'I sudn't shift for Nelly - nasty ill nowt as
shoo is. Thank God! SHOO cannot stale t' sowl o' nob'dy! Shoo wer niver soa
handsome, but what a body mud look at her 'bout winking. It's yon flaysome,
graceless quean, that's witched our lad, wi' her bold een and her forrard ways -
till - Nay! it fair brusts my heart! He's forgotten all I've done for him, and made
on him, and goan and riven up a whole row o' t' grandest currant-trees i' t'
garden!' and here he lamented outright; unmanned by a sense of his bitter
injuries, and Earnshaw's ingratitude and dangerous condition.%
'Is the fool drunk?' asked Mr. Heathcliff. 'Hareton, is it you he's finding fault
with?'
'I've pulled up two or three bushes,' replied the young man; 'but I'm going to
set 'em again.'
'And why have you pulled them up?' said the master.
Catherine wisely put in her tongue.
'We wanted to plant some flowers there,' she cried. 'I'm the only person to
blame, for I wished him to do it.'
'And who the devil gave YOU leave to touch a stick about the place?'
demanded her father-in-law, much surprised. 'And who ordered YOU to obey
her?' he added, turning to Hareton.

Thesaurus
forrard: (adv) fore, forrader, forward, demirep. innovative, airy, new, exceptional,
forwards, frontward, frontwards, quietness: (n) quiet, serenity, calm, imaginative.
ahead. calmness, peacefulness, repose, hush, unmanned: (adj) emasculate; (v)
graceless: (adj) inelegant, clumsy, composure, quietude, silence, unnerved.
godless, depraved, gauche, stillness. ANTONYMS: (n) volume, wisely: (adv) judiciously, prudently,
abandoned, ungracious, dissolute, disturbance, loudness, bustle, sagaciously, cleverly, discreetly,
ungraceful, rude, barbaric. wildness, turbulence, noise, turmoil, shrewdly, smartly, learnedly,
ANTONYMS: (adj) sophisticated, brashness, boldness, movement. astutely, sharply, perspicaciously.
suave, elegant. stale: (adj, n) musty, moldy; (adj) old, ANTONYMS: (adv) stupidly,
lamented: (adj) mourned, bewailed. commonplace, hackneyed, insipid, recklessly, imprudently, immaturely,
quean: (n) jade, Trull, bitch, drab, trite, corny, flat, stagnant; (adj, v) dry. illogically.
hussy, minx, girl, slut, trollop, rig, ANTONYMS: (adj) fresh, original,
332 Wuthering Heights

The latter was speechless; his cousin replied - 'You shouldn't grudge a few
yards of earth for me to ornament, when you have taken all my land!'
'Your land, insolent slut! You never had any,' said Heathcliff.%
'And my money,' she continued; returning his angry glare, and meantime
biting a piece of crust, the remnant of her breakfast.
'Silence!' he exclaimed. 'Get done, and begone!'
'And Hareton's land, and his money,' pursued the reckless thing. 'Hareton
and I are friends now; and I shall tell him all about you!'
The master seemed confounded a moment: he grew pale, and rose up,
eyeing her all the while, with an expression of mortal hate.
'If you strike me, Hareton will strike you,' she said; 'so you may as well sit
down.'
'If Hareton does not turn you out of the room, I'll strike him to hell,'
thundered Heathcliff. 'Damnable witch! dare you pretend to rouse him against
me? Off with her! Do you hear? Fling her into the kitchen! I'll kill her, Ellen
Dean, if you let her come into my sight again!'
Hareton tried, under his breath, to persuade her to go.
'Drag her away!' he cried, savagely. 'Are you staying to talk?' And he
approached to execute his own command.
'He'll not obey you, wicked man, any more,' said Catherine; 'and he'll soon
detest you as much as I do.'
'Wisht! wisht!' muttered the young man, reproachfully; 'I will not hear you
speak so to him. Have done.'
'But you won't let him strike me?' she cried.
'Come, then,' he whispered earnestly.
It was too late: Heathcliff had caught hold of her.
'Now, YOU go!' he said to Earnshaw. 'Accursed witch! this time she has
provoked me when I could not bear it; and I'll make her repent it for ever!'

Thesaurus
biting: (adj, v) acute, acrid, sarcastic, ANTONYMS: (adj, n) immortal; (adj) abusively, admonitorily,
sharp, acrimonious, pungent, severe, eternal, heavenly, mild, perfect, vituperatively, disapprovingly,
cutting; (adj) acid, bitter, barbed. spiritual. wearily, contemptuously,
ANTONYMS: (adj) mild, blunt, kind, ornament: (n) decoration, adornment, disparagingly, disdainfully,
bland, nice, soothing, sweet, hot, embellishment, decor; (v) beautify, witheringly, shamefully.
complimentary, faint, sympathetic. decorate, deck, embellish, adorn; (n, ANTONYMS: (adv) approvingly,
grudge: (v) begrudge, covet; (n, v) v) garnish, dress. ANTONYM: (v) hopefully.
spite; (n) malice, anger, umbrage, strip. savagely: (adv) brutally, ferociously,
resentment, rancor, gall, pique, feud. remnant: (n) end, relic, remains, barbarously, wildly, barbarianly,
mortal: (adj) deadly, fatal, lethal, residue, fragment, leftover, survival, viciously, uncivilizedly, violently,
deathly, earthly; (n) man, individual, trace, oddment, balance, stub. felly, untamedly, roughly.
creature, person, human being, body. reproachfully: (adv) critically,
Emily Brontë 333

He had his hand in her hair; Hareton attempted to release her looks,
entreating him not to hurt her that once. Heathcliff's black eyes flashed; he
seemed ready to tear Catherine in pieces, and I was just worked up to risk
coming to the rescue, when of a sudden his fingers relaxed; he shifted his grasp
from her head to her arm, and gazed intently in her face. Then he drew his hand
over his eyes, stood a moment to collect himself apparently, and turning anew to
Catherine, said, with assumed calmness - 'You must learn to avoid putting me in
a passion, or I shall really murder you some time! Go with Mrs. Dean, and keep
with her; and confine your insolence to her ears. As to Hareton Earnshaw, if I
see him listen to you, I'll send him seeking his bread where he can get it! Your
love will make him an outcast and a beggar. Nelly, take her; and leave me, all of
you! Leave me!'
I led my young lady out: she was too glad of her escape to resist; the other
followed, and Mr. Heathcliff had the room to himself till dinner. I had
counselled Catherine to dine up-stairs; but, as soon as he perceived her vacant
seat, he sent me to call her. He spoke to none of us, ate very little, and went out
directly afterwards, intimating that he should not return before evening.%
The two new friends established themselves in the house during his absence;
where I heard Hareton sternly cheek his cousin, on her offering a revelation of
her father-in-law's conduct to his father. He said he wouldn't suffer a word to be
uttered in his disparagement: if he were the devil, it didn't signify; he would
stand by him; and he'd rather she would abuse himself, as she used to, than
begin on Mr. Heathcliff. Catherine was waxing cross at this; but he found means
to make her hold her tongue, by asking how she would like HIM to speak ill of
her father? Then she comprehended that Earnshaw took the master's reputation
home to himself; and was attached by ties stronger than reason could break -
chains, forged by habit, which it would be cruel to attempt to loosen. She
showed a good heart, thenceforth, in avoiding both complaints and expressions
of antipathy concerning Heathcliff; and confessed to me her sorrow that she had
endeavoured to raise a bad spirit between him and Hareton: indeed, I don't

Thesaurus
calmness: (n) calm, composure, free, liberate, broaden. submissively, pleading, piteous.
quietness, poise, serenity, stillness, disparagement: (n, v) detraction, loosen: (n, v) relax, release, ease; (adj,
quiet, silence, placidity, peace; (adj, n) dispraise; (n) aspersion, derogation, v) loose, disengage; (v) detach, undo,
coolness. ANTONYMS: (n) anxiety, calumny, contempt, depreciation, ravel, discharge, fluff, untie.
nervousness, restlessness, panic, fury, defamation, degradation, disgrace, ANTONYMS: (v) fasten, compress,
unrest, intensity, discomposure, scorn. ANTONYMS: (n) adoration, fix, tense, stiffen, bend.
bustle, annoyance, noise. credit, commendation, acclaim, signify: (n, v) intend, mark; (adj, n, v)
confessed: (adj) known. compliment, admiration, import; (v) imply, indicate, denote,
confine: (n, v) bound, border, limit; (v) glorification, respect. point, stand for, express, intimate,
bind, restrain, circumscribe, tie, entreating: (adj) beseeching, matter.
incarcerate, hold; (n) boundary, imploring, suppliant, begging, waxing: (n) application, covering,
bounds. ANTONYMS: (v) release, supplicant, imploratory, asking coating. ANTONYM: (adj) waning.
334 Wuthering Heights

believe she has ever breathed a syllable, in the latter's hearing, against her
oppressor since.%
When this slight disagreement was over, they were friends again, and as busy
as possible in their several occupations of pupil and teacher. I came in to sit with
them, after I had done my work; and I felt so soothed and comforted to watch
them, that I did not notice how time got on. You know, they both appeared in a
measure my children: I had long been proud of one; and now, I was sure, the
other would be a source of equal satisfaction. His honest, warm, and intelligent
nature shook off rapidly the clouds of ignorance and degradation in which it had
been bred; and Catherine's sincere commendations acted as a spur to his
industry. His brightening mind brightened his features, and added spirit and
nobility to their aspect: I could hardly fancy it the same individual I had beheld
on the day I discovered my little lady at Wuthering Heights, after her expedition
to the Crags. While I admired and they laboured, dusk drew on, and with it
returned the master. He came upon us quite unexpectedly, entering by the front
way, and had a full view of the whole three, ere we could raise our heads to
glance at him. Well, I reflected, there was never a pleasanter, or more harmless
sight; and it will be a burning shame to scold them. The red fire-light glowed on
their two bonny heads, and revealed their faces animated with the eager interest
of children; for, though he was twenty-three and she eighteen, each had so much
of novelty to feel and learn, that neither experienced nor evinced the sentiments
of sober disenchanted maturity.
They lifted their eyes together, to encounter Mr. Heathcliff: perhaps you have
never remarked that their eyes are precisely similar, and they are those of
Catherine Earnshaw. The present Catherine has no other likeness to her, except
a breadth of forehead, and a certain arch of the nostril that makes her appear
rather haughty, whether she will or not. With Hareton the resemblance is carried
farther: it is singular at all times, THEN it was particularly striking; because his
senses were alert, and his mental faculties wakened to unwonted activity. I
suppose this resemblance disarmed Mr. Heathcliff: he walked to the hearth in
evident agitation; but it quickly subsided as he looked at the young man: or, I

Thesaurus
disarmed: (adj) harmless, prostrate. correspondence, facsimile; (adj, n) singular: (adj, n) extraordinary; (adj)
disenchanted: (adj) cynical, figure, form, semblance. odd, individual, particular, peculiar,
disappointed, worldly, sophisticated, ANTONYMS: (n) difference, phenomenal, rare, queer, single,
blas, let down, dissatisfied. diversity, dissimilarity, unlikeness, quaint, exceptional. ANTONYMS:
ANTONYMS: (adj) naive, satisfied, contrast. (adj) ordinary, normal, together,
spellbound, entranced, idealistic. nostril: (n) flue, chimney, funnel, usual, customary.
laboured: (adj) labored, forced, weasand, nozzle, port, throat, unwonted: (adj) unaccustomed, rare,
arduous, hard, strained, difficult, trachea, naris, anterior naris, nare. unusual, unused, infrequent,
laborious, grievous, grave, weighty, novelty: (adj) news; (n) freshness, uncustomary, singular,
unnatural. mutation, newness, trinket, curiosity, extraordinary, scarce, unaccountable,
likeness: (n) resemblance, copy, effigy, originality, oddity, bauble; (n, v) remarkable.
image, affinity, similarity, change, difference.
Emily Brontë 335

should say, altered its character; for it was there yet. He took the book from his
hand, and glanced at the open page, then returned it without any observation;
merely signing Catherine away: her companion lingered very little behind her,
and I was about to depart also, but he bid me sit still.%
'It is a poor conclusion, is it not?' he observed, having brooded awhile on the
scene he had just witnessed: 'an absurd termination to my violent exertions? I
get levers and mattocks to demolish the two houses, and train myself to be
capable of working like Hercules, and when everything is ready and in my
power, I find the will to lift a slate off either roof has vanished! My old enemies
have not beaten me; now would be the precise time to revenge myself on their
representatives: I could do it; and none could hinder me. But where is the use? I
don't care for striking: I can't take the trouble to raise my hand! That sounds as
if I had been labouring the whole time only to exhibit a fine trait of
magnanimity. It is far from being the case: I have lost the faculty of enjoying
their destruction, and I am too idle to destroy for nothing.
'Nelly, there is a strange change approaching; I'm in its shadow at present. I
take so little interest in my daily life that I hardly remember to eat and drink.
Those two who have left the room are the only objects which retain a distinct
material appearance to me; and that appearance causes me pain, amounting to
agony. About HER I won't speak; and I don't desire to think; but I earnestly wish
she were invisible: her presence invokes only maddening sensations. HE moves
me differently: and yet if I could do it without seeming insane, I'd never see him
again! You'll perhaps think me rather inclined to become so,' he added, making
an effort to smile, 'if I try to describe the thousand forms of past associations and
ideas he awakens or embodies. But you'll not talk of what I tell you; and my
mind is so eternally secluded in itself, it is tempting at last to turn it out to
another.
'Five minutes ago Hareton seemed a personification of my youth, not a
human being; I felt to him in such a variety of ways, that it would have been
impossible to have accosted him rationally. In the first place, his startling
likeness to Catherine connected him fearfully with her. That, however, which

Thesaurus
awakens: (adj) awakened. manifestation, trope; (adj, n) type; intend.
demolish: (v) defeat, break, annihilate, (adj) metalepsis, anagoge. startling: (adj) wonderful, shocking,
destroy, devastate, crush, batter, raze, rationally: (adv) logically, sanely, surprising, striking, alarming,
blast, break down, smash. judiciously, wisely, coherently, appalling, marvellous, dramatic,
ANTONYMS: (v) build, construct, fix, sagaciously, lucidly, justly, frightful, sensational, lurid.
preserve, produce, restore, create, reasonably, sensibly, practically. ANTONYMS: (adj) unremarkable,
inflate, assemble, support. ANTONYMS: (adv) irrationally, soothing, comforting.
labouring: (adj) drudging, work, illogically, emotionally, foolishly, trait: (n) characteristic, attribute,
working, busy, toiling. unconvincingly, unreasonably. quality, character, idiosyncrasy,
personification: (n) incarnation, slate: (n) list, platform, plank; (v) property; (adj, n) peculiarity, trick; (n,
avatar, epitome, personation, condemn, paper, papyrus, v) lineament; (v) stroke, touch.
prosopopoeia, figure of speech, parchment, foolscap, chide, lambaste,
336 Wuthering Heights

you may suppose the most potent to arrest my imagination, is actually the least:
for what is not connected with her to me? and what does not recall her? I cannot
look down to this floor, but her features are shaped in the flags! In every cloud,
in every tree - filling the air at night, and caught by glimpses in every object by
day - I am surrounded with her image! The most ordinary faces of men and
women - my own features - mock me with a resemblance. The entire world is a
dreadful collection of memoranda that she did exist, and that I have lost her!
Well, Hareton's aspect was the ghost of my immortal love; of my wild
endeavours to hold my right; my degradation, my pride, my happiness, and my
anguish -
'But it is frenzy to repeat these thoughts to you: only it will let you know
why, with a reluctance to be always alone, his society is no benefit; rather an
aggravation of the constant torment I suffer: and it partly contributes to render
me regardless how he and his cousin go on together. I can give them no
attention any more.'
'But what do you mean by a CHANGE, Mr. Heathcliff?' I said, alarmed at his
manner: though he was neither in danger of losing his senses, nor dying,
according to my judgment: he was quite strong and healthy; and, as to his
reason, from childhood he had a delight in dwelling on dark things, and
entertaining odd fancies. He might have had a monomania on the subject of his
departed idol; but on every other point his wits were as sound as mine.%
'I shall not know that till it comes,' he said; 'I'm only half conscious of it now.'
'You have no feeling of illness, have you?' I asked.
'No, Nelly, I have not,' he answered.
'Then you are not afraid of death?' I pursued.
'Afraid? No!' he replied. 'I have neither a fear, nor a presentiment, nor a
hope of death. Why should I? With my hard constitution and temperate mode
of living, and unperilous occupations, I ought to, and probably SHALL, remain
above ground till there is scarcely a black hair on my head. And yet I cannot
continue in this condition! I have to remind myself to breathe - almost to remind

Thesaurus
aggravation: (n) deterioration, derangement; (n, v) craze. aberration, alienation, insanity,
irritation, bother, heightening, ANTONYMS: (n) calmness, calm, lunacy; (adj) infatuation; (n) passion,
exacerbation, annoyance, harassment, order. craze.
aggrandizement, aggression, immortal: (adj) eternal, enduring, torment: (n, v) tease, distress, harass,
botheration, complication. undying, endless, monumental; (adj, afflict, pain, annoy; (n) agony,
ANTONYMS: (n) satisfaction, v) deathless, imperishable, anguish, suffering; (v) persecute,
improvement, pleasure, comfort, celebrated; (n) deity, God, divinity. oppress. ANTONYMS: (v) please,
delight, relieving, lessening, balm, ANTONYMS: (adj) obscure, earthly, delight, placate, comfort, soothe; (n)
support. forgettable, perishable, temporary. contentment, happiness, pleasure,
frenzy: (n) fury, anger, insanity, memoranda: (n) memorandum, note. calm, content.
mania, hysteria; (adj, n) distraction, monomania: (adj, n) madness, women: (n) sex, gentle sex.
aberration, alienation, phrensy, fanaticism, frenzy, derangement,
Emily Brontë 337

my heart to beat! And it is like bending back a stiff spring: it is by compulsion


that I do the slightest act not prompted by one thought; and by compulsion that I
notice anything alive or dead, which is not associated with one universal idea. I
have a single wish, and my whole being and faculties are yearning to attain it.
They have yearned towards it so long, and so unwaveringly, that I'm convinced
it will be reached - and soon - because it has devoured my existence: I am
swallowed up in the anticipation of its fulfilment. My confessions have not
relieved me; but they may account for some otherwise unaccountable phases of
humour which I show. O God! It is a long fight; I wish it were over!'
He began to pace the room, muttering terrible things to himself, till I was
inclined to believe, as he said Joseph did, that conscience had turned his heart to
an earthly hell. I wondered greatly how it would end. Though he seldom before
had revealed this state of mind, even by looks, it was his habitual mood, I had no
doubt: he asserted it himself; but not a soul, from his general bearing, would
have conjectured the fact. You did not when you saw him, Mr. Lockwood: and
at the period of which I speak, he was just the same as then; only fonder of
continued solitude, and perhaps still more laconic in company.%

Thesaurus
compulsion: (n) force, enforcement, secular, terrene, temporal, telluric, strange, unintelligible, unexplainable,
urge, constraint, pressure, restraint, sublunary. ANTONYMS: (adj) mysterious, impenetrable,
necessity, duress, obligation, spiritual, divine, ethereal, immortal, undiscoverable, undecipherable,
requirement, oppression. impossible, improbable, unknowable, unnatural.
ANTONYMS: (n) persuasion, inconceivable, celestial. ANTONYMS: (adj) accountable,
coaxing, disinclination. muttering: (n) grumbling, mutter, explainable, responsible, explicable.
confessions: (n) confession, life, murmuring, grumble, murmuration, unwaveringly: (adv) firmly,
journal, fortunes, personal narrative, murmur vowel, complaint, heart unfalteringly, loyally, fixedly,
memoir, experiences, biography. murmur, cardiac murmur; (adj) resolutely, faithfully, solidly,
devoured: (adj) eaten up. mumbling, faint. unswervingly, consistently, steadily,
earthly: (adj, n) terrestrial; (adj) carnal, unaccountable: (adj) firm. ANTONYMS: (adv) unreliably,
worldly, conceivable, human, geotic, incomprehensible, inexplicable, halfheartedly.
Emily Brontë 339

CHAPTER XXXIV

FOR some days after that evening Mr. Heathcliff shunned meeting us at
meals; yet he would not consent formally to exclude Hareton and Cathy. He had
an aversion to yielding so completely to his feelings, choosing rather to absent
himself; and eating once in twenty-four hours seemed sufficient sustenance for
him.%
One night, after the family were in bed, I heard him go downstairs, and out at
the front door. I did not hear him re-enter, and in the morning I found he was
still away. We were in April then: the weather was sweet and warm, the grass
as green as showers and sun could make it, and the two dwarf apple-trees near
the southern wall in full bloom. After breakfast, Catherine insisted on my
bringing a chair and sitting with my work under the fir-trees at the end of the
house; and she beguiled Hareton, who had perfectly recovered from his
accident, to dig and arrange her little garden, which was shifted to that corner by
the influence of Joseph's complaints. I was comfortably revelling in the spring
fragrance around, and the beautiful soft blue overhead, when my young lady,
who had run down near the gate to procure some primrose roots for a border,
returned only half laden, and informed us that Mr. Heathcliff was coming in.
'And he spoke to me,' she added, with a perplexed countenance.
'What did he say?' asked Hareton.
'He told me to begone as fast as I could,' she answered. 'But he looked so
different from his usual look that I stopped a moment to stare at him.'
Thesaurus
beguiled: (adj) entranced, rapt, pygmy; (v) overshadow; (adj) little, sustenance: (n) living, food,
fascinated, infatuated, enchanted, runt, baby. ANTONYMS: (adj) large, maintenance, subsistence, fare,
delighted, charmed, captive, big, huge; (v) maximize. sustentation, provisions,
captivated. primrose: (n) auricula, polyanthus, nourishment, nutriment, aliment,
bloom: (adj, n, v) flower; (v) prosper, primula, oxlip, paigle, primerole, livelihood. ANTONYM: (n) extras.
flourish, thrive, burgeon; (adj, v) herbaceous plant, herb; (adj) yielding: (adj, v) flexible, pliable,
blow, fructify; (n) prime, blush, flush, sensuous. supple, tractable, pliant; (adj)
bud. ANTONYMS: (v) shrivel, procure: (v) get, obtain, buy, earn, win, compliant, submissive, soft, obedient,
struggle, wane, die, deteriorate, gain, have, purchase, induce, derive, docile; (n) submission. ANTONYMS:
decrease; (n) pallor, withering. find. ANTONYM: (v) give. (adj) hard, firm, inflexible, solid,
dwarf: (adj, n) midget, miniature; (n) revelling: (n) rejoicing, jubilation, rigid, obstinate, stiff, stubborn,
gnome, fairy, brownie, manikin, heyday, flush, triumph; (adj) exultant. unyielding, rebellious.
340 Wuthering Heights

'How?' he inquired.%
'Why, almost bright and cheerful. No, ALMOST nothing - VERY MUCH
excited, and wild, and glad!' she replied.
'Night-walking amuses him, then,' I remarked, affecting a careless manner:
in reality as surprised as she was, and anxious to ascertain the truth of her
statement; for to see the master looking glad would not be an every-day
spectacle. I framed an excuse to go in. Heathcliff stood at the open door; he was
pale, and he trembled: yet, certainly, he had a strange joyful glitter in his eyes,
that altered the aspect of his whole face.
'Will you have some breakfast?' I said. 'You must be hungry, rambling about
all night!' I wanted to discover where he had been, but I did not like to ask
directly.
'No, I'm not hungry,' he answered, averting his head, and speaking rather
contemptuously, as if he guessed I was trying to divine the occasion of his good
humour.
I felt perplexed: I didn't know whether it were not a proper opportunity to
offer a bit of admonition.
'I don't think it right to wander out of doors,' I observed, 'instead of being in
bed: it is not wise, at any rate this moist season. I daresay you'll catch a bad cold
or a fever: you have something the matter with you now!'
'Nothing but what I can bear,' he replied; 'and with the greatest pleasure,
provided you'll leave me alone: get in, and don't annoy me.'
I obeyed: and, in passing, I noticed he breathed as fast as a cat.
'Yes!' I reflected to myself, 'we shall have a fit of illness. I cannot conceive
what he has been doing.'
That noon he sat down to dinner with us, and received a heaped-up plate
from my hands, as if he intended to make amends for previous fasting.
'I've neither cold nor fever, Nelly,' he remarked, in allusion to my morning's
speech; 'and I'm ready to do justice to the food you give me.'

Thesaurus
admonition: (n) advice, caution, ANTONYM: (v) disprove. maceration, lustration, flagellation,
admonishment, reproof, exhortation, averting: (n) aversion, prevention; watching one's weight, hunger strike,
lesson, counsel, monition, caveat, (adj) defensive. penance; (v) calorie counting.
censure, rebuke. ANTONYM: (n) contemptuously: (adv) scornfully, glitter: (n, v) flash, beam, shine,
approval. sneeringly, insultingly, glisten, glimmer, glow, sparkle,
allusion: (n) innuendo, reference, cue, disparagingly, superciliously, flicker, shimmer; (v) glance; (n)
suggestion, mention, intimation, derisively, condescendingly, radiance. ANTONYM: (n) dullness.
pointer, insinuation, implication, disrespectfully, haughtily, moist: (adj) damp, wet, muggy,
indication, clue. contumeliously, sardonically. clammy, dank, damps, dampish,
ascertain: (v) determine, find out, ANTONYM: (adv) approvingly. soggy, soppy, wettish, moisture.
learn, discover, check, tell, control, fasting: (n) abstinence, white sheet, ANTONYMS: (adj) dry, limp, fresh.
find, ensure, detect; (adj, v) establish. shrift, sackcloth and ashes,
Emily Brontë 341

He took his knife and fork, and was going to commence eating, when the
inclination appeared to become suddenly extinct. He laid them on the table,
looked eagerly towards the window, then rose and went out. We saw him
walking to and fro in the garden while we concluded our meal, and Earnshaw
said he'd go and ask why he would not dine: he thought we had grieved him
some way.%
'Well, is he coming?' cried Catherine, when her cousin returned.
'Nay,' he answered; 'but he's not angry: he seemed rarely pleased indeed;
only I made him impatient by speaking to him twice; and then he bid me be off
to you: he wondered how I could want the company of anybody else.'
I set his plate to keep warm on the fender; and after an hour or two he re-
entered, when the room was clear, in no degree calmer: the same unnatural - it
was unnatural - appearance of joy under his black brows; the same bloodless
hue, and his teeth visible, now and then, in a kind of smile; his frame shivering,
not as one shivers with chill or weakness, but as a tight-stretched cord vibrates -
a strong thrilling, rather than trembling.
I will ask what is the matter, I thought; or who should? And I exclaimed -
'Have you heard any good news, Mr. Heathcliff? You look uncommonly
animated.'
'Where should good news come from to me?' he said. 'I'm animated with
hunger; and, seemingly, I must not eat.'
'Your dinner is here,' I returned; 'why won't you get it?'
'I don't want it now,' he muttered, hastily: 'I'll wait till supper. And, Nelly,
once for all, let me beg you to warn Hareton and the other away from me. I wish
to be troubled by nobody: I wish to have this place to myself.'
'Is there some new reason for this banishment?' I inquired. 'Tell me why you
are so queer, Mr. Heathcliff? Where were you last night? I'm not putting the
question through idle curiosity, but - '
'You are putting the question through very idle curiosity,' he interrupted,
with a laugh. 'Yet I'll answer it. Last night I was on the threshold of hell. To-
Thesaurus
animated: (adj) alive, lively, animate, exhausted, inanimate, out, quenched, stimulating; (adj, v) impressive; (n, v)
perky, spirited, sprightly, brisk, gone. ANTONYMS: (adj) alive, swelling. ANTONYMS: (adj) boring,
cheerful, quick, vivacious, airy. living, extant, active, dormant, depressing, discouraging, upsetting,
ANTONYMS: (adj) lethargic, dull, thriving, existing, live. uninspiring.
blank, lifeless, spiritless, stiff, fender: (n) wing, cushion, barrier, unnatural: (adj) affected, artificial,
unanimated, bored, impassive, mudguard, dashboard, guard, grotesque, supernatural, forced,
unexciting, dead. mudguard seat, cowcatcher, abnormal, eccentric, uncanny, stilted,
cord: (n) band, bond, tie, twine, tape, framework, sheer log, framing. mannered, anomalous. ANTONYMS:
whipcord, thread, yarn, lace, rope, shivers: (n) cold, jitters. (adj) natural, normal, real, unaffected,
leash. thrilling: (adj, n) electric; (adj) exciting, commonplace, genuine, sincere.
extinct: (adj) dead, deceased, defunct, sensational, exhilarating, electrifying,
departed, obsolete, extinguished, emotional, rousing, gripping,
342 Wuthering Heights

day, I am within sight of my heaven. I have my eyes on it: hardly three feet to
sever me! And now you'd better go! You'll neither see nor hear anything to
frighten you, if you refrain from prying.'
Having swept the hearth and wiped the table, I departed; more perplexed
than ever.%
He did not quit the house again that afternoon, and no one intruded on his
solitude; till, at eight o'clock, I deemed it proper, though unsummoned, to carry a
candle and his supper to him. He was leaning against the ledge of an open
lattice, but not looking out: his face was turned to the interior gloom. The fire
had smouldered to ashes; the room was filled with the damp, mild air of the
cloudy evening; and so still, that not only the murmur of the beck down
Gimmerton was distinguishable, but its ripples and its gurgling over the pebbles,
or through the large stones which it could not cover. I uttered an ejaculation of
discontent at seeing the dismal grate, and commenced shutting the casements,
one after another, till I came to his.
'Must I close this?' I asked, in order to rouse him; for he would not stir.
The light flashed on his features as I spoke. Oh, Mr. Lockwood, I cannot
express what a terrible start I got by the momentary view! Those deep black
eyes! That smile, and ghastly paleness! It appeared to me, not Mr. Heathcliff,
but a goblin; and, in my terror, I let the candle bend towards the wall, and it left
me in darkness.
'Yes, close it,' he replied, in his familiar voice. 'There, that is pure
awkwardness! Why did you hold the candle horizontally? Be quick, and bring
another.'
I hurried out in a foolish state of dread, and said to Joseph - 'The master
wishes you to take him a light and rekindle the fire.' For I dared not go in myself
again just then.
Joseph rattled some fire into the shovel, and went: but he brought it back
immediately, with the supper-tray in his other hand, explaining that Mr.
Heathcliff was going to bed, and he wanted nothing to eat till morning. We

Thesaurus
cloudy: (adj) dull, gloomy, nebulous, happiness; (v) content; (adj, n) happy; ephemeral, passing, momentaneous,
murky, dark, turbid, foggy, muddy, (adj) contented. temporary, impermanent, temporal.
misty, sunless, vaporous. horizontally: (adv) evenly, flatly, ANTONYMS: (adj) lasting, lengthy,
ANTONYMS: (adj) clear, bright, planely, straightly, frigidly, dully, long.
sunny, cloudless. barwise, smoothly, recumbently, murmur: (n, v) grumble, mumble,
discontent: (n) disapproval, prostrately; (adj) crosswise. hum, whisper, mutter, whine, babble,
discontentment, disaffection, ledge: (n) projection, bulge, jetty, drone; (v) complain, bubble, breathe.
displeasure, disappointment, board, shelf, rack, bench, hummock, sever: (n, v) part, cut; (v) break, detach,
discontentedness, unrest; (adj) protrusion, rim; (adj) escarpment. cut off, separate, rupture, rend,
melancholy, dissatisfied, disgruntled, ANTONYM: (n) depression. disconnect, crack, divorce.
discontented. ANTONYMS: (n) momentary: (adj) brief, fugitive, ANTONYMS: (v) join, associate,
contentment, pleasure, accord, transient, short, instantaneous, establish, initiate, unite, mend.
Emily Brontë 343

heard him mount the stairs directly; he did not proceed to his ordinary chamber,
but turned into that with the panelled bed: its window, as I mentioned before, is
wide enough for anybody to get through; and it struck me that he plotted
another midnight excursion, of which he had rather we had no suspicion.%
'Is he a ghoul or a vampire?' I mused. I had read of such hideous incarnate
demons. And then I set myself to reflect how I had tended him in infancy, and
watched him grow to youth, and followed him almost through his whole course;
and what absurd nonsense it was to yield to that sense of horror. 'But where did
he come from, the little dark thing, harboured by a good man to his bane?'
muttered Superstition, as I dozed into unconsciousness. And I began, half
dreaming, to weary myself with imagining some fit parentage for him; and,
repeating my waking meditations, I tracked his existence over again, with grim
variations; at last, picturing his death and funeral: of which, all I can remember
is, being exceedingly vexed at having the task of dictating an inscription for his
monument, and consulting the sexton about it; and, as he had no surname, and
we could not tell his age, we were obliged to content ourselves with the single
word, 'Heathcliff.' That came true: we were. If you enter the kirkyard, you'll
read, on his headstone, only that, and the date of his death.
Dawn restored me to common sense. I rose, and went into the garden, as
soon as I could see, to ascertain if there were any footmarks under his window.
There were none. 'He has stayed at home,' I thought, 'and he'll be all right to-
day.' I prepared breakfast for the household, as was my usual custom, but told
Hareton and Catherine to get theirs ere the master came down, for he lay late.
They preferred taking it out of doors, under the trees, and I set a little table to
accommodate them.
On my re-entrance, I found Mr. Heathcliff below. He and Joseph were
conversing about some farming business; he gave clear, minute directions
concerning the matter discussed, but he spoke rapidly, and turned his head
continually aside, and had the same excited expression, even more exaggerated.
When Joseph quitted the room he took his seat in the place he generally chose,
and I put a basin of coffee before him. He drew it nearer, and then rested his

Thesaurus
ghoul: (n) vampire, body snatcher, parentage: (n) family, extraction, sobriquet, family name, soubriquet,
bloodsucker, vulture, thief, gorilla, origin, descent, ancestry, lineage, last name, nickname, maiden name,
spirit, ghost, specter, phantom, ogre. stock, birth, pedigree, kinship, moniker, first name, agnomen.
infancy: (n) babyhood, cradle, bloodline. unconsciousness: (n) blackout,
beginning, birth, genesis, minority, picturing: (n) depiction, delineation, insensibility, grogginess, loss of
early childhood, youth, nonage, envisioning, pictorial representation, consciousness, coma, trance,
adolescence, early days. ANTONYM: photography, portrayal, picture stupefaction, faint, unawareness,
(n) maturity. taking, photographic, imagination, ignorance, torpor. ANTONYM: (n)
inscription: (n) epigraph, entry, mental imagery, imaging. awareness.
dedication, autograph, epitaph, plotted: (adj) planned, aforethought, waking: (adj) wakeful; (n) awakening,
registration, lettering, writing, arranged, studied. wakefulness, consciousness.
record, superscription, title. surname: (n) cognomen, name,
344 Wuthering Heights

arms on the table, and looked at the opposite wall, as I supposed, surveying one
particular portion, up and down, with glittering, restless eyes, and with such
eager interest that he stopped breathing during half a minute together.%
'Come now,' I exclaimed, pushing some bread against his hand, 'eat and
drink that, while it is hot: it has been waiting near an hour.'
He didn't notice me, and yet he smiled. I'd rather have seen him gnash his
teeth than smile so.
'Mr. Heathcliff! master!' I cried, 'don't, for God's sake, stare as if you saw an
unearthly vision.'
'Don't, for God's sake, shout so loud,' he replied. 'Turn round, and tell me,
are we by ourselves?'
'Of course,' was my answer; 'of course we are.'
Still, I involuntarily obeyed him, as if I was not quite sure. With a sweep of
his hand he cleared a vacant space in front among the breakfast things, and leant
forward to gaze more at his ease.
Now, I perceived he was not looking at the wall; for when I regarded him
alone, it seemed exactly that he gazed at something within two yards' distance.
And whatever it was, it communicated, apparently, both pleasure and pain in
exquisite extremes: at least the anguished, yet raptured, expression of his
countenance suggested that idea. The fancied object was not fixed, either: his
eyes pursued it with unwearied diligence, and, even in speaking to me, were
never weaned away. I vainly reminded him of his protracted abstinence from
food: if he stirred to touch anything in compliance with my entreaties, if he
stretched his hand out to get a piece of bread, his fingers clenched before they
reached it, and remained on the table, forgetful of their aim.
I sat, a model of patience, trying to attract his absorbed attention from its
engrossing speculation; till he grew irritable, and got up, asking why I would
not allow him to have his own time in taking his meals? and saying that on the
next occasion I needn't wait: I might set the things down and go. Having

Thesaurus
abstinence: (n) temperance, engross. ANTONYMS: (adj) glistering, glistening, glinting,
abstention, forbearance, sobriety, uninteresting, dull, monotonous, shining, scintillating, splendid; (adj,
chastity, soberness, celibacy, tiresome, unexciting. adv) aglitter.
teetotalism, fast, abstinency, restraint. forgetful: (adj) oblivious, inattentive, gnash: (v) grate, frown, gnarl, clench,
ANTONYMS: (n) excess, intoxication, negligent, lax, absent-minded, casual, snap, rasp, scrape, scowl, pout,
revelry, intemperance, drunkenness, unmindful, neglectful, heedless, lower, knit the brow.
dissipation, extravagance, unaware; (adj, v) remiss. unwearied: (adj) indefatigable,
wantonness. ANTONYMS: (adj) mindful, untiring, tireless, untired,
engrossing: (adj) fascinating, riveting, watchful, alert, remembering, indomitable, unflagging, industrious,
gripping, captivating, entrancing, retentive. tolerant, persistent, persevering,
enthralling, beguiling, charming, glittering: (adj, v) brilliant; (adj) laborious. ANTONYM: (adj)
enchanting; (adj, v) interesting; (v) sparkling, flashing, dazzling, impatient.
Emily Brontë 345

uttered these words he left the house, slowly sauntered down the garden path,
and disappeared through the gate.%
The hours crept anxiously by: another evening came. I did not retire to rest
till late, and when I did, I could not sleep. He returned after midnight, and,
instead of going to bed, shut himself into the room beneath. I listened, and
tossed about, and, finally, dressed and descended. It was too irksome to lie
there, harassing my brain with a hundred idle misgivings.
I distinguished Mr. Heathcliff's step, restlessly measuring the floor, and he
frequently broke the silence by a deep inspiration, resembling a groan. He
muttered detached words also; the only one I could catch was the name of
Catherine, coupled with some wild term of endearment or suffering; and spoken
as one would speak to a person present; low and earnest, and wrung from the
depth of his soul. I had not courage to walk straight into the apartment; but I
desired to divert him from his reverie, and therefore fell foul of the kitchen fire,
stirred it, and began to scrape the cinders. It drew him forth sooner than I
expected. He opened the door immediately, and said - 'Nelly, come here - is it
morning? Come in with your light.'
'It is striking four,' I answered. 'You want a candle to take up- stairs: you
might have lit one at this fire.'
'No, I don't wish to go up-stairs,' he said. 'Come in, and kindle ME a fire,
and do anything there is to do about the room.'
'I must blow the coals red first, before I can carry any,' I replied, getting a
chair and the bellows
He roamed to and fro, meantime, in a state approaching distraction; his
heavy sighs succeeding each other so thick as to leave no space for common
breathing between.
'When day breaks I'll send for Green,' he said; 'I wish to make some legal
inquiries of him while I can bestow a thought on those matters, and while I can
act calmly. I have not written my will yet; and how to leave my property I
cannot determine. I wish I could annihilate it from the face of the earth.'

Thesaurus
bellows: (n) blower, lung, bellowing, delightful, pleasant, refreshing, ANTONYM: (prep) unlike.
blowpipe, organ; (v) air blower, air soothing. restlessly: (adv) fidgetily,
pump, fan, punkah, ventilator. kindle: (adj, v) inflame; (v) fire, excite, apprehensively, agitatedly, fretfully,
endearment: (n) affection, kindness, arouse, burn, flame, awaken, incite, unquietly, sleeplessly, nervously,
attraction, love, fondness. enkindle, stir; (n, v) light. restively, edgily, anxiously,
groan: (n, v) grumble, murmur, cry, ANTONYMS: (v) enkindle, dampen, disturbedly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
sigh, mutter, squeak, rumble, scrape; calm, extinguish, quench, stifle. peacefully, unconcernedly.
(v) howl, complain; (n) complaint. resembling: (adj, prep) like; (adj) reverie: (n) dream, fantasy, air castle,
irksome: (adj, v) wearisome, tiresome; analogous, parallel, similar, brown study, revery, trance,
(adj) boring, dull, annoying, tedious, conformable, approximate, abstraction, castle in Spain, castle in
trying, burdensome, bothersome, semblative, other, probable; (prep) the air; (adj) preoccupation,
irritating, prosaic. ANTONYMS: (adj) similar to, reminiscent of. distraction. ANTONYM: (n) reality.
346 Wuthering Heights

'I %would not talk so, Mr. Heathcliff,' I interposed. 'Let your will be a while:
you'll be spared to repent of your many injustices yet! I never expected that your
nerves would be disordered: they are, at present, marvellously so, however; and
almost entirely through your own fault. The way you've passed these three last
days might knock up a Titan. Do take some food, and some repose. You need
only look at yourself in a glass to see how you require both. Your cheeks are
hollow, and your eyes blood- shot, like a person starving with hunger and going
blind with loss of sleep.'
'It is not my fault that I cannot eat or rest,' he replied. 'I assure you it is
through no settled designs. I'll do both, as soon as I possibly can. But you might
as well bid a man struggling in the water rest within arms' length of the shore! I
must reach it first, and then I'll rest. Well, never mind Mr. Green: as to repenting
of my injustices, I've done no injustice, and I repent of nothing. I'm too happy;
and yet I'm not happy enough. My soul's bliss kills my body, but does not
satisfy itself.'
'Happy, master?' I cried. 'Strange happiness! If you would hear me without
being angry, I might offer some advice that would make you happier.'
'What is that?' he asked. 'Give it.'
'You are aware, Mr. Heathcliff,' I said, 'that from the time you were thirteen
years old you have lived a selfish, unchristian life; and probably hardly had a
Bible in your hands during all that period. You must have forgotten the contents
of the book, and you may not have space to search it now. Could it be hurtful to
send for some one - some minister of any denomination, it does not matter
which - to explain it, and show you how very far you have erred from its
precepts; and how unfit you will be for its heaven, unless a change takes place
before you die?'
'I'm rather obliged than angry, Nelly,' he said, 'for you remind me of the
manner in which I desire to be buried. It is to be carried to the churchyard in the
evening. You and Hareton may, if you please, accompany me: and mind,
particularly, to notice that the sexton obeys my directions concerning the two
coffins! No minister need come; nor need anything be said over me. - I tell you I
Thesaurus
bliss: (n) happiness, joy, ecstasy, value, degree. pleasing, harmless, pleasant,
pleasure, paradise, blessedness, disordered: (adj) chaotic, upset, sick, comforting, complimentary, merciful,
felicity, elation, beatitude, heaven, disorganized, broken, incoherent, helpful, advantageous, flattering,
blessing. ANTONYMS: (n) misery, deranged, messy, disjointed, benign, generous.
sorrow, agony, grief, anguish, disconnected, ill. ANTONYMS: (adj) unfit: (adj) inappropriate, improper,
sadness, suffering, gloom, hell, neat, ordered, organized, arranged, inapt, unbecoming, incompetent,
dissatisfaction. quiet, regulated, systematic, unable, incapable, unsuitable, bad;
cheeks: (n) Gemini, twins, couple, systematized, straightforward, tidy. (adj, v) incapacitate; (v) indispose.
posterior, pair, deuce, two, duet. hurtful: (adj) harmful, destructive, ANTONYMS: (adj) appropriate,
denomination: (n) appellation, title, evil, detrimental, deleterious, bad, suitable, ready, healthy, able, firm,
cognomen, class, communion, injurious, cutting, baneful, baleful, competent; (v) qualify.
appellative, designation, sect, name, noisome. ANTONYMS: (adj)
Emily Brontë 347

have nearly attained MY heaven; and that of others is altogether unvalued and
uncovered by me.'
'And supposing you persevered in your obstinate fast, and died by that
means, and they refused to bury you in the precincts of the kirk?' I said, shocked
at his godless indifference. 'How would you like it?'
'They won't do that,' he replied: 'if they did, you must have me removed
secretly; and if you neglect it you shall prove, practically, that the dead are not
annihilated!'
As soon as he heard the other members of the family stirring he retired to his
den, and I breathed freer. But in the afternoon, while Joseph and Hareton were
at their work, he came into the kitchen again, and, with a wild look, bid me come
and sit in the house: he wanted somebody with him. I declined; telling him
plainly that his strange talk and manner frightened me, and I had neither the
nerve nor the will to be his companion alone.%
'I believe you think me a fiend,' he said, with his dismal laugh: 'something too
horrible to live under a decent roof.' Then turning to Catherine, who was there,
and who drew behind me at his approach, he added, half sneeringly, - 'Will YOU
come, chuck? I'll not hurt you. No! to you I've made myself worse than the
devil. Well, there is ONE who won't shrink from my company! By God! she's
relentless. Oh, damn it! It's unutterably too much for flesh and blood to bear -
even mine.'
He solicited the society of no one more. At dusk he went into his chamber.
Through the whole night, and far into the morning, we heard him groaning and
murmuring to himself. Hareton was anxious to enter; but I bid him fetch Mr.
Kenneth, and he should go in and see him. When he came, and I requested
admittance and tried to open the door, I found it locked; and Heathcliff bid us be
damned. He was better, and would be left alone; so the doctor went away.
The following evening was very wet: indeed, it poured down till day-dawn;
and, as I took my morning walk round the house, I observed the master's
window swinging open, and the rain driving straight in. He cannot be in bed, I

Thesaurus
freer: (adj) unconfined. neighborhood, proximity, decrease. ANTONYMS: (v) increase,
godless: (adj) impious, blasphemous, surroundings, vicinity, limitations, enlarge, grow, stretch, swell, bloom,
ungodly, profane, devoutless, suburbs. rise, inflate.
unholy, atheistic, wicked, graceless, relentless: (adj) implacable, cruel, solicited: (adj) requested.
irreligious, irreverent. inflexible, stern, pitiless, harsh, unutterably: (adv) ineffably,
murmuring: (n) murmuration, merciless, grim, obdurate, persistent, inexpressibly, indescribably, beyond
murmur, complaint, grumble, unrelenting. ANTONYMS: (adj) words, deeply, overwhelmingly.
muttering, mutter, murmur vowel; gentle, lenient, merciful, finite, soft, unvalued: (adj) unalluring,
(adj) whispering, humming, droning, sporadic, feeble. unappreciated, uncared for,
murmurous. shrink: (adj, v) recoil; (n, v) flinch, undesired, unattractive, unsung,
precincts: (n) entourage, arena, wince; (v) contract, shorten, lessen, valueless, obscure, all one to,
outskirts, neighbourhood, walk, diminish, cower, reduce, quail, ungratifying, thankless.
348 Wuthering Heights

thought: those showers would drench him through. He must either be up or


out. But I'll make no more ado, I'll go boldly and look.'
Having succeeded in obtaining entrance with another key, I ran to unclose
the panels, for the chamber was vacant; quickly pushing them aside, I peeped in.
Mr. Heathcliff was there - laid on his back. His eyes met mine so keen and fierce,
I started; and then he seemed to smile. I could not think him dead: but his face
and throat were washed with rain; the bed-clothes dripped, and he was perfectly
still. The lattice, flapping to and fro, had grazed one hand that rested on the sill;
no blood trickled from the broken skin, and when I put my fingers to it, I could
doubt no more: he was dead and stark!
I hasped the window; I combed his black long hair from his forehead; I tried
to close his eyes: to extinguish, if possible, that frightful, life-like gaze of
exultation before any one else beheld it. They would not shut: they seemed to
sneer at my attempts; and his parted lips and sharp white teeth sneered too!
Taken with another fit of cowardice, I cried out for Joseph. Joseph shuffled up
and made a noise, but resolutely refused to meddle with him.%
'Th' divil's harried off his soul,' he cried, 'and he may hev' his carcass into t'
bargin, for aught I care! Ech! what a wicked 'un he looks, girning at death!' and
the old sinner grinned in mockery. I thought he intended to cut a caper round
the bed; but suddenly composing himself, he fell on his knees, and raised his
hands, and returned thanks that the lawful master and the ancient stock were
restored to their rights.
I felt stunned by the awful event; and my memory unavoidably recurred to
former times with a sort of oppressive sadness. But poor Hareton, the most
wronged, was the only one who really suffered much. He sat by the corpse all
night, weeping in bitter earnest. He pressed its hand, and kissed the sarcastic,
savage face that every one else shrank from contemplating; and bemoaned him
with that strong grief which springs naturally from a generous heart, though it
be tough as tempered steel.
Mr. Kenneth was perplexed to pronounce of what disorder the master died. I
concealed the fact of his having swallowed nothing for four days, fearing it
Thesaurus
caper: (n, v) skip, bound, frolic, hop, immerse, splash, wash; (v) deluge, frantic, under pressure, vexed,
romp, leap, play, gambol; (n) prank, swamp, dip, drown, souse. pressurized, turbulent.
joke, antic. ANTONYM: (v) restrain. ANTONYM: (v) dehydrate. shuffled: (adj) disorganized.
carcass: (n) body, frame, corpse, extinguish: (v) destroy, exterminate, unavoidably: (adv) inescapably,
cadaver, framework, shell, carrion, eradicate, douse, annihilate, necessarily, ineluctably, by necessity,
remains, dead body, skeleton, bomb. consume, wipe out, end, suppress, of necessity, automatically, needs,
composing: (v) compose, comprise, quash; (adj, v) allay. ANTONYMS: (v) inevitable, relentlessly, true to form,
constitute; (adj, v) component; (n) ignite, build, create, encourage, unsurprisingly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
composition, arranging, inflame, sustain, protect. surprisingly, unnecessarily.
arrangement, placement, makeup, grazed: (adj) hurt. unclose: (v) open, unbar, disclose,
constitution, manufacturing. harried: (adj) annoyed, rushed, unbolt, uncover, reveal, unharness,
drench: (adj, v) soak, douse, steep, pestered, hyperactive, hassled, unhand, uncork, unrip, undo.
Emily Brontë 349

might lead to trouble, and then, I am persuaded, he did not abstain on purpose:
it was the consequence of his strange illness, not the cause.%
We buried him, to the scandal of the whole neighbourhood, as he wished.
Earnshaw and I, the sexton, and six men to carry the coffin, comprehended the
whole attendance. The six men departed when they had let it down into the
grave: we stayed to see it covered. Hareton, with a streaming face, dug green
sods, and laid them over the brown mould himself: at present it is as smooth
and verdant as its companion mounds - and I hope its tenant sleeps as soundly.
But the country folks, if you ask them, would swear on the Bible that he WALKS:
there are those who speak to having met him near the church, and on the moor,
and even within this house. Idle tales, you'll say, and so say I. Yet that old man
by the kitchen fire affirms he has seen two on 'em looking out of his chamber
window on every rainy night since his death:- and an odd thing happened to me
about a month ago. I was going to the Grange one evening - a dark evening,
threatening thunder - and, just at the turn of the Heights, I encountered a little
boy with a sheep and two lambs before him; he was crying terribly; and I
supposed the lambs were skittish, and would not be guided.
'What is the matter, my little man?' I asked.
'There's Heathcliff and a woman yonder, under t' nab,' he blubbered, 'un' I
darnut pass 'em.'
I saw nothing; but neither the sheep nor he would go on so I bid him take the
road lower down. He probably raised the phantoms from thinking, as he
traversed the moors alone, on the nonsense he had heard his parents and
companions repeat. Yet, still, I don't like being out in the dark now; and I don't
like being left by myself in this grim house: I cannot help it; I shall be glad when
they leave it, and shift to the Grange.
'They are going to the Grange, then?' I said.
'Yes,' answered Mrs. Dean, 'as soon as they are married, and that will be on
New Year's Day.'
'And who will live here then?'

Thesaurus
grim: (adj) austere, glum, cheerless, fantastic, crotchety, fanciful; (v) disheveled.
dour, ghastly, dreary, forbidding, mettlesome. ANTONYMS: (adj) thunder: (adj, n, v) boom; (n, v) roar,
dark, dire, hard, dismal. solemn, calm, confident. bang, roll, bellow; (adj, n) peal; (adj, v)
ANTONYMS: (adj) cheerful, bright, soundly: (adv) sound, fully, solidly, explode, detonate; (v) howl, rumble,
funny, kindly, hospitable, pleasant, thoroughly, deeply, substantially, fulminate.
promising, simple, wonderful. validly, strongly, stably, fastly, safely. verdant: (adj) lush, leafy, flourishing,
guided: (adj) conducted, directed, led. ANTONYMS: (adv) harmfully, fresh, raw, verdurous, blooming,
mould: (n, v) mildew, cast, form, halfheartedly, fitfully, immature, inexperienced, emerald,
model; (v) make, frame, knead, unconvincingly. young. ANTONYMS: (adj) dying,
fashion, forge; (n) molding, matrix. streaming: (adj) flowing, flapping, urban, withering.
skittish: (adj) nervous, timid, excitable, detached, incoherent, baggy, slack,
coy, lively, fearful; (n) freakish, relaxed, loose, lax; (n) cyclosis; (v)
350 Wuthering Heights

'Why, Joseph will take care of the house, and, perhaps, a lad to keep him
company. They will live in the kitchen, and the rest will be shut up.'
'For the use of such ghosts as choose to inhabit it?' I observed.%
'No, Mr. Lockwood,' said Nelly, shaking her head. 'I believe the dead are at
peace: but it is not right to speak of them with levity.'
At that moment the garden gate swung to; the ramblers were returning.
'THEY are afraid of nothing,' I grumbled, watching their approach through
the window. 'Together, they would brave Satan and all his legions.'
As they stepped on to the door-stones, and halted to take a last look at the
moon - or, more correctly, at each other by her light - I felt irresistibly impelled to
escape them again; and, pressing a remembrance into the hand of Mrs. Dean, and
disregarding her expostulations at my rudeness, I vanished through the kitchen
as they opened the house-door; and so should have confirmed Joseph in his
opinion of his fellow-servant's gay indiscretions, had he not fortunately
recognised me for a respectable character by the sweet ring of a sovereign at his
feet.
My walk home was lengthened by a diversion in the direction of the kirk.
When beneath its walls, I perceived decay had made progress, even in seven
months: many a window showed black gaps deprived of glass; and slates jutted
off here and there, beyond the right line of the roof, to be gradually worked off in
coming autumn storms.
I sought, and soon discovered, the three headstones on the slope next the
moor: on middle one grey, and half buried in the heath; Edgar Linton's only
harmonized by the turf and moss creeping up its foot; Heathcliff's still bare.
I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering
among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the
grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the
sleepers in that quiet earth.

Thesaurus
benign: (adj, n) benevolent, nice, harmonized: (adj) harmonical, expanded, elongate, longer,
gentle, humane; (adj) kind, affable, consonant, harmonic, harmonious, lingering, extensive, stretched out,
amiable, charitable, merciful, soft, concordant, identical, coordinated, lengthy.
beneficial. ANTONYMS: (adj) uniform, synchronized, standardized, moss: (n) lichen, marsh, bog, morass,
unkind, malevolent, malign, in harmony. ANTONYM: (adj) marish, fen, bryophyte, quagmire,
unfortunate, severe, selfish, heterogeneous. swamp, Bryace; (adj) byssus.
misanthropic, mean, malignant, inhabit: (v) reside, abide, occupy, slates: (n) tiling.
malicious, hurtful. lodge, settle, people, live, indwell, be, unquiet: (adj) restless, anxious,
fluttering: (adj) flying, palpitating, exist; (n) habit. ANTONYMS: (v) nervous, turbulent, unsettled,
flittering, flaring, aflare, waving; (n) desert, vacate. disturbed, fussy, tumultuous; (v)
flutter, flapping, flicker, flitting; (adv) lengthened: (adj) elongated, movable, saltatory, shifting.
flutteringly. prolonged, long, protracted, ANTONYM: (adj) quiet.
Emily Brontë 351

GLOSSARY
abandonment: (n) resignation, cursed, wicked. ANTONYMS: (adj) distrait, inattentive, pensive,
renunciation, desertion, neglect, nice, lovable, admirable, alluring, preoccupied, remote, lost, vacant.
withdrawal, surrender, exposure, appealing, commendable, laudable, ANTONYM: (adj) alert
forsaking, relinquishment, rejection, delightful, desirable, enjoyable, abstraction: (n) abstract, reverie,
leaving. ANTONYMS: (n) attention, likable engrossment, extraction,
accomplishment, arrival, acceptance abrupt: (adj) sudden, brusque, sharp, withdrawal, removal, deduction,
abashed: (adj, v) discomfited; (adj) precipitous, steep, instantaneous, abbreviation, preoccupancy,
mortified, sheepish, embarrassed, unexpected, swift, instant, hasty; (n) theorisation, theorization.
ashamed, confused, humiliated, bold. ANTONYMS: (adj) gentle, ANTONYMS: (n) attentiveness,
afraid, shamefaced, confounded; (v) gradual, rambling, gracious, inclusion, alertness, concentration,
dashed. ANTONYMS: (adj) proud, courteous, polite, anticipated, kind, fact
undaunted, reassured, pleased, calm, protracted, deliberate absurdity: (n) absurdness, nonsense,
heartened, emboldened, cool, absolve: (adj, v) justify; (v) forgive, silliness, nonsensicality,
confident, composed, relaxed, exculpate, exonerate, acquit, free, meaninglessness, illogicality,
unabashed pardon, remit, clear, redeem, stupidity, folly, fatuity, idiocy,
abduction: (n) rape, capture, discharge. ANTONYMS: (v) convict, preposterousness. ANTONYMS: (n)
movement, ravishment, rapture, blame, condemn, sentence, punish, logic, reasonableness, worthiness,
kidnapping, deduction; (v) kidnap, obligate, incriminate, impeach, hold, solemnity, sensibleness
ablation, repulse; (n, v) seizure. charge, bind abundant: (adj, n) lush, luxuriant;
ANTONYM: (n) release absolved: (adj) exculpated, exempt, (adj) generous, thick, plenty,
abhorred: (adj) disgusted, unpopular exonerated, cleared, vindicated, affluent, liberal, fruitful, teeming,
abhorrence: (n) odium, antipathy, guiltless; (v) quit fertile, ample. ANTONYMS: (adj)
detestation, hatred, aversion, absorbing: (adj) fascinating, sparse, meager, scanty, infertile,
disgust, execration, hate, loathing, engrossing, charming, enthralling, scant, arid, rare, empty, skimpy,
revulsion, horror. ANTONYMS: (n) gripping, captivating, riveting, lacking, fruitless
attraction, adoration, delight, liking, absorbent, attractive, readable; (adj, abused: (adj) maltreated, physically
attractiveness v) exciting. ANTONYMS: (adj) dull, abused, downtrodden, perverted,
abide: (v) endure, bide, undergo, irksome, tedious, repellent, dull
tolerate, take, suffer, stomach, bear, uninteresting abyss: (n) gorge, ravine, chasm, gulf,
brook; (adj, v) stay, dwell. abstain: (v) desist, forbear, avoid, deep, purgatory, depth, hell, gap,
ANTONYMS: (v) check, depart, give up, eschew, withhold, cease, Gehenna, pit. ANTONYMS: (n)
disallow, disapprove, disbelieve, decline, fast, neglect; (adj, v) deny junction, juncture
journey, dodge, leave, migrate, oneself. ANTONYMS: (v) consume, accede: (v) assent, consent, defer, fall
move, pass yield, use, surrender, partake, in with, agree, acknowledge, accept,
abject: (adj) contemptible, pitiful, indulge, imbibe, persist, vote, eat submit, fit, accord, comply with.
low, wretched, despicable, sordid, abstaining: (adj) sober; (n) ANTONYMS: (v) dissent, veto,
base, mean, vile; (n) ignominious, nonparticipation, abstinence, denial refuse, oppose, disallow, deny,
dirty. ANTONYMS: (adj) honorable, abstinence: (n) temperance, denounce, demur, condemn, protest,
hopeful, magnificent, esteemed, abstention, forbearance, sobriety, disagree
proud, dignified, commendable, chastity, soberness, celibacy, accommodated: (adj) meet
noble, exalted, worthy, happy teetotalism, fast, abstinency, accommodations: (n) house, housing,
abode: (n) dwelling, house, residence, restraint. ANTONYMS: (n) excess, lodging, habitat
place, domicile, lodge, abidance, intoxication, revelry, intemperance, accomplice: (n) abettor, accessary,
mansion, lodging, address, seat drunkenness, dissipation, partner, companion, partaker,
abominable: (adj, v) odious, foul; extravagance, wantonness confederate, accessory after the fact,
(adj) abhorrent, detestable, dreadful, abstracted: (adj) absentminded, abetter, friend; (adj, n) associate,
awful, execrable, terrible, loathsome, separate, absent-minded, abstract, coadjutor. ANTONYMS: (n)
352 Wuthering Heights
adversary, enemy, opponent, submit, concur, permit, surrender, adrift: (adj, adv) directionless; (adv)
observer defer. ANTONYMS: (v) resist, afloat, wrong; (adj, v) astray; (adj)
according: (adj) pursuant, consonant, disagree, dissent, protest, object, disoriented, isolated, undirected,
equal, agreeable, harmonious, fight, challenge, rebuff rudderless, planless, insular, in
conformable, consistent, actuate: (n, v) incite, instigate; (v) Twain. ANTONYMS: (adv)
corresponding, respondent; (adv) impel, move, motivate, trigger, anchored, determined, purposeful,
correspondingly, accordingly induce, drive, stir; (n) provoke, stable, moored
accursed: (adj) execrable, abominable, animate. ANTONYMS: (v) impede, adroitly: (adv) aptly, dexterously,
detestable, accurst, hateful, damned, deter, stop deftly, ingeniously, cleverly, agilely,
damnable, maledict, blasted; (v) adhere: (v) abide, cleave, accede, craftily, skillfully, proficiently,
atrocious, stranded bond, cling, attach, stick, bind, neatly, handily. ANTONYMS: (adv)
accuse: (v) charge, incriminate, persist, sustain; (adj, v) agree. maladroitly, ineptly, incompetently,
arraign, denounce, defame, ANTONYMS: (v) separate, repel, awkwardly
criminate, indict, fault, betray, unfasten, loose, loosen advancing: (adj) progressive, moving
condemn, inculpate. ANTONYMS: adieu: (int, n) farewell; (n) vale, forward, increasing, moving,
(v) absolve, exculpate, exonerate, valediction, goodbye, leave, cheerio, processive, thriving, ongoing,
praise, support, clear adios, bye, so long, parting; (int) bon aggressive; (n) advancement,
accusing: (adj) accusative, accusive, voyage. ANTONYM: (n) greeting progression, proceeding
inculpatory, inculpative, adieux: (n) farewell adventures: (n) experiences, fortunes,
criminative, criminatory, critical, adjective: (adj) adjectival, procedural; confessions, journal, life, biography,
denunciatory; (adj, n) reproving; (n) (adv) adjectively; (n) qualifier, autobiography, personal narrative
reproachful; (v) accuse modifier, adverb, pronoun, adversary: (n) antagonist, foe, enemy,
accustomed: (adj, n) habitual; (adj) addendum competitor, rival, opposition,
familiar, normal, wonted, usual, adjuration: (n) solicitation, appeal, opposer, contestant, match,
natural, everyday, ordinary, conjuration, oath, affidavit, somebody; (adj) hostile.
habituated, common, traditional. swearing, command, incantation, ANTONYMS: (n) ally, supporter,
ANTONYMS: (adj) unusual, green, entreaty, prayer, asseveration friend, partner, helper, assistant
unseasoned, unconventional, administer: (n, v) manage, rule, afeard: (adj) afraid
untrained, abnormal, minister, command; (v) dispense, affectation: (n) pretension, feint,
uncharacteristic, exceptional distribute, give, operate, deal, pose, display, airs, affectedness,
ache: (n, v) hunger, pain, hurt, yen; supply, handle. ANTONYMS: (v) ostentation, show, pretense,
(n) twinge, thirst; (v) long, yearn, withhold, neglect, frustrate, refuse, mannerism, sham. ANTONYMS: (n)
itch, smart, pine. ANTONYMS: (v) deny, mismanage, take artlessness, honesty, modesty
help, assist; (n) comfort, ease, health, admirable: (adj) fine, outstanding, affectionate: (adj) fond, tender, kind,
relief, joy beautiful, great, commendable, mild, devoted, ardent, warm,
aching: (adj) sore, achy, hurt, lovely, good, creditable, cordial, caring, brotherly; (adj, adv)
uncomfortable, tender, hurtful, praiseworthy, worthy, grand. fatherly. ANTONYMS: (adj)
agonizing; (n) ache, pain, hurting; ANTONYMS: (adj) appalling, poor, uncaring, callous, undemonstrative,
(v) griped unworthy, despicable, contemptible, aloof, cool, disapproving, reserved,
acknowledgment: (n) admission, detestable, dishonorable, rotten, antagonistic, paternal, rough
acknowledgement, acceptance, unimpressive, loathsome, low affections: (n) bosom
confession, greeting, credit, admittance: (n) access, accession, affirm: (v) prove, assert, declare,
allowance, declaration, agreement, introduction, door, matriculation, protest, avow, maintain, approve,
thanks, gratitude. ANTONYMS: (n) inlet, permit, entrance, entree, entry, accept, assure, profess, promise.
rejection, ungratefulness, oversight, input ANTONYMS: (v) negate, veto,
snub, ignoring, invoice, blame, admonition: (n) advice, caution, nullify, refute, repress
defiance admonishment, reproof, affirmation: (n) assertion, statement,
acquaintance: (n) connection, friend, exhortation, lesson, counsel, affirmance, admission, avowal,
acquaintanceship, mate, awareness, monition, caveat, censure, rebuke. certificate, claim, allegation,
associate, buddy, friendship, ANTONYM: (n) approval evidence, declaration, testimony.
intercourse, companion; (n, v) adoration: (n) admiration, adulation, ANTONYMS: (n) refutation,
knowledge. ANTONYMS: (n) cult, appreciation, reverence, reversal
ignorance, inexperience, glorification, idolization, homage, affirmed: (adj) acknowledged,
unfamiliarity, animosity, enemy praise; (adj, n) devotion, passion. avowed, guaranteed
acquaintances: (n) associates ANTONYMS: (n) hatred, affirming: (adj) predicative,
acquainted: (adj) knowledgeable, detestation, despising, predicant, assertory; (n)
informed, aware, cognizant, disparagement, revulsion, repulsion, confirmation
conversant, hand and glove, disgust, disdain afflict: (n, v) pain, distress; (v)
intimate, thick; (adv) abreast; (v) adored: (adj) loved, respected, trouble, grieve, torment, hurt, strike,
inform, acquaint precious, idolized, idolised, aggrieve, smite, bother, disturb.
acquiesce: (v) assent, accept, agree, acclaimed, blessed, favorite, dearly ANTONYMS: (v) aid, comfort,
consent, acknowledge, yield, loved, beloved, venerated encourage, help, soothe
Emily Brontë 353
affliction: (n, v) adversity; (n) distressed, tense, jumpy, insanity, conveyance; (adj) madness
distress, regret, martyrdom, overwrought, anxious, alarmed. allayed: (adj) quenched, slaked
torment, curse, trial, bane, ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, lethargic, alleviation: (n) remission, abatement,
misadventure, sorrow, agony. tranquil, relaxed, assured, cool, still relaxation, easement, solace,
ANTONYMS: (n) gift, godsend, agitation: (n) disturbance, assuagement, mitigation, palliation,
solace, blessing excitement, tumult, stirring, reprieve, comfort, easing
afore: (adv) ahead, along, before, convulsion, stir, commotion, alley: (n) track, road, passage, lane,
forwards, formerly, beforehand, emotion, unrest, shake, turmoil. alleyway, aisle, path, runway,
previously; (adj) erewhile, ANTONYMS: (n) serenity, calm, pathway, street, back street
aforehand, theretofore, preceding equanimity, rest, peace, deterrent allusion: (n) innuendo, reference,
afresh: (adv) again, newly, over agreeable: (adj) accordant, nice, cue, suggestion, mention,
again, new, once again, freshly, once sweet, consistent, suitable, amusing, intimation, pointer, insinuation,
more, often; (adj) the other day, just enjoyable, affable; (adj, v) pleasant, implication, indication, clue
now, only yesterday desirable; (adj, n) acceptable. alms: (n) handout, charity,
after-effects: (n) aftermath ANTONYMS: (adj) disagreeable, benefaction, gift, donation,
afterthought: (n) aftercome, discordant, unpleasant, nasty, contribution, offering, bounty; (n, v)
aftercourse, aftergrowth, afterpart, unwilling, resistant, aggressive, sportula, largess; (v) relieve
afterpiece, second thought, reversal, repugnant, averse, stubborn, aloof: (adj) distant, reserved, cool,
turnaround, turnabout, improver, unacceptable standoffish, unconcerned,
postscript. ANTONYMS: (n) ague: (n) acute, symptom, sickness, indifferent, unfriendly, frigid,
presupposition, forethought malady, illness, malaria, paludism, arrogant, cold; (adv) afar.
aggravate: (v) exasperate, provoke, swamp fever, chills and fever; (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) friendly,
irritate, enrage, worsen, increase, appendicitis, angina pectoris involved, approachable, sociable,
magnify, inflame, make worse, aided: (adj) power, favored outgoing, open, enthusiastic,
peeve; (adj, v) embitter. aiding: (adj) healthy, subventitious, relaxed, communicative, affable,
ANTONYMS: (v) pacify, ease, subsidiary, serviceable, auxiliary, respectful
improve, please, soothe, alleviate, convenient altering: (n) castration, fixing,
mitigate, better, calm, defuse, ailing: (adj) sickly, poorly, ill, unwell, interchange, neutering; (adj)
encourage bad, indisposed, unhealthy, invalid, changing, alterant
aggravating: (adj, v) irritating, morbid, weak; (n) illness. alternately: (adv) alternatively, by
annoying; (adj) bothersome, galling, ANTONYMS: (adj) well, healthy, fit, turns, in turn, secondarily,
maddening, exacerbating, trying, robust, vigorous reciprocally, mutually, off-and-on,
infuriating, vexatious; (v) ajar: (v) dissentient, unclosed, rather, anthemwise, secondly; (adj,
provoking, mortifying unstopped, wide open, out of tune; adv) on and off
aggravation: (n) deterioration, (adj) open, gaping, partly open, not amazement: (n) admiration, wonder,
irritation, bother, heightening, closed surprise, consternation,
exacerbation, annoyance, akin: (adj) near, like, allied, stupefaction, stupor, wonderment,
harassment, aggrandizement, equivalent, alike, similar, analogous, feeling, alarm, jolt; (v) amaze.
aggression, botheration, parallel, cognate, kindred, ANTONYMS: (n) preparation,
complication. ANTONYMS: (n) corresponding. ANTONYMS: (adj) indifference, expectation, coolness,
satisfaction, improvement, pleasure, unconnected, alien, disconnected, cool, composure, calmness,
comfort, delight, relieving, dissimilar, different contempt, belief
lessening, balm, support alacrity: (n) rapidity, speed, ambassadress: (n) embassador
aggressor: (n) assaulter, attacker, promptness, activity, preparedness, amber: (n) yellow, yellowness,
initiator, instigator, mugger, velocity, haste, swiftness, quickness, electrum, ambergris, gold, brown,
invader, raider, offender, intruder, expedition; (adj) life. ANTONYMS: electron, gum; (adj) chromatic
trespasser, avenger (n) aversion, reservation, reluctance, amends: (n) atonement,
aghast: (adj) dismayed, appalled, indifference, hesitance, dullness, compensation, recompense,
horrified, frightened, scared, disinclination, apathy, tardiness, satisfaction, redress, damages,
terrified, confounded, astonished; delay reprisal, indemnity, requital; (n, v)
(n) agape; (v) all agog, breathless. alarmed: (adj) afraid, scared, restitution, restoration
ANTONYMS: (adj) undisturbed, frightened, apprehensive, horrified, amiable: (adj) friendly, genial,
unperturbed, unsurprised anxious, uneasy, agitated, shocked, agreeable, benign, complaisant,
agility: (n) quickness, lightness, terrified, concerned. ANTONYM: sweet, cordial, pleasant, likable,
alacrity, adroitness, promptitude, (adj) carefree nice, lovely. ANTONYMS: (adj)
mobility, legerdemain, liveliness, alas: (adv) unluckily, regrettably, disagreeable, argumentative,
rapidity, speed, activity. sadly, unhappily, sorry to say; (n) aggressive, antisocial, unkind,
ANTONYMS: (n) slowness, oh; (int) lackaday. ANTONYM: hateful, mean, quarrelsome, rude,
oafishness, inflexibility, heaviness, (adv) luckily surly, cold
awkwardness alienation: (n) estrangement, amiss: (adj, adv) wrong; (adj) bad,
agitated: (adj) upset, excited, abalienation, disaffection, dislike, haywire, faulty, astray, guilty; (adv)
nervous, restive, tumultuous, separation, transfer, breach, frenzy, badly, poorly, awry, wrongly, adrift.
354 Wuthering Heights
ANTONYMS: (adj, adv) right; (adv) molest; (n) annoyance; (n, v) afflict. inquisitiveness, vitality, drive,
perfectly, properly, suitably, ANTONYMS: (v) pacify, soothe, eagerness, concern, involvement,
appropriately, correctly, well; (adj) gratify, placate, comfort, encourage, enjoyment, desire
okay, correct, good delight apology: (n, v) excuse; (n) amends,
amuse: (v) please, beguile, absorb, annoyance: (n) anger, harassment, regret, defense, justification, reason,
entertain, enjoy, disport, distract, aggravation, disturbance, explanation, vindication, alibi,
delight, occupy, recreate, rejoice. inconvenience, pain, bother, acknowledgment; (v) apologize.
ANTONYMS: (v) bore, dull, tire, botheration, temper, displeasure, ANTONYMS: (n) blame,
annoy, anger, cloy, depress, weary, vexation. ANTONYMS: (n) calm, reprehension, accusation,
disappoint satisfaction, patience, calmness, shamelessness, epitome
anatomy: (n) morphology, delight, equanimity, advantage, appal: (v) appall, horrify, alarm,
physiology, structure, analysis, balm frighten, terrify, dismay, shock,
body, chassis, dissection, flesh, annoying: (adj) galling, vexatious, affright, freeze the blood, amaze,
human body, figure; (adj) skeleton aggravating, vexing, worrying, astound
anecdote: (n) tale, account, yarn, awkward, trying, bothersome, appalled: (adj) dismayed, scared,
narrative, story, fable, relation, ana, disagreeable; (adj, v) irritating; (n) shocked, horrified, afraid, fright,
fiction, trait, gossip annoyance. ANTONYMS: (adj) amazed, astonished, stunned,
anew: (adv) again, newly, lately, pleasing, delightful, pleasant, outraged, scandalized. ANTONYM:
recently, over again, once more, charming, satisfying, welcome, (adj) indifferent
once again, new; (adj) only convenient apparition: (n) ghost, phantom,
yesterday, the other day, just now anon: (adv) directly, immediately, spirit, spectre, hallucination, spook,
angered: (adj) enraged, annoyed, early, readily, soon, instantly, again, shade, eidolon, wraith, advent; (n, v)
angry, furious, incensed, anger, forthwith, promptly, shortly, rath vision
vexed, irritated, raging, exasperated, anticipating: (v) anticipate; (adj) appellation: (n) designation,
huffy pregnant, anticipant, hopeful, ready, denomination, title, name,
anguish: (n, v) pain, ache; (n) oracular nickname, epithet, moniker, term,
torment, agony, torture, distress, antipathy: (n) animosity, aversion, appellative, cognomen, degree
misery, suffering, despair, grief, abomination, abhorrence, dislike, applause: (n, v) acclaim, praise; (n)
sorrow. ANTONYMS: (n) pleasure, hatred, distaste, enmity, odium, admiration, approval, eulogy,
happiness, calm, euphoria, repugnance, repulsion. compliment, plaudit,
joyfulness, ecstasy, content, peace, ANTONYMS: (n) love, attraction, commendation, clapping, clap,
hopefulness liking, like, leaning, regard, appeal, ovation. ANTONYMS: (n)
anguished: (adj) tormented, appreciation, admiration, affection, disapproval, Boos, booing,
suffering, tortured, dolorous, friendliness denigration, hisses, hissing,
uneasy, distressing, woeful, pained, antique: (adj) old, antiquated, rejection, condemnation, criticism,
upset, distressed, worried. obsolete, aged, antiquarian, musty, jeering
ANTONYMS: (adj) cheerful, quaint, outmoded, antediluvian, approbation: (n, v) praise; (n)
content, happy outdated; (n) relic. ANTONYMS: applause, agreement, approval,
animated: (adj) alive, lively, animate, (adj, n) modern; (adj) recent, fresh, acclaim, sanction, commendation,
perky, spirited, sprightly, brisk, current, contemporary admiration, permission,
cheerful, quick, vivacious, airy. anxiously: (adv) uneasily, restlessly, appreciation, favor. ANTONYMS:
ANTONYMS: (adj) lethargic, dull, carefully, worriedly, fearfully, (n) condemnation, disapproval,
blank, lifeless, spiritless, stiff, nervously, concernedly, solicitously, criticism
unanimated, bored, impassive, timidly, keenly, enthusiastically. apron: (n) skirt, proscenium, pall,
unexciting, dead ANTONYMS: (adv) calmly, pontificals, lawn sleeves, pinafore,
animation: (adj, n) life, vivacity; (n) confidently, merrily, indifferently, petticoat, gathering head, wife, jupe,
liveliness, vitality, activity, spirit, fearlessly, nonchalantly, patiently, farthingale
exhilaration, dash, energy, unconcernedly arabian: (n) Arab, Saracen, Beduin,
buoyancy; (adj) alacrity. apathetic: (adj) indifferent, Bedouin; (adj) arabesque
ANTONYMS: (n) lethargy, uninterested, cool, impassive, arched: (adj, v) bowed, arcuate; (adj)
lifelessness, inertness, inertia, perfunctory, dull, spiritless, bent, vaulted, convex, arciform,
sluggishness, boredom nonchalant, casual, lukewarm, lazy. arced, domed, hooked, hunched,
annihilate: (v) eradicate, exterminate, ANTONYMS: (adj) enthusiastic, crooked
eliminate, wipe out, extinguish, inquisitive, fervent, energetic, archer: (n) bowman, Sagittarius,
destroy, quash, crush, demolish, concerned, interested, keen, excited, turfman, fan, expert, shot, shooter,
quench, extirpate. ANTONYMS: (v) passionate, ambitious, caring toxophilite, tell, bowyer
build, help, save, protect, surrender apathy: (n) indifference, inactivity, ardent: (adj, n) enthusiastic, glowing;
annihilated: (adj) exterminated, lost, lassitude, inertia, lethargy, passivity, (adj, v) burning, fervent,
uncreated, wiped out, annihilate; (v) supineness, passiveness, impassioned; (adj) keen, vehement,
perished lukewarmness, emotionlessness, eager, warm, acute, fervid.
annoy: (v) pester, displease, anger, impassivity. ANTONYMS: (n) ANTONYMS: (adj) apathetic, cool,
harass, bother, vex, aggravate, grate, keenness, energy, interest, unenthusiastic, traitorous, mild,
Emily Brontë 355
frigid, dispassionate, cold, disloyal, ascribed: (adj) accredited, qualified, astir: (adj) agog, lively, wakeful;
impassive, calm credited, ascriptitious, additional, (adv) afoot, abroach, about; (v)
ardently: (adv) fervently, warmly, added. ANTONYM: (adj) unofficial sparkling, up the qui vive, wrought
eagerly, intensely, fierily, avidly, ashes: (n) dust, cinders, remains, up. ANTONYM: (adj) asleep
enthusiastically, burningly, cinder, clay, earth, embers, clinker; astonished: (adj) astonish,
zealously, fervidly; (adj, adv) hotly. (adj) scoriae, mother, precipitate dumbfounded, flabbergasted,
ANTONYMS: (adv) indifferently, askance: (adj) asquint, awry, askant, stunned, aghast, bewildered,
apathetically, unenthusiastically, sidelong, oblique, indirect, squint; astounded, taken aback,
halfheartedly, calmly (adv) suspiciously, obliquely, thunderstruck, astonied; (v) amaze
ardour: (n) fervency, fervidness, mistrustfully, edgewise. astonishment: (n) admiration,
fervor, fervour, fire, elan, zeal, ANTONYM: (adv) trustingly wonder, wonderment, surprise,
violence, ardency, assiduity, aspiring: (adj) aspirant, wishful, marvel, stupefaction, confusion,
application enterprising, envious, desirous, consternation, awe, alarm, startle.
arid: (adj, v) dry, dull, monotonous, coming; (v) aspire, vaulting. ANTONYMS: (n) calmness, belief,
uninteresting; (adj) barren, tedious, ANTONYM: (adj) desperate contempt
parched, fruitless, sterile, assailant: (n) raider, attacker, asunder: (adj, v) separate; (adv)
unproductive, boring. ANTONYMS: assaulter, invader, enemy, fighter, aside, in two; (adj, adv) in Twain;
(adj) verdant, fertile, humid, opponent, antagonist, foe, mugger; (adj) loose, distant, adrift, aloof; (v)
interesting, colorful, damp, lively, (adj) aggressive discrete, far between, free.
moist, spirited, animated, exciting assassin: (n) assassinator, liquidator, ANTONYM: (adv) together
arresting: (adj) arrestingly, striking, bravo, assassinate, cutthroat, thug, athletic: (adj) vigorous, gymnastic,
impressive, interesting, killer; (v) slayer, butcher, Cain, strong, brawny, sportive, robust,
conspicuous, sensational, sabreur acrobatic, stalwart, healthy, stout,
magnificent, absorbing, arrest, assent: (n) acceptance, acquiescence, strapping. ANTONYMS: (adj) unfit,
exciting, magnetic. ANTONYMS: approval, agreement, compliance, weak, feeble, frail, sedentary,
(adj) unimpressive, uninteresting, admission, approbation; (v) accede, inactive
unremarkable accord, agree; (adj, v) acquiesce. atmospheric: (adj) airy,
arrogance: (n) haughtiness, disdain, ANTONYMS: (v) resist, disagree, atmospherical, retiring,
conceit, presumption, audacity, disapprove, reject, refuse; (n) atmospherics, light
vanity, arrogancy, conceitedness, disagreement, refusal, resistance atom: (n) grain, speck, molecule,
arrogant, condescension, assert: (v) allege, affirm, say, claim, particle, mite, bit, mote, monad,
imperiousness. ANTONYMS: (n) declare, swear, show, avow, aver, crumb, corpuscle, iota
modesty, timidity, humbleness, maintain, argue. ANTONYMS: (v) atrocious: (adj) monstrous, awful,
diffidence, respect reject, controvert, repress, refute heinous, abominable, wicked,
artery: (n) aorta, corridor, road, asserting: (v) affirm; (adj) dreadful, frightful, terrible, bad,
tendon, thoroughfare, celiac axis, declaratory, declarative, evidentiary; horrible; (adj, n) outrageous.
Pipe-stem arteries, arteria, aisle, (n) assertion ANTONYMS: (adj) humane,
arteriola, arteriole asses: (n) equidae benevolent, drivable, elegant,
artful: (adj) crafty, cunning, assiduity: (n) application, diligence, virtuous, good, passable, fine, kind,
scheming, wily, shrewd, insidious, assiduities, assiduousness, attention, admirable, tasteful
designing, sly, adroit, subtle, ardour, tenacity, industriousness, attachments: (n) equipment
disingenuous. ANTONYMS: (adj) persistence, perseverance, intentness attain: (v) make, reach, achieve,
artless, unskillful, inept, ingenuous, assiduously: (adv) diligently, acquire, gain, strike, catch, arrive at,
unskilled, open, straight industriously, busily, sedulously, find, obtain, come to. ANTONYMS:
ascending: (adj) uphill, rising, carefully, attentively, studiously, (v) lose, fail, abandon, surrender,
assurgent, climbing, ascendent; (n) constantly, untiringly, thoroughly, differ
ascension, ascent, rise, advance, scrupulously. ANTONYMS: (adv) attained: (adj) attains, attaint,
movement; (v) go up carelessly, inconsistently, hastily reached, complete, earned, fulfilled
ascent: (n) ascension, climb, assisting: (adj) aiding, auxiliary, attaining: (v) attain, achieve; (n)
ascending, elevation, hill, incline, subsidiary, suffragan, adjuvant, attainment
advance, grade; (n, v) rise; (v) supporting, support, secondary, attainments: (n) knowledge, learning,
ascend, uprise. ANTONYMS: (n) supplementary, assistant; (n) achievement, menticulture, culture
fall, drop, declivity helping. ANTONYM: (adj) main attendant: (n) companion, follower,
ascertain: (v) determine, find out, assuredly: (adv) certainly, assistant, escort, subordinate,
learn, discover, check, tell, control, confidently, positively, securely, employee, guide, varlet; (adj)
find, ensure, detect; (adj, v) indeed, definitely, undoubtedly, accompanying, concomitant,
establish. ANTONYM: (v) disprove admittedly, safely, insuredly, incidental. ANTONYMS: (n)
ascertained: (adj) discovered, decidedly superior, boss; (adj) absent,
determined; (v) absolute, assuring: (adj) ensuring, insure, unrelated, significant
recognized, received, noted, insuring, assure, ensure, giving attentive: (adj) assiduous, diligent,
notorious, decisive, unmistakable, confidence, securing, likely, heedful, watchful, observant,
unequivocal, positive promising advertent, mindful, careful, aware,
356 Wuthering Heights
alert, respectful. ANTONYMS: (adj) domineeringly, dictatorially, inopportunely, bunglingly,
unfocused, negligent, neglectful, overbearingly, officially, inelegantly, unwieldily.
forgetful, heedless, unobservant, definitively, legitimately, haughtily. ANTONYMS: (adv) gracefully,
rude, unprepared, unconscious, ANTONYMS: (adv) weakly, elegantly, usefully, urbanely,
uncaring, inconsiderate informally contentedly, coherently, calmly,
attenuated: (adj) weakened, auxiliary: (adj, n) assistant, accessory, conveniently, agilely, expertly,
shriveled, rawboned, marcid, adjunct, subsidiary; (adj) ancillary, amenably
barebone, tabid, extenuated, additional, extra, secondary, awkwardness: (n) embarrassment,
diminished, reduced, rare, supplementary; (n) adjutant, aide. stiffness, unwieldiness,
decreased ANTONYMS: (n) chief, principal; inconvenience, gawkiness,
attire: (n, v) array, garb, apparel, (adj) primary inelegance, troublesomeness,
wear; (n) costume, garment, outfit, avail: (n, v) advantage, assist, aid, ineptitude, ineptness, gaucherie;
clothes; (v) enrobe, clothe, dress up. profit, benefit, help; (adj, n) service; (adj, n) delicacy. ANTONYMS: (n)
ANTONYMS: (v) disrobe, bare, (n) good, assistance, utility; (v) do. gracefulness, grace, comfort,
strip, unclothe; (n) nakedness ANTONYMS: (v) useless, hurt, coordination, pride, urbanity, ease,
attired: (adj) clad, appareled, clothed, hinder, harm; (n) inappropriateness assurance, liveliness, confidence,
garbed, habilimented, robed; (adj, avarice: (n) cupidity, covetousness, cooperation
prep) garmented rapacity, avariciousness, avidity, awoke: (adj) awakened
attribute: (adj, n) quality, property; eagerness, voracity, voraciousness, babyish: (adj) juvenile, infantile,
(n, v) assign; (n) feature, emblem, stinginess; (adj, n) greediness; (adj) childlike, immature, baby, silly,
characteristic, peculiarity, mark; (v) extortion. ANTONYMS: (n) infantine, boyish, puerile, babish,
credit, impute, accredit philanthropy, benevolence, charity little. ANTONYMS: (adj) adult, old
audacity: (n) nerve, audaciousness, avaricious: (adj) greedy, grasping, bade: (v) bid, command, bad
effrontery, arrogance, temerity, acquisitive, avid, miserly, grabby, bad-tempered: (adj) cantankerous,
cheek, impertinence, insolence, parsimonious, penurious; (adj, v) sullen, peevish, fractious, petulant,
courage; (n, v) impudence; (adj, n) mercenary, sordid, extortionate disgruntled, touchy, splenetic,
presumption. ANTONYMS: (n) aversion: (n) antipathy, distaste, crusty, crabbed, fretful
cowardice, propriety, decorum, abhorrence, disinclination, dislike, bait: (v) badger, tease; (adj, v) molest,
circumspection, courtesy, fear, grudge, aversation, nausea, enmity, harass, harry; (n, v) lure, bribe; (n)
respect, spinelessness, reticence revulsion; (n, v) disgust. decoy, snare, temptation, attraction.
audible: (adj) plain, hearable, ANTONYMS: (n) attraction, love, ANTONYMS: (v) repel, repulse,
distinct, detectable, sounding, sharp, inclination, predilection, desire, pacify, mollify, please
sonic, definite, discernible, fondness, goodwill baiting: (n) harassment, lure,
perceptible, sensory. ANTONYMS: avert: (v) avoid, ward off, turn away, chumming, bating
(adj) inaudible, unintelligible, repulse, elude, prevent, deflect, baking: (adj) hot, scorching, roasting,
undetectable, silent, faint obviate, shunt, preclude, stop. burning, boiling, sweltering, torrid;
audibly: (adv) loudly, clearly, out ANTONYMS: (v) exacerbate, cause, (n) cookery, cooking, stoving, firing.
loud. ANTONYMS: (adv) focus, encourage, attract, permit ANTONYM: (adj) fresh
imperceptibly, inaudibly, averting: (n) aversion, prevention; balancing: (adj, n) matching; (n)
indistinctly, silently (adj) defensive bringing into state of equilibrium,
aught: (n) nil, zero, anything, ought, await: (v) anticipate, abide, bide, adjustment, equalization, equipoise,
cypher, nix, cipher, naught, null, tarry, wait, attend, look, hope, reconciliation, redress, wheel
zip; (adj) any approach, loom, come on. balancing, balancing accountancy,
austere: (adj) ascetic, stern, severe, ANTONYM: (v) doubt comparison; (adj) libratory
harsh, plain, rigorous, rigid, awaited: (adj) expected, appointed, ballad: (n) song, folk song, carol,
abstemious, stark, astringent, stiff. scheduled, forthcoming, prospective poem, ballade, recitative, solfeggio,
ANTONYMS: (adj) ornate, awakened: (adj) excited, aroused, pastoral, recitativo, ditty, bravura
luxurious, frivolous, hedonistic, awakens, awoke, interested banish: (v) dispel, expel, displace,
extravagant, lush, elaborate, awakens: (adj) awakened relegate, oust, expatriate, eject,
spending, sunny, warm, indulgent awfully: (adv) atrociously, hideously, dismiss, transport, cast out; (adj, v)
authoritative: (adj) official, appallingly, frightfully, fearfully, exile. ANTONYMS: (v) keep,
imperious, reliable, dependable, ghastly, terribly, horrifically, embrace, adopt, invite, include
magistral, authoritarian, influential, horrendously, badly; (adj, adv) banishment: (n) expulsion, ostracism,
commanding, absolute, authorized, amazingly. ANTONYMS: (adv) ouster, proscription, relegation,
powerful. ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasantly, hardly, little, mildly, ejection, deportation, dismissal,
informal, polite, questionable, satisfactorily, slightly, well, expatriation; (adj, n) exclusion; (adj)
democratic, doubtable, illegitimate, adequately, superbly, somewhat excommunication
illicit, unverified, unofficial, awhile: (adj) in transitu, en passant; banister: (n) baluster, bar, handrail,
unsubstantiated, invalid (adv) briefly parapet, bannister, rail, railing,
authoritatively: (adv) awkwardly: (adv) gawkily, ineptly, balusters, breastwork, stanchion,
commandingly, imperatively, ungracefully, embarrassingly, guardrail
imperiously, peremptorily, maladroitly, stiffly, gracelessly, banning: (n) ban, prohibition,
Emily Brontë 357
forbidding, prohibiting, inhibition, beaver, dress hat; (adj) irrepressible misleading, seductive, inviting,
interdiction, bachelor of arts in beck: (n, v) beckon; (n) stream, fallacious, deceitful. ANTONYMS:
nursing, ineligibility, indication, act, beak, token, (adj) forgettable, repellent
disqualification, forbiddance gesticulation; (v) runnel, burn, beheld: (adj) visual
barefoot: (adj) shoeless, unshod, bare creek, river behest: (n) command, dictate, order,
footed. ANTONYM: (adj) shoed bedclothes: (n) bedspread, cover, bidding, dictum, ordinance, hest,
bark: (n, v) skin, yelp, snarl, cry, rind, linen, bed linen, bed clothing, litter, fiat, charge, mandate, injunction
shout; (v) growl, roar; (n) bay, peel, clothes, throw, spread, quilt, puff behold: (v) see, view, contemplate,
crust. ANTONYMS: (n, v) whisper bedtime: (n) night, gloaming, going regard, perceive, observe, look,
barred: (adj) prohibited, forbidden, down of the sun, dewy eve consider, discern, descry, watch.
barricaded, barry, banned, illicit, befall: (v) bechance, become, happen, ANTONYMS: (v) Miss, disregard,
streaked; (v) striated, areolar, fall, arise, come about, occur, betide, ignore, overlook
veined; (n) Bart. ANTONYMS: (adj) chance, transpire, pass beholding: (n) fusion, seeing, visual
admissible, legitimate, eligible, open befitting: (adj) apt, becoming, perception, look
barren: (adj, n) sterile; (adj) infertile, suitable, apropos, decent, condign, belie: (v) falsify, contradict, negate,
deserted, arid, void, dry, stark, fitting, fit; (adj, v) proper; (n) feat; misrepresent, betray, calumniate,
meagre, fruitless, abortive; (n) (v) meet. ANTONYMS: (adj) defame, dissemble, color, distort,
waste. ANTONYMS: (adj) improper, unbecoming, unfitting, garble. ANTONYMS: (v) indicate,
productive, lush, fruitful, unsuitable verify, prove, affirm, attest, reveal
developing, growing, profitable, beforehand: (adv) previously, ahead, bellows: (n) blower, lung, bellowing,
rewarding, rich, sheltered, humid, in advance, in anticipation, first; blowpipe, organ; (v) air blower, air
populous (adj, adv) early, aforehand; (adj) pump, fan, punkah, ventilator
basely: (adv) vilely, bottomly, advance, already, afore; (n) prior. beloved: (adj, n) dear, darling,
sordidly, shamefully, foully, ANTONYMS: (adv) afterwards, favorite, pet; (adj) precious, loved,
menially, lowly, depravedly, afterward, later, late, subsequently cherished; (n) love, dearest, honey,
villainously, badly, poorly befriend: (v) friend, help, assist, sweetheart. ANTONYMS: (adj)
baseness: (n) meanness, sustain, promote, patronize, back, detested, despised, disliked
despicability, evil, depravity, uphold; (n, v) favor; (adj) friendly; benches: (n) bleachers
wickedness, dirtiness, unworthiness, (n) take in hand. ANTONYMS: (v) bending: (n) bow, bend, deflection,
iniquity, infamy, lowness, villainy. shun, ignore, neglect, reject deflexion, refraction, flexure, crook;
ANTONYM: (n) goodness beggar: (n) mendicant, mumper, (adj) flexible, supple, winding,
bashfully: (adv) diffidently, pauper, tramp, sponger, joker, poor pliant. ANTONYM: (adj) stiff
modestly, shyly, ashamedly, man, cadger, bloke; (v) beg, benefactor: (n) sponsor, patron,
retiringly, timorously, reservedly, pauperize. ANTONYM: (n) giver backer, supporter, giver, Good
embarrassedly, coyly, sheepishly, beggarly: (adj) base, mean, shabby, Samaritan, contributor, benefactress,
nervously. ANTONYMS: (adv) sorry, miserable, poor, humble, philanthropist, helper,
brazenly, brashly pitiable, ignoble; (adj, n) scrubby, humanitarian. ANTONYMS: (n)
bashfulness: (n) diffidence, shyness, vile antagonist, opposer, detractor
coyness, humility, abashment, begging: (n) mendicancy, request, beneficent: (adj) benevolent, kind,
backwardness, reserve, timidity, plea; (v) asking, beg; (adj) philanthropic, good, gracious,
constraint, embarrassment, stage beseeching, entreating, mendicant, munificent, merciful, generous,
fright imploring, suppliant, vagabond eleemosynary, bounteous; (n) kindly
basilisk: (n) reptile, basilica, iguanid, beginner: (n) novice, abecedarian, benevolence: (n) beneficence,
urchin, culverin, viper, serpent, learner, entrant, freshman, affection, favor, mercy, compassion,
mortar, howitzer, heavy gun, field greenhorn, founder, tenderfoot, favour, kindness, benefaction, pity,
piece recruit, newcomer, colt. kindliness, generosity.
bathed: (adj) sweaty ANTONYMS: (n) master, veteran, ANTONYMS: (n) malevolence,
bathos: (adj, n) anticlimax; (n) teacher, trainer meanness, cruelty, misanthropy,
conclusion, ending, sentimentality, begone: (int) shoo, scat, out, off, wickedness, nastiness, malice
heavy heart, sorrow, sadness, pity, avaunt; (v) take off, get out, clear benevolent: (adj) good, charitable,
misery, figure of speech, out; (adv) aside, absent generous, kind, philanthropic,
mawkishness beguile: (v) attract, charm, enchant, gracious, loving, amiable; (adj, n)
beaded: (adj) beady, bejeweled, allure, captivate, bluff, entrap, beneficent, compassionate, kindly.
bejewelled, bespangled, covered, enthrall, lure, fascinate; (n, v) cheat. ANTONYMS: (adj) malicious,
decorated, jeweled, sequined, ANTONYMS: (v) protect, irritate, unfeeling, mean, selfish, unkind,
spangled, spangly, gemmed irk, bore, advise, guard, annoy, repel misanthropic, nasty, hardhearted,
bearishly: (adv) boorishly, gruffly, beguiled: (adj) entranced, rapt, inhumane
churlishly fascinated, infatuated, enchanted, benign: (adj, n) benevolent, nice,
beasts: (n) stock delighted, charmed, captive, gentle, humane; (adj) kind, affable,
beaver: (n) whiskers, opera hat, captivated amiable, charitable, merciful, soft,
topper, top hat, stovepipe, alpha beguiling: (adj) beguile, enchanting, beneficial. ANTONYMS: (adj)
geminorum, silk hat, high hat, eager delusive, deceptive, enticing, gyp, unkind, malevolent, malign,
358 Wuthering Heights
unfortunate, severe, selfish, allegiance blackened: (adj) sulphured,
misanthropic, mean, malignant, betrayer: (n) informer, Judas, blackening, colored, coloured, filthy,
malicious, hurtful turncoat, squealer, renegade, rat, achromatic, colorful
benumbed: (adj) torpid, asleep, stiff, cheat, cheater, conspirator, deceiver, blackguard: (n) ruffian, rogue, dog,
insensible, dull, dead, numbed, source rascal, heel, hound, cad; (adj) base,
hardened, drugged, uninterested, bevy: (n) band, horde, cluster, party, vile; (v) vituperate, revile
cold gang, bunch, group, flock, array, blackness: (n) black, darkness, sable,
bequeath: (n, v) will; (v) leave, give, crew; (adj, n) swarm. ANTONYM: gloom, nigritude, night, inkiness,
pass on, demise, entrust, endow, (n) individual dark, murk, murkiness, obscurity
devise, transmit, remember, donate. bewail: (v) lament, mourn, deplore, blamable: (adj) faulty, culpable,
ANTONYMS: (v) disown, regret, wail, grieve, complain, weep, reprehensible, blameworthy,
withdraw, take sorrow, repent, moan. ANTONYMS: blameable, blameful, censurable,
bequeathed: (adj) hereditary (v) exalt, rejoice, applaud, praise delinquent, reprovable,
bereavement: (n) mourning, loss, beware: (v) look out, caution, be condemnable, accountable
sorrow, sadness, privation, careful, guard, pay attention, take blanched: (adj) ashen, colorless,
deprivation, death, grief, care, watch out, mind, keep, care, white, bleached, bloodless,
sorrowfulness, decease, demise careful. ANTONYMS: (v) risk, benevolent, wan, pale, lightened,
beseech: (v) beg, crave, implore, ask, disregard, invite fair, faded
request, adjure, pray, sue, appeal, bewildered: (adj) bemused, confused, blasphemer: (adj) scoffer
solicit, plead. ANTONYMS: (v) give, confounded, perplexed, befuddled, blaze: (n, v) flash, glare, flame, mark,
offer, grant, reject puzzled, dumbfounded, taken scintillation; (n) fire, light, burning,
beseeching: (adj) begging, suppliant, aback, addled, disoriented; (adj, v) inflammation, sheen; (adj, v) burn
imploring, pleading, precative, lost. ANTONYMS: (adj) blazing: (adj) flaming, afire, burning,
supplicatory, precatory, unimpressed, clear, oriented, ardent, aflame, glaring, bright,
importunate; (n) prayer; (v) plead; precise, understanding, alert blatant, alight, passionate; (n) blaze.
(adv) beseechingly. ANTONYM: bewilderment: (n) astonishment, ANTONYMS: (adj) freezing, quiet
(adj) imperative quandary, confusion, surprise, bled: (v) bleed; (n) bulla
besetting: (adj) rife, prevalent, wonder, bemusement, maze, chaos, bleed: (v) run, ooze, phlebotomize,
prevailing, urgent, epidemic, jumble, mess; (adj, n) perplexity. leak, percolate, shed blood, trickle,
compulsive; (v) fixed, hackneyed, ANTONYMS: (n) order, clarity hemorrhage, fleece; (n) ache, smart
ingrafted, inveterate, permanent bewitched: (adj) enchanted, blended: (adj) mixed, miscellaneous,
bespeak: (v) augur, reserve, point, fascinated, infatuated, magical, composite, assorted, alloyed,
engage, betoken, auspicate, mark, ensorcelled, doomed, captive, rapt, amalgamated, beaten, adulterate,
prefigure, foreshadow; (n, v) argue, enamored, obsessed. ANTONYM: conglomerate; (n) medley; (v)
imply (adj) disgusted mingle
bespoke: (adj) bespoken, custom, bidding: (n) behest, order, dictate, blending: (n) mixture, amalgamation,
engaged, affianced, commissioned, charge, bid, request, call, dictation, combination, incorporation, union,
customized, made to measure, made direction, fiat; (adj) imperative synthesis, fusion, intermixture,
to order, modified, personalized, bide: (v) abide, await, endure, bear, concoction, centralization; (adj)
specially made remain, last, dwell; (adj, v) tarry, merging. ANTONYM: (n)
bestir: (v) activate, agitate, stir, wait; (adj) tolerate, stand. separation
actuate, turn on, arouse, provoke, ANTONYMS: (v) go, move, hurry bless: (v) consecrate, celebrate,
move, excite, wake, awaken billowy: (adj) rolling, puffy, stormy, sanctify, anoint, eulogize, sign,
bestow: (v) give, confer, grant, surging praise, keep, grant, glorify; (n)
impart, contribute, donate, apply, bind: (adj, v) attach, fix, fasten, affix; blessing. ANTONYMS: (v) curse,
award; (adj, v) accord, allow, (n) band; (v) bandage, lace, fetter, condemn, disapprove, damn,
present. ANTONYMS: (v) deprive, bundle, truss, combine. disallow, deny
refuse, withhold, retrieve, withdraw ANTONYMS: (v) untie, unbind, blight: (n, v) blast, decay, plague; (v)
bestowed: (adj) presented, conferred, free, unfasten, unravel, permit, damage, wither, blemish, perish; (n)
awarded, accurate loosen, loose, let; (n, v) release; (n) bane, pest, curse, rust. ANTONYMS:
betray: (v) deceive, bewray, sell, pleasure (v) aid, help, guard, protect,
grass, dupe, reveal, mislead, biter: (n) person, soul, somebody, enhance, improve; (n) health, boon,
disclose, accuse, befool, bamboozle. someone, sharper, nibbler bounty
ANTONYMS: (v) protect, biting: (adj, v) acute, acrid, sarcastic, blighted: (v) broken, wasted, rotten,
undeceive, hide, defend, withhold sharp, acrimonious, pungent, moldering, effete, cankered; (adj)
betrayal: (n) faithlessness, deception, severe, cutting; (adj) acid, bitter, spoilt, ill-fated, bleak, blasted, bad
treason, infidelity, subversiveness, barbed. ANTONYMS: (adj) mild, bliss: (n) happiness, joy, ecstasy,
traitorousness, disclosure, blunt, kind, bland, nice, soothing, pleasure, paradise, blessedness,
revelation, perfidy, disloyalty, sweet, hot, complimentary, faint, felicity, elation, beatitude, heaven,
dishonesty. ANTONYMS: (n) sympathetic blessing. ANTONYMS: (n) misery,
loyalty, safeguarding, keeping, bitten: (adj) stung, rabid, annoyed; sorrow, agony, grief, anguish,
honesty, guarding, preserving, (v) smitten sadness, suffering, gloom, hell,
Emily Brontë 359
dissatisfaction boastful: (adj, v) braggart; (adj) tigella, ramage, offshoot,
blissfully: (adv) gladly, joyfully, pompous, arrogant, proud, ramification, spray, sprig, stem
blessedly, delightfully, joyously, vaunting, thrasonical, vainglorious, bounded: (adj) restricted, limited,
cheerfully, ecstatically, merrily, vain, ostentatious; (v) Thrasonic; delimited, encircled, enclosed,
delightedly, gleefully, contentedly. (adj, n) noble. ANTONYMS: (adj) confined, leap, spring, bordered,
ANTONYM: (adv) sadly deprecating, humble, insecure circumscribed, constrained.
bloodless: (adj) white, livid, dead, boastfully: (adv) proudly, ANTONYMS: (adj) unbounded,
pale, pasty, wan, exsanguine, conceitedly, arrogantly, unconfined, unlimited, free
blanched, anaemic, ghastly, watery. vaingloriously, pretentiously, bounding: (n) jumping, confinement;
ANTONYMS: (adj) robust, braggartly, big, crowingly, (v) confine, salient; (adj) terminal,
sanguine, rosy, bloody, florid, thrasonically, pompously, bigly moving, subsultory
caring, lively boding: (n) presentiment, boundless: (adj) limitless, endless,
bloom: (adj, n, v) flower; (v) prosper, premonition, foreboding, portent, unlimited, infinite, bottomless,
flourish, thrive, burgeon; (adj, v) augury, forewarning, hunch, incalculable, immense,
blow, fructify; (n) prime, blush, apprehensiveness, apprehension immeasurable, interminable,
flush, bud. ANTONYMS: (v) shrivel, boiled: (adj) intoxicated, poached, unbounded, vast. ANTONYMS:
struggle, wane, die, deteriorate, stewed; (v) sodden (adj) limited, restricted, confined,
decrease; (n) pallor, withering boiling: (adj) hot, ebullient, heated, finite, incomplete, negligible, small
blooming: (adj) rosy, thriving, burning, scalding, torrid, humid; bounds: (n) boundary, border, limit,
flourishing, healthy, prosperous, (adj, v) effervescent; (v) seethe, bound, margin, borderline, end,
ruddy, booming, blossoming, effervesce; (n) ebullience. bourn, Bourne, brink, edge.
cherry, verdant, green. ANTONYMS: (adj) cold, happy, ANTONYMS: (n) center, middle
ANTONYMS: (adj) arid, pale frozen, cooled, cool, collected, calm, bountiful: (adj) ample, abundant,
blossom: (adj, n, v) flower, blow; (n, fresh, airy plentiful, generous, liberal, profuse,
v) bud; (n) blooming, heyday, boldly: (adj, adv) courageously, fruitful, luxuriant, lush, rich,
efflorescence; (v) prosper, flourish, valiantly, heroically; (adv) openhanded. ANTONYMS: (adj)
thrive, progress, unfold. fearlessly, daringly, bravely, sparse, miserly, wanting, spare,
ANTONYMS: (v) wither, intrepidly, impudently, audaciously, scarce, scanty, scant, lean, lacking,
deteriorate, struggle, shrivel, shrink, shamelessly, brashly. ANTONYMS: insufficient, barren
fade, die; (n) withering (adv) discreetly, modestly, bout: (n, v) round; (n) attack, spell,
blubbering: (n) babble, tear; (adj) nervously, hesitantly, shyly, turn, competition, fight, battle,
tearful fearfully, meekly, submissively, fighting, effort, game, fit
bludgeon: (n) bat, stick, truncheon, secretly, respectfully, diffidently boyhood: (n) babyhood, adolescence,
cudgel, mace, staff, shillelah; (v) boldness: (n) prowess, face, daring, youth, youthhood, infancy,
beat, bully, hit, coerce valor, nerve, assurance, heroism, girlhood, age, boyism, puberty.
bluff: (v) beguile, delude, blague; (n) audaciousness, spirit, cheek, valour. ANTONYM: (n) adulthood
bravado, cheat, hill; (adj) rough, ANTONYMS: (n) cowardice, brace: (n, v) prop, strengthen,
direct, blunt, candid; (adj, n) peak. shyness, timidity, meekness, support, invigorate; (n) strut, pair,
ANTONYMS: (n) truth, honesty; (v) reticence duo, bitstock, tie; (v) clamp, bolster.
reveal, guide; (adj) roundabout, bonnet: (n) cap, protection, chapeau, ANTONYMS: (v) unfasten, sedate,
suave, subtle, hesitant tile, wimple, beret, lid, cowling, loosen, flex
blunder: (n, v) mistake, stumble, slip, castor, poke bonnet, sunbonnet bracing: (n) brace, backing; (adj)
botch; (adj, n) fault; (n) error, gaffe, bonny: (adj) fine, comely, bonnie, invigorating, brisk, exhilarating,
trip; (v) fail, fumble; (adj, n, v) miss. lovely, neat, beautiful, bunny, Idzo, refreshing, tonic, enlivening, cool,
ANTONYMS: (v) succeed, correct, pleasant, dainty, becoming benign, energizing. ANTONYMS:
accomplish, achieve; (n) bony: (adj) osseous, gaunt, lean, thin, (adj) soporific, tiring, debilitating,
achievement emaciated, scrawny, skinny, draining, exhausting, soothing,
blush: (n, v) glow, color; (v) redden, angular, lanky, meager, boney. warm, balmy, still
crimson; (n) red, bloom, rosiness, ANTONYMS: (adj) plump, boneless, bran: (adj) farina, sporule, flour,
ruddiness, redness; (adj) bashful; fat, stout paddy, rice, meal; (n) stubble,
(adv) blushingly. ANTONYMS: (v) boor: (n) yokel, Goth, peasant, cellulose, roughage, fiber, bren
blanch, pale, blench; (n) paleness countryman, clown, barbarian, tike, branching: (n) branch, ramification,
blushing: (adj) rosy, coy, blushful, tyke, rustic, lout, Boer. fork, divarication, arborescence;
flushed, red, shy, bashful, ANTONYMS: (n) intellectual, (adj) branched, branchy, diverging,
overmodest, ruddy; (adv) smoothy forked, ramose; (n, v) forking
blushingly, ablush. ANTONYM: bordered: (adj) fringed, edged, branded: (adj) identified, known,
(adj) pale delimited, surrounded proprietary, recognized
boast: (v) bluster, brag, blow, crow, bordering: (adj) abutting, adjoining, brat: (n) imp, bairn, rogue, urchin,
gasconade, show off, rodomontade, conterminous, contiguous, frontier, scamp, kid, monkey,
exult; (n, v) vaunt, pride; (n) next, neighboring, nearby, near, whippersnapper, scalawag,
arrogance. ANTONYMS: (n) approximate, fringent pickaninny, jackanapes
deprecation; (v) downplay, lack bough: (n) arm, limb, bow, member, breadth: (n) width, spread,
360 Wuthering Heights
amplitude, wideness, size, length, ANTONYMS: (adj) soporific, buoyant: (adj) cheerful, light,
latitude, extent, area, broadness, sluggish, hesitant, tedious, optimistic, lighthearted, airy,
stretch. ANTONYMS: (n) length, temperate, inactive, civil, torpid, hopeful, floaty, bright, blithe, elastic;
longitude, emptiness, thinness slack, serious, lethargic (adj, n) sanguine. ANTONYMS:
breathless: (adj, adv) out of breath; briskly: (adv) busily, energetically, (adj) heavy, weighted, down,
(adj) panting, inanimate, vigorously, quickly, freshly, depressed, somber, miserable,
breathtaking, winded, choking, actively, sharply, rapidly, vividly, serious, melancholy, downbeat
puffing; (v) all agog, aghast; (adj, n) brightly, merrily. ANTONYMS: burnished: (adj) polished, bright,
eager; (n) in hysterics. ANTONYMS: (adv) seriously, laboriously, civilly, shiny, lustrous, shimmering,
(adj) dull, expected, boring pleasantly, languorously sparkly, glittery, shining; (adj, v)
breathlessly: (adv) pantingly, bristling: (n) brisling; (adj) thorny, sunny; (v) meridian, orient
eagerly, windedly, deadly, muricated, pectinated, studded, bursting: (adj) explosive, teeming,
inanimately, breathtakingly, thistly, bristled, bushy, teeming, chock-full, full, complete,
impatiently, animatedly, hungrily, horrid, horrent paroxysmal, exploding, disruptive,
chokingly, pulselessly brood: (n, v) breed; (v) sulk, think, detonating, crowded; (n) outbreak.
breeches: (n) knickers, inexpressibles, incubate; (n) offspring, issue, ANTONYM: (adj) hungry
knickerbockers, brogues, short, progeny, young, posterity, family; bustling: (adj) lively, busy,
smalls, overalls, small clothes, pants, (adj, n) herd. ANTONYMS: (v) boisterous, buzzing, brisk, alive,
trousers, pantaloons reassure, delight, console vibrant, noisy, tumultuous; (v)
brethren: (n) congregation, assembly, brooding: (adj) pondering, stirring, full of incident.
brother, people, laity, family, flock, thoughtful, contemplative, hatching, ANTONYM: (adj) inactive
fold meditative, pensive, wistful; (v) calamity: (n) disaster, adversity,
bribed: (prep) bought brewing, batching; (n) chick affliction, misfortune, plague,
bridegroom: (v) bride; (n) management, parturition. catastrophe, tragedy, blow, bale,
honeymooner, newlywed, ANTONYMS: (adj) shallow, distress; (n, v) trouble.
participant, fiance, husband. cheerful ANTONYMS: (n) blessing, boon,
ANTONYM: (n) wife brooks: (n) streams, Brookes, van luck, joy, opportunity
bridle: (n, v) curb, check, control, Wyck Brooks calf: (n) calves, calfskin, sura, foal,
snaffle, rein, leash; (n) arrest, reins, brows: (n) brow shorthorn, pup, kitten, colt, leather,
brake; (v) inhibit, contain. bruised: (adj) wounded, hurt, raw, kid, box calf
ANTONYMS: (v) unbridle, sore, livid, tender, sensitive, rotten, calmer: (n) placid, quiet
unharness, release surbet, sore to the touch, painful calmness: (n) calm, composure,
brightening: (n) blooming, polishing, brushing: (n) brush, slashing, quietness, poise, serenity, stillness,
limb, illumination, first blush, break hairdressing, rub, striking, combing; quiet, silence, placidity, peace; (adj,
of day (adj) ripping. ANTONYM: (n) set n) coolness. ANTONYMS: (n)
brightness: (n) luminance, light, brutality: (n) atrocity, barbarity, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness,
shine, clarity, lustre, glow, glare, violence, cruelty, ferocity, panic, fury, unrest, intensity,
glitter, luminosity; (n, v) savageness, harshness, callousness, discomposure, bustle, annoyance,
illumination, gloss. ANTONYMS: viciousness, ferociousness, savagery. noise
(n) cloudiness, murkiness, dimness, ANTONYMS: (n) friendliness, cambric: (n) calico, cambric-muslin,
darkness, mistiness, softness, kindness, caring, gentility, cashmere, fabric, textile, material,
sadness, bleakness, dirtiness, humaneness, humanity cloth, linen
pessimism; (adv) seriously brutally: (adv) fiercely, ferociously, camels: (n) suborder Ruminantia,
brim: (n) rim, periphery, verge, edge, cruelly, savagely, viciously, Camelidae, caravan, bison,
lip, hem, rand, margin, perimeter, pitilessly, mercilessly, barbarically, Ruminantia, antelopes
brink, limit rudely, inhumanly, ruthlessly. canary: (n, v) fink, snitch, tattletale;
brimful: (adj) teeming, brimfull, full, ANTONYMS: (adv) humanely, (n) informer, singer, canary bird,
packed, replete, topful, abundant, kindly, nicely, peacefully, canary yellow, yellowness, warbler,
full to the brim, brimful of, attentively, mercifully, tamely vocalist, squealer
crowded, overfilled brute: (adj) brutal, harsh, gruff, candlelight: (adj) rushlight, firelight,
brindled: (adj, v) brinded; (adj) brutish; (adj, n) animal, savage; (n) starlight; (n) candlelighting
tabby, dappled, speckled, patchy, barbarian, fiend, creature, monster; canine: (n) canine tooth, canid,
pied, striped, streaked, spotted, (adv) beastly. ANTONYMS: (adj) dogtooth, eyetooth, cuspid, fang;
piebald weak, refined, mild, gentle; (n) (adj) laniary, bovine, animal, feline,
brink: (n, v) edge; (n) border, hem, gentleman fishy
threshold, boundary, brim, shore, brutishness: (n) brutality, beastliness, cannibal: (n) savage, barbarian,
periphery, lip, margin, limit. bestiality anthropophagus, brute; (adj)
ANTONYMS: (n) middle, interior, bugbear: (n) bogeyman, air drawn anthropophagous, carnivorous
end dagger, boogeyman, booger, cant: (n) jargon, lingo, slang,
brisk: (adj) bracing, agile, alive, nightmare, bogy, bogey, apparition, vernacular, argot; (n, v) bank, tilt,
bright, lively, acute, alert, energetic, bogle, goblin, hobgoblin bias, incline; (adj, n) bevel; (v) list
sprightly; (adj, v) quick, smart. bundled: (adj) wrapped canter: (n, v) run, jump; (n) amble,
Emily Brontë 361
caracole, caracoler, Fisk, frisk, castaway: (adj, n) outcast, pariah; chastened: (v) lamblike, resigned,
prance; (v) gallop, jog, sit (adj) rejected, shipwrecked, content; (adj) refined, reprimanded,
canty: (adj) cheerful, lively, sprightly, pilgarlic; (n) recreant, defaulter, rebuked, reproved, subdued,
janty, energetic abject, derelict, abandoned person, contrite, remorseful
caper: (n, v) skip, bound, frolic, hop, heretic chastise: (v) castigate, chasten,
romp, leap, play, gambol; (n) prank, casting: (n) cast, hurl, pouring, correct, reprimand, punish, criticize,
joke, antic. ANTONYM: (v) restrain molding, teeming, block, Malleable beat, scold, chew out, flog; (n, v)
caprice: (n) fancy, fantasy, humor, castings, fling, to throw something a scourge. ANTONYMS: (v) comfort,
quirk, freak, notion, impulse, fit, long distance, flinging, pelt bless, commend, promote, reward,
capriccio, fad, vagary. ANTONYMS: cat-and-dog: (adj) quarrelsome encourage
(n) plan, strategy, blueprint, reality catastrophe: (n) disaster, adversity, chastisement: (n) castigation, rebuke,
caps: (n) brevier, bourgeois, pica tragedy, cataclysm, misfortune, bale, discipline, punishment, penalty,
boldface denouement, misery, misadventure, reprimand, chastening, reproval,
carcass: (n) body, frame, corpse, woe, finale. ANTONYMS: (n) joy, penalization, lashing, scolding.
cadaver, framework, shell, carrion, miracle, wonder, success ANTONYMS: (n) persuasion,
remains, dead body, skeleton, bomb catechism: (n) interrogation, creed, reward
careless: (adj) forgetful, inattentive, education, question, test; (v) chatter: (n, v) babble, gossip, prattle,
insouciant, haphazard, cursory, challenge gab, cackle, natter; (adj, n, v) jabber;
reckless, lax, unwary, sloppy; (adj, catgut: (n) gut, Tephrosia virginiana, (adj, v) prate, palaver; (v) blabber,
adv) thoughtless; (adj, v) heedless. hoary pea, cord, wild sweet pea, patter. ANTONYM: (v) drawl
ANTONYMS: (adj) cautious, bowel chattering: (n) chatter, cackle, yak,
prudent, meticulous, thoughtful, causeway: (n) pathway, sidewalk, grabbing, claver; (adj) talkative,
diligent, attentive, thorough, wary, path, track, alley, footpath, jetty, loquacious, noisy, gabby, garrulous;
guarded, methodical, strict causey, walkway; (v) furnish, (v) natter
carelessly: (adv) incautiously, hastily, provide cheat: (n, v) trick, con, fake, sham; (n)
recklessly, heedlessly, casually, cautions: (adj) guardful fraud, bilk, impostor; (v) defraud,
sloppily, imprudently, cemented: (n) harmonious, united; beguile, betray, fleece.
inconsiderately, rashly, negligently, (adj) stiff ANTONYMS: (v) support, repay,
unwarily. ANTONYMS: (adv) centipede: (n) arthropod help, contribute, aid
thoroughly, diligently, carefully, chafing: (n) abrasion, soreness, cheated: (adj) embittered, resentful
warily, laboriously, thoughtfully, tenderness, rubbing, resistance, cheating: (n) cheat, dishonesty,
attentively, daintily, methodically, roughness; (v) irritate, to chafe; (adj) imposition, imposture, fraud,
discreetly, economically impatient duplicity, deception, chicanery; (adj)
carelessness: (n) negligence, chagrin: (n) mortification, vexation, dirty, cunning, deceiving.
inattention, indifference, annoyance, shame, disappointment, ANTONYMS: (adj) honest, faithful;
nonchalance, thoughtlessness, letdown, humiliation; (n, v) disquiet, (n) honesty, truthfulness
abandon, incaution, disregard, gangrene; (v) disappoint, mortify. cheerfully: (adj, adv) gladly; (adv, v)
omission, forgetfulness, dereliction. ANTONYMS: (v) please, delight; (n) happily; (adv) merrily, readily,
ANTONYMS: (n) attention, caution, pride, satisfaction brightly, jovially, cheerily, genially,
alertness, vigilance, carefulness, chandelier: (n) candlestick, pendant, chirpily, lively, blithely.
thoughtfulness, assiduousness, candelabrum, sconce, lustre, luster, ANTONYMS: (adv) bleakly,
economy, regard, prudence, girandole, candelabra, gaselier dismally, grimly, sullenly,
forethought changeling: (n) tyke, child, unhappily, somberly, sadly,
caress: (v) stroke, fondle, tickle, pat, youngster, tike, tiddler, shaver, grudgingly, gloomily, dourly,
pet, kiss, nuzzle, cuddle, coddle; (n, nipper, nestling, mooncalf, forlornly
v) touch; (n) endearment. gobemouche, jobbernowl cheerfulness: (n) glee, happiness,
ANTONYM: (n) hit chaplain: (n) clergyman, parson, exhilaration, hilarity, mirth,
caricature: (n) burlesque, satire, rector, minister, chaplaincy, merriment, gladness, cheer, good
cartoon, takeoff; (n, v) lampoon, chaplainship, vicar, padre, sky pilot, spirits, pleasure, joviality.
ridicule; (v) ape, travesty, take off, reverend, curate ANTONYMS: (n) sadness, grimness,
spoof, mimic charitably: (adv) benevolently, seriousness, misery, resentment,
carrion: (n) carcass, offal, dead body, kindly, sympathetically, uncheerfulness, solemnity, lethargy,
corpse, filth, ket, any filth, caroigne; beneficently, altruistically, bleakness, gravity, gloominess
(adj) garbage humanely, philanthropicly, cheerless: (adj) sad, dismal, dark,
carve: (v) cut up, cut, mold, incise, munificently, openhandedly, drab, dreary, gloomy, dull, murky,
shape, inscribe, engrave, whittle, liberally, humanitarianly. dispiriting; (adj, v) disconsolate,
slash, hew; (n) carving ANTONYMS: (adv) unkindly, joyless. ANTONYMS: (adj) bright,
carving: (n) sculpture, carve, cut, ungenerously, harshly happy, uplifting, lighthearted,
statue, engraving, art, image, figure, charmed: (adj) enchanted, delighted, sunny, smart, cheery, warm
etching, woodcut, bust fascinated, spellbound, entranced, cherish: (v) care for, nurture,
casement: (n) embrasure, casement captive, beguiled, infatuated, treasure, entertain, cultivate, bosom,
cloth absorbed, enamored, captive hours prize, esteem, harbor; (n, v) hug,
362 Wuthering Heights
foster. ANTONYMS: (v) hate, scorn, strained, neurotic, tense, angry, genteel. ANTONYMS: (adj)
reject, denounce, despise, neglect anxious, insecure uncouth, noncivilized, discourteous,
cherished: (adj) dear, precious, loved, choking: (n) strangulation, throttling, loutish, rude, inhumane, wild
treasured, prized, intimate, wanted, slugging, asphyxiation; (adj) claimant: (n) candidate, applicant,
valued, pet, valuable, close. suffocative, suffocating, smothering, pretender, aspirant, plaintiff,
ANTONYMS: (adj) unremarkable, breathless, clogging, bitter, blinding complainant, suitor, claimer,
hated, distant chord: (n) harmony, bowstring, prosecutor, postulant, competitor
cherishing: (n) love, conservation catgut, arpeggio, ligament, sinew, clamber: (v) scramble, crawl, scale,
cherub: (n) baby, seraph, infant, tendon; (v) harmonize, harmonise, ascend, mount, shinny, shin,
cherubim, guardian angel, child, accord; (adj) subtense struggle, surmount, ramp, climber
babe, archangel, cherubin christendom: (n) apostleship, church, clamorous: (adj) noisy, blatant, loud,
chevy: (v) chivy, harass, harry, hierarch, priesthood, Christianism, boisterous, insistent, exigent, urgent,
molest, plague, annoy, hassle, beset, church government, ministry, obstreperous, strident; (adj, v)
chevvy, vex, rile prelacy clamant, importunate. ANTONYM:
chewing: (n) chew, mastication, chubby: (adj) fat, plump, fleshy, (adj) tranquil
chaw, change of state; (adj) round, pudgy, stout, chunky, heavy, clamorously: (adv) noisily, loudly,
masticatory tubby, overweight, ample. obstreperously, vociferously,
chide: (n, v) censure, reprimand, ANTONYMS: (adj) skinny, slim, blatantly, importunately, urgently,
blame; (v) rebuke, admonish, bony, anorexic, slender uproariously, raucously,
chasten, lecture, scold, reproach, chuck: (n, v) fling; (v) ditch, toss, turbulently, tumultuously
chastise, reprove. ANTONYMS: (v) pitch, throw, throw away, discard, clamour: (n) clamoring, hue and cry,
praise, laud, commend, compliment, vomit, abandon, hurl; (n) chow. clamouring, blare, bedlam, uproar,
approve ANTONYMS: (v) continue, endure, vociferation, tumult, hubbub,
childish: (adj) childlike, naive, maintain exclamation; (v) utter
babyish, immature, simple, puerile, churchyard: (n) graveyard, burial clasp: (n, v) embrace, hug, grip,
infantile, juvenile, silly, frivolous, ground, yard, necropolis, cloisters, grasp, squeeze, clutch, buckle,
young. ANTONYMS: (adj) sensible, kirkyard brooch; (adj, n, v) pin; (v) stick,
old, wise, adult, jaded churl: (adj, n) niggard; (n) peasant, cling. ANTONYMS: (v) unbuckle,
chill: (adj, v) cool; (adj, n) cold; (adj) clown, curmudgeon, crosspatch, loose, unclasp, relax, detach
bleak, icy, chilly, frosty, depressing; skinflint, countryman, tyke, tike, clasping: (adj) tendril
(v) freeze, dispirit, damp; (n) scrooge; (adj) miser. ANTONYMS: clatter: (n, v) rattle, jingle, bang,
coolness. ANTONYMS: (adj, v) (n) aristocrat, gentleman clank, clang, roll, clink; (v) clash,
warm; (n) warmth, warmness; (v) churlish: (adj) rude, rough, impolite, chatter; (n) noise, racket.
encourage, hearten, inspirit, thaw; loutish, gruff, curt, abrupt, brusque, ANTONYM: (n) quiet
(adj) hot, gregarious, friendly, blunt, brutish, discourteous. claws: (v) tentacle, tenaculum,
sociable ANTONYMS: (adj) agreeable, civil, unguis, hook, fangs, teeth; (n)
chillness: (n) coldness courteous, nice, polite clutches, jaws
chimney: (n) fireplace, smokestack, cinders: (n) cinder, dust, ash, flue cleaved: (adj) torn
shaft, flue, hearth, vent, lamp dust, powder, residue, slag; (adj) clenched: (adj) tight, clinched
chimney, chimneys, nostril, throat, mother, scoriae, precipitate clergyman: (n) minister, chaplain,
weasand cipher: (n) zero, nothing, number, nil, priest, pastor, churchman, preacher,
chipping: (n, v) spalling; (n) flaking, nobody, null; (n, v) figure, cypher, parson, rector, dominie, vicar; (adj)
buffalo chip, breakage, splintering, code; (v) calculate; (adj, n) divine. ANTONYMS: (n) layman,
bit, chip shot, check nonentity. ANTONYMS: (n) infinity; layperson
chit: (n) check, bill, chick, bairn, brat, (v) encode, decode, code, scramble cleverly: (adv) cunningly, expertly,
receipt, tab, voucher, ticket, circumstance: (n) affair, incident, smartly, shrewdly, adroitly,
memorandum; (adj) Liliputian matter, event, occasion, chance, intelligently, dexterously, handily,
chivalrous: (adj) gallant, brave, accident, opportunity, adventure, craftily, skillfully, acutely.
knightly, courteous, courageous, casualty, fact ANTONYMS: (adv) clumsily,
gentlemanly, sublime, civilised: (adj) civilized, humane, foolishly, honestly, ineptly,
magnanimous, polite, thoughtful, genteel, cultured, cultivated, awkwardly, openly, incompetently
considerate. ANTONYMS: (adj) advanced, refined, polite click: (n, v) clack, tick; (n) catch,
rude, fearful, brutish, afraid, civilities: (n) propriety chink, dog, detent, pawl, clink; (v)
dishonorable, cowardly, barbaric, civility: (n) politeness, courtesy, chatter, beat, cluck
boorish comity, attention, propriety, climax: (n, v) peak, crown; (n) top,
choke: (v) asphyxiate, block, stifle, affability, amenity, cultivation, zenith, culmination, acme, height,
back up, clog up, gag, suffocate, complaisance, courteousness, summit, pinnacle, meridian; (adj, n)
foul, strangle, smother, obstruct. civilization. ANTONYMS: (n) orgasm. ANTONYMS: (v) dip, drop,
ANTONYMS: (v) free, open, release, rudeness, incivility, coarseness delve; (n) low, nadir, bathos,
unblock civilized: (adj) civil, refined, polite, anticlimax, comedown, base, trough,
choked: (adj) clogged, smothered, civilised, cultivated, educated, prelude
congested, annoyed, high-strung, courteous, urbane, kind, gentle, clinging: (adj) adhering, sticky,
Emily Brontë 363
adherent, devoted, adhering closely, (adj, n) gossamer commanded: (adj) lawful
affectionate, dependent, tenacious, cogitating: (n) conception; (adj) commanding: (adj) imperative,
osculant; (n) coherence reflective imperious, peremptory, bossy,
closet: (n) cupboard, cubicle, cell, coincide: (v) agree, concur, accede, imposing, ascendant, compelling,
latrine, bathroom, wardrobe, water correspond, conform, consort, magnificent; (adj, n) grand,
closet; (adj) clandestine, accept, square, consent; (adj, v) impressive; (adv) commandingly.
confidential, secret, private. meet; (n) coincidence. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (adj) inferior,
ANTONYM: (adj) open (v) diverge, disagree, contradict, unassertive, indecisive,
clouded: (adj, n) cloudy; (adj) clash, deviate, conflict unimpressive, insignificant,
gloomy, dark, overcast, obscure, coldly: (adv) frigidly, icily, coolly, subservient
blurred, foggy, misty, hazy, bleary; indifferently, frostily, distantly, commence: (v) begin, start, open,
(v) cymophanous. ANTONYM: (adj) gelidly, reservedly, bleakly, initiate, embark, institute, introduce,
clear wintrily, frozenly. ANTONYMS: launch, arise, inaugurate, enter.
cloudless: (adj) bright, clean, fair, (adv) warmly, affectionately, ANTONYMS: (v) finish, stop,
light, sunny, unclouded, pure, sympathetically, sensitively, kindly, terminate, complete, remain,
distinct, legible, perspicuous; (v) cheerfully, emotionally relinquish
unalloyed coldness: (n) chilliness, coolness, commenced: (v) began, Gan; (adj)
cloudlessly: (adv) uncloudedly, indifference, distance, apathy, initiate, present
brightly, clearly, lightly, cleanly iciness, reserve, frost, frigidity, commencement: (n) opening, start,
cloudy: (adj) dull, gloomy, nebulous, unconcern; (adj, n) cold. origin, birth, kickoff, inauguration,
murky, dark, turbid, foggy, muddy, ANTONYMS: (n) friendliness, inception, onset, outset, origination,
misty, sunless, vaporous. sympathy, sensitivity, hotness, heat, source. ANTONYMS: (n) middle,
ANTONYMS: (adj) clear, bright, responsiveness, concern, brightness, termination, finishing, finish,
sunny, cloudless kindness ending, conclusion, culmination
clown: (n) fool, joker, jester, boor, colossal: (adj) huge, gargantuan, commencing: (adj) initial, incipient;
harlequin, joke, comedian, rustic, prodigious, Brobdingnagian, vast, (v) commence; (adv) startingly;
comic, acrobat; (v) antic enormous, great, mammoth, (prep) starting, from; (n) start,
clump: (n, v) cluster, bundle; (n) immense, massive, monstrous. initiation, commencement,
lump, group, clot, knot, tuft, chunk, ANTONYMS: (adj) tiny, small, origination, inauguration
clod, ball; (v) plod insignificant, minute, compact, commendation: (n, v) acclaim,
clutch: (n, v) clasp, grip, clench, microscopic, miniature, slight applause, praise; (n) approval,
grasp, hold, clinch, gripe; (v) grab, colourless: (adj) colorless, drab, pale, citation, approbation, tribute, credit,
grapple, embrace; (adj, v) catch. neutral, wan, pallid, ashen, clear, plaudit, acclamation, admiration.
ANTONYMS: (n) loose; (v) release, white, washy, bloodless. ANTONYMS: (n) disapproval,
unfasten ANTONYM: (adj) colorful criticism, censure, demotion
clutched: (adj) tense, worried, colt: (n) novice, filly, foal, calf, horse, communion: (n) communication,
anxious, neurotic beginner, kitten, pup, fledgling, denomination, intercourse, alliance,
coachman: (n) teamster, cabman, freshman, greenhorn Eucharist, faction, sacrament, traffic,
charioteer, carter, carman, Jehu, comb: (v) brush, ransack, search, sharing, fellowship, Holy
postboy, drayman, wagoner, dress, eliminate, groom; (adj) weed; Communion. ANTONYMS: (n)
postilion; (v) whip (n) crest, combing, caruncle, hostility, disunity, distance,
coals: (n) ashes, fire, residue, embers currycomb disagreement, alienation, contention
coarseness: (n) grossness, indelicacy, combing: (n) hairdressing, search, compactly: (adv) solidly, succinctly,
inelegance, indecency, vulgarism, combing waste, cockscomb closely, thickly, tightly, firmly,
commonness, rudeness, inferiority, comforted: (adj) thankful, pleased, heavily, neatly, pithily, concisely,
crudeness, crudity, awkwardness. comfortable, calmed trimly. ANTONYMS: (adv) loosely,
ANTONYMS: (n) delicacy, purity, comforting: (adj) soothing, consoling, sparsely, awkwardly
refinement, smoothness, consolatory, satisfying, gratifying, companionable: (adj) sociable,
sophistication, tastefulness, civility, encouraging, restful, placatory, affable, convivial, gregarious,
grace, propriety, decency tranquil, appeasing; (n) relief. cordial, clubbable, congenial,
coax: (n, v) wheedle, allure, entice, ANTONYMS: (adj) hostile, friendly, jovial, genial, cosey.
charm, tempt, seduce; (v) cajole, discomforting, disconcerting, ANTONYMS: (adj) nasty,
beguile, blarney, blandish; (n) distressing, disturbing, antagonistic, cold, unfriendly,
coaxial cable. ANTONYMS: (v) overwhelming, surprising, different, frosty, shy, hostile
bully, compel, allow, dissuade troublesome, irritating, tense, companionship: (n) company,
coaxing: (n) blarney, flattery, sweet upsetting society, fellowship, camaraderie,
talk, temptation, enticement, soft comfortless: (adj) dreary, desolate, partnership, friendship, fraternity,
soap; (adv) coaxingly; (adj) bleak, uncomfortable, inconsolable, amity, coexistence, brotherhood,
ingratiatory, persuasive, oily gloomy, lonely; (adj, v) disconsolate, communion. ANTONYMS: (n)
cobweb: (n) web, filament, forlorn; (v) joyless, sick at heart animosity, enmity, solitude
entanglement, mouse trap, tissue, comforts: (n) amenities, bread and compassion: (adj, n) clemency,
fibril, pitfall; (adj) chaff, straw, cork; butter, convenience, conveniences kindness; (n) mercy, charity,
364 Wuthering Heights
sympathy, commiseration, remorse, turbulence, awkwardness unassuming
tenderness, forgiveness, feeling, compounded: (adj) combined, conceive: (v) think, imagine,
grace. ANTONYMS: (n) complex, compositive; (v) mingle comprehend, design, apprehend,
indifference, disregard, unconcern, comprehend: (v) grasp, catch, see, realize, discover, cogitate,
severity, nastiness, harshness, comprise, appreciate, feel, sense, appreciate, invent, catch.
incomprehension, malevolence, apperceive, read; (adj, v) ANTONYMS: (v) destroy, doubt,
coldness, roughness, inhumanity understand; (n, v) embrace. misunderstand, question, ruin
compassionate: (adj) merciful, ANTONYMS: (v) mistake, concernedly: (adv) carefully,
clement, benevolent, kind, humane, misapprehend, exclude, uneasily, disturbedly, troubledly,
tender; (adj, v) pitiful; (v) pity; (adj, misunderstand, misconceive involvedly, interestedly, anxiously,
n) gentle, sympathetic, caring. comprehended: (adj) understood, worriedly, upsetly, considerately,
ANTONYMS: (adj) unfeeling, harsh, apprehended caringly
severe, cruel, indifferent, mean, comprehending: (adj) intelligent, concluding: (adj) last, terminal,
uncompassionate, nasty, merciless, general, observant, sympathetic, ultimate, closing, definitive,
uncaring, unhelpful brotherly, conversant conclusive, latest; (n) ending, dying,
compel: (v) force, coerce, pressure, comprehends: (v) comprehend finishing, reasoning. ANTONYMS:
necessitate, enforce, command, comprehension: (n) knowledge, (adj) opening, former, first
oblige, require, make, obligate, inclusion, conception, concourse: (n) assemblage, swarm,
press. ANTONYMS: (v) impede, understanding, intelligence, grasp, multitude, throng, company,
deter, check, block, request, prevent wit, capacity, familiarity, merging, crowd, aggregation,
compelled: (adj) forced, obligate, discernment, uptake. ANTONYMS: meeting, gathering, legion
enforced, constrained, responsible, (n) incomprehension, ignorance condensed: (adj) concise,
answerable, unwilling, destined compressing: (n) pressure, compressed, concentrated, succinct,
compelling: (adj) forcible, effective, compression, squeezing, compact, summary, compendious,
forceful, captivating, commanding, condensation, applying pressure; short, shortened; (adj, v) condense;
powerful, stringent, convincing, (adj) pinching. ANTONYM: (n) (n) tabloid. ANTONYMS: (adj)
fascinating, compulsive, cogent. decompression loose, uncondensed, diluted,
ANTONYMS: (adj) weak, boring, compulsion: (n) force, enforcement, expanded, convoluted, long
unconvincing, dull, repellent urge, constraint, pressure, restraint, condescend: (adj, v) deign,
complacently: (adv) contently, necessity, duress, obligation, vouchsafe; (v) stoop, patronize,
conceitedly, self-satisfiedly, requirement, oppression. patronise, descend, lower, interact,
graciously, arrogantly, satisfiedly, ANTONYMS: (n) persuasion, decline, bow, agree
contentedly, virtuously, coaxing, disinclination condescendingly: (adv) arrogantly,
sanctimoniously compunction: (n) repentance, haughtily, contemptuously,
complexion: (n, v) tint; (n) cast, remorse, contrition, qualm, penance, patronisingly, superciliously,
character, appearance, look, hue, regret, compassion, rue, scruple, disdainfully, snootily, proudly,
aspect, flush, glow, dye, fashion sorrow, guilt. ANTONYMS: (n) scornfully, loftily, snobbishly.
compliment: (n, v) praise, honor; (v) hardness, indifference, meanness, ANTONYM: (adv) humbly
laud, flattery, applaud, greet, remorselessness condolences: (n) commiseration,
adulation, congratulate, belaud; (n) concealing: (n) covering, sympathy, pity
eulogy, tribute. ANTONYMS: (n) concealment, burial, stealing, conducting: (n) administration,
criticism, reproach, disparagement; stealth, screening, burying, conduct, directing, managing,
(n, v) slander, libel; (v) criticize, screenings, activity; (adj) direction, management
denounce, disparage, denigrate, suppressive confess: (adj, v) own, allow, admit,
complain, belittle concealment: (n) suppression, avow; (v) concede, profess,
complying: (adj) compliant, confidentiality, concealing, secrecy, recognize, divulge, disclose, reveal,
submissive, consenting, screen, disguise, hiding, privacy, receive. ANTONYMS: (v) suppress,
complaisant, assentive; (adj, v) camouflage, blind, covering. hide, dispute, conceal, repress,
tractable; (v) willing, commodious, ANTONYMS: (n) discovery, harbor
chosen, causing ease; (n) agreement disclosure, exposure, expression, confessed: (adj) known
composing: (v) compose, comprise, openness, uncovering, revelation confession: (n) admission,
constitute; (adj, v) component; (n) conceit: (n) pretension, vanity, self- acknowledgment, recognition,
composition, arranging, esteem, pride, assumption, egotism, acknowledgement, concession,
arrangement, placement, makeup, fancy, haughtiness, conception, divulgence, disclosure, shrift,
constitution, manufacturing caprice, quip. ANTONYMS: (n) penance, profession, admission of
composure: (n) calmness, serenity, humility, timidity, selflessness, guilt. ANTONYMS: (n) disavowal,
poise, calm, equanimity, temper, humbleness, reserve refutation
aplomb, tranquillity, peace, conceited: (adj) arrogant, cocky, vain, confessions: (n) confession, life,
temperament, disposition. boastful, proud, smug, affected, journal, fortunes, personal narrative,
ANTONYMS: (n) panic, assuming, egotistical, haughty, memoir, experiences, biography
discomposure, anger, nervousness, pompous. ANTONYMS: (adj) confide: (v) commit, trust, entrust,
perturbation, anxiety, agitation, modest, insecure, meek, selfless, intrust, consign, rely, charge,
Emily Brontë 365
unbosom, whisper, lean, hope. certainty; (v) demonstrate, know, possessed, lost, tired, immersed,
ANTONYMS: (v) suppress, keep, learn, prove gone
conceal, retain conjectured: (adj) supposed, consuming: (adj) blazing,
confidently: (adv) hopefully, surely, opinionative overwhelming, burning, absorbing,
securely, assuredly, intrepidly, conjuring: (n) magic, hocus-pocus, corrosive; (v) grating, searching,
boldly, courageously, certainly, incantation, sorcery, witchcraft, grinding, racking; (n) consumption,
sanguinely, bravely, definitely. sleight of hand, adjuration, figgum, wasting
ANTONYMS: (adv) powerlessly, conjury, evocation; (adj) magical contaminate: (adj, v) taint, infect,
weakly, hesitantly, anxiously, conquered: (adj) overcome, debase, defile, stain; (v) befoul,
uncertainly, timidly, despairingly, vanquished, overwhelmed, crushed, adulterate, corrupt, vitiate, foul, soil.
tentatively, pessimistically, subdued, profligate, routed, ANTONYMS: (v) purify, cleanse,
irresolutely, awkwardly overthrown, done for, under enemy clean, sterilize, decontaminate
confiding: (adj) unsuspecting, control, baffled. ANTONYMS: (adj) contemplate: (v) meditate, speculate,
trustful, artless, credulous, victorious, liberated muse, cogitate, ponder, look,
untutored, ingenu, inartificial, lain, consecrated: (adj) consecrate, blessed, deliberate, reflect, gaze, behold,
simple, unaffected, unsophisticated sanctified, hallowed, holy, entertain. ANTONYMS: (v) neglect,
confine: (n, v) bound, border, limit; dedicated, divine, devoted, adopted; forget, disregard, ignore, wander,
(v) bind, restrain, circumscribe, tie, (adj, prep) set apart; (prep) dedicate. decide
incarcerate, hold; (n) boundary, ANTONYM: (adj) secular contemplated: (adj) intended, willful
bounds. ANTONYMS: (v) release, consolation: (n) comfort, relief, balm, contemplation: (n) consideration,
free, liberate, broaden succor, ease, cheer, solacement, reflection, thought, attention,
confinement: (n, v) childbirth, encouragement, sympathy, cogitation, musing, introspection,
delivery; (n) detention, custody, alleviation, express sympathy. speculation, animus, deliberation;
restraint, internment, prison, labor, ANTONYMS: (n) grief, sorrow, (n, v) study
containment, incarceration, arrest. distress, discouragement, contemptible: (adj) abject, mean,
ANTONYMS: (n) release, death, aggravation base, pitiful, little, worthless,
liberation console: (v) cheer, soothe, quiet, unworthy, miserable, ignoble,
confirming: (adj) affirmative, relieve, reassure, encourage; (n, v) abominable, shameful.
confirmatory, corroborative, solace; (n) cabinet, allay, control ANTONYMS: (adj) estimable,
collateral, verifying, confirmative, console, control panel. admired, deserving, worthy,
corroboratory, positive, ANTONYMS: (v) hurt, discourage, honorable, respectable, respectful,
substantiating, substantiative, grieve, sadden, distress, dispirit, noble, generous, commendable,
validating dishearten, upset good
conflagration: (n) blaze, inferno, conspire: (v) concur, complot, contemptuously: (adv) scornfully,
flame, wildfire, combustion, connive, plot, plan, cabal, sneeringly, insultingly,
holocaust, burning, bonfire, contribute, collaborate, conspiring, disparagingly, superciliously,
empyrosis, flagration; (n, v) intrigue, confederate derisively, condescendingly,
deflagration constancy: (n) allegiance, devotion, disrespectfully, haughtily,
confluence: (n) meeting, concurrence, resolution, fidelity, loyalty, contumeliously, sardonically.
junction, assembly, union, conflux, steadfastness, faithfulness, ANTONYM: (adv) approvingly
crowd, convergence, coming steadiness, firmness, perseverance, contented: (adj) content, happy,
together, aggregation; (v) unchangeableness. ANTONYMS: (n) comfortable, quiet, cheerful, smug,
corrivation. ANTONYM: (n) split inconstancy, inconsistency, complacent, satisfied, easy, proud,
confound: (v) bewilder, baffle, changefulness, instability, delighted. ANTONYMS: (adj)
nonplus, perplex, astonish, puzzle, disloyalty, unfaithfulness, discontented, unhappy, depressed,
amaze, astound, mistake; (adj, v) unreliability, dishonesty unsatisfied, sad, anxious
confuse, stupefy. ANTONYMS: (v) consternation: (n) alarm, shock, fear, contentedly: (adv) gladly, satisfiedly,
explain, clarify, comfort, lose, apprehension, astonishment, fright, contently, gratifiedly, pleasedly,
distinguish; (n) understanding confusion; (adj, n) terror, awe, cheerfully, joyfully, smugly, easily,
confounded: (adj) bemused, dread, horror. ANTONYMS: (n) complacently, placidly.
accursed, execrable, baffled, cursed, peacefulness, composure, ANTONYMS: (adv) crossly,
befuddled, confused, puzzled, happiness, tranquility, hopefulness, awkwardly, unhappily,
aghast, perplexed; (adj, v) abashed comfort, equanimity discontentedly, sadly
congratulation: (n) compliment, constrained: (adj) forced, bound, stiff, continual: (adj, adv) constant; (adj)
greeting, congratulate, strained, awkward, compelled, ceaseless, incessant, endless,
congratulations, acknowledgement, limited, affected, stilted, rigid, continuous, frequent, everlasting,
gratulation, acknowledgment unnatural. ANTONYMS: (adj) uninterrupted, perpetual,
conjecture: (n) supposition, unrestricted, liberated, natural, open unrelenting, perennial.
speculation, assumption, surmise, consulting: (adj) consultative; (n) ANTONYMS: (adj) sporadic,
hypothesis; (v) suppose, believe, consultation; (v) consult temporary, occasional, finite,
anticipate, assume, speculate; (n, v) consumed: (adj) exhausted, finished, inconstant, infrequent, ending,
estimate. ANTONYMS: (n) used up, worn, depleted, obsessed, ceasing, halting, rare, acute
366 Wuthering Heights
contort: (v) twist, bend, deform, helpfully, commodiously; (adv, v) liqueur. ANTONYMS: (adj)
warp, wring, wrench, falsify, curl, advantageously. ANTONYMS: unfriendly, stern, cold, cool,
mangle, make faces, deface. (adv) awkwardly, clumsily disagreeable, aloof, reserved,
ANTONYMS: (v) straighten, conversant: (adj) proficient, knowing, distant, rude, uncordial, unpleasant
unbend, untwist, smile informed, familiar, versed, learned, cordiality: (adj, n) friendliness,
contracted: (adj) insular, contract, cognizant, conscious, erudite, geniality, sympathy, sociability; (n)
constricted, tight, bound, close, experienced, skilled. ANTONYMS: hospitality, sincerity, affability,
narrow-minded, confined, brief; (v) (adj) unfamiliar, oblivious, amity, kindness, amiability; (v)
shrunk; (adj, v) selfish. ANTONYM: inexperienced heartiness. ANTONYMS: (n)
(adj) expanded converse: (n, v) chat, discourse, frostiness, disapproval,
contradict: (v) deny, oppose, belie, argue; (v) confer, confabulate, speak; disapprobation, disagreement,
conflict, confute, controvert, (n) conversation, colloquy, contrast; difference, misunderstanding,
contravene, disprove, refute, (adj, n) opposite; (adj) counter. hostility, rudeness
invalidate, impugn. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (adj, n) equal; (adj) correcting: (n) amendment,
(v) agree, match, correspond, similar, complementary; (n) correction, rectification, adjustment,
approve, corroborate, prove, similarity compensation, reading
support, reinforce converting: (n) conversion, correction: (n) amendment,
contrariety: (n) difference, antithesis, converting operation adjustment, alteration, chastisement,
discrepancy, conflict, contradiction, conveyed: (v) borne, sent discipline, redress, castigation,
contrast, opposition, repugnance, conveying: (n) conveyance, delivery, modification, punishment,
antagonism, contrariness, foil conveyancing, conveyance of title, improvement, emendation.
contrary: (adj, n) contradictory, transference, transmission, convey, ANTONYMS: (n) fabrication,
reverse; (adj) adverse, conflicting, transmit, assigning, transfer, reward, award, persuasion
unfavorable, perverse, cross, delegation corroborating: (v) confirm; (adj)
disobedient, alien, different, convulsions: (n) convulsion, spasm, corroborant
obstinate. ANTONYMS: (adj) epilepsy, eclampsia, mirth corroboration: (n) evidence,
similar, harmonious, helpful, convulsively: (adv) spasmodically, certification, testimony, proof,
obliging, compatible, complaisant, paroxysmally, spasticly, with support, ratification, verification,
concordant, parallel, agreeable, convulsions approval, authentication, confirm,
cooperative, favorable cookery: (n) cuisine, kitchen, corroborate
contrite: (adj) apologetic, sorry, gastronomy, browning, broiling, corrugated: (adj) waved, wrinkly,
remorseful, regretful, rueful, bad, preparation, culinary art, roasting, undulate, corrugate, wavy, crimped,
ashamed, humble, sorrowful, toasting, frying, braising grooved, ridged. ANTONYM: (adj)
dreary; (adj, v) repentant. coolly: (adv) quietly, composedly, flat
ANTONYMS: (adj) unrepentant, coldly, collectedly, nonchalantly, couch: (n) bed, sofa, settee, divan;
indifferent, hurtful, mean, proud, placidly, serenely, chilly, steadily, (adj, v) lie; (v) express, put, frame,
unremorseful frostily, frigidly. ANTONYMS: lower, repose; (adj) recline
contrive: (v) plan, invent, design, (adv) nervously, anxiously, coughing: (n) coughs, breathing out
concoct, devise, cast, concert, agitatedly, expressively, counsellor: (n) counselor, advocate,
excogitate, frame, formulate; (n, v) boisterously, enthusiastically adviser, councillor, advisor, mentor,
manage. ANTONYMS: (v) coolness: (n) chill, cool, composure, pleader, attorney, lawyer,
demolish, destroy, ruin, waste, assurance, cold, calmness, consultant, solicitor
wreck, fail alienation, frigidity, equanimity, countenance: (n) aspect, expression,
contrived: (adj) affected, unnatural, chilliness, poise. ANTONYMS: (n) brow, complexion; (n, v) face,
false, forced, labored, spurious, friendliness, panic, approachability, sanction, support, favor; (v) allow,
feigned, unreal, strained, built, mustiness, turbulence, agitation tolerate, uphold. ANTONYMS: (v)
artificially formal. ANTONYM: (adj) coom: (n) anticlinal valley reject, oppose, discourage,
sincere copestone: (n) stretcher, coping stone, disapprove, prohibit
convalescence: (n) recuperation, a culmination, finishing touch counteract: (v) antagonize,
rally, convalesce, upturn, copious: (adj) bountiful, ample, counterbalance, check, balance,
improvement, rehabilitation, affluent, plentiful, rich, plenteous, cancel, hinder, neutralize,
restitution, restoration, retrieval, much, many, generous, large; (adj, contradict, resist, compensate,
healing, progress. ANTONYM: (n) n) luxuriant. ANTONYMS: (adj) contravene. ANTONYMS: (v) help,
decline small, meager, sparse, lacking, rare, cooperate, assist, approve,
convalescent: (n) sufferer, invalid, scant, scanty, thin, few; (adv) coordinate, support, back, reinforce
patient; (adj) healing, convalesced, partially coupled: (adj) conjugate, linked,
recovering, better; (v) redivivus. coquette: (n) vamp, jilt, minx, united, double, joined, associated,
ANTONYMS: (adj) regressing, woman; (v) coquet, dally, romance, conjugated, attached, fixed, twin,
sickly, weak, worsening chat up, puritan, speak, prude paired. ANTONYM: (adj) unrelated
conveniently: (adv) easily, cordial: (adj) genial, warm, affable, courting: (n) wooing, courtship,
opportunely, expediently, usefully, amiable, friendly, genuine, ardent, bundling, appeal, attraction, case,
fitly, properly, practically, timely, unaffected, gracious, honest; (n) causa, cause, flirtation, suit
Emily Brontë 367
covet: (v) envy, begrudge, long, crammed: (adj) packed, full, (adj, n, v) awry; (adj, v) irregular,
crave, aspire, grudge, hanker, want, overcrowded, chock-full, stuffed, askew, wry, indirect. ANTONYMS:
wish for, long for, wish. jammed, brimming, congested, (adj) straight, honest, principled,
ANTONYMS: (v) spurn, renounce, overflowing, saturated, teeming even, aboveboard, lawful, level,
reject, ignore, forswear cranky: (adj) peevish, cantankerous, moral, flat, aligned, honorable
coveting: (n) longing, envy; (adj) irascible, petulant, crabby, crank, cropped: (adj) close
envious irritable, crotchety, tetchy, fretful, cropping: (n) harvest, napping,
covetousness: (n) cupidity, greed, cross. ANTONYMS: (adj) sweet, masking
rapacity, desire, stinginess, pleasant, happy, patient, easygoing cross-examination: (n) inquiry, trial,
greediness, acquisitiveness, craving: (n) appetite, addiction, examination
avariciousness, avaritia, envy, appetence, eagerness, hankering, crossly: (adv) grumpily, grouchily,
enviousness. ANTONYM: (n) yen, hunger; (n, v) desire, angrily, petulantly, sullenly,
generosity appetency; (adj, n) longing; (adj) peevishly, sulkily, crabbily,
coward: (n) cur, pantywaist, sneak, eager. ANTONYMS: (n) disgust, contrarily, furiously, transversely.
dastard, milksop, weakling, hatred, distaste, repulsion, aversion, ANTONYMS: (adv) cheerfully,
milquetoast; (adj) gutless, apathy, disinclination; (adj) contentedly, pleasantly, calmly,
chickenhearted, pusillanimous, unconcerned, disinterested lightly
chicken-hearted. ANTONYMS: (n) creak: (v) pipe, screech, twang, cross-roads: (n) intersection, crossing,
daredevil, stalwart; (adj) brave skreigh, resound, jangle, gnash, crossroad
cowardice: (n) dastardliness, confess; (n) creaking; (adv) crouched: (v) subjacent, squat; (adj)
poltroonery, pusillanimity, fear, creakingly; (adj) ancient crutched, hunkered down,
spirit, cravenness, timidity, credulity: (n) credulousness, hunkered, low, huddled
fearfulness, base fear, cowardship. trustingness, trust, innocence, cruelly: (adv) harshly, ferociously,
ANTONYMS: (n) nerve, bravery, trustfulness, faith, lack of caution, fiercely, viciously, inhumanly,
daring, determination navet, unwariness, acceptance. mercilessly, pitilessly, heartlessly,
cowardly: (adj, adv) dastardly, ANTONYM: (n) wariness roughly, unkindly; (adj, adv)
scared, shrinking; (adj) timid, afraid, creep: (v) grovel, sneak, steal, fawn, bitterly. ANTONYMS: (adv) kindly,
craven, gutless, sneaky, lurk, truckle, cringe; (n) creeping, mercifully, sympathetically, tamely,
fainthearted, faint; (adv) recreantly. crawling, toady, sycophant. peacefully, humanely,
ANTONYMS: (adj, adv) brave, ANTONYMS: (v) race, dash, hasten, compassionately, sensitively,
daring, bold, courageous; (adj) hurry, speed, fly respectfully, innocently, genially
intrepid, fearless, strong, creeping: (n) creep, crawl, crumbling: (adj, v) moldering,
determined; (adv) dauntless, gutsy, locomotion, spreading; (v) lentor; ramshackle; (adj) rotten,
unafraid (adj) reptile, slow, reptant, dilapidated, worn out; (n) ruin,
cowed: (adj) afraid, browbeaten, reptatory, serpiginous, moving decay, disintegration,
bullied, timid, crestfallen, crestfallen: (adj) dejected, gloomy, fragmentation; (v) waterlogged,
frightened, hangdog, intimidated, depressed, disconsolate, tainted. ANTONYM: (adj) pristine
passive discouraged, dispirited, downcast, crush: (n, v) squeeze, crunch, press;
coxcomb: (n) cockscomb, fop, beau, chopfallen, downhearted, low, (v) beat, break, compress, conquer,
dandy, exquisite, dude, blood, buck, despondent. ANTONYMS: (adj) up, stamp, overpower, squash, bruise.
comb, crest, sheik cheered, cheerful, elated, happy, ANTONYMS: (v) lose, congratulate,
cracking: (n) crack, break, fracture; euphoric, inspirited, idealistic, stretch, praise, inspirit, encourage,
(adj) splitting, swell, smashing, enthusiastic compliment, expand, resist, submit,
corking, bully, great, keen, neat. crimson: (adj, n) carmine, ruby, smooth
ANTONYMS: (adj) smooth, slow scarlet, maroon; (v) blush, flush, crushing: (adj) overpowering,
crackling: (adj, n) crisp; (adj) redden; (adj) bloody, ruddy, cherry; overwhelming, destructive; (n)
snapping, crepitant, cheerful, brittle, (n) deep red grinding, quelling, stifling,
noisy; (n) crepitation, decrepitation, cringing: (adj) obsequious, servile, suppression, flattening, pressure; (v)
crackleware, crackle China, slavish, abject, groveling, oily, shatter; (adv) crushingly.
bohemian crackle grovelling, fawning, beggarly, ANTONYMS: (adj) mild, wonderful
crackly: (adv) burstly, superly, contemptible, ignoble crust: (n) skin, peel, bark, cheekiness,
proficiently, masterly, excellently, croaker: (v) growler, grumbler, gall, impertinence, covering, shell,
primely, skilledly, adeptly, startly, malcontent, laudator temporis acti; cortex, coating, encrustation
superiorly, capitally (n) chenfish, sciaenid, pessimist, cuckoos: (n) order Cuculiformes
cradle: (n) cot, birthplace, nursery, physician, kingfish, queenfish; (adj) cudgel: (n) bludgeon, truncheon,
berth, crib, nest, hammock, bassinet, meagre stick, staff, switch, mace, baton; (v)
origin; (v) hold, groundwork croaking: (adj) hollow, raucous, beat, bat, hit, drub
cram: (v) pack, ram, jam, fill, chock sepulchral, dry, cacophonic, harsh, cuffed: (adj) slapped
up, compress, shove, load, guttural, gruff, croaky, culinary: (adj) cooking, eatable
ingurgitate, overeat, compact. cacophonous, husky culpable: (adj) guilty, blameworthy,
ANTONYMS: (v) deplete, unpack, crooked: (adj) bent, corrupt, censurable, reprehensible,
disperse dishonest, curved, unfair, deformed; blameable, blameful, condemnable,
368 Wuthering Heights
liable, criminal, to blame, curse: (n, v) blight, plague; (n) deplorable, offensive. ANTONYMS:
responsible. ANTONYMS: (adj) anathema, blasphemy, malediction, (adj) commendable, laudable,
innocent, inculpable, blameless denunciation; (adj, v) beshrew; (v) praiseworthy
culprit: (adj, n) convict; (n) swear, ban, damn, vituperate. damnably: (adv) damned, cursedly,
delinquent, accused, malefactor, ANTONYMS: (n) blessing, odiously
perpetrator, transgressor, prisoner, benediction, making; (v) damnation: (n) damn, condemnation,
sinner, offender; (adj) guilty, felon communicate anathema, state, curse, execration,
cultivate: (v) civilize, educate, train, cursed: (adj) damned, doomed, judgment, oath, imprecation,
produce, polish, farm, crop, execrable, cussed, wretched, denunciation, denouncement
develop, domesticate, raise; (adj, v) unlucky, accursed, blamed, blasted, damper: (n) check, cooler, silencer,
promote. ANTONYMS: (v) neglect, confounded; (v) accurst. constraint, device, marplot,
sterilize, brutalize, stunt, retard, ANTONYMS: (adj) commendable, hinderer, killjoy, muffler, shock
pollute, ignore, harm, discourage honorable, nice, sweet, kine absorber, absorber
cultivation: (n) civilization, farming, curses: (n) abuse damsel: (n) demoiselle, damosel,
culture, refinement, development, cursing: (adj) cursed, execrative; (n) damozel, damoiselle, wench,
growth, education, husbandry, blasphemy, anathema, swearing, maiden, maid, girl, nymph,
breeding, gentility, tilth. swear word, malediction, unmarried woman, virgin
ANTONYMS: (n) ignorance, execration, denunciation, dangerously: (adv) hazardously,
unsophistication, deprivation, cursedness; (v) beshrew precariously, unsafely, riskily,
uncouthness cushion: (n, v) pad, buffer; (v) seriously, insecurely, harmfully,
cunning: (adj) crafty, canny, adroit, insulate, soften, protect, bolster, parlously, severely, fatally; (adj,
wily, sly, shrewd, tricky, artful; (n) mollify; (n) shock absorber, mat, adv) gravely. ANTONYMS: (adv)
craftiness, craft, cleverness. pincushion; (adj, n) wadding. safely, securely, carefully, slightly
ANTONYMS: (adj) simple, honest, ANTONYMS: (v) harm, hurt, injure, dappled: (adj) speckled, motley,
stupid, unimaginative, gullible, exacerbate, expose flecked, dapple, freckled, spotty,
ingenuous, straightforward, candid, customary: (adj, n) accustomed, spotted, dotted, multicolored,
sincere; (n) frankness, usual, habitual; (adj) conventional, brindled, brindle. ANTONYMS:
straightforwardness ordinary, commonplace, traditional, (adj) sunny, spotless, monochrome,
cunningly: (adv) craftily, artfully, average, wonted, regular, standard. uniform
cleverly, ingeniously, trickily, ANTONYMS: (adj) unusual, daresay: (v) assume, deem
shrewdly, astutely, insidiously, abnormal, exceptional, daring: (adj, n) bold, courageous,
smartly, foxily, slipperily. unconventional, offbeat, irregular, adventurous; (adj) audacious,
ANTONYMS: (adv) ineptly, openly innovative, different, unfamiliar, venturesome, intrepid; (n) bravery,
curate: (n) rector, clergyman, extraordinary, rare audacity, boldness, courage,
minister, chaplain, pastor, cutters: (adj, n) shears; (n) clippers; adventurousness. ANTONYMS: (n)
Stipendiary curate, priest, vicar, (adj) pruning shears cowardice, timidity; (adj) timid,
incumbent, reverend, canon cynic: (adj, n) skeptic; (n) doubter, cautious, dull, afraid, chicken,
curbed: (adj) checked, restrained, critic, misanthrope, detractor, yogi, fearful, unadventurous, wimpy
restricted, silent, small, temperate, sanyasi, doubting Thomas, darkened: (adj) darkens, obscured,
cramped, continent, chequered, frondeur, man hater; (adj) cynical. old, obfuscate, murky, cloudy,
checkered, pent-up ANTONYMS: (n) supporter, opaque, overcast
cured: (adj) recovered, corned, aged, optimist dart: (n, v) dash, run, flit; (v) bound,
mellow, whole, better, pickle cured, dainties: (n) delicacies, food, cates flash, shoot, rush, race, gallop; (adj,
salted, vulcanised, well, vulcanized daintiness: (adj, n) frailty, fragility, n) arrow, rocket. ANTONYMS: (v)
curl: (n, v) crimp, loop, kink, roll, weakness, dainty; (n) fineness, plod, trudge, slog, linger, dawdle,
wave; (adj, v) bow; (adj, n) lock, loveliness, niceness, fastidiousness, dally, delay, amble; (n) tonic
tress; (v) crinkle, fold; (adj) crisp. finesse, refinement, nicety. darting: (adj) arrowy, moving; (v)
ANTONYMS: (v) align, straighten, ANTONYMS: (n) inelegance, Sally
uncurl, unwind sturdiness, ugliness dash: (adj, n, v) rush; (n, v) touch,
curled: (adj) coiled, curling, having dainty: (adj, v) nice; (adj, n, v) sprint, strike, splash, jog; (v) dart,
curls, round, braided, twisted, delicacy; (adj) fastidious, savory, break; (n) tinge, beat; (adj, n)
bowed, wreathy, Crull, curled up, tasteful, squeamish, particular, animation. ANTONYMS: (v)
tressed mincing, refined; (adj, n) tidbit; (n) dawdle, inspirit, languish, saunter,
curling: (adj) curled, curly, moving, luxury. ANTONYMS: (adj) coarse, encourage, linger; (n) stagnation,
curled up; (adv) curlingly; (n) vulgar, rough, inelegant, harsh, languor, listlessness, mass, dullness
croquet, pallone, polo, tipcat, golf, gross, awkward, accepting, heavy, dashed: (v) ashamed, cut up, sunk;
curling edge careless, thick (adj) broken, done for, dejected,
curls: (n) hair, tresses, ringlets dairymaid: (n) farmhand, fieldhand, discouraged, dotted
currant: (n) currant bush, shrub, dey dashing: (adj) stylish, dapper,
black currant, red currant, raisin, damnable: (adj) cursed, damned, gallant, showy, smart, snappy,
Corinth, dried currant, bush, grape, abominable, hateful, accursed, impetuous, rakish, raffish, brave;
berry devilish, infernal, disgusting, sinful, (adj, n) spruce. ANTONYMS: (adj)
Emily Brontë 369
boring, unstylish, dull, bumbling, open, principled, straight, upright, doing, document, title, fact.
bland, awkward, drab, graceless faithful, dependable ANTONYM: (n) failure
dastardly: (adj) dastard, craven, base, deceive: (v) cheat, circumvent, deeds: (n) works, activity, actions,
fearful, low, shameful, ignoble, bamboozle, pretend, hoax, fool, conduct, background, events,
sneaky, timorous; (n) coward; (adv) cozen, trick, beguile; (n, v) dupe; (n) happenings, performance, activities
recreantly. ANTONYM: (adj) honest fraud. ANTONYMS: (v) guide, deem: (v) believe, assume, consider,
daubed: (adj) beplastered, covered, inform, undeceive, protect count, hold, think, feel, view,
greasy deceived: (adj) mistaken, misguided suppose, regard, imagine.
daunted: (adj) downcast, dispirited, deceiver: (n) trickster, impostor, ANTONYMS: (v) disregard, doubt
discouraged, frightened, cheater, hypocrite, liar, fraud, deepened: (adj) concentrated,
intimidated, disheartened, swindler, chiseler, counterfeiter, gathered
dismayed, afraid, abashed, bashful, bluffer, dodger deep-rooted: (adj) inveterate,
discomposed deceiving: (adj) deceptive, deceitful, confirmed, deep-seated, lifelong,
dearly: (adv) affectionately, cheating, fallacious, dishonest, lying, lasting, stable, inner, chronic,
preciously, darlingly, sweetly, petly, treacherous, imposing, delusive, inherent
expensively, belovedly, intimately, sanctimonious, mistaken. deep-set: (adj) hollow
highly, heartfeltly, lovely ANTONYM: (adj) correct defer: (v) adjourn, postpone, comply,
dearth: (n) shortage, famine, want, decently: (adv) becomingly, procrastinate, bow, suspend, retard,
deficiency, lack, scarcity, paucity, decorously, fairly, correctly, seemly, accede, protract; (adj, v) put off; (n,
scarceness, scantiness, rarity, fitly, courteously, justly, v) delay. ANTONYMS: (v) advance,
shortfall. ANTONYMS: (n) appropriately, rightly, right. rush, hurry, hasten, forge, disagree,
abundance, excess, glut, plenty, ANTONYMS: (adv) rudely, expedite, continue, resist
plethora, sufficiency, surplus, improperly, disreputably, deferred: (adj) put off, delayed,
supply inappropriately, immorally belated, late, later than usual.
deathlike: (adj) deadly, deathly, decidedly: (adv) clearly, positively, ANTONYMS: (adj) hurried,
ghastly, dead, cadaverous, definitely, absolutely, emphatically, hastened, expedited, advanced,
thanatoid, ghostly, pale; (v) awful, decisively, resolutely, firmly, early
soft, solemn markedly, surely, determinedly. defiance: (n) challenge, opposition,
debased: (adj) degraded, low, ANTONYMS: (adv) uncertainly, rebellion, insubordination,
adulterated, base, degenerate, equivocally, slightly, vaguely rebelliousness, disobedience,
depraved, debauched, decadent, decipher: (v) interpret, explain, solve, resistance, contempt,
perverted, corrupted, impure. decode, translate, disentangle, intractableness, mutiny,
ANTONYM: (adj) moral resolve, construe, read, decrypt, contradiction. ANTONYMS: (n)
decamp: (v) bolt, Levant, break camp, discover. ANTONYMS: (v) encode, acceptance, surrender, deference,
absquatulate, escape, desert, leave, code, encipher, scramble, confuse conformance, submission,
skip, vamoose, scram, flee decisively: (adv) resolutely, acquiescence, cooperation, loyalty,
decanter: (n) carafe, jar, flask, jug, conclusively, firmly, finally, meekness, support, agreement
flagon, amphora, cag, drum, firkin, fatefully, crucially, definitively, deficiency: (adj, n) defect, blemish,
cask, butt positively, absolutely, definitely, imperfection; (n) dearth, lack,
decayed: (adj) spoiled, corrupt, flatly. ANTONYMS: (adv) failing, deficit, shortcoming,
dilapidated, rank, rusty, rotting, irresolutely, unconvincingly, inadequacy, absence; (n, v) want.
decaying, rotted, putrid; (adj, v) indecisively, aimlessly, ANTONYMS: (n) excess, perfection,
wasted; (v) stale. ANTONYMS: (adj) insignificantly, halfheartedly, provision, enough, adequacy,
matured, restored, strengthened hesitantly supply, strength, virtue, surplus,
decease: (v) go, die, perish, pass, pass decked: (adj) bedecked, decked out, gain, glut
away, exit, expire; (n) demise, ornamented, decorated, festooned deficient: (adj) wanting, inadequate,
passing, departure, expiration. declining: (adj) deteriorating, scanty, imperfect, short, scarce, less,
ANTONYMS: (n) nascency; (v) decreasing, waning, falling, down, lacking, low, meager, insufficient.
survive decadent, fading, lessening, ANTONYMS: (adj) sufficient,
deceit: (n) guile, artifice, deception, diminishing, sloping; (n) decrease. perfect, ample, flawless, enough,
falsehood, ruse, pretense, fraud, ANTONYMS: (adj) thriving, excessive, complete, present, sound,
trickery; (adj, n) cunning, craft, art. burgeoning, growing strong, confident
ANTONYMS: (n) sincerity, decorum: (n) propriety, gentility, deformed: (adj) distorted, misshapen,
truthfulness, fairness, frankness, decorousness, dignity, fitness, bent, malformed, ugly, crippled,
loyalty, straightforwardness, manners, correctness, ceremony, contorted, warped, shapeless,
uprightness, truth properness, politeness, grace. twisted, deform. ANTONYMS: (adj)
deceitful: (adj) false, fraudulent, ANTONYMS: (n) impoliteness, beautiful, flawless, unflawed,
insincere, crooked, dishonest, rudeness, informality, indecorum, perfect, straight
untrue, sly, artful, untrustworthy, impropriety, indecency, corruption, defy: (n, v) dare; (v) brave, resist,
unreliable, treacherous. abandon, vulgarity ignore, confront, revolt, oppose,
ANTONYMS: (adj) straightforward, deed: (n) accomplishment, act, feat, withstand, disobey, contradict; (n)
genuine, trustworthy, truthful, loyal, behavior, action, exploit, covenant, defiance. ANTONYMS: (v) obey,
370 Wuthering Heights
acquiesce, surrender, yield, comply, reasonable, balanced, lucid, demurely: (adv) soberly, primly,
accept collected, clearheaded, calm, virtuously, staidly, reservedly,
degradation: (n) fall, abasement, dejected solemnly, sedately, bashfully,
degeneracy, corruption, abjection, deliriously: (adv) frantically, seriously, gravely, properly.
debasement, decadence, franticly, frenziedly, wildly, ANTONYMS: (adv) improperly,
degeneration, humiliation, frenetically, ravingly, crazily, brazenly, brashly, boldly
deposition, disgrace. ANTONYMS: ramblingly, incoherently, insanely, denomination: (n) appellation, title,
(n) elevation, glorification, honor excitedly cognomen, class, communion,
degrade: (v) cheapen, demean, delirium: (n) craze, insanity, mania, appellative, designation, sect, name,
corrupt, decrease, dishonor, disturbance, fever, ecstasy, value, degree
disparage; (n, v) disgrace, reduce; derangement; (adj, n) fury; (adj) denounce: (v) censure, decry, accuse,
(adj, n, v) abase; (adj, v) debauch, furor, rage, distraction. brand, criticize, damn, reproach,
lessen. ANTONYMS: (v) honor, ANTONYMS: (n) indifference, excoriate, betray, arraign, scold.
admire, aggrade, elevate, uplift, dejection ANTONYMS: (v) commend,
worship, respect, promote, praise, deliverance: (n) salvation, rescue, compliment, honor, laud, approve,
dignify, purify release, freedom, escape, support
degraded: (adj) debased, low, emancipation, delivery, relief, denying: (v) deny; (adv) denyingly;
ignoble, debauched, depraved, liberation, liberty, salvage. (adj) opposed, recusative, unselfish,
abject, sordid, dishonored, ANTONYMS: (n) downfall, abnegative
corrupted, contemptible, base. suppression depart: (v) go, deviate, decease,
ANTONYM: (adj) good delude: (v) cheat, deceive, betray, diverge, start, stray, wander, leave,
degrading: (adj) shameful, debasing, defraud, beguile, cozen, mislead, die, vary, part. ANTONYMS: (v)
derogatory, humiliating, fool, trick, bamboozle, circumvent stay, arrive, enter, come, abide,
dishonorable, ignominious, deluded: (adj) besotted, mistaken conform, continue, remain, appear,
disgraceful, corrupting, vile, deluge: (adj, v) inundate; (n) converge, return
scandalous; (n) infra dignitatem. cataclysm, downpour, cloudburst, departed: (adj) dead, bygone, late,
ANTONYMS: (adj) humane, torrent, debacle; (v) overrun, former, bypast, defunct, past, left;
reputable overwhelm; (n, v) overflow, surge, (adj, v) gone, extinct; (n) decedent.
deity: (n) God, godhead, godhood, stream. ANTONYMS: (n) drought, ANTONYMS: (adj) remaining, alive
godship, idol, immortal, goddess, abatement, trickle, lack; (v) drain, deplorable: (adj) sad, wretched,
Jupiter; (adj, n) divinity, the Deity, capitulate, desiccate, surrender, criminal, calamitous, abominable,
theology. ANTONYMS: (n) human, parch, dry, dehydrate pitiful, lamentable, miserable,
mortal, person delusion: (n) hallucination, regrettable, sorry; (adj, v) woeful.
dejected: (adj) sad, depressed, low, deception, cheat, chimera, ANTONYMS: (adj) acceptable,
downhearted, gloomy, down, misunderstanding, mirage, trick, pleasing, laudable, happy, cheerful,
unhappy, spiritless, sorrowful, fallacy, error, aberration, falsehood. admirable, agreeable, excellent,
miserable, melancholy. ANTONYMS: (n) comprehension, fortunate, praiseworthy
ANTONYMS: (adj) elated, happy, fact, truth deportment: (n, v) bearing,
euphoric, joyous, encouraged, delusive: (adj) deceptive, false, demeanor, conduct, carriage; (n)
positive, enthusiastic, hopeful misleading, fallacious, untrue, manner, attitude, demeanour,
delegated: (adj) destined, acting, unreal, imaginary, fictitious, behaviour, comportment, dealing,
vicarial delusory, vain, illusory. air
delightedly: (adv) elatedly, ANTONYMS: (adj) truthful, real, depreciated: (adj) adulterate, cheap,
jubilantly, pleasedly, overjoyedly, honest, genuine, actual, authentic depleted, depressed; (v)
joyfully, exultantly, gleefully, delve: (v) burrow, investigate, depreciating
entrancedly, joyously, cheerfully; excavate, rummage, grub, mine, cut depreciation: (n) disparagement,
(adv, v) happily into, tunnel, root, unearth, lop and abatement, detraction, derogation,
delightfully: (adv) pleasantly, top. ANTONYM: (v) fill deterioration, discount, aspersion,
enchantingly, exquisitely, gladly, demolish: (v) defeat, break, defamation, calumny, degradation;
charmingly, finely, sweetly, annihilate, destroy, devastate, crush, (v) decrement. ANTONYMS: (n)
deliciously, beautifully, merrily; batter, raze, blast, break down, inflation, appreciation,
(adv, v) happily. ANTONYMS: smash. ANTONYMS: (v) build, improvement
(adv) unattractively, horribly, construct, fix, preserve, produce, deprive: (v) divest, bereave, despoil,
disagreeably restore, create, inflate, assemble, denude, deny, rob, dispossess,
delighting: (adj) satisfactory, support dismantle, starve; (adj, v) abridge,
attractive demolished: (adj) destroyed, baneful, curtail. ANTONYMS: (v) provide,
delights: (n) delices decayed, ruinous, razed, lost, present, offer, indulge, give, endow,
delirious: (adj) crazy, wild, frantic, dismantled appropriate, supply, add
wandering, demented, excited, demon: (n) ghost, fiend, incubus, deranged: (adj) demented,
insane, mad, frenetic, doting, drunk. monster, daemon, ogre, daimon, disordered, crazed, maddened,
ANTONYMS: (adj) unexcited, goblin, deuce, genie, elf. unbalanced, insane, lunatic, mad,
rational, composed, relaxed, ANTONYM: (n) saint confused, disturbed, acephalous.
Emily Brontë 371
ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, balanced, wretchedness, bleakness, loneliness, destitute: (adj) impoverished, needy,
lucid, rational, stable waste, ruin; (adj, n) desertion. bankrupt, broke, poor, helpless,
derangement: (n) lunacy, disorder, ANTONYMS: (n) ecstasy, joy, impecunious, penniless, necessitous;
disturbance, insanity, jumble, upset, productiveness, fertileness, (adj, v) forlorn, devoid.
confusion; (adj, n) aberration, fecundity, cheer, fruitfulness, ANTONYMS: (adj) wealthy,
craziness, alienation; (adj) madness preservation, hopefulness, privileged, prosperous, solvent
derision: (n) contempt, mockery, cheerfulness destroying: (v) destroy; (adj) deadly,
scorn, banter, jeering, disdain, scoff, despairing: (adj) hopeless, desperate, deleterious, murderous; (n) disposal
insult, irony, sport, gibe. despondent, forlorn, desolate, detain: (v) arrest, confine, catch,
ANTONYMS: (n) applause, esteem, dejected, pessimistic, sad, capture, apprehend, stay, keep, jail,
admiration, praise, approval brokenhearted, miserable, imprison, incarcerate, retard.
descend: (v) settle, condescend, inconsolable. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (v) free, liberate, rush
down, drop, deign, subside, go hopeful, optimistic, rosy, happy, detest: (n, v) hate; (v) abominate,
down, dismount, derive, get off, confident, cheerful loathe, despise, execrate, dislike,
come down. ANTONYMS: (v) despairingly: (adv) forlornly, nauseate, contemn, dislike intensely;
ascend, climb, float, scale, increase, desperately, despondently, (n) loathing, abhorrence.
level, mount dejectedly, sadly, desolately, ANTONYMS: (v) adore, like,
descendant: (adj, n) descendent; (n) disconsolately, resignedly, cherish, admire
offspring, progeny, scion, offshoot, sorrowfully, frantically, franticly. detestable: (adj) hateful, abhorrent,
successor, relation, heir, derivative, ANTONYMS: (adv) energetically, damnable, odious, offensive,
follower, sprig. ANTONYMS: (n) expectantly, cheerfully despicable, execrable, horrible,
precursor, progenitor, parent, despatch: (n) shipment, expedition, infamous; (adj, v) cursed; (adj, adv)
forebear, ascendant, predecessor communique, mission, consignment, atrocious. ANTONYMS: (adj)
descended: (v) extraught sending, forwarding; (v) transmit, admirable, adorable, sweet,
descending: (v) descend; (adj) expedite, quicken, send loveable, lovable, likable, delightful,
downhill, down, descendent, desperation: (adj, n) despair, fury, cherished, honorable, desirable, nice
decreasing, dropping, falling, rage; (n) recklessness, foolhardiness, detestably: (adv) abysmally, terribly,
sloping, degressive, occasive; (adv) desperateness, burst, confusion, appallingly, curstfully, awfully,
downward. ANTONYM: (adj) trouble, misery; (adj) raving. odiously, repulsively, atrociously,
upward ANTONYMS: (n) optimism, damnably
desertion: (n) abandonment, confidence, hopefulness, hope, detestation: (n) abomination, hatred,
defection, apostasy, dereliction, happiness, caution, prudence, odium, antipathy, aversion,
withdrawal, secession, rejection, calmness repulsion, dislike, execration,
decampment, exposure, leaving, despise: (v) disdain, loathe, loathing, revulsion; (n, v) hate.
disappearance. ANTONYMS: (n) depreciate, abhor, dislike, detest, ANTONYM: (n) adoration
appearance, attention, preservation slight, hate; (n, v) contemn; (n) detested: (adj) despised, unpopular,
designing: (adj) deceitful, crafty, contempt, deride. ANTONYMS: (v) disliked, loathed, not accepted,
scheming, cunning, insidious, respect, love, adore, appreciate, unloved, scorned, reviled, out of
deceptive, deep, calculating, cherish, like, praise, accept favor, not liked
dishonest, Machiavellian; (n) design. despised: (adj) scorned, despicable, devastate: (adj, v) consume, destroy,
ANTONYMS: (adj) artless, hated, abject, disparaged, mean, waste; (v) demolish, spoil, havoc,
aboveboard, honest, innocent, attaching disgrace, unpopular, ruin, annihilate, sack, wreck, ravage.
straightforward, unplanned, unloved, reviled, opprobrious ANTONYMS: (v) construct, help,
ingenuous despond: (n) discouragement, aid, improve, preserve, save,
desiring: (adj) envious, insatiable, dejection, despondency, comfort, capitulate
desirous, eager; (adv) fleshly disheartenment, despondence, devastation: (n) demolition,
desirous: (adj) wistful, avid, dispond; (v) mope, brood; (adj) lose desolation, ruin, catastrophe, havoc,
ambitious, greedy, longing, eager, heart, sink, dispirited obliteration, damage, disaster,
hungry, covetous, envious, agog; despondency: (n) despair, wreck, annihilation; (n, v) waste.
(adj, v) willing. ANTONYMS: (adj) desperation, dejection, ANTONYMS: (n) construction,
undesirous, reluctant, undesiring, despondence, melancholy, gloom, building, creation, order,
unconcerned sadness, hopelessness, desolation, preservation
desolate: (adj, v) desert, forlorn; (adj) anguish, grief. ANTONYMS: (n) devilish: (adj, v) diabolic, satanic,
bare, barren, alone, bleak, deserted, happiness, hopefulness, infernal, mephistophelian,
cheerless, disconsolate; (v) cheerfulness, joy, resilience, delight, demoniacal; (adj) demonic, wicked,
devastate, destroy. ANTONYMS: cheer diabolical, terrific; (v) Stygian; (adv)
(adj) cheerful, inhabited, happy, destined: (adj, v) bound, fated; (adj) devilishly. ANTONYMS: (adj)
sheltered, mobbed, overcrowded, predetermined, sure, inescapable, cherubic, godlike, good, saintly,
ecstatic, hopeful; (v) create, intended, predestined, inevitable, virtuous
construct, build prepared, foreordained, appointed. devoid: (adj) empty, vacant, absent,
desolation: (n) devastation, misery, ANTONYMS: (adj) unscheduled, wanting, vacuous, destitute, clear,
destruction, depression, grief, unlikely deficient, bereft, inane; (v) quit.
372 Wuthering Heights
ANTONYMS: (adj) filled, supplied, dilapidation: (n) disrepair, happy, pleasing, sweet, nice
replete, full devastation, desolation, disagreeably: (adv) nastily,
devotedly: (adv) affectionately, deterioration, ruin, collapse, neglect, unappealingly, offensively,
lovingly, zealously, faithfully, decrepitude, waste, destruction, cheerlessly, badly, distastefully,
piously, fondly, religiously, impairment objectionably, unsympathetically.
passionately, enthusiastically, dilatory: (adj) slow, dawdling, tardy, ANTONYMS: (adv) agreeably,
eagerly, dutifully. ANTONYMS: Fabian, laggard, slack, poky, late, sweetly, warmly, attractively
(adv) coldly, apathetically, cautious, procrastinating; (adv) disappearance: (n) vanishing, loss,
unfaithfully, unenthusiastically, backward. ANTONYMS: (adj) going, fade, evaporation,
carelessly, disobediently timely, diligent, ready disappearing, departure, passing,
devotion: (n) allegiance, attachment, diligence: (n) assiduity, industry, death, receding, ending.
dedication, loyalty, worship, attention, application, ANTONYMS: (n) recurrence,
affection, enthusiasm, fondness, assiduousness, concentration, appearing, arrival, renaissance,
devotedness; (adj, n) veneration, activity, perseverance, carefulness, revitalization, show, emergence,
passion. ANTONYMS: (n) sedulity, industriousness. survival
disloyalty, negligence, apathy, ANTONYMS: (n) carelessness, disappoint: (v) fail, defeat, balk,
disobedience, neglect, hatred, indolence, feebleness, slackness, baffle, disenchant, betray,
separation, dishonesty, infidelity negligence, sloth circumvent, bilk, mock, foil; (n, v)
devour: (v) eat, bolt, gulp, demolish, diminishing: (adj) abating, declining, put out. ANTONYMS: (v) please,
guzzle, swallow, gorge, ingurgitate, dwindling, lessening, waning; (n) satisfy, encourage, fulfill, succeed,
gobble, use up, absorb. decrease, shrinking, reducing, comfort, inspire
ANTONYMS: (v) avoid, abstain, reduction; (adv) diminishingly; (v) disapproved: (adj) old-fashioned,
regurgitate, nibble, fast, sip diminish. ANTONYMS: (adj) contraband, chid
devoured: (adj) eaten up increasing, growing, burgeoning disapprovingly: (adv) reproachfully,
devouring: (adv) devouringly; (adj) dimly: (adv) obscurely, darkly, disdainfully, unenthusiastically,
esurient, edacious, avid, greedy, faintly, dully, duskily, vaguely, unhelpfully, harmfully,
voraginous, ravenous; (n) fire shadowily, hazily, gloomily, pessimistically, unconstructively,
dewy: (adj) wet, dank, bedewed, somberly; (adj, adv) palely. depressingly, critically,
humid, moist, damp, fresh, new, ANTONYMS: (adv) clearly, unsympathetically, scornfully.
roric, undried, rorid strongly, distinctly ANTONYMS: (adv) favorably,
diabolical: (adj) diabolic, demoniac, dimmed: (adj) wan, soft, blurred, positively, hopefully, affectionately,
demonic, infernal, hellish, unholy, vague, faint, dull, bleak, black, respectfully, helpfully
fiendish, wicked, satanic, atrocious, dense disarm: (v) disable, demilitarize,
evil dine: (v) feed, lunch, breakfast, demilitarise, convince, divest; (adj,
diamonds: (n) hearts, ice, spades, dining, meal, give, have supper, v) invalidate, disqualify; (adj, n)
sparkler, clubs take tea, grub, consume, entertain. propitiate; (adj) conciliate, tie the
dice: (v) cube, cut, chop, cut up, play ANTONYM: (v) abstain hands, unfit. ANTONYMS: (v)
dice, bet; (n) die, dice box, bone, dingy: (adj) dark, black, drab, dull, fortify, dissuade, discourage, annoy
dees muddy, impure, dim, seedy, dowdy, disarmed: (adj) harmless, prostrate
differing: (adj) divergent, opposite, unclean, grimy. ANTONYMS: (adj) disarrange: (v) derange, clutter,
disagreeing, different, diverse, immaculate, spotless, sparkling, disorganize, muss, muddle,
heretical, dissonant, dissentaneous, bright, neat, brilliant, interesting, disorder, ruffle, perturb, shuffle,
discrepant; (adv) differingly; (n) smart rumple, disturb. ANTONYMS: (v)
divergence. ANTONYMS: (adj) dinnertime: (n) breakfast time, arrange, order, tidy
similar, parallel mealtime, lunchtime, meal, disarrangement: (n) muddle, clutter,
digest: (n) resume, compilation, suppertime anarchy, confusion, disarray,
epitome, compendium, directing: (adj) guiding, directive, disorder, disturbance,
condensation, collection; (v) administrative, determinative, disorganization, tangle,
stomach, absorb, summarize, directional, sovereign, commanding, derangement, pandemonium
apprehend; (adj) brook. controlling; (n) administration, discarded: (adj) waste, junked, scrap,
ANTONYMS: (v) misinterpret, conducting, conservation unwanted, unnecessary, useless,
lengthen, expand, enlarge, elaborate, dirtily: (adv) filthily, nastily, throwaway, surplus, superfluous,
misunderstand, avoid, succumb, sordidly, muddily, squalidly, unused, obsolete
misapprehend, detail, reject uncleanly, grubbily, meanly, discerning: (adj) apprehensive,
dignified: (adj) exalted, majestic, grimily, bawdily, smuttily perceptive, acute, shrewd,
noble, grand, lofty, respectable, disagreeable: (adj) nasty, offensive, discriminating, discreet, penetrating,
solemn, distinguished, lordly, high; uncomfortable, distasteful, refined, judicious, sharp, conscious.
(adj, v) great. ANTONYMS: (adj) cantankerous, cross, ungrateful, ANTONYMS: (adj) indiscriminate,
undignified, foolish, dishonorable, abhorrent, horrible, bad, painful. undiscriminating, disregardful,
boisterous, unceremonious, ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasant, negligent, overlooking,
unseemly, vulgar, poor, lowly, friendly, amiable, inoffensive, undiscerning, unobservant,
modest, base acceptable, desirable, easygoing, unperceptive, insensitive, obtuse,
Emily Brontë 373
tasteless fasten, engage, attach, connect, light, cheery, strong, soulful,
discomfited: (adj) uncomfortable, ill tighten, obstruct, unite, couple, join, wonderful
at ease, disappointed, embarrassed, activate, lock dismally: (adv) gloomily, sadly,
frustrated, thwarted, self-conscious, disengaged: (adj) vacant, unhappily, murkily, dolefully,
mortified, humiliated, unsuccessful; unemployed, disentangled, free, forbiddingly, darkly, somberly,
(adj, n) defeated freed, untrammelled, devoid, depressingly, cheerlessly, grimly.
discomfiture: (n) embarrassment, unreserved, detached, liberated, ANTONYMS: (adv) brightly,
confusion, perturbation, discomfort, loosened smartly
discomfit, disconcertion, disgrace: (adj, n, v) dishonor; (n, v) dismount: (v) alight, light, get off,
discomposure, humiliation, discredit, shame, stain, blemish, disembark, get down, fall, come
consternation; (adj) rebuff, rout. blot, slur, reproach; (v) degrade, down, unhorse, go down; (adj, v)
ANTONYMS: (n) contentment, debase; (n) degradation. dismantle; (adj) dismast.
honor ANTONYMS: (n, v) respect, esteem, ANTONYMS: (v) mount, ascend
discontent: (n) disapproval, credit; (v) glorify, dignify, praise; (n) dismounting: (n) dismantling, arrival
discontentment, disaffection, merit, grace, pride, rise, worthiness disobedience: (n) contumacy,
displeasure, disappointment, disgraceful: (adj) dishonorable, intractableness, rebelliousness,
discontentedness, unrest; (adj) scandalous, shocking, degrading, breach, recalcitrance, rebellion,
melancholy, dissatisfied, disreputable, infamous, base, refusal, noncompliance, mutiny,
disgruntled, discontented. ignominious, outrageous, black, contravention, defiance.
ANTONYMS: (n) contentment, ignoble. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (n) compliance,
pleasure, accord, happiness; (v) admirable, honorable, reputable, meekness, conformity, devotion,
content; (adj, n) happy; (adj) exalted, commendable, respectable, order, fulfillment, loyalty
contented noble, glorious disobey: (v) violate, defy, infringe,
discord: (n, v) conflict, clash; (n) disguised: (adj) cloaked, concealed, disregard, contravene, ignore, resist,
disagreement, variance, division, masked, secret, hidden, veiled, in rebel, breach, transgress, counteract.
difference, dissension, dissonance, disguise, incognito, blind; (adj, v) ANTONYMS: (v) conform, regard,
strife, split, contention. private; (n) groggy. ANTONYMS: comply, mind, observe, behave,
ANTONYMS: (n) agreement, (adj) recognizable, unmasked, uphold
harmony, unity, accord, uncovered, uncloaked, revealed, disordered: (adj) chaotic, upset, sick,
concordance, consent, silence, open, obvious disorganized, broken, incoherent,
concord; (v) match disguising: (n) cover-up deranged, messy, disjointed,
discoverer: (n) inventor, finder, disgust: (n) antipathy, aversion, disconnected, ill. ANTONYMS: (adj)
creator, bell, explorer, scout, abhorrence, abomination, neat, ordered, organized, arranged,
observer, perceiver, originator, detestation, dislike, repugnance; (n, quiet, regulated, systematic,
spotter, patentee v) shock, distaste; (v) nauseate, systematized, straightforward, tidy
discovering: (adj) observant, oracular displease. ANTONYMS: (n, v) disorderly: (adj) wild, disordered,
discreet: (adj) circumspect, prudent, delight; (n) love, attraction, liking, chaotic, boisterous, jumbled,
careful, cautious, chary, discerning, adoration; (v) attract, allure, charm, disorganized, unruly, rowdy,
tactful, diplomatic, sensible, politic; entice, please untidy, irregular; (adj, v) lawless.
(adj, v) wise. ANTONYMS: (adj) disgusted: (adj) fed up, ill, weary, ANTONYMS: (adj) orderly, neat,
elaborate, tactless, careless, sickened, nauseated, queasy, arranged, peaceful, organized,
indiscreet, reckless, bold, incautious, indisposed, demented, shocked, systematized, conforming, ordered,
thoughtless, insensitive, loud, crazy, horrified. ANTONYMS: (adj) restrained, behaved, coherent
obvious attracted, happy, pleased disown: (v) disavow, disinherit,
disdainfully: (adv) contemptuously, dishcloth: (n) dishclout, cleaning rag, abandon, renounce, disclaim,
superciliously, haughtily, proudly, dish towel, cleaning cloth forsake, refuse, recant, repudiate,
cavalierly, derogatorily, disinclined: (adj) reluctant, loath, retract, disallow. ANTONYMS: (v)
contumeliously, sneeringly, averse, indisposed, loth, backward, bequeath, accept, avow, adopt,
arrogantly, insultingly, not content, opposed, dubious, admit, claim
condescendingly. ANTONYMS: afraid, not in the vein. ANTONYMS: disowned: (adj) unacknowledged,
(adv) humbly, hopefully (adj) tending, willing, leaning, eager, forsaken
disenchanted: (adj) cynical, bent, keen, disposed disparagement: (n, v) detraction,
disappointed, worldly, disliked: (adj) hated, detested, dispraise; (n) aspersion, derogation,
sophisticated, blas, let down, averse, lousy, loath, undesirable, calumny, contempt, depreciation,
dissatisfied. ANTONYMS: (adj) companionless. ANTONYMS: (adj) defamation, degradation, disgrace,
naive, satisfied, spellbound, popular, liked scorn. ANTONYMS: (n) adoration,
entranced, idealistic dismal: (adj) cheerless, dejected, credit, commendation, acclaim,
disengage: (v) discharge, detach, dreary, gloomy, desolate, compliment, admiration,
extricate, release, disconnect, disconsolate, depressing, glorification, respect
enfranchise; (adj, v) disentangle, melancholy, black, dim, dull. disparity: (n) disproportion,
clear, disembarrass, free; (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) bright, happy, disagreement, difference,
disencumber. ANTONYMS: (v) lively, uplifting, sunny, pleasant, discrepancy, contrast, odds,
374 Wuthering Heights
inequality, dissonance, dissimilarity, disrelish: (n, v) dislike, distaste, disconcerted. ANTONYMS: (adj)
divergence, gap. ANTONYMS: (n) disgust; (n) disinclination, attentive, alert, assured, calm,
equality, parity, similarity, displeasure, antipathy, aversion, mellow
correspondence, equivalence, repulsion, disapprobation, distraction: (adj, n) desperation,
likeness, sameness, consistency, disaffection, disfavor raving; (n) beguilement, pastime,
agreement dissimilar: (adj) different, disparate, diversion, confusion, entertainment,
dispel: (v) dissipate, disperse, break diverse, heterogeneous, unlike, disturbance, daze, recreation; (adj)
up, scatter, chase away, dissolve, divergent, distinct, not like, not madness. ANTONYMS: (n)
diffuse, disband, chase, dismiss, similar, unequal, separate. fascination, attentiveness, attention,
resolve. ANTONYMS: (v) garner, ANTONYMS: (adj) similar, like, noninterference, calmness,
gather, appear, attract alike, equal, matched, same, concentration
displaced: (adj) disjointed, homeless, uniform, indistinct distraught: (adj) distressed, crazy,
gone, extendant, disordered, dissipation: (n) waste, dissolution, demented, frantic, upset, wild,
deranged licentiousness, extravagance, excess, frenzied, mad, anxious, frenetic,
displaying: (n) advertising profligacy, consumption, delirious. ANTONYMS: (adj)
displeasure: (n) resentment, decomposition, disintegration; (n, v) composed, calm, tranquil, relaxed,
discomfort, dissatisfaction, dislike, diffusion, dissemination. serene, untroubled, sane, content
discontent, exasperation, disfavor, ANTONYMS: (n) appearance, distressed: (adj) worried, distraught,
annoyance, offense, pique, growth, restraint, moderation, anxious, sad, disturbed, downcast,
disapproval. ANTONYMS: (n) decency, uprightness hurt, distracted, wretched, shocked,
satisfaction, pleasure, enjoyment, dissolve: (v) break up, disperse, troubled. ANTONYMS: (adj)
happiness, delight, contentment, dissipate, evaporate, fuse, melt, composed, content, euphoric,
equanimity, approval disband, fade, vanish, resolve, happy, comforted, glad, joyful,
disposed: (adj) prone, apt, ready, dispel. ANTONYMS: (v) solidify, collected, unconcerned, unaffected
subject, prepared, liable, game, appear, harden, thicken, coagulate, distressing: (adj) sorrowful,
inclined, fain, likely, minded. congeal, continue, integrate, deplorable, pitiful, painful, bad,
ANTONYMS: (adj) ailing, materialize, open, start depressing, disturbing, sore,
indisposed, unlikely, disinclined, dissolving: (n) dissolution, breakup, lamentable, hurtful, worrying.
reluctant, impervious dissipation, disintegration, ANTONYMS: (adj) reassuring,
disposition: (n) attitude, character, destruction, cancellation, heartwarming, pleasing,
disposal, tendency, predisposition, adjournment; (adj) solvent, unemotional, soothing, comforting,
inclination, propensity, bias, diffluent, deliquescent comfortable, cheerful, appealing,
arrangement, direction, aptitude distasteful: (adj, v) disagreeable; (adj) happy
disputant: (n) debater, offensive, unwelcome, ugly, disturb: (v) trouble, disorder,
controversialist, arguer, contestant, revolting, undesirable, disconcert, distress, perturb,
litigant, wrangler, polemic, denier, objectionable, disgustful, foul, nasty; disquiet, distract, discompose,
brawler, accuser, brangler (v) unpalatable. ANTONYMS: (adj) disrupt, upset, concern.
disputed: (adj) moot, disputable, pleasant, tasteful, attractive, ANTONYMS: (v) calm, please,
opposed, open to discussion, appealing, savory, pleasing, soothe, smooth, order, reassure, sort,
uncertain, dubious, doubtful, desirable, appetizing, tasty, nice, settle, respect, quiet, organize
debatable noble disturber: (n) troubler
disputing: (adj) opposed; (v) distinguishable: (adj, adv) diurnal: (adj) journal, quotidian,
disputant appreciable, perceptible, definite, diary, everyday, cyclical, cyclic,
disquietude: (n) anxiety, agitation, visible; (adj) distinct, apparent, ephemeral
uneasiness, concern, alarm, marked, differentiable, recognizable; diversion: (n) amusement,
apprehension, commotion, fear, (adv) observable, noticeable. entertainment, pastime, deviation,
unrest, turmoil; (adj, n) inquietude ANTONYM: (adj) inseparable distraction, detour, fun, sport,
disregard: (n, v) disdain, slight, distorted: (adj) deformed, contorted, recreation, digression, deflexion
scorn; (n) carelessness, contempt; (v) twisted, misshapen, perverted, wry, divert: (adj, v) distract; (v) entertain,
discount, defy, despise, cut, flout; bent, misrepresented, malformed, avert, delight, deflect, deviate,
(adj, v) overlook. ANTONYMS: (v) distort; (adj, adv) awry. beguile, depart, disport, digress,
notice, heed, value, obey, accept, ANTONYMS: (adj) unchanged, sidetrack. ANTONYMS: (v) bore,
consider; (n) respect, distinct, balanced, perfect irritate, maintain, set, upset, stay,
thoughtfulness, consideration, distract: (adj, v) confuse, bewilder; (v) displease, sadden
attention; (n, v) regard disorder, ail, disturb, deflect, craze, diverted: (adj) abstracted,
disregarded: (adj) unnoticed, disquiet, molest, annoy, agitate. entertained, pleased, inattentive,
neglected, unseen, written off, ANTONYMS: (v) center, explain, sidetracked, unfocused, preoccupied
wretchless, unvalued, unheeded, concentrate, clarify diverting: (adj, v) entertaining; (adj)
overlooked, lost, irrecoverable; (v) distracted: (adj) demented, comical, fun, amusive, droll, comic,
unregarded inattentive, abstracted, crazy, laughable, funny, humorous,
disregarding: (adv) irregardless, no frenzied, distraught, preoccupied, recreative, intriguing
matter, disregardless, irrespective distressed, confused; (adj, v) mad, divested: (adj) bereft, destitute,
Emily Brontë 375
naked delivered, hopeful, redeemed, napping, asleep, sleepy, tired
dividing: (n) division, partitioning, revived, saved, successful dragging: (n) pulled wire, stemming,
calculation; (v) parting, departing; dote: (adj, v) drivel; (v) maturate, haulage; (adj) slow, sickly, slack,
(adv) dividingly; (adj) disjunctive, fond, doat; (adj) ramble, wander, unfit, sluggish, tardy, tedious; (v)
divisional rave, trifle involve. ANTONYMS: (adj)
dizzily: (adv) unsteadily, woozily, dotted: (adj) speckled, dappled, energetic, energizing, exciting,
lightly, faintly, vertiginously, specked, spotted, dashed, stippled, prompt, short
dazedly, frivolously, confusedly, scattered, spotty, dot, mottled, drapery: (n) drape, clothing, dress,
flippantly, thoughtlessly; (adj, adv) broken blind, raiment, costume, toilette,
silly. ANTONYM: (adv) alertly double-edged: (adj) ironic, left- furnishings, trim, guise, toilet
dizzy: (adj) giddy, silly, faint, handed, sharp draughts: (n) solitaire, go bang,
frivolous, light, vertiginous, doubted: (adj) distrusted, suspected backgammon, misere chess, chess,
brainsick, featherbrained, flighty, doubtfully: (adj, adv) hesitantly, dominos, board game
muzzy; (v) daze. ANTONYMS: (adj) distrustfully; (adv) suspiciously, drawers: (n) knickers, pants, tights,
alert, balanced, intelligent, poised, uncertainly, doubtingly, tentatively, shorts, bloomers, briefs, underwear,
rational, steady, sober, serious indecisively, unsurely, skeptically, breeches, underpants,
dogged: (adj) obdurate, stubborn, precariously, shadily. ANTONYMS: underdrawers, trousers
willful, bullheaded, insistent, (adv) indisputably, surely, dread: (n, v) apprehension, fear,
obstinate, tenacious, wilful, untiring, trustingly, inevitably, confidently, panic; (n) anxiety, awe,
resolute, persistent. ANTONYMS: optimistically, plausibly consternation, alarm, trepidation,
(adj) yielding, compromising, doubting: (adj) doubtful, distrustful, dismay, foreboding, terror.
indifferent, undetermined disbelieving, incredulous, doubt, ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasing,
doggedly: (adv) stubbornly, firmly, skeptical, suspicious, sceptical, welcomed, pleasant; (v) welcome,
tenaciously, persistently, resolutely, wary, doubts, distrusting. want; (n) reassurance, fearlessness,
pertinaciously, perseveringly, ANTONYM: (adj) credulous confidence, security, ease, calm
obdurately, steadfastly, untiringly, doubtingly: (adv) distrustfully, dreaded: (adj) awful, terrible,
steadily. ANTONYM: (adv) skeptically, suspiciously, sceptically, cowardly, causing horror, dire,
hesitantly uncertainly, questioningly, direful, desperate, dreadful, fearful,
doleful: (adj) mournful, sorrowful, hesitantly, cynically, fearsome; (v) drad
sad, disconsolate, melancholy, apprehensively, incredulously; (adj) dreadfully: (adj, adv) frightfully,
miserable, piteous, dolorous, doubting. ANTONYM: (adv) shockingly; (adv) fearfully,
somber, woeful; (adj, v) dolesome. optimistically appallingly, hideously,
ANTONYMS: (adj) gleeful, happy, dour: (adj) stubborn, morose, harsh, horrendously, horribly, atrociously,
glad, cheery, elated, euphoric austere, dismal, hard, grim, dogged, ghastly, tremendously, horridly.
dolefully: (adv) sadly, mournfully, sullen, strict, severe. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (adv) pleasantly,
disconsolately, gloomily, dismally, (adj) cheerful, beaming, bright, wonderfully, happily, hardly,
glumly, somberly, ruefully, cheery, cordial, happy, kindly superbly, well
melancholy, funereally, unhappily dove: (n) turtledove, squab, emblem, dreading: (adj) anxious
doll: (n) baby, chick, figurine, girl, pacificist, pacifist, poultry, dover, dreamily: (adv) languorously,
dolly, dummy, marionette, toy, pigeon, Holy Spirit, culver, peacenik moonily, pensively, sleepily,
blockhead-board, bird, dame downcast: (adj) depressed, dejected, dreamfully, vaguely, visionarily,
domineer: (v) browbeat, dominate, dispirited, blue, desolate, slowly, shadowily, idealistically,
intimidate, tyrannize, bluster, disconsolate, gloomy, low, sad, lethargically. ANTONYMS: (adv)
dictate, swagger, threaten, downhearted, discouraged. vigorously, alertly, calmly, carefully
predominate, lord, command. ANTONYMS: (adj) cheerful, dreaming: (n) reverie, ambition,
ANTONYMS: (v) yield, surrender, vivacious, cheery, elated, joyous, up, nightmare, conception, castle in the
submit positive air; (adj) absent-minded, asleep,
domineering: (adj) dictatorial, downright: (adj, n) absolute; (adj, v) visionary, vacant, wistful, rapt
overbearing, autocratic, arbitrary, sheer, clear; (adj) dead, blunt, dreamy: (adj) faraway, romantic,
dominant, lordly, imperious, candid, plain; (adv) absolutely, impractical, somnolent, visionary,
commanding, masterful, bossy, thoroughly, wholly, decidedly. sleepy, pensive, moony, idealistic,
authoritative. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) semi, limited, drowsy; (v) balmy. ANTONYMS:
subservient, yielding, meek, incomplete, questionable, slight; (adj) cynical, vigorous, pragmatic,
surrendering, weak, libertarian, (adv) hardly practical, awake, alert, ordinary,
reasonable downs: (n) weary waste, heath, prosaic
don't: (adv) not; (n) taboo, pampas, wold, wild, waste, veldt, dreary: (adj) depressing, drab, dull,
prohibition steppe, savanna, prairie cheerless, drear, miserable, gloomy,
doomed: (adj, v) destined, fated, doze: (n, v) snooze, sleep, slumber, dark, dismal, stuffy, disconsolate.
undone; (adj) condemned, cursed, drowse, siesta, forty winks, rest; (v) ANTONYMS: (adj) interesting,
unlucky, unfortunate, inevitable, catnap, nod, coma, nod off. cheerful, sunny, brilliant, lively,
predetermined, ruined; (n) lost. ANTONYM: (v) wake light, exciting, clear, cheery,
ANTONYMS: (adj) auspicious, dozing: (adj) drowsy, dozy, nodding, pleasant, exotic
376 Wuthering Heights
drench: (adj, v) soak, douse, steep, dunnock: (n) hedge sparrow, indifferent, frivolous
immerse, splash, wash; (v) deluge, accentor, sparrow earnestly: (adj, adv) seriously; (adv)
swamp, dip, drown, souse. dusk: (n) nightfall, twilight, darkness, eagerly, intently, zealously,
ANTONYM: (v) dehydrate gloaming, sunset, gloom, night, solemnly, ardently, fervently,
drenched: (adj) saturated, soaked, shade, shadow, sundown; (adj) heartily, gravely, warmly,
soaking, damp, soppy, wet through, dusky. ANTONYMS: (n) dawn, passionately. ANTONYMS: (adv)
sodden, sopping, wringing wet, light, daybreak, morning, afternoon indifferently, insincerely,
soaked to the skin, dripping wet dusky: (adj) dark, cloudy, gloomy, unconcernedly, jokingly
dresser: (n) cabinet, chest of drawers, black, swarthy, dull, murky, earnestness: (n) seriousness,
bureau, commode, chest, sideboard, obscure, dingy, sooty, somber. sincerity, gravity, fervor, devotion,
chiffonier, toilet table, assistant, ANTONYMS: (adj) light, bright, graveness, staidness, honesty; (adj,
dressing table, table sunny, radiant, clear n) ardor, zeal, intentness.
drier: (n) dryer, drying agent, kiln, duster: (n) rag, smock, dustcloth, ANTONYMS: (n) slackness,
clothes dryer, desiccant, core carrier, dust storm, dusting machine, spray, lightness, carelessness,
appliance, exsiccator; (adj) dried dishcloth, dustrag; (v) doily, doyley, frivolousness, cheerfulness,
dripping: (adj) wet, damp, drenched, sponge insincerity, flippancy
sodden, soaked, soggy; (adj, adv) dusting: (n) sprinkling, dry spraying, earshot: (n) earreach, audience,
sopping, soaking; (adj, v) reeking; film, coating auditory modality, stone's throw,
(n) dribble, a drop. ANTONYM: dutiful: (adj) duteous, good, faithful, audition, auditory sense, range; (n,
(adj) lacking docile, devoted, deferential, v) sound
drizzle: (n, v) rain, spray, mist; (v) compliant, loyal, pious, meek, earthenware: (v) China, porcelain,
drip, dribble, splosh; (n) rainfall, constant. ANTONYMS: (adj) pottery, ceramic ware; (adj) ceramic;
light rain, wet, plash; (adj) drizzling. unfaithful, undutiful, disrespectful, (n) ceramics, delft, clay, stoneware,
ANTONYM: (v) deluge irresponsible, negligent, assertive, faience, majolica
droll: (adj) comical, humorous, impious, irreverent, neglectful, earthly: (adj, n) terrestrial; (adj)
funny, laughable, burlesque, thoughtful, uncaring carnal, worldly, conceivable,
ludicrous, ridiculous; (adj, n) comic, dwarf: (adj, n) midget, miniature; (n) human, geotic, secular, terrene,
witty; (n) buffoon, clown. gnome, fairy, brownie, manikin, temporal, telluric, sublunary.
ANTONYMS: (adj) dramatic, dull, pygmy; (v) overshadow; (adj) little, ANTONYMS: (adj) spiritual, divine,
grave, tragic, solemn runt, baby. ANTONYMS: (adj) large, ethereal, immortal, impossible,
drowned: (adj) prostrate, sunken; (v) big, huge; (v) maximize improbable, inconceivable, celestial
drenched, drent dwell: (adj, v) inhabit; (v) reside, earthy: (adj) coarse, mundane,
drowsily: (adv) sleepily, bide, live, stay, lodge, delay, occupy, earthly, realistic, vulgar, worldly,
lethargically, somnolently, lazily, continue, be, settle. ANTONYM: (v) gross, terrestrial, natural, terrene,
dozily, indolently, sluggishly, wander rude. ANTONYMS: (adj)
soporifically, slowly, dreamily, dwelling: (n) domicile, home, sophisticated, cultured, clean
languorously. ANTONYM: (adv) residence, house, place, eatable: (adj, n) comestible; (n)
vigorously accommodation, address, building, pabulum, victual, food, victuals,
drowsiness: (n) sleepiness, lethargy, lodge, habitation; (adj, n) dwell aliment, viands, sustenance; (adj)
dullness, doziness, laziness, dwelt: (v) dwell, inhabit palatable, esculent, good.
somnolency, inertia, drowse, dwindling: (adj) decreasing, ANTONYMS: (adj) uneatable,
lassitude, languor, sluggishness. declining, abating, diminishing, unpalatable, disgusting,
ANTONYM: (n) alertness waning; (n) lessening, narrowing, indigestible, unappetizing, yucky
drowsy: (adj, n) sleepy; (adj) lazy, dwindlement, shrinking; (v) eats: (n) grub, chuck, food, meat,
comatose, somnolent, slow, dwindle; (adv) diminishingly. meal, diet, nurture, eat, dinner,
lethargic, sluggish, dull, indolent, ANTONYMS: (n) growth; (adj) board, feed
soporific, listless. ANTONYMS: burgeoning, high eccentric: (adj, n) odd; (adj) wacky,
(adj) energetic, awake, lively, eagerness: (n, v) desire, aspiration; bizarre, abnormal, crazy, strange,
vigorous, vivacious, refreshed (n) enthusiasm, avidity, cupidity, outlandish, anomalous, cranky,
drying: (n) curing, desiccation, readiness, passion, keenness, erratic; (n) character. ANTONYMS:
seasoning, dryness, ventilation, ambition, fervor, avidness. (adj) normal, ordinary,
drying up, aeration, airing; (adj) ANTONYMS: (n) indifference, conventional, usual, concentric,
desiccative, siccative, parching unwillingness, aloofness, disinterest, common, sane, dull, orthodox; (n)
dunce: (n) dolt, blockhead, lethargy, listlessness, patience, conformer, traditionalist
loggerhead, ignoramus, numskull, gloom, reluctance ecstasy: (n) delight, rapture, joy, bliss,
ass, bonehead, booby, dunderhead, earnest: (adj, v) devout; (adj) eager, delirium, happiness, trance,
dullard, dummy. ANTONYMS: (n) solemn, heartfelt, diligent, studious, enthusiasm, exaltation, elation; (n, v)
thinker, scholar, intellectual, genius sincere, intense, ardent, staid; (n) transport. ANTONYMS: (n)
dungeon: (n, v) keep; (n) prison, cell, guarantee. ANTONYMS: (adj) desolation, gloom,
jail, penitentiary, fastness, oubliette, flippant, halfhearted, uncertain, downheartedness, melancholy,
Bastille, bridewell, detention, house insincere, unimportant, nonchalant, depression, dejection, anguish,
of correction lethargic, apathetic, unenthusiastic, sadness, despair, agony, bore
Emily Brontë 377
edged: (adj) cutting, sharp, bordered, steep. ANTONYMS: (adj) base, empower: (v) delegate, accredit,
pointed, bounded, keen, lowly, decreased, humble, inferior, authorize, commission, constitute,
penetrating, sharper, stinging, lessened, low, sunken, undignified, enable, sanction, invest, permit,
unkind, bleak lowered entitle, endow. ANTONYMS: (v)
effected: (adj) completed, complete, elevation: (n) height, highness, exclude, disallow, forbid
finished, fulfilled, done, realized, exaltation, ascent, climb, hill, emptied: (adj) empty, void, depleted,
conventional, constituted, aggrandizement, raise, El, Alt, emptier, annulled, open, vacuous
established stature. ANTONYMS: (n) emulous: (v) imitate; (adj) ambitious,
effectually: (adv) efficaciously, degradation, descent, levelness, rival, competitory, rivalrous, jealous,
effectively, validly, adequately, depression, downgrading, imitative, corrival, emulate
potently, tellingly, strongly, demotion, drop, depth enchanting: (adj) captivating,
decisively; (adj) nicely, fully, head elicit: (v) educe, derive, cause, fetch, delightful, fascinating, bewitching,
and shoulders. ANTONYM: (adv) evoke, extract, arouse, excite, lovely, alluring, magical, glamorous,
ineffectually provoke, draw out, discover. adorable; (adj, v) charming,
effeminate: (adj) womanish, delicate, ANTONYMS: (v) cover, forgo, hide, engaging. ANTONYMS: (adj)
epicene, sissy, emasculate, tender, halt unhappy, revolting, repulsive,
ladylike, cissy, easy, voluptuous; eloquence: (n) style, fluency, oratory, repellent, foul, everyday, dull,
(adj, v) feminate. ANTONYMS: (adj) rhetoric, articulateness, expression, disenchanting, annoying,
macho, manly, masculine volubility, persuasiveness, uninteresting, despicable
egress: (n) exit, egression, outlet, articulacy, facundity, way with encompassed: (adj) bounded
door, emergence, departure, words. ANTONYM: (n) encouragingly: (adv) promisingly,
emersion, emission, way out, inarticulateness inspiritingly, encourage, hopefully,
dissilience; (v) emerge. eloquent: (adj) glib, fluent, propitiously, positively,
ANTONYMS: (n) entry, ingress persuasive, expressive, meaningful, sympathetically, cheeringly,
ejaculation: (n) cry, ejection, significant, graphic, vivid, speaking, hortatorily, brightly, kindly.
emission, interjection, discharge, forcible, moving. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (adv) negatively,
vociferation, expelling, exclaiming, incoherent, innocent, inauspiciously
eruption, shout, emanation straightforward, weak endearment: (n) affection, kindness,
elapsed: (adj) gone, forgotten, lapsed, eloquently: (adv) fluently, attraction, love, fondness
back, beyond, onwards, over and expressively, persuasively, endeavour: (n) attempt, effort, pains,
done significantly, meaningfully, clearly, trial, try, enterprise, striving,
elastic: (adj) flexible, springy, soft, glibly, tellingly, forcefully, contribution, braving; (v) exert,
pliable, resilient, limber, pliant, evocatively, movingly. strive
yielding, ductile, buoyant; (n) ANTONYMS: (adv) inarticulately, endurable: (adj) bearable,
rubber band. ANTONYMS: (adj) innocently supportable, tolerable, livable,
rigid, stiff, inflexible, inelastic, elysium: (n) heaven, paradise, Elysia, sufferable, acceptable, sustainable,
unadaptable, intolerant, firm, hard, Elysian, Eden, Valhalla, Arcadia, unobjectionable, manageable,
unyielding easy street, rapture patible. ANTONYMS: (adj)
elation: (n) bliss, excitement, delight, embellishment: (n) decoration, intolerable, unbearable,
euphoria, rapture, joy, happiness, adornment, ornament, flourish, unendurable
joyousness, high spirits, ornamentation, enhancement, endurance: (adj, n) sufferance; (n)
exhilaration, exultation. enrichment, beautification, stamina, tolerance, courage,
ANTONYMS: (n) depression, embroidery, garnish, hyperbole. permanence, continuance, energy,
sorrow, unhappiness, misery, ANTONYM: (n) understatement fortitude, tenacity, duration,
sadness, despair, agony, dejection, embers: (v) cinder, ash, scoriae; (n) toughness. ANTONYMS: (n)
dislike, desolation fire, ashes weakness, inconsistency,
elegance: (adj, n) daintiness; (n) embracing: (n) embrace, hugging, impatience, frailty, discontinuation,
refinement, beauty, chic, grace, kissing, taking on, implementation, discontinuance, death
style, flair, courtliness, courtesy, espousal, clutches; (adj) twining, endure: (adj, n, v) continue, support;
polish, panache. ANTONYMS: (n) osculant, grasping, close (n, v) bear, suffer, stand, be; (v)
awkwardness, ugliness, inelegance, eminently: (adv) highly, accept, undergo, allow, stay,
bareness, roughness, scruffiness, prominently, outstandingly, tolerate. ANTONYMS: (v) perish,
untidiness, rudeness, vulgarity, conspicuously, loftily, illustriously, die, break, fall, discontinue,
tackiness, tastelessness preeminently, famously, grandly, crumble, end, enjoy, resign, quit,
elevate: (v) advance, lift, hoist, erect, exaltedly, gloriously. ANTONYMS: collapse
exalt, boost, rear, cheer, promote, (adv) commonly, unexceptionally, enduring: (adj) durable, abiding,
dignify, uphold. ANTONYMS: (v) unremarkably lasting, permanent, continuing,
demote, drop, downgrade, depress, emphatically: (adv) decidedly, constant, hardy, immortal, eternal,
decrease, reduce definitely, positively, categorically, stable; (adv) enduringly.
elevated: (adj) exalted, towering, flatly, distinctly, absolutely, ANTONYMS: (adj) impatient,
noble, lofty, grand, great, majestic, explicitly, forcefully, firmly, transient, fleeting, mortal, modern,
tall, elated, magnanimous; (adj, v) expressly insubstantial, inconstant, fickle,
378 Wuthering Heights
erratic, unstable entertain: (v) amuse, delight, bear, calmness, calm, temper, peace,
energetically: (adv) vigorously, cherish, beguile, admit, imperturbability, temperament,
strongly, actively, briskly, lustily, accommodate, harbor, hold, distract; serenity, tranquility; (adj, n)
forcefully, lively, forcibly, (n, v) interest. ANTONYMS: (v) stoicism. ANTONYMS: (n) panic,
powerfully, spiritedly, strenuously. disregard, ignore, banish, forget, anger, excitableness, fear, hysteria,
ANTONYMS: (adv) idly, quietly, tire, displease nervousness, agitation, anxiety
lifelessly, resignedly, indifferently, entertained: (adj) diverted, pleased equipping: (n) equip, outfitting,
feebly, wearily, languorously, lazily, entertainer: (n) host, performer, armament, arming, fitting out
sluggishly, passively comedian, actor, humorist, artist, erase: (v) delete, efface, blot out,
engaging: (adj, v) charming, inviting, musician, bombshell, busker, artiste, obliterate, wipe out, expunge,
prepossessing; (adj) attractive, comic annihilate, eradicate, clear, rub out,
interesting, lovable, delightful, entertaining: (adj) enjoyable, fun, eliminate. ANTONYMS: (v) restore,
appealing, pleasant, captivating; funny, diverting, witty, merry, record, add, acknowledge
(adv) engagingly. ANTONYMS: comical, laughable, convivial, erect: (adj) upright, vertical,
(adj) repulsive, loathsome, repellant, humorous, droll. ANTONYMS: (adj) straightforward; (v) build, raise,
unattractive, undesirable, unlikable, dull, boring, heavy, slow, tiresome, rear, construct, assemble, lift, put
dull, unpleasant, repellent tiring, unentertaining up, put together. ANTONYMS: (v)
engrossing: (adj) fascinating, entice: (n, v) lure, attract, seduce, dismantle, wreck, topple, level,
riveting, gripping, captivating, tempt; (v) cajole, bait, draw, charm, demolish, destroy; (adj) prostrate,
entrancing, enthralling, beguiling, coax, allure, captivate. drooping, prone, flaccid, flat
charming, enchanting; (adj, v) ANTONYMS: (v) dissuade, repulse, erecting: (n) construction, building,
interesting; (v) engross. discourage, force erection
ANTONYMS: (adj) uninteresting, enticed: (adj) interested errand: (n) chore, mission, job, task,
dull, monotonous, tiresome, entrails: (n) bowels, gut, bowel, assignment, embassy, duty, charge,
unexciting viscera, innards, internal organs, messenger, communication, work
enigmatical: (adj) mysterious, insides, intestines, guts, tripe, inside errands: (n) everyday Jobs, farm
obscure, indeterminate, oracular, entreating: (adj) beseeching, duties
perplexing, unintelligible, imploring, suppliant, begging, escaping: (n) evasion, getaway,
ambiguous, cabalistic, confusing, supplicant, imploratory, asking break, breakout, running away,
dark, difficult submissively, pleading, piteous running off, run-around; (adj)
enlarge: (v) expand, aggrandize, entreaty: (n) plea, prayer, request, fugitive
augment, dilate, distend, widen, petition, adjuration, supplication, escort: (n, v) chaperon, attend,
increase, elaborate, extend, blow up, suit, demand, desire, invocation; (v) convoy, guard, guide, conduct, date;
grow. ANTONYMS: (v) reduce, solicitation (v) accompany, see; (n) suite,
shrink, contract, decrease, compress, entrust: (v) deposit, depute, attendant. ANTONYMS: (v)
condense, diminish, lessen, commission, commend, delegate, abandon, desert, leave, follow
minimize, narrow, abridge surrender, trust, assign, hand over, espionage: (n) reconnaissance, spy,
enlightened: (adj) liberal, commit, confide. ANTONYM: (v) intelligence, spying, watch, autopsy,
disillusioned, progressive, cultured, retain speculation
aware, informed, learned, lettered; envious: (adj) covetous, invidious, esteem: (n) deference, admiration; (n,
(adj, v) wise; (n, v) savant; (v) jaundiced, malicious, begrudge, v) respect, value, consideration,
shrewd. ANTONYMS: (adj) greedy, resentful, grudging, green, account; (v) appreciate, deem, adore,
puzzled, unenlightened, begrudging, enviable. ANTONYMS: admire, count. ANTONYMS: (v)
uninformed, confounded, confused, (adj) fulfilled, satisfied, undesirous, scorn, hate, disdain, insult, despise,
ignorant, perplexed, wild, contented abominate, abhor, dislike, reject; (n)
reactionary, traditional; (n) envy: (v) begrudge, want; (n) disesteem, disapproval
uninitiate enviousness, desire, heartburning, esteemed: (adj) dear, reputable,
enlightening: (adj) edifying, resentment, envies, heartburn, respected, honorable, noble,
instructive, illuminating, didactic, jealousy, hatred; (adj) jealous. honored, prestigious, important,
educational, calming, ANTONYM: (n) generosity distinguished, August, respect.
communicative, clarifying, useful, envying: (adj) invidious ANTONYM: (adj) disreputable
taming, revealing. ANTONYMS: epistle: (n) letter, note, estimating: (n) estimation
(adj) mystifying, unedifying, communication, message, eternally: (adv) always, permanently,
unenlightening, unilluminating correspondence, post card, favor, incessantly, perpetually, constantly,
enraged: (adj) angered, furious, missive, writing, memo, dispatch ceaselessly, endlessly, unendingly,
infuriated, irate, mad, livid, epistles: (n) revelations, gospels, unceasingly, lastingly; (adj, adv)
incensed, exasperated, raging, apocalypse, evangelists forever. ANTONYMS: (adv) briefly,
irritated, boiling epithet: (n) name, cognomen, sporadically
entangled: (adj) complicated, appellation, denomination, eternity: (n) aeon, afterlife, forever,
intricate, embroiled, complex, foul, nickname, moniker, sobriquet, title, perpetuity, timelessness,
confused, matted, tangled, picture, byname, byword endlessness, everlasting, endless
inextricable, knotty; (v) entangle equanimity: (n) aplomb, poise, time, everlastingness, everness,
Emily Brontë 379
existence. ANTONYMS: (n) aside from, besides, apart from, impractical, futile, detrimental,
finiteness, impermanence barring, excluding, with the inconvenient, foolish
evasive: (adj) shifty, oblique, exception of; (v) saving. expeditiously: (adv) swiftly, rapidly,
ambiguous, devious, elusory, ANTONYM: (prep) including fleetly, quickly, efficiently, hastily,
shuffling, roundabout, deceitful, excite: (v) arouse, enliven, disturb, agilely, speedily, fast, expeditely,
equivocal, indefinite, furtive. agitate, awaken, incite, inspire, fastly
ANTONYMS: (adj) forthright, rouse, electrify; (n, v) energize; (adj, expire: (v) end, conclude, decease,
direct, unambiguous, v) quicken. ANTONYMS: (v) calm, elapse, pass away, depart, run out,
straightforward, honest, candid, pacify, bore, soothe, stifle, succumb, perish, exhale, exit.
straight, clear, careless tranquilize, placate, quiet, dampen ANTONYMS: (v) inhale, start,
evince: (v) show, display, evidence, exclaim: (v) call out, call, shout, cry commence, begin, thrive, inspire,
argue, indicate, manifest, mark, out, ejaculate, clamor, outcry, appear, survive
express, prove, establish, exhibit scream, shout out, speak, vociferate expiring: (adj) moribund, failing.
exacting: (adj) fastidious, austere, exclaiming: (n) deuce, Dickens, ANTONYM: (adj) well
strict, trying, stern, difficult, hard, ejaculation, exclaim, devil, explode: (v) erupt, detonate,
finicky, nice; (adj, v) exigent; (adj, n) interjection, ecphonesis discharge, blow up, crack,
exact. ANTONYMS: (adj) lenient, exclamation: (n) clamor, ejaculation, fulminate, break, burst forth,
relaxed, tolerant, unexacting, exclaiming, utterance, whoop, disprove, blast; (n, v) burst.
unfastidious, basic, careless, interjection, shout, expletive, deuce, ANTONYMS: (v) implode, fizzle,
relaxing Dickens, ecphonesis confirm, defuse, collapse
exaggerate: (v) boast, aggravate, excursion: (n) expedition, jaunt, exploded: (adj) antebellum,
amplify, dramatize, overdo, outing, digression, drive, tour, antediluvian, blown over, expired,
overdraw, brag, overstate, magnify, airing, voyage, deviation, stroll; (n, unconnected, elapsed, that has been,
aggrandize, enhance. ANTONYMS: v) journey run out, no more, never to return;
(v) minimize, alleviate, weaken excused: (adj) privileged, immune (v) at a discount
exaggeratedly: (adv) hyperbolically, execute: (v) do, achieve, complete, exposing: (n) exposure,
extravagantly, melodramatically, perform, accomplish, act, effect, announcement; (adj) revealing,
hyperbolicly, inflatedly, carry out, enforce, make, fulfill. opposed
pretentiously, artificially, ANTONYMS: (v) abandon, ignore, expressive: (adj) significant,
sensationally, immoderately, disregard, Miss, forget, shirk, revive meaningful, descriptive, mobile,
theatrically, histrionically. exerting: (n) push revelatory, indicative, articulate,
ANTONYM: (adv) slightly exhausting: (adj) difficult, grueling, graphic, emphatic, suggestive, vivid.
exalting: (adj) exalt, ennobling, tiring, tiresome, exhaustingly, ANTONYMS: (adj) unemotional,
inspiring, humane, generous, strenuous, draining, wearing, undemonstrative, nondescript, cold,
exhilarating, dignifying, wearisome, wearying, hard. expressionless, empty, emotionless,
courageous, benevolent, abundant ANTONYMS: (adj) undemanding, inarticulate, innocent, impassive,
exasperate: (adj, v) aggravate; (v) refreshing, easy, light reserved
incense, enrage, irritate, anger, exhaustion: (n) consumption, exquisite: (adj) beautiful, delicate,
annoy, infuriate, exacerbate, bother, enervation, tiredness, lassitude, excellent, dainty, gorgeous,
provoke, rile. ANTONYMS: (v) attrition, weakening, weariness, admirable, acute, heavenly, choice,
please, pacify, soothe, placate, inanition, weakness; (adj, n) wonderful; (adj, v) delightful.
better, calm, appease, mollify collapse; (adj) prostration. ANTONYMS: (adj) dull, inferior,
exasperating: (adj) annoying, ANTONYMS: (n) vitality, pep, ugly, subdued, rough, poor, coarse,
bothersome, maddening, restoration, vim mild, imperfect, horrible, flawed
infuriating, trying, irritating, exhibited: (adj) ostensible, avowed, exterior: (adj, n) outside, surface,
tedious, vexatious, vexing, galling, apparent, declared outward; (n) appearance, skin, front;
exacerbating. ANTONYMS: (adj) exhibiting: (n) advertising; (adj) (adj) external, superficial, outlying,
pleasing, pleasant, satisfying exhibitory, ostensive outer, outdoor. ANTONYMS: (adj,
exceeding: (prep) beyond, more than, expansive: (adj) comprehensive, n) interior, inside; (adj) inner,
greater than; (adj) excessive, broad, effusive, communicative, internal, intrinsic, middle, deep
transcendent, extraordinary, outgoing, open, capacious, extinct: (adj) dead, deceased, defunct,
exceptional, prodigious, surpassing, extensive, ample, spacious, departed, obsolete, extinguished,
Olympian; (v) exceed demonstrative. ANTONYMS: (adj) exhausted, inanimate, out,
exceedingly: (adj, adv) very, highly; restricted, restrained, reserved, quenched, gone. ANTONYMS: (adj)
(adv) too, exceptionally, overly, withdrawn, silent, quiet, mean, alive, living, extant, active, dormant,
surpassingly, extraordinarily, inhibited, cramped, constricted, thriving, existing, live
greatly, awfully, terrifically, confined extinguish: (v) destroy, exterminate,
eminently. ANTONYMS: (adv) expedient: (adj) fit, advisable, eradicate, douse, annihilate,
slightly, hardly, insufficiently, becoming, desirable, adequate, apt, consume, wipe out, end, suppress,
somewhat convenient, suitable; (n) contrivance, quash; (adj, v) allay. ANTONYMS:
excepting: (conj, prep) but, bar; (n, resource, artifice. ANTONYMS: (v) ignite, build, create, encourage,
prep) except for, exclusive of; (prep) (adj) inappropriate, inexpedient, inflame, sustain, protect
380 Wuthering Heights
extinguished: (adj) extinct, out, dead, chickenhearted, timid, coward, charisma, magnetism, allure, magic,
quenched, allayed, destroyed; (n) henhearted, craven, spineless, captivation. ANTONYMS: (n)
defunctness, complete annihilation, fearful, recreant, timorous, shy. disinterest, boredom,
experimental extinction, ANTONYM: (adj) brave disenchantment, disenthrallment,
extermination, extinction faithfully: (adv) exactly, accurately, repulsion
extinguisher: (n) device, asphyxiator sincerely, staunchly, precisely, truly, fashioned: (adj) formed, featured,
extinguishing: (n) quenching, authentically, dutifully, literally, fictitious, intentional, bent, wrought
dampen out, extermination, stamp steadfastly, truely. ANTONYMS: fasten: (adj, v) attach, fix, affix; (v)
out, conclusion, extinguished, (adv) unfaithfully, approximately, connect, bind, tie, tack, pin, stick,
experimental extinction, ending, falsely, insincerely, carelessly, clasp, anchor. ANTONYMS: (v)
destruction, defunctness, complete inaccurately detach, undo, unlock, loosen,
annihilation falsehood: (n) fable, fabrication, release, open, disconnect, untie,
extremes: (n) excess; (adv) overboard deception, untruth, lie, fib, fiction, separate, unscrew
extremity: (n) end, member, invention, dishonesty; (adj, n) fastened: (adj) tied, fast, buttoned,
boundary, bound, close, appendage, deceit, falsity. ANTONYMS: (n) fact, closed, tight, secure, pinned,
limit, limb, ending, fringe, honesty, reality binding, empight, steady, firm.
conclusion. ANTONYMS: (n) trunk, familiarity: (adj, n) acquaintance; (n) ANTONYMS: (adj) unfastened,
average, minimum, head, leniency intimacy, closeness, experience, unbuttoned
extricate: (v) clear, evolve, disengage, casualness, conversancy, fastening: (n) clasp, clip, buckle,
rid, untangle, disembarrass, absolve, knowledge, conversance, attachment, lock, catch, link,
enfranchise, free, deliver, dislodge. naturalness, nearness, friendship. bonding; (n, v) bond; (v) tie, bind
ANTONYMS: (v) entangle, embroil, ANTONYMS: (n) unfamiliarity, fastidiousness: (n) refinement, care,
hamper, hinder, involve, fasten, formality, abnormality, distance, squeamishness, nicety, fastidiosity,
wedge animosity diligence; (adj, n) delicacy, elegance;
exuberance: (adj, n) abundance; (n) fancied: (adj) unreal, chimerical, (adj) fastidious accuracy,
copiousness, ebullience, happiness, fictional, fanciful, fictitious, delightfulness, delight. ANTONYM:
life, affluence, spirit, excess, fabricated, preferred, assumed, (n) vulgarity
overflow, joy; (adj) plenty. illusory, imagined, ideal fasting: (n) abstinence, white sheet,
ANTONYMS: (n) apathy, shortage, fancies: (n) stock shrift, sackcloth and ashes,
scarcity, listlessness, lethargy, fanciful: (adj) mythical, fantastic, maceration, lustration, flagellation,
depression, boredom, sadness, capricious, unreal, arbitrary, watching one's weight, hunger
misery romantic, ideal, chimerical, notional, strike, penance; (v) calorie counting
exultation: (n) jubilation, joy, delight, visionary; (adj, v) fancy. fated: (adj) inevitable, destined,
ecstasy, elation, rejoicing, revelling, ANTONYMS: (adj) prosaic, real, certain, predestined, damned,
transport, joyousness, bliss, glee. realistic, plausible, normal unavoidable, predestinate, cursed,
ANTONYMS: (n) depression, fancying: (n) daydream, fantasy intended, forthcoming, sure
desolation, misery, sorrow fangs: (v) tentacle, tenaculum, nail, fatherless: (adj) bastard, unfathered,
exulting: (adj) jubilant, flushed, hook, unguis, teeth; (n) clutches misbegotten, bereaved, childless,
triumphant, experiencing triumph, fanny: (n) bottom, buttocks, arse, parentless, orbate, unparented; (v)
rejoicing, prideful, elated, rump, rear, posterior, bum, helpless, unfriended
disdainful, triumphal; (v) exult; (n) backside, can, fundament, fatigue: (v) exhaust, tire, weary,
joy hindquarters harass, enervate, fag, jade, wear; (n)
eyesight: (n) sight, seeing, farmhouse: (n) toft, farmstead, exhaustion, weariness, tiredness.
discernment, vision power, ability to hacienda, house, cottage, manor, ANTONYMS: (n) energy, liveliness,
make discerning judgments, view, grange, homestead, building, vitality, vigor, strength; (v) energize,
sightedness, optics, beholding accommodation, bungalow renew, rejuvenate, restore,
facial: (adj) forward, surface, far-off: (adj) distant, far, faraway, invigorate
subcranial; (n) cranial nerve, facial outlying, extreme, inaccessible, last, fatigued: (adj) tired, weary, beat,
nerve, nervus facialis, seventh long, obscure, unknown, wide worn, tired out, jaded, spent, worn
cranial nerve, facial tissue farther: (adj, adv, prep) beyond; (adj) out, done in, fagged, run-down.
faculties: (n) mother wit additional, more, distant; (adv) ANTONYMS: (adj) refreshed, alert,
fading: (n) attenuation, bleaching, furthermore, besides, abroad, in lively, energized, energetic
discoloration, disappearance, addition, too; (adj, prep) outside; fawn: (v) crawl, creep, grovel, cringe,
evaporation, colour fading, decay; (pron) another. ANTONYMS: (prep) cower, crouch, bootlick, kowtow,
(adj) disappearing, paling, within; (adv) nearer, closer blandish, flatter; (n) deer.
weakening, decaying. ANTONYMS: farthing: (n) craps, faro, ante, chuck, ANTONYMS: (v) insult, despise,
(adj) thriving, increasing, growing doit, small change; (adj) bulrush, ignore, domineer
fain: (adj) willing, prepared, ready, pinch of snuff, peppercorn, old son, fawning: (adj) obsequious,
favorable, heart and soul, prone; jot sycophantic, servile, sniveling,
(adv) gladly, lief, readily, willingly; fascination: (n) charm, glamor, subservient, flattering, ingratiating,
(v) optative bewitchment, glamour, soapy; (adj, n) toadying; (n)
fainthearted: (adj) faint, enchantment, enthrallment, adulation, sycophancy.
Emily Brontë 381
ANTONYMS: (adj) authoritative, pretense, dissimulation, fetching: (adj) attractive, engaging,
assertive, domineering, forthright dissembling, deceit, appearance, tempting, winning, fetch, charming,
fearfully: (adv) timidly, timorously, acting, deception, catching, catchy, taking, fetchingly,
awfully, apprehensively, misrepresentation, pretension fascinating. ANTONYMS: (adj)
horrendously, hideously, anxiously, fellowship: (n) community, unattractive, repulsive, ugly
appallingly, terribly; (adj, adv) company, companionship, feud: (n) dispute, competition, blood
shockingly, dreadfully. communion, camaraderie, society, feud, conflict, disagreement, feoff;
ANTONYMS: (adv) bravely, calmly, comradeship, association, body; (n, v) contest, quarrel, affray, fight;
confidently, wonderfully, rationally, (adj, n) familiarity, acquaintance. (v) battle. ANTONYMS: (v) truce;
unconcernedly ANTONYMS: (n) unsociability, (n) peace, harmony, accord
fearless: (adj, n) daring; (adj) brave, unfriendliness, hostility feverish: (adj) febrile, feverous, fiery,
dauntless, courageous, undaunted, felony: (n) burglary, sin, extortion, frenzied, fevered, excited, sick,
intrepid, heroic, audacious, gallant, capture, bribery, delinquency, fanatical; (adj, v) hot, flushed; (adj,
confident, valiant. ANTONYMS: misdeed, fault, misdemeanor, n) hysterical. ANTONYMS: (adj)
(adj) afraid, frightened, scared, misdemeanour, offence. calm, afebrile, collected, composed,
apprehensive, terrified, timid ANTONYM: (n) uprightness mellow
feather: (n) pen, feathering, pinion, fend: (v) repel, resist, dispel, guard, fickleness: (n) faithlessness, levity,
nib, plumage, quill, kind, spline; (n, counteract, obstruct, ward off, volatility, instability, capriciousness,
v) plume; (adj, n, v) fringe; (v) fledge protect, safeguard, fend off; (n) fen changeableness, falseness,
feathered: (adj) plumy, plumelike, fender: (n) wing, cushion, barrier, flightiness; (n, v) caprice; (v) fancy,
featherlike, plumose, plumed, mudguard, dashboard, guard, legerete. ANTONYMS: (n) fidelity,
plumaged, fledged, plumigerous, mudguard seat, cowcatcher, loyalty, predictability
flighted, decorated; (v) fledge framework, sheer log, framing fiddle: (n, v) con, cheat, trick; (v)
feathers: (n) plumage, fur, indument, ferocious: (adj) cruel, brutal, tamper, play, diddle, meddle, tinker;
garment, garb, fine hair, clothing, barbarous, feral, truculent, (n) kit, swindle, fraud
dress, apparel, attire, array atrocious, fell, bloodthirsty, brutish; fiend: (n) monster, devil, fanatic,
feathery: (adj) light, fluffy, plumy, (adj, v) fierce, savage. ANTONYMS: brute, deuce, incubus, goblin, ogre,
soft, downy, featherlike, plumose, (adj) gentle, mild, tender, tame, enthusiast, daemon, addict.
plumelike, velvety, creamy, tender. nonviolent, kind, calm ANTONYM: (n) angel
ANTONYM: (adj) rough ferociously: (adv) brutally, wildly, fiendish: (adj, v) infernal, diabolic,
feeble: (adj) delicate, decrepit, ailing, savagely, inhumanly, severely, satanic, hellish; (adj) demonic,
helpless, powerless, poor, mild, lax, violently, vehemently, roughly, diabolical, cruel, atrocious,
thin; (adj, v) faint, debilitated. furiously, cruelly, atrociously. inhuman, wicked, brutal
ANTONYMS: (adj) strong, vigorous, ANTONYMS: (adv) pleasantly, fiery: (adj, n) burning, passionate,
hearty, tough, effective, powerful, tamely glowing; (adj) fervent, ablaze, hot,
unrelenting, robust, potent, ferocity: (n) violence, cruelty, fervid, impassioned, peppery; (adj,
persuasive, able ferociousness, fury, rage, truculence, v) fierce, violent. ANTONYMS: (adj)
feebleness: (n) weakness, frailty, atrocity, fierceness, wildness, calm, passionless, dispassionate,
decrepitude, faintness, imbecility, vehemence, anger. ANTONYMS: (n) indifferent, placid, gentle, cool;
fragility, tenuity, languor, frailness; meekness, friendliness, serenity (adv) easygoing
(adj, n) infirmity; (adj) feeble. ferret: (n) detective, Mustela nigripes, figuratively: (adv) allegorically,
ANTONYMS: (n) perseverance, foulmart, fitch, musteline, mustelid; symbolically, tropically, typically,
success, effectiveness, competence (v) grub, ferret out, search, seek, representatively, parabolically,
feebly: (adv) faintly, ransack parabolicly, flowerily, symbolicly,
unenthusiastically, dimly, fertile: (adj) productive, fat, fecund, floridly, figurally. ANTONYM:
hopelessly, unproductively, abundant, fruitful, exuberant, (adv) factually
unpersuasively, unconvincingly, copious, affluent, bountiful, filial: (adj) dutiful
uncertainly, reluctantly, generous; (adj, v) creative. finer: (adj) superior, advanced,
powerlessly, insipidly. ANTONYMS: (adj) sterile, bigger, higher, more, greater
ANTONYMS: (adv) robustly, unproductive, barren, fruitless, arid, fireside: (n) fireplace, home, family,
confidently, domineeringly, impotent, withering habitation, dwelling, abode,
vehemently, stubbornly, strongly, fervently: (adv) fierily, fervidly, domicile, country, dwelling house,
effectively, convincingly, zealously, passionately, intensely, fire, habitat
competently, admirably, eagerly, enthusiastically, warmly, first-rate: (adj) excellent, stunning,
wholeheartedly vehemently, seriously, fiercely. capital, posh, tiptop, dandy, ace,
feigned: (adj) false, affected, ANTONYMS: (adv) mildly, superior, classic, fine, clinking
assumed, dummy, unnatural, apathetically, unenthusiastically, fixing: (n) fixation, fix, adjustment,
fictitious; (adj, v) sham, counterfeit, impassively, halfheartedly, repair, mending, altering,
spurious, mock, pretended. flippantly emasculation, castration, furniture,
ANTONYMS: (adj) sincere, genuine, fervour: (n) ardour, fervidness, fastener, fitting
natural, wholehearted, heartfelt, real fervency, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, fixture: (n) installation, device, fixing,
feigning: (v) feign; (n) pretending, eagerness, zest, elan, ardency, fire attachment, competition, match,
382 Wuthering Heights
clamping plate, fixity, equipment, ANTONYMS: (adj) serious, baffle, bilk, cross, elude, avert,
appliance; (adj) establishment dependable prevent; (n) contrast, blade.
flags: (n) streamer, streamers, fling: (n, v) toss, throw, pitch, slam, ANTONYMS: (v) advance, further,
sidewalk, trottoir, pavement, walk, hurl; (v) chuck, shoot, dash, rush, permit, promote
footpath, bunting; (adj) wood discard; (n) crack. ANTONYM: (v) folds: (n) laps
pavement, flagstone collect foliage: (n) verdure, foliation,
flakes: (n) dust flinging: (n) casting, cast greenery, leaf, frond, cotyledon,
flaming: (adj, n) burning, ardent, flint: (adj) stone, pebble, fossil, ramage, tigella, stem, blade, leaves
glowing, passionate; (adj) blazing, granite, marble; (n) quartz, silica, folks: (n) people, folk, tribe, relations,
ablaze, aflame, hot; (n) enthusiastic, flint river, gunflint, crystal, crag household, house, relatives, relative,
flame, fire. ANTONYMS: (adj) flinty: (adj) rocky, unyielding, grim, kindred, lineage, kin
extinguished, placid, gentle, quiet unfeeling, stern, stony, severe, hard, fondling: (n) caressing, pet, caress,
flapping: (adj) loose, detached, cruel, obdurate, heartless cuddling, dalliance, foreplay,
baggy, streaming, flying, slack; (n) flippant: (adj) frivolous, airy, saucy, stimulation, indulgence, darling,
fluttering, flutter, flaps, dither, giddy, impertinent, impudent, rude, kissing, necking
disturbance lightheaded, pert; (adj, v) glib; (v) fondness: (n) affection, attachment,
flashing: (adj) bright, sparkling, voluble. ANTONYMS: (adj) earnest, love, taste, regard, appetite,
blinking, meteoric, scintillating, caring, respectful tenderness, partiality, endearment,
light, brilliant, dazzling, gleaming; flit: (n, v) dart; (v) flicker, fly, fleet, liking, relish. ANTONYMS: (n)
(n) flare, flashes flutter, zip, flash, speed, flitter, run; aversion, indifference, neglect,
flatly: (adv) categorically, smoothly, (adj) stir antipathy, detachment, hatred
plainly, levelly, insipidly, evenly, flitting: (adj) fleeting, fugitive, foolishly: (adv) idiotically,
firmly, monotonously, horizontally, momentary, transient, ephemeral; ridiculously, stupidly, indiscreetly,
peremptorily, directly. ANTONYM: (v) migration silly, insanely, injudiciously,
(adv) animatedly flog: (v) lash, whip, chastise, lick, preposterously, absurdly,
flatness: (n) dullness, monotony, trounce, flagellate, birch, castigate, senselessly; (adj, adv) madly.
plain, flat, tedium, sameness, cane, strap, wallop ANTONYMS: (adv) sensibly,
insipidness, tediousness, platitude, flogging: (n) beating, flagellation, solemnly, shrewdly, prudently,
smoothing, smooth. ANTONYM: (n) whipping, lash, drubbing, responsibly, judiciously, carefully,
unevenness trouncing, tanning, hiding, lashing, rationally
flatter: (v) fawn, adulate, wheedle, whip, whacking foolishness: (n) folly, fatuity,
cajole, soap, kowtow, blandish, flooding: (adj) overflowing, craziness, nonsense, stupidity,
grovel, butter up; (n, v) court; (n) distended; (n) overflow, flowage, indiscretion, ineptitude, mistake,
caress. ANTONYMS: (v) insult, spate, inundation, submersion, fatuousness, irrationality; (adj, n)
disparage, criticize, discourage torrent, implosion therapy, behavior silliness. ANTONYMS: (n)
flattered: (adj) pleased modification; (v) submerge prudence, sense, sensibleness,
flattering: (adj) ingratiating, flourishing: (adj) thriving, palmy, understanding, forethought,
complimentary, courtly, obsequious, healthy, successful, luxuriant, responsibility
adulatory, fulsome, bland, candied, booming, verdant, lush, auspicious, footing: (n) foothold, base, bottom,
smooth, encouraging; (n) flattery. favorable, rich. ANTONYMS: (adj) foundation, status, rank, foot,
ANTONYMS: (adj) assertive, arid, declining, fading, poor, pedestal, situation, relation, root.
critical, unflattering, unattractive, unhealthy ANTONYM: (n) top
wounding, uncomplimentary, fluent: (adj) flowing, eloquent, footman: (n) attendant, butler,
negative; (adv) partially smooth, facile, clear, articulate, follower, flunkey, flunky, varlet,
flattery: (n, v) cajolery; (n) blarney, graceful, fluid, glib, liquid, voluble. servitor, valet de chambre, boy,
compliment, adulation, taffy, ANTONYMS: (adj) illiterate, knave; (n, v) lackey
palaver, praise, gloze, sweet talk, reticent, hesitant, halting, formal footstep: (n) pace, footfall, track,
sycophancy, soft soap. flurried: (adj) frightened, agitated; (v) footmark, vestige, tread, trail, stride,
ANTONYMS: (n) insult, offense gallied degree; (n, v) step, action
flaxen: (adj) flaxy, fair, blond, light, flurry: (n) commotion, stir, bother, footstool: (n) footrest, hassock,
pale, golden, arenaceous, sandy, squall, breeze, ado; (adj, n) bustle, footboard, Ottoman
farinaceous; (n) blonde fuss, hurry; (n, v) fluster; (v) forbearance: (n) patience, clemency,
flee: (v) bolt, break out, fly, desert, disconcert. ANTONYM: (n) quiet pardon, abstention, abstinence,
break, abscond, elope, elude, run flushed: (adj, n) red, sanguine; (adj) mercy, longanimity, avoidance,
away, run, leave. ANTONYMS: (v) feverish, glowing, aroused, aflame, postponement, indulgence, restraint.
appear, advance burning, exultant, exulting; (n) ANTONYMS: (n) impatience,
fleecy: (adj) fluffy, hairy, brushed, flush, elated. ANTONYM: (adj) cool intolerance
soft, woolly, silky, napped fluttering: (adj) flying, palpitating, forbearing: (adj) patient, clement,
flighty: (adj) frivolous, light, flittering, flaring, aflare, waving; (n) tolerant, lenient, easy, indulgent,
capricious, volatile, irresponsible, flutter, flapping, flicker, flitting; permissive, charitable, merciful,
scatterbrained, flippant, changeable, (adv) flutteringly compassionate, meek. ANTONYMS:
skittish, unstable, mercurial. foil: (n, v) thwart, defeat, balk; (v) (adj) impatient, unforgiving
Emily Brontë 383
forbid: (v) prohibit, ban, disallow, leniency, absolution, grace, biovular, sympathetic, kind, hearty,
bar, obstruct, exclude, deny, avert, compassion; (n, v) pardon. amicable, unhostile, affectionate,
frustrate, to prohibit, enjoin. ANTONYMS: (n) condemnation, thick, related. ANTONYM: (adj)
ANTONYMS: (v) allow, let, cruelty, harshness identical
approve, authorize, stand forlorn: (adj) hopeless, desolate, freeing: (n) discharge, liberation,
forbidding: (adj) grim, ominous, despairing, unhappy, miserable, emancipation, extrication,
dismal, dour, austere, abominable, deserted, disconsolate, downcast, disentanglement, dismissal,
ugly, hard, repulsive, redoubtable; cheerless, wretched, abject. clearing, relief; (adj) liberating,
(n) banning. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) happy, hopeful, emancipative, emancipating.
alluring, inviting, pleasant, fine ANTONYMS: (n) conviction,
hospitable, friendly, favorable, forrard: (adv) fore, forrader, forward, captivity
comforting forwards, frontward, frontwards, freer: (adj) unconfined
forcibly: (adv) forcefully, ahead frenzied: (adj) frenetic, crazy,
emphatically, powerfully, by force, forsake: (v) abandon, ditch, delirious, hectic, furious, wild,
mightily, under protest, cogently, relinquish, abdicate, fail, leave, manic, fanatical, raging, rabid; (n)
hard, strongly, convincingly, clearly. forgo, chuck, disclaim; (n, v) drop; maniac. ANTONYMS: (adj) calm,
ANTONYMS: (adv) voluntarily, (adj, v) quit. ANTONYM: (v) controlled, mellow, composed
weakly, gently support frenzy: (n) fury, anger, insanity,
forebodingly: (adv) threateningly, forsaken: (adj) deserted, abandoned, mania, hysteria; (adj, n) distraction,
menacingly, portentously, lonely, forlorn, derelict, desert, aberration, alienation, phrensy,
ominously, in a sinister way empty, solitary, friendless; (adj, v) derangement; (n, v) craze.
forego: (v) disclaim, antedate, jilted; (v) crossed in love. ANTONYMS: (n) calmness, calm,
renounce, antecede, waive, ANTONYM: (adj) unforsaken order
abandon, resign, forgo, precede, forthwith: (adv) directly, fresher: (n) fresh, lowerclassman,
relinquish, spare immediately, at once, now, underclassman, neophyte,
foremost: (adj, adv, v) first; (adj, n) instantly, straight, presently, fledgeling, entrant, fledgling
chief, capital, leading, cardinal, straightaway, incontinently; (adj, fret: (n, v) gall, irritate, trouble,
principal, main; (adj) best, front, adv) quickly; (adj) immediate worry; (v) agitate, chafe, rub, fray,
central, top. ANTONYMS: (adj) last, fortune-teller: (n) fortuneteller, upset, annoy; (n) anxiety
insignificant, inferior, worst, clairvoyant, magician fretful: (adj, v) querulous; (adj)
secondary fostered: (adj) nourished restless, anxious, testy, sullen,
foresee: (v) expect, forecast, fragrance: (n, v) aroma, perfume, irritable, impatient, uneasy,
anticipate, envisage, previse, scent, smell; (n) bouquet, odor, petulant, fidgety, crabbed.
foreknow, prophesy, provide, essence, odour, redolence, ANTONYM: (adj) carefree
foresaw, predict, see sweetness; (adj) fragrant. fretfully: (adv) restlessly, uneasily,
foresight: (n) prevision, forecast, ANTONYMS: (n) stink, stench anxiously, querulously, testily,
caution, prospicience, calculation, fragrant: (adj) spicy, odorous, balmy, snappishly, fractiously, petulantly,
prescience, prediction, precaution, sweet, odorant, scented, redolent, crossly, nervously, worriedly.
vision, foresightedness; (n, v) savory, fragrance, odoriferous, ANTONYM: (adv) unconcernedly
expectation. ANTONYM: (n) scent. ANTONYMS: (adj) smelly, fretted: (adj) latticed, haggard,
hindsight putrid, malodorous, odorless magged, latticelike, reticulated,
forged: (adj) false, bogus, phony, frail: (adj, v) weak, feeble; (adj) reticular, interlaced. ANTONYM:
fake, sham, fabricated, mock, fragile, flimsy, delicate, breakable, (adj) unfretted
spurious, ben trovato, imitative, rickety, slender, light, slim; (v) faint. fretting: (adj) irritable, dissatisfied,
bad. ANTONYM: (adj) real ANTONYMS: (adj) substantial, peevish; (n) festering, friction,
forgetful: (adj) oblivious, inattentive, robust, tough, fit, healthy, hearty, exulceration
negligent, lax, absent-minded, perfect, weighty, well, capable, friendless: (adj) alone, lonely,
casual, unmindful, neglectful, sturdy abandoned, solitary, helpless,
heedless, unaware; (adj, v) remiss. framed: (adj) counterfeit, prepared, lonesome, forsaken, unfriended,
ANTONYMS: (adj) mindful, orderly, methodical, spurious. deserted, introverted, unwanted.
watchful, alert, remembering, ANTONYM: (adj) unframed ANTONYM: (adj) sociable
retentive framing: (n) frame, casing, sash, fright: (n, v) dismay, alarm, scare,
forgetfulness: (n) neglect, amnesia, doorcase, cornice, cowcatcher, affright; (n) awe, fear, dread, terror,
obliviousness, inattention, memory coaming, deckle, clotheshorse, horror, consternation, apprehension.
loss, omission, unknowingness, buffer, derrick ANTONYMS: (n) calm, fearlessness,
unawareness, Lethe, carelessness, frantic: (adj) desperate, crazy, courage, confidence, security
loss of memory. ANTONYMS: (n) excited, distraught, frenetic, frighten: (v) cow, alarm, daunt,
awareness, concentration, distracted; (adj, v) frenzied, furious, terrify, appall, scare, affright,
remembering, attention wild, raging; (n) maniac. intimidate, terrorize, appal; (n, v)
forgiven: (v) conciliatory, placable ANTONYMS: (adj) mellow, fright. ANTONYMS: (v) comfort,
forgiveness: (n) mercy, condonation, composed reassure, soothe, calm
clemency, kindness, pity, remission, fraternal: (adj) brotherly, brotherlike, frightening: (adj) awesome, awful,
384 Wuthering Heights
menacing, alarming, fearsome, ANTONYM: (adv) sluggishly things, guise; (v) clothe, tog, raiment
horrific, terrible, creepy, fearful, furnish: (v) afford, provide, garments: (n) attire, clothing, dress,
dread, formidable. ANTONYMS: contribute, render, offer, apparel, raiment, outfit, costume,
(adj) comfortable, soothing, accommodate, supply, outfit, yield, garb, array, gear, anything
pleasant, comforting, approachable, decorate; (n, v) give. ANTONYM: worthless
normal, hospitable (v) divest garret: (n) cockloft, loft, attic, house
frightful: (adj, v) fearful; (adj) furnished: (adj) fitted, arranged, top, storey, level, upper story, story,
formidable, awful, fearsome, privileged, instruct, carrying dome, noggin, classical Greek
appalling, gruesome, horrible, weapons, equipt, enlightened; (v) gasp: (n, v) pant; (v) puff, blow,
terrible, dread, frightening, grim. provide, furnish, begone, beset breathe, sigh, heave, wheeze,
ANTONYMS: (adj) wonderful, furred: (adj) hairy, hirsute, fur lined, breathe heavily, gag; (n) inhalation,
calming, soothing, pleasant, lovely, wooly, fuzzy breath
fair furze: (n) gorse, Irish gorse, Ulex gasping: (adj) panting, winded,
fringes: (n) outer edge, border europaeus, Needle furze, shrub, blown, out of breath, thirsty, pursy;
frivolous: (adj) empty, foolish, dizzy, bush, bramble, dyeweed (v) spavined, touched in the wind
petty, idle, light, flighty, gable: (n) pediment, gable end, wall, gaunt: (adj) lean, thin, cadaverous,
unimportant, flippant, trivial, gable wall, William Clark gable, bell desolate, bleak, dreary, meager,
superficial. ANTONYMS: (adj) gable, corbie gable, gavel, Clark bony, angular, lanky, sullen.
important, solemn, worthwhile, gable ANTONYMS: (adj) fresh, rounded,
vital, weighty, staid, significant, gadding: (v) monadic, vagrant, obese
sensible, responsible, crucial, heavy migratory, itinerant, Peripatetic, gauze: (n) film, curtain, blind,
frock: (n) dress, gown, clothing, rambling, roving; (adj) discursive bandage, mask, mantle, muslin,
attire, robe, kirtle, habit, clothes, gaily: (adv, v) happily; (adv) gladly, screen, gauze bandage, shutter, daze
coat, chemise, caftan jovially, joyfully, cheerfully, generality: (n) generalization,
frosty: (adj, v) icy, glacial; (adj) frigid, mirthfully, joyously, gleefully, commonness, rule, abstraction,
freezing, wintry, arctic, chill, frozen, sunnily, blithely, lively. commonality, balance, thought,
chilly, bleak, cool. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (adv) sadly, quality, idea, catholicity, bulk.
(adj) friendly, pleasant, hot, torrid, anxiously, dully, despondently ANTONYMS: (n) specific,
tropical, balmy, approachable gait: (n, v) pace, step, tread, footstep, particularity
frothing: (adj) foamy, bubbling, rate, stride, action; (n) walk, generosity: (n, v) charity, liberality;
effervescent, bubbly, spumous, carriage, movement, velocity (adj, n) bounty, kindness,
spumy, effervescing, sudsy, gallon: (n) imperial gallon, congius beneficence, favor; (n) benevolence,
agitated; (n) effervescence, scum gallop: (v) speed, dart, dash, race, bounteousness, chivalry, nobility,
frown: (adj, v) lower; (adj, n) scowl; spring, tear, hasten, sprint; (adj, v) munificence. ANTONYMS: (n)
(n, v) pout, grimace, glower, glare; fly; (n, v) trot; (n) gait stinginess, greed, meanness, thrift,
(adj) black looks, gloam, glout; (v) galloping: (v) flying thriftiness, avarice, unfriendliness,
sulk, gnash. ANTONYM: (v) galloway: (n) nag, beast of burden, bareness, malevolence, miserliness,
approve beast, garran, blood horse, horse, nastiness
frowning: (adj) dismal, dark, gloomy, Arab, cattle, thoroughbred, palfrey generously: (adv) profusely,
lowering, scowling, frowny, gallows: (n) gibbet, gallous, gallows- copiously, bountifully, abundantly,
clouded; (adv) frowningly; (n) bitts, hanging, noose, scaffold, largely, magnanimously,
austere, boisterous, coarse halter, tree, rope, gallowstree, bough munificently, kindly, handsomely,
fulfilling: (adj) satisfying, gaming: (n) play, game, diversion, freely, benevolently. ANTONYMS:
satisfactory, pleasing, uplifting, speculation, wager, frolic, bet, (adv) acquisitively, selfishly,
pleasurable, effectual; (n) execution, gamble, recreation, vice, betting prudently, grudgingly,
enforcement. ANTONYM: (adj) gangs: (n) Ganges malevolently, parsimoniously,
frustrating gaoler: (n) keeper, screw, turnkey, harshly, scantily, stingily, thinly,
fulfilment: (n) achievement, warder, jailor, custos, custodian, ungenerously
accomplishment, fulfillment, lawman, guard, ass, ranger genial: (adj) cheerful, bright, affable,
completion, fruition, discharge, gaping: (adj, n) agape; (adj) vast, cordial, amiable, nice, friendly,
consummation, effectuation, yawning, cavernous, discontinuous, convivial, warm, agreeable, suave.
satisfaction, pursuance, prosecution wide, ajar, drowsy, hollow, wide ANTONYMS: (adj) disagreeable,
fulness: (n) fullness, entirety, open; (adj, v) oscitant. ANTONYMS: hostile, mean, discourteous, frosty,
completeness, totality (adj) cramped, narrow gloomy, reserved, unapproachable,
fungus: (n) mushroom, blastomycete, gapingly: (adv) openly, agapely, abominable
ergot, earthstar, earthnut, candida, oscitantly, vastly, widely gentlemanly: (adj) courteous, polite,
growth, bolete, earthball, garb: (n, v) dress, apparel, array, chivalrous, refined, gallant, suave,
basidiomycete, ascomycete garment; (n) attire, clothing, mannerly, genteel, gentle, well-bred;
furiously: (adv) irately, angrily, costume, frock, outfit, clothes; (v) (n) gentleman. ANTONYMS: (adj)
fiercely, wildly, violently, ragingly, clothe rude, unbecoming
wrathfully, infuriatedly, rabidly, garment: (n, v) garb, apparel; (n) gentleness: (adj, n) kindness,
impetuously, frantically. habiliment, habit, gown, vest, courtesy, benignity, compassion; (n)
Emily Brontë 385
kindliness, lenity, mildness, gladdened: (adj) delighted adv) aglitter
sweetness, softness, benevolence, gladly: (adv, v) happily; (adv) gloomy: (adj) black, desolate,
mercy. ANTONYMS: (n) severity, gleefully, contentedly, cheerfully, dejected, cheerless, depressing,
harshness, fierceness, cruelty, fain, joyfully, jovially, cheerily, dismal, downcast, disconsolate,
ferocity, brusqueness, abruptness, delightedly, gladsomely, readily. melancholy, funereal, downhearted.
rage, callousness, sharpness, ANTONYMS: (adv) reluctantly, ANTONYMS: (adj) encouraging,
roughness unwillingly, sadly, resentfully, cheery, cheerful, bright, hopeful,
gentry: (n) aristocracy, gentility, miserably light, promising, uplifting, joyful,
gentlefolk, nobility, elite, peerage, gladness: (n) joy, gaiety, pleasure, sunny, clear
squirearchy, second estate, society, delight, bliss, glee, happiness, glossy: (adj, v) sleek; (adj) smooth,
upper class exhilaration, joyfulness, mirth, bright, glazed, brilliant, flat,
ghastly: (adj) awful, fearful, cheerfulness. ANTONYMS: (n) glistening, burnished, resplendent,
cadaverous, dreadful, grisly, unhappiness, dismay, displeasure lustrous, glassy. ANTONYMS: (adj)
gruesome, macabre, hideous, glancing: (adj) passing dull, rough, coarse, shoddy
appalling, atrocious; (adv) glare: (n) glance, brilliance, radiance, glowing: (adj, n) enthusiastic, cordial,
gruesomely. ANTONYMS: (adj) brightness; (n, v) glower, flash, passionate; (adj) burning, fervent,
wonderful, lovely, attractive, shine, scowl, beam, frown; (v) flame. blazing, flaming, fiery, dazzling;
delightful ANTONYMS: (n) dullness, dimness (adj, v) warm; (adj, adv) aglow.
ghostly: (adj) uncanny, eerie, weird, glaring: (adj) conspicuous, bright, ANTONYMS: (adj) pale, wan,
spiritual, spectral, ghostlike, blatant, egregious, obvious, plain, unhappy, unenthusiastic,
supernatural, macabre, phantasmal; flaming, garish, crying, gross, glary. derogatory, dispassionate, unwell
(adj, adv) ghastly; (adv) spectrally. ANTONYMS: (adj) soft, gnarl: (v) grumble, growl, bark,
ANTONYMS: (adj) tangible, natural inconspicuous, dull, minor croak, deform, frown, gnash, quetch,
ghoul: (n) vampire, body snatcher, glaringly: (adv) dazzlingly, snap; (n) knot, burl
bloodsucker, vulture, thief, gorilla, blazingly, brilliantly, plainly, gnash: (v) grate, frown, gnarl, clench,
spirit, ghost, specter, phantom, ogre obviously, grossly, rankly, snap, rasp, scrape, scowl, pout,
ghoulish: (adj) ghastly, offensive, flagrantly, flamingly, brightly; (adj) lower, knit the brow
sick, gruesome, diabolic, horrid, famously goaded: (adj) provoked, forced,
fearful, diseased, macabre, creepy, gleam: (n, v) glance, beam, blaze, motivated, unvoluntary,
uncanny shine, glimmer, glow, flash, flicker, aggravated, compulsive,
gibberish: (n) jargon, jabber, drivel, sparkle, glitter; (v) twinkle determined, involuntary
gibber, gobbledygook, rubbish, glee: (n) delight, cheerfulness, mirth, goblin: (n) fairy, gnome, phantom,
bunkum, humbug, claptrap, fun, gaiety, hilarity, joy, rejoicing, apparition, brownie, monster, sprite,
abracadabra; (adj, n) nonsense frolic, jubilation, happiness. ghost, fiend, bogy, pixie
giddiness: (n) flightiness, frivolity, ANTONYMS: (n) sadness, gloom, goddess: (n) divinity, God, beauty,
vertigo, silliness, frivolousness, sorrow, despondency, displeasure, nymph; (adj, n) idol; (adj) duck,
levity, lightness, capriciousness, misery, boredom darling, angel, Dulcinea, ladylove,
rashness, symptom, swimming. gleefully: (adv) joyously, joyfully, inamorata
ANTONYMS: (n) seriousness, gaily, jovially, jubilantly, merrily, godless: (adj) impious, blasphemous,
reliability cheerfully, mirthfully, elatedly, ungodly, profane, devoutless,
giddy: (adj, v) flighty; (adj) dizzy, blithely; (adv, v) happily. unholy, atheistic, wicked, graceless,
faint, silly, changeable, vertiginous, ANTONYMS: (adv) joylessly, sadly, irreligious, irreverent
featherbrained, light, fickle, despondently good-bye: (n) bye, farewell, goodbye,
capricious; (adv) careless. gliding: (adj) sliding, flying, slipping, goodby, vale, adios, cheerio
ANTONYMS: (adj) serious, dull labent, elusory; (n) sailing, soaring, good-hearted: (adj) benign, good-
gingerbread: (adj) bedizened, extra, flight, glissando; (v) slither; (adv) natured, kindly, kindhearted
fancy; (v) flimsy, unsubstantial, glidingly good-looking: (adj) beautiful,
insubstantial; (n) ornament, trim, glinting: (adj) glittering, scintillating, comely, handsome, pretty, fine, fair,
embellishment, frill, garnish lustrous, aglitter, fulgid, glitter, lovely, gorgeous, charming, bonny,
gipsy: (n) Gypsy, Romany, bohemian, coruscant, sparkly, bright, bubbling, graceful
warping end, tzigane, vagrant, luminous goose: (n) goof, fathead, cuckoo,
Rommany glisten: (n, v) gleam, sparkle, flash, barnacle, fool, jackass, brent, brant,
girlhood: (n) adolescence, boyhood, glance, shimmer, glitter, glister; (v) goosecap; (n, v) spur; (v) serpent
maidenhood, youth, babyhood, glimmer, beam, coruscate, glint gooseberry: (n) fish story, Ribes
youthhood, maidhood, age glitter: (n, v) flash, beam, shine, grossularia, shrub, bush, gooseberry
girlish: (adj) boyish, childish, glisten, glimmer, glow, sparkle, bush, feaberry
kittenish, juvenile, adolescent, flicker, shimmer; (v) glance; (n) gospel: (n) creed, dogma, tenet,
innocent, schoolgirlish, babyish, radiance. ANTONYM: (n) dullness gospels, evangel, truth, doctrine,
immature, youthful, female glittering: (adj, v) brilliant; (adj) church doctrine, gospel truth,
girt: (n, v) girth, girdle; (v) gird, sparkling, flashing, dazzling, veracity; (adj) pope
begird, encircle, environ; (n) band, glistering, glistening, glinting, gossiping: (adj) gabby, garrulous,
belt, zone, cingle; (adj) braced shining, scintillating, splendid; (adj, scandalous; (n) gossipmongering
386 Wuthering Heights
gouge: (v) swindle, deceive, beguile, slightly; (adj) soft (adv) brightly, pleasantly, warmly
fleece, dig, scoop, extort, defraud, graver: (v) style, denominate, entitle, grind: (n, v) labor, toil, comminute,
cut; (n, v) groove, dent fashion; (n) engraver, graving tool drudge; (v) grate, crunch, abrade,
graceful: (adj) beautiful, delicate, graves: (n) Robert Graves, Robert chew, scrape, mash; (n) mill.
amiable, easy, fine, charming, fair, Ranke Graves ANTONYMS: (v) blunt, smooth
airy, becoming, lovely, lithe. graze: (n, v) browse, scrape, touch; grinding: (v) cutting, excruciating,
ANTONYMS: (adj) inelegant, (v) rub, chafe, eat, shave, brush, consuming, corroding; (n) abrasion,
stocky, awkward, vigorous, jerky, crop, crease; (n) cut. ANTONYM: (v) friction, sharpening, detrition; (adj)
ugly, stilted, heavy, coarse, smooth grating, extortionate, hard
strenuous grazed: (adj) hurt grinning: (n) grin, smile, facial
graceless: (adj) inelegant, clumsy, greedy: (adj) avid, gluttonous, expression, facial gesture, smiling;
godless, depraved, gauche, desirous, grasping, acquisitive, (adj) beaming
abandoned, ungracious, dissolute, glutton, piggish, voracious, selfish; gripe: (n) complaint; (adj, v) catch; (n,
ungraceful, rude, barbaric. (adj, v) avaricious, covetous. v) beef, moan, bellyache, grasp,
ANTONYMS: (adj) sophisticated, ANTONYMS: (adj) temperate, grumble, whine, protest; (adj, n, v)
suave, elegant ascetic, unconcerned, abstemious, clutch; (v) complain. ANTONYMS:
gracious: (adj) genial, benign, good, moderate (v) appreciate, compliment, agree,
courteous, compassionate, kind, greet: (n, v) receive; (v) address, rejoice
accommodating, civil; (adj, n) acknowledge, hail, welcome, cry, groan: (n, v) grumble, murmur, cry,
benevolent, congenial, gentle. salute, bid, weep, meet, recognize sigh, mutter, squeak, rumble, scrape;
ANTONYMS: (adj) ungracious, greeting: (n) welcome, salutation, (v) howl, complain; (n) complaint
boorish, discourteous, reserved, address, greet, compliments, groaning: (adj) moaning, groaningly,
rude, abrupt, critical, unkind, acknowledgment, accost, hello, inarticulate
hardhearted, harsh, poor hullo, nod; (v) salute. ANTONYM: grotesque: (adj) fantastic, bizarre,
grange: (n) farm, farmhouse, toft, (n) goodbye funny, antic, absurd, droll, strange,
hacienda, granary, messuage, greyhound: (adj) race horse, gazelle, baroque, weird, ugly, hideous.
tenement courser, eagle; (n) grayhound ANTONYMS: (adj) lovely, normal,
grappling: (n) wrestling, braving, grievance: (n) injustice, wrong, commonplace, attractive
coping with, facing, face, grudge, affliction, protest, objection, grouse: (n, v) bellyache, moan,
confronting, grappler, try, disaffection, discontentment, grumble, beef, whine, groan; (v)
grapplement, struggle, attempt dissatisfaction; (adj) annoyance; (adj, complain, mutter; (n) complaint,
grasping: (adj) avaricious, covetous, n) distress. ANTONYMS: (n) justice, ptarmigan, partridge. ANTONYM:
acquisitive, greedy, avid, voracious, praise (v) rejoice
rapacious, grabby, mercenary, grieve: (n, v) distress, aggrieve, grovel: (v) cringe, crawl, creep, fawn,
stingy; (n) seizing. ANTONYMS: afflict, sorrow, annoy; (v) trouble, flatter, sneak; (adj, v) crouch,
(adj) generous, altruistic lament, deplore, bemoan, fret, wallow; (adj) stoop, derogate, lose
grassy: (adj) verdant, gramineous, bewail. ANTONYMS: (v) rejoice, caste
weedy, herby, woody, fertile, celebrate, encourage growling: (adj) grunting, doggish,
blossoming, abundant, leafy, lush, grieved: (adj) sore, sad, sorry, churlish, brutal, guttural, hoarse,
flourishing. ANTONYMS: (adj) sorrowful, upset, woeful, pained, husky, peevish; (n) scowling,
grassless, urban, withering affected, brokenhearted glowering
grate: (v) grind, creak, scrape, abrade, grieving: (adj) sorrowful, bereft, grown-up: (adj) mature, big, full-
gall, gnash, fret, rub, aggravate, bereaved, mournful, aggrieved, sad, grown, ripe, grown, full-fledged
provoke; (n) lattice teenful, despondent; (v) grief, grudge: (v) begrudge, covet; (n, v)
grated: (v) areolar, streaked; (adj) affliction; (n) sorrow spite; (n) malice, anger, umbrage,
barred grievous: (adj) bitter, dolorous, resentment, rancor, gall, pique, feud
gratification: (adj, n) delight; (n, v) dreadful, deplorable, sad, tough, gruel: (n) mess, congee, loblolly,
content; (n) enjoyment, pleasure, pitiful, atrocious, regrettable, paste, waste, porridge, mush, pap,
satisfaction, fruition, complacency, sorrowful, sorry. ANTONYM: (adj) skilly, wet feed
joy, luxury, treat, fulfillment. successful gruff: (adj) bluff, abrupt, curt, crusty,
ANTONYMS: (n) dissatisfaction, grievously: (adv) seriously, heavily, brusque, brutal, husky; (adj, v)
disenchantment, dismay, discontent, sorrowfully, gravely, severely, coarse, rough, hoarse, harsh.
anxiety mortally, mournfully, heinously, ANTONYMS: (adj) courteous,
gratified: (adj) glad, satisfied, weightily; (adj, adv) painfully, friendly, high, velvety, smooth,
pleased, delighted, happy, thankful, bitterly mellow, gentle, civil, polite
grateful, content, complacent, grimace: (n, v) scowl, glower, sneer, gruffly: (adv) sullenly, hoarsely,
comfortable, cheerful smile, roar; (n) face, mop, mouth, harshly, abruptly, roughly, huskily,
gravely: (adv) seriously, soberly, expression; (v) pull a face, wince bluffly, grumpily, throatily,
severely, solemnly, badly, staidly, grimly: (adv) severely, harshly, coarsely, rudely. ANTONYMS:
momentously, heavily, earnestly, morosely, fiercely, drearily, sourly, (adv) kindly, politely, gently,
weightily, grievously. ANTONYMS: gloomily, dreadfully, hardly, smoothly, tactfully
(adv) lightheartedly, mildly, horridly, sullenly. ANTONYMS: gruffness: (n) curtness, roughness,
Emily Brontë 387
harshness, shortness, abruptness, croaking, husky, harsh, velar, smooth, unaccustomed,
hoarseness, severity, surliness, raucous, grum; (n) dental; (v) nasal. untempered, feeling, mild
ruggedness, croakiness, terseness. ANTONYMS: (adj) soft, smooth, hardihood: (v) audacity; (n) courage,
ANTONYMS: (n) courtesy, high daring, boldness, temerity,
smoothness, gentleness, habitual: (adj, n) common, frequent, fearlessness, fortitude, brass; (adj, n)
pleasantness usual; (adj) chronic, conventional, face, guts; (n, v) assurance.
grumbling: (n) grumble, growling, confirmed, accustomed, natural, ANTONYMS: (n) frailty, timidity
murmur, murmuring, mutter, commonplace, everyday, ordinary. hardness: (n) austerity, asperity,
muttering; (adj, n) rumbling; (adv) ANTONYMS: (adj) occasional, callousness, difficulty, rigor,
grumblingly; (adj) grouchy, infrequent, mild, irregular, consistency, stiffness, cruelty,
grumpy, irritable exceptional, erratic, abnormal, arduousness, tightness, insensibility.
guarded: (adj) wary, careful, chary, innovative ANTONYMS: (n) ease, limpness,
circumspect, cagey, vigilant, habituated: (v) given to, addicted to, malleability
watchful, conditional, discreet, attuned to; (adj, v) used to; (adj) hark: (v) harken, hear, hearken, heed,
gingerly, conservative. addicted, wont, trained, inured, listen in; (n) look here, look you,
ANTONYMS: (adj) frank, careless, used, inveterate, hardened. look
trusting, reckless, open, unwary, ANTONYM: (adj) untrained harmed: (adj) aggrieved, injured,
natural haggard: (adj) emaciated, gaunt, impaired, incapacitated, abused,
guardianship: (n) custody, care, cadaverous, careworn, tired, worn, debilitated, physically abused,
charge, keeping, safekeeping, lean, thin, wasted, pinched, squalid. battered, crippled; (v) harm, damage
tutelage, conservation, protection, ANTONYMS: (adj) relaxed, carefree, harmless: (adj) safe, benign,
wardship; (adj, n) ward; (adj) guard healthy inoffensive, hurtless, innocent,
guarding: (n) surveillance, hairy: (adj) hirsute, bushy, innoxious, intact, simple; (n) silly;
conservation, precaution, shielding, dangerous, downy, woolly, bristly, (adj, n) foolish; (v) weaponless.
marking, civil defense, patrol, fleecy, rough, fuzzy, shaggy, fluffy. ANTONYMS: (adj) lethal,
accompaniment, guardianship; (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) hairless, safe, damaging, destructive, poisonous,
preserving, defensive tidy, sleek toxic, serious, offensive, malicious,
guessing: (adv) guessingly; (n) dead hale: (adj) healthy, whole, sturdy, hurtful, noxious, unpleasant
reckoning, guesswork, strong, sane, rugged, robust; (v) harmlessly: (adv) innocuously,
approximation, supposition, gibe, drag; (adj, n) well, hearty, sound. inoffensively, hurtlessly, simplely,
shot, blastoff, barb, estimation, dig ANTONYM: (adj) unwell innoxiously, safely, benignly,
guffaw: (n, v) laugh, chuckle, snicker, hallo: (n) hi, hullo unoffendingly, gentlely, intactly,
hoot, giggle, cackle; (n) belly laugh, halted: (adj) motionless, nonmoving, guiltlessly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
horselaugh, laughter; (v) cachinnate, unmoving maliciously, detrimentally,
roar. ANTONYM: (v) cry halting: (adj) halt, hesitant, broken, offensively, harmfully
guiltily: (adv) blameworthily, crude, grotesque, barbarous; (adj, v) harmonized: (adj) harmonical,
criminally, hangdogly, wickedly, lame, crippled; (adv) haltingly; (v) consonant, harmonic, harmonious,
faultily, sheepishly, delinquently, drooping, flagging. ANTONYMS: concordant, identical, coordinated,
sinfully, awkwardly, sorrily, (adj) easy, firm uniform, synchronized,
ashamedly handiwork: (n) handicraft, creation, standardized, in harmony.
guiltless: (adj) innocent, clean, production, handcraft, product, ANTONYM: (adj) heterogeneous
irreproachable, clear, faultless, handwork, work, produce, design, harried: (adj) annoyed, rushed,
unsullied, stainless, pure, performance; (v) workmanship pestered, hyperactive, hassled,
inculpable, immaculate, spotless harass: (n, v) distress, annoy; (v) frantic, under pressure, vexed,
gunpowder: (n) powder, guncotton, plague, fret, beset, tease, pester, pressurized, turbulent
fine particles, face powder, dust, disturb; (adj, v) molest, worry, tire. harshness: (n) austerity, asperity,
concentrate, ammunition, residue; ANTONYMS: (v) defend, delight, severity, acrimony, brutality,
(v) shot encourage, praise, comfort hardness, roughness, rigor,
gush: (n, v) flood, flow, spurt, jet, harassed: (adj) annoyed, pestered, inclemency, hoarseness; (adj, n)
discharge, stream, rush, surge; (n) irritated, bothered, annoy, jittery, strictness. ANTONYMS: (n)
burst, effusion; (v) course worried, troubled, beleaguered, softness, leniency, quietness,
gusto: (n) relish, enjoyment, zest, obsessed, harried. ANTONYMS: flexibility, kindness, mercy,
pleasure, gust, taste, enthusiasm, (adj) calm, carefree sweetness, melodiousness,
delight, delicacy, flavour; (n, v) harassing: (adj) troublesome, carking, brightness, smoothness, lenience
glow. ANTONYMS: (n) apathy, galling, thorny, vexatious; (v) hash: (adj, n) muddle, muss; (v)
sluggishness bothering, pestering, tormenting, mangle, chop, hackle, mince,
gusty: (adj) blustery, stormy, windy, worrying, annoy, harass discind, chop up, gash; (adj, v)
blowy, tempestuous, squally, dirty, hardened: (adj) hard, callous, mash; (n) hashish
blustering, blusterous, airy, confirmed, tough, indurated, haste: (n, v) hurry, dash, dispatch,
inclement. ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, tempered, unfeeling, inured, rush; (n) celerity, expedition,
airless habitual, enured, veteran. rapidity, speed, bustle, hastiness,
guttural: (adj) hoarse, throaty, gruff, ANTONYMS: (adj) inexperienced, quickness. ANTONYMS: (n) delay,
388 Wuthering Heights
patience, forethought, caution obstinate, disobedient, unruly, godless, barbaric
hasten: (adj, n, v) speed, quicken; (v) willful, wayward, froward, rash, heathenism: (n) heresy, pagan
expedite, advance, hurry, hie, dash, headlong; (adj, v) ungovernable. religion, religion, atheism,
rush; (n, v) further, forward, ANTONYMS: (adj) tractable, heathendom, barbarism, idolatry,
dispatch. ANTONYMS: (v) linger, compliant, amenable, docile, ethnicism, ethicism, gentility, good
retard, amble malleable, agreeable, cautious breeding
hastened: (adj) careless healthier: (adj) fitter. ANTONYM: heave: (n, v) cast, fling, raise, gasp,
hastening: (n) quickening, speed, (adj) worse toss, lift; (v) chuck, haul, elevate,
hurrying, speeding up, faster, fast, heaps: (adj, n) lots, much; (n) masses, pitch, billow. ANTONYMS: (v)
stepping up oodles, piles, stacks, many, tons, push, drop
hasty: (adj) fast, abrupt, cursory, fleet, plenty, lot, accumulation. heavens: (n) firmament, heaven, sky,
sudden, rash, impetuous, careless, ANTONYM: (adj) inadequate welkin, sphere, atmosphere, celestial
speedy, hurried, quick. hearken: (v) hark, harken, attend, sphere, space, skies, area, vault of
ANTONYMS: (adj) deliberate, listen, hear, heed, list, listen in, listen heaven
considered, leisurely, sensible, to, regard, look out heaving: (v) tremor, twitter; (adj)
gradual, thorough, cautious, careful, hearsay: (n) report, gossip, rumour, swelling, full, full up, jammed; (n)
roundabout, prudent, patient buzz, on dit, news, scandal, fame, murmur, forcing out, groan,
hateful: (adj) disgusting, execrable, talk, comment; (v) bruit. grumble, mutter. ANTONYM: (adj)
nasty, abominable, hideous, ANTONYM: (n) fact deserted
despicable, repulsive, distasteful, heartbroken: (adj) disconsolate, sad, hector: (adj, v) domineer; (v)
foul; (adj, v) odious, obnoxious. sorrowful, heartsick, inconsolable, browbeat, bluster, bullyrag,
ANTONYMS: (adj) delightful, kind, miserable, distressed, sorry, tyrannize, swagger, ballyrag; (adj)
nice, benign, desirable crushed, desolate, despondent. hectic, Amazon, dictate; (n) Captain
haughty: (adj) supercilious, arrogant, ANTONYMS: (adj) happy, euphoric Bobadil. ANTONYM: (v) encourage
assuming, contemptuous, proud, hearth: (n) fire, oven, fireside, stove, heed: (n, v) consideration, concern,
lordly, cavalier, vain, contumelious, chimney, focus, furnace, dwelling, regard, mind, attention, notice; (n)
grand; (n) boastful. ANTONYMS: kiln, home, abode caution, advertence, advertency; (v)
(adj) modest, meek, subservient, heartily: (adv) cordially, sincerely, attend, hear. ANTONYMS: (n, v)
unassuming, considerate, enthusiastically, warmly, strongly, disregard; (n) inattentiveness
deferential earnestly, vigorously, ardently, heedless: (adj) careless, reckless,
haunt: (n, v) resort, ghost; (n) den, soundly, devoutly, eagerly. inattentive, neglectful, negligent,
hangout, home; (v) pursue, follow, ANTONYMS: (adv) feebly, thoughtless, rash, regardless,
stalk, afflict, persecute; (adj) harass languorously unwary, indifferent; (adj, v) wanton.
haunted: (adj) ghostly, ghostlike, heartiness: (n) eagerness, fervor, ANTONYMS: (adj) heedful,
phantom, taken up, preoccupied, geniality, zeal, sincerity, attentive, mindful, conscientious,
possessed, unearthly, magical, mad, wholeheartedness, inwardness, prudent, careful, cautious
infatuated, concerned ardor, avidity, craving; (adj, n) heirs: (n) family, posterity, issue
haven: (n) harbor, port, asylum, hospitality hellish: (adj, v) diabolic, satanic; (adj)
harbour, refuge, retreat, destination, heartless: (adj) hardhearted, ruthless, infernal, diabolical, fiendish,
anchorage, cover, housing; (n, v) cruel, pitiless, obdurate, merciless, demonic, beastly, wicked, unholy,
shelter unfeeling, unkind, stony, detestable; (v) mephistophelian
havoc: (n) devastation, mayhem, insensitive, grim. ANTONYMS: henceforth: (adv) hence, in future,
destruction, damage, demolition, (adj) kind, caring, hearted, after this; (adj) following
debacle, wreckage, waste, chaos, warmhearted, compassionate, hend: (adj) hendy
downfall; (n, v) carnage. softhearted, merciful, sympathetic, hercules: (adj, n) atlas; (n) atlantes,
ANTONYMS: (n) peace, calm concerned, flattering, generous Caryatides, Samson, Alcides, giant,
hayfield: (n) grassland heartlessness: (n) coldheartedness, Goliath, Herakles, Cyclops, Persides;
hazarding: (n) exacta, gaming, daily hardheartedness, callousness, (adj) superman
double; (adj) wagering mercilessness, unkindness, atrocity, herd: (n, v) crowd; (adj) bevy, many;
hazy: (adj) fuzzy, cloudy, vague, pitilessness, brutality, malice, (adj, n, v) swarm; (n) drove, gang,
blurred, foggy, nebulous, misty, meanness, coldness. ANTONYMS: crew, collection, covey, multitude,
indistinct, blurry, faint, dull. (n) sensitivity, humanity mob
ANTONYMS: (adj) bright, distinct, hearty: (adj) heartfelt, healthy, genial, hereafter: (adv) thereafter, from now
precise, sunny, thick, detailed, sturdy, cheering, fervent, on, hence, henceforth, hereinafter,
definite, strong wholehearted, lusty, enthusiastic, afterwards; (n) afterlife, futurity,
headforemost: (adv) a corps perdu, convivial; (adj, n) well. time to come, great beyond, future
headfirst, post haste ANTONYMS: (adj) unhealthy, frail, life
headstone: (n) tombstone, old, weak, sluggish, unwholesome, heretofore: (adv) formerly, as yet,
monument, quoin, keystone, coign, meager before, so far, yet, already, until
coigne, cornerstone, stone, heathen: (adj, n) gentile, ethnic; (n) now, previously, once, hereunto;
memorial, building block, cemetery infidel, idolater, paynim, heretic; (adv, n) hitherto
headstrong: (adj) intractable, dogged, (adj) heathenish, irreligious, giaour, hermit: (n) anchorite, ascetic, solitary,
Emily Brontë 389
anchoret, eremite, monk, troglodyte, hindering: (adj) obstructive, effectively, slightly
solitaire, loner, caveman, cave man clogging, preclusive, meddlesome, horizontally: (adv) evenly, flatly,
heroine: (n) woman, persona, brave impedimental, counter, obstruent, planely, straightly, frigidly, dully,
woman, role, protagonist, part, blocking up; (n) hindrance, barwise, smoothly, recumbently,
leading lady, heroess, role model, impedition; (v) hinder prostrately; (adj) crosswise
female lead, character hiring: (n) employment, engagement, horrid: (adj) grisly, ghastly, ugly,
herrings: (n) family Clupeidae, etc, staffing, booking gruesome, grim, fearful, dreadful,
Clupeidae hither: (adv) here, whither, direful, dire, horrible, fearsome.
hesitate: (adj, n, v) pause, delay; (adj, hitherward, thither ANTONYMS: (adj) lovely, nice,
v) linger; (v) fluctuate, halt, waver, hive: (adj) swarm, herd; (v) store, SE appealing, attractive, kind
vacillate, demur, boggle, nicher; (n) concourse, hiding place, horrified: (v) horrify, chagrined, cut
procrastinate; (n, v) doubt. cave, cell, den, aerie, eyry up, terrify, frighten; (adj) scared,
ANTONYMS: (v) rush, decide hives: (n) urticaria, rash, dismayed, alarmed, frightened,
hesitating: (adj) indecisive, irresolute, efflorescence, eruption, urtication, aghast, terrified. ANTONYM: (adj)
undecided, doubtful, hesitate, skin complaint proud
reluctant, faltering, unwilling, hoard: (v) amass, gather, collect, horseback: (n) hogback, body part
hesitancy, backward, hesitatingly garner; (n, v) cache, store, stock, hospitable: (adj) affable, receptive,
hesitatingly: (adv) indecisively, heap, bank, stash; (n) accumulation. gracious, cordial, generous, amiable,
irresolutely, hesitating, waveringly, ANTONYMS: (v) squander, convivial, genial, pleasant, warm, to
doubtfully, undecidedly, disperse, spend, use enjoy having guests. ANTONYMS:
vacillatingly, falteringly. hoarse: (adj) gruff, husky, raucous, (adj) unwelcoming, inhospitable,
ANTONYM: (adv) unhesitatingly grating, strident, guttural, rough, sinister, hostile
hesitation: (n, v) falter, fear; (n) throaty; (v) coarse; (adj, v) hollow, hostess: (n) mistress, air hostess,
hesitance, faltering, delay, hesitate, sepulchral. ANTONYMS: (adj) flight attendant, housewife, steward,
diffidence, hesitancy, qualm, smooth, mellow, velvety, high innkeeper, landlady, prostitute, host
reluctance; (v) hesitating. hoary: (adj) ancient, hoar, old, white, hostilities: (n) combat, hostility, war,
ANTONYMS: (n) certainty, grey, elderly, musty, dull, canescent, battle, fighting, action, series of
resolution, confidence, decisiveness, antique, archaic attacks, campaign, conflict,
enthusiasm, inclination, willingness hollow: (adj, n) blank; (n) cavity, confrontation, contest. ANTONYM:
heterodox: (adj) heretical, depression, cave, dell; (adj) empty, (n) peace
unorthodox, dissident, profane, false; (adj, n, v) concave; (n, v) hottest: (adj) most modern, most
lawless, sectarian, Sadducee, Sabian, excavate, dent, scoop. ANTONYMS: recent, newest, latest
Rosicrucian, magi, gymnosophist (adj) convex, sincere, true, full, hound: (v) bloodhound, chase, hunt,
hideous: (adj) dreadful, frightful, meaningful, cramped, valid; (n) follow, badger, course, bait, pursue;
fearful, ghastly, horrid, ugly, hump, bump, hill, lump (n) greyhound, blackguard, cad.
repulsive, lurid, horrible, grisly, hollowness: (n) hollow, concavity, ANTONYM: (v) soothe
grim. ANTONYMS: (adj) lovely, insincerity, cavity, futility, blank, housekeeper: (n) factotum, mistress,
pleasant, beautiful, wonderful concaveness, void, nothingness, shepherd, householder, housewife,
hilarity: (adj, n) mirth, merriment; (n) vacuum, vacuity. ANTONYMS: (n) domestic, cleaning woman,
delight, exhilaration, cheerfulness, solidity, validity croupier, domestic help, seneschal,
joy, jollity, gaiety, happiness, homely: (adj) plain, common, rustic, house servant
laughter, fun. ANTONYMS: (n) artless, home, snug, homelike, houseless: (adj) unhoused
boredom, despondency, misery domestic; (adj, adv) ugly; (adv) housewife: (n) homemaker, mistress,
hillock: (n) hill, mound, rise, barrow, plainly, simplely. ANTONYMS: housekeeper, matron, wife, hostess,
kopje, hammock, elevation, heap; (adj) sophisticated, striking, hussif, dame, woman of the house,
(adj, n) knoll, hummock; (adj) mole uncomfortable, bleak lady of the house, busy bee
hilly: (adj) steep, rugged, homeward: (adj) oriented, orientated hovel: (n) hut, cot, booth, hole,
mountainous, cragged, rough, homily: (n) sermon, discourse, cottage, hutch, shanty, bothy, shed,
rocky, lofty, irregular, tumulous, lecture, speech, preachment, oration, shack, croft. ANTONYM: (n)
knobby, unsmooth. ANTONYM: disquisition, pandect, pastoral, mansion
(adj) flat preaching; (v) preach hovering: (adj) suspended, poised,
hinder: (v) impede, resist, check, honeymoon: (n) period, pleasure; impending, flying, high
hamper, obstruct, curb, handicap, (adj) wedding, nuptial, marriage howl: (n, v) cry, roar, scream, bark,
delay; (n, v) bar; (adj) posterior, honoured: (adj) esteemed, respected, shout, yell, bay, yelp; (v) bawl,
hind. ANTONYMS: (v) help, worthy growl, yawl. ANTONYM: (v) laugh
facilitate, assist, prompt, encourage, hoops: (n) basketball game, earrings, hubbub: (n) commotion, uproar,
promote, allow, support, accelerate studs, jewelry, basketball disorder, din, noise, bustle, tumult,
hindered: (adj) obstructed, blocked, hopelessly: (adv) despairingly, bedlam, brouhaha; (n, v) racket,
delayed, stalled, slowed down, forlornly, despondently, uselessly, brawl. ANTONYM: (n) calm
slow, in an inferior position, in a desolately, futilely, wretchedly, humiliation: (n) degradation,
weak position, impedite, thwarted, lostly, sadly, dejectedly, dispiritedly. disgrace, chagrin, abjection,
frustrated ANTONYMS: (adv) cheerfully, comedown, indignity,
390 Wuthering Heights
embarrassment, mortification, freezingly, bitterly, coolly, chilly, imbecile: (adj) foolish, idiotic,
dishonor, discredit; (adj, n) shame. polarly. ANTONYM: (adv) warmly fatuous, dumb, imbecilic, simple; (n)
ANTONYMS: (n) glorification, idiot: (n) dolt, blockhead, dunce, idiot, moron, cretin, ass, oaf.
aggrandizement, pride, success, dimwit, moron, cretin, ass, imbecile, ANTONYM: (adj) genius
making oaf, changeling, idiocy. ANTONYM: immeasurably: (adv) boundlessly,
humility: (n) diffidence, modesty, (n) intellectual endlessly, immensely, greatly,
submission, shyness, meekness, idiotic: (adj) absurd, foolish, fatuous, much; (adj) exceedingly, extremely,
lowliness, timidity, trait, imbecile, crazy, stupid, ridiculous, exquisitely, acutely, ultra, intensely.
humiliation, resignation; (adj) mindless, silly, unwise, daft. ANTONYM: (adv) slightly
veneration. ANTONYMS: (n) ANTONYMS: (adj) wise, genius, imminently: (adv) nearly,
haughtiness, affectation, conceit, clever menacingly, threateningly, nighly,
arrogance idleness: (n) lethargy, laziness, approachingly, closely, comingly,
humming: (adj) droning, zippy, torpor, inactivity, idling, forthcomingly, pendingly,
reeking, bustling, grunting, stinking; unemployment, sloth, inaction, prospectively, nextly
(n) buzzing, vocalizing, sound, inertia, faineance, idlesse. immolation: (n) holocaust, human
murmur, growling ANTONYMS: (n) energy, activity, sacrifices, suttee; (v) oblation,
hurl: (v) chuck, dash, pitch, throw, bustle, liveliness, responsibility offering, sacrifice, favor, free gift,
dart, pelt, toss, heave, send; (n, v) idol: (n) fetish, deity, effigy, divinity, boon, benefaction, grant
fling; (n) casting. ANTONYM: (v) graven image, image, hero, favorite, immortal: (adj) eternal, enduring,
hold star, simulacrum, beloved undying, endless, monumental; (adj,
hurriedly: (adv) rapidly, quickly, ignoble: (adj) contemptible, abject, v) deathless, imperishable,
swiftly, abruptly, promptly, fast, in base, dishonorable, disgraceful, celebrated; (n) deity, God, divinity.
haste, suddenly, speedily, rashly, beggarly, mean, humble, degraded, ANTONYMS: (adj) obscure, earthly,
precipitately. ANTONYMS: (adv) despicable, caddish. ANTONYMS: forgettable, perishable, temporary
calmly, unhurriedly, patiently, (adj) honorable, glorious immovable: (adj, v) firm, fixed; (adj)
carefully, gradually, thoroughly ignominious: (adj) dishonorable, adamant, steadfast, motionless,
hurrying: (n) hastening, speed, shameful, disreputable, infamous, unyielding, unmovable, set,
quickening, rushing, early, base, discreditable, dishonourable, imperturbable, inflexible; (v) fast.
speeding, speeding up, stepping up, inglorious, black, despicable, ANTONYMS: (adj) loose, moving,
amphetamine, forward, eager degrading. ANTONYMS: (adj) mobile, flexible, movable,
hurtful: (adj) harmful, destructive, honorable, glorious acquiescent, temporary, irresolute
evil, detrimental, deleterious, bad, ignorant: (adj) unconscious, impalpable: (adj) imperceptible,
injurious, cutting, baneful, baleful, unwitting, rude, illiterate, shadowy, invisible, efflorescent,
noisome. ANTONYMS: (adj) uneducated, blind, dull, unaware, gritty, insubstantial, incorporeal,
pleasing, harmless, pleasant, uninformed, unlearned, innocent. inscrutable, ethereal,
comforting, complimentary, ANTONYMS: (adj) conscious, inapprehensible, elusive.
merciful, helpful, advantageous, versed, cultured, educated, ANTONYMS: (adj) tangible, definite
flattering, benign, generous informed, wary, literate, aware, imparting: (n) giving, conveyance,
hush: (adj, n, v) calm, silence, quiet, polite conveyance of title, conveyancing,
still, lull; (n) peace; (v) shut up, gag, ill-bred: (adj) boorish, discourteous, conveying
quieten, muffle; (adj, v) soothe. impertinent, graceless, gruff, impassable: (adj) impervious,
ANTONYMS: (n) noise, turmoil; (v) uncouth, uncivil, ill-mannered, impenetrable, impracticable,
Louden crude, inurbane, indelicate invincible, insuperable, inaccessible,
hypocrisy: (n, v) insincerity; (n) cant, ill-founded: (adj) invalid unpassable, innavigable,
dissimulation, falsity, deception, ill-natured: (adj) cantankerous, inextricable, closed, impossible.
falseness, sanctimony, deceit, lip peevish, sour, surly, catty, crabbed, ANTONYMS: (adj) passable, open
service; (v) double dealing; (adj) gruff, disagreeable, malignant, impatience: (n) annoyance,
hypocritical. ANTONYMS: (n) malicious, malevolent eagerness, anger, intolerance,
sincerity, honesty ill-tempered: (adj) morose, sour, restlessness, fidget, nervousness,
hypocrite: (n) impostor, pretender, cross, crabby, churlish, moody, fidgetiness, enthusiasm, edginess;
trickster, fraud, deceiver, fake, cheat, grouchy, mean, huffy, angry, hot (adj) nonendurance. ANTONYMS:
charmer, bigot, whited sepulcher, ill-treatment: (n) hurt (n) calmness, endurance, apathy
smoothie illusions: (n) fantasy impatient: (adj) eager, anxious,
hysterical: (adj, n) feverish; (adj) imaginable: (adj) conceivable, petulant, fidgety, vexed, keen, edgy,
wild, violent, eccentric, frenzied, possible, thinkable, plausible, quick, avid, irritable, fretful.
emotional, fitful, febrile, erratic; (n) earthly, believable, credible, feasible, ANTONYMS: (adj) patient,
fanatical, hysterics. ANTONYMS: immediate, likely, near. enduring, unenthusiastic, calm,
(adj) relaxed, composed, restrained ANTONYMS: (adj) unimaginable, happy, relaxed, slow
ice-cold: (adj) frigid, frozen implausible impatiently: (adv) petulantly,
icicle: (n) ice, ickle, isicle imagining: (n) conception, restlessly, keenly, intolerantly,
icily: (adv) frostily, coldly, frigidly, daydream, fantasy, opinion; (v) hastily, avidly, uneasily,
wintrily, glacially, arctically, imagine; (adj) imaginant enthusiastically, edgily, fidgetily,
Emily Brontë 391
restively. ANTONYMS: (adv) importation: (n) entree, importing, eloquent, fluent, distinct, talkative
uncomplainingly, calmly, admittance, admission, inattention: (n) neglect, heedlessness,
unenthusiastically, lightly mercantilism, introduction, carelessness, forgetfulness,
impelled: (adj) prompted, provoked, entrance; (v) infusion, transport, negligence, inobservance,
determined, compulsive, transmission, injection inadvertence, indifference,
encouraged, goaded, motivated, importunate: (adj) annoying, exigent, oversight, slight, distraction.
bound pressing, insistent, bothersome, ANTONYMS: (n) attention, notice,
imperceptibly: (adv) unnoticeably, pestiferous, pestilent, instant, caution, concentration
gradually, slightly, invisibly, gently, obdurate, demanding, pleading. inaudible: (adj) indistinct,
quietly, softly, observably, ANTONYM: (adj) feeble imperceptible, inarticulate,
indistinctly, scarcely, hardly. importunately: (adv) pleadingly, noiseless, quiet, faint, out of hearing,
ANTONYMS: (adv) obviously, annoyingly, persistently, pressingly, muffled, silent, unheard, low.
visibly, audibly, conspicuously, imploringly, beseechingly, ANTONYMS: (adj) audible, obvious
perceptibly, heavily, clearly, insistently, exigently, entreatingly, incapability: (n) incapacity,
strongly clamorously, earnestly disability, impotence, unfitness,
imperfect: (adj) faulty, deficient, importunity: (n, v) entreaty, inaptitude, incompetence,
defective, unfinished, incomplete, supplication; (n) urgency, appeal, incapableness, imperfectibility,
poor, flawed, partial, inadequate, earnestness; (v) solicitation, inefficiency, disqualification,
broken, fallible. ANTONYMS: (adj) obsecration, interpellation, instance, inadequacy. ANTONYMS: (n)
perfect, whole, unblemished, obtestation, invocation capability, ability, capacity
adequate, complete, sound, impracticable: (adj) unfeasible, incapacitated: (adj) powerless, unfit,
boundless, capable, flawless infeasible, impractical, unrealistic, handicapped, helpless, incompetent,
imperious: (adj) haughty, unworkable, impervious, unusable, out of action, impotent, unable,
domineering, authoritative, unattainable, useless; (v) crotchety, weak, under disability, prostrate
arbitrary, imperative, masterful, fussy. ANTONYMS: (adj) viable, incapacity: (n) inability, impotence,
dictatorial, commanding, lordly, feasible, possible, accustomed incapability, disqualification,
magisterial, despotic. ANTONYM: imprisoned: (adj) confined, jailed, inadequacy, disablement,
(adj) subservient fenced in, unfree, locked up, inefficiency, powerlessness,
imperiously: (adv) overbearingly, incarcerate, deeply moved, insufficiency, incompetency; (adj)
arrogantly, commandingly, enraptured; (v) behind bars imbecility. ANTONYMS: (n)
magisterially, dictatorially, improper: (adj) false, illicit, capacity, ability, strength
masterfully, haughtily, imperatively, illegitimate, unsuitable, wrong, incarnate: (adj) embodied, bodied,
authoritatively, domineeringly, indecent, bad, coarse, amiss, faulty; material, corporeal; (v) materialize,
insolently. ANTONYMS: (adv) (adj, v) indecorous. ANTONYMS: typify, actualize, substantiate,
meekly, feebly (adj) suitable, fitting, polite, personify, be, body forth
impertinence: (n) audacity, gall, acceptable, sensitive, moral, correct, incautiously: (adv) imprudently,
impudence, insolence, disrespect, dignified, lawful, clean, honest recklessly, thoughtlessly,
effrontery, brass, boldness, impudence: (adj, n) boldness, brass; indiscreetly, injudiciously,
impertinency, sauciness, freshness. (n) cheek, gall, audacity, heedlessly, unthinkingly,
ANTONYMS: (n) politeness, impertinence, insolence, face, unguardedly, unwarily, rashly,
seriousness, reticence cheekiness, effrontery, assurance. forgetfully. ANTONYMS: (adv)
impertinent: (adj) fresh, pert, saucy, ANTONYMS: (n) cowardice, discreetly, carefully
forward, audacious, brash, brazen, reticence incessantly: (adv) constantly,
extraneous, discourteous, inadequacy: (n) imperfection, defect, endlessly, continually, perpetually,
disrespectful, flippant. inability, failure, shortage, continuously, unceasingly, eternally,
ANTONYMS: (adj) respectful, incompetence, fault, deficit, persistently, unremittingly,
polite, courteous inadequate, dearth, disproportion. unendingly, steadily. ANTONYMS:
implements: (n) equipment, ANTONYMS: (n) adequacy, (adv) sporadically, briefly
apparatus, gear, tackle, rigging, sufficiency, efficiency, abundance, incipient: (adj) initial, budding,
outfit, hardware, trappings virtue, superiority, perfection, nascent, imperfectly formed,
implore: (v) beg, beseech, supplicate, fruitfulness, competence, capability commencing, first, undeveloped;
ask, conjure, crave, pray, importune, inanimate: (adj) defunct, dull, (adj, v) introductory; (v) inceptive;
appeal, plead, solicit. ANTONYMS: breathless, inorganic, inactive, (n) beginning
(v) demand, grant, reject lifeless, exanimate, deceased, incitement: (n) impetus, incentive,
imploring: (adj) appealing, begging, extinct, unconscious, spiritless. incitation, encouragement,
suppliant, pleading, entreating, ANTONYMS: (adj) living, animate, fomentation, stimulus, stimulation,
piteous, importunate, entreating spirited provocation, motive, impulse; (n, v)
urgently; (v) supplicate, plead; (n) inarticulate: (adj) unintelligible, goad. ANTONYMS: (n) prevention,
prayer silent, vague, muffled, incoherent, deterrent, disincentive
imploringly: (adv) beseechingly, mute, incomprehensible, inclination: (n, v) desire, bent; (n)
pleadingly, importunately, unarticulate, speechless, guttural, fancy, affection, tendency, leaning,
beggingly, suppliantly, appealingly fuzzy. ANTONYMS: (adj) articulate, drift, appetite, dip, proclivity, bias.
392 Wuthering Heights
ANTONYMS: (n) disinclination, (adj) uncertain, boundless, hazy, aversion, reluctance, hesitation; (n,
reluctance, aversion, indifference, equivocal, unlimited, doubtful, v) illness, disorder, disease; (adj, n)
unwillingness, antipathy, dislike, dubious, imprecise, indecisive. infirmity. ANTONYM: (n)
horror ANTONYMS: (adj) definite, limited, inclination
incoherent: (adj) disjointed, fixed, constrained, specific, distinct, indistinctly: (adv) vaguely, dimly,
disconnected, delirious, rambling, known, precise, clear, exact hazily, mistily, inarticulately,
confused, disordered, incompatible, indicative: (adj, n) declarative; (adj) shadowily, obscurely, unclearly,
wandering, muddled, inconsistent, significant, suggestive, meaningful, fuzzily, confusedly, ambiguously.
contradictory. ANTONYMS: (adj) demonstrative, significative, ANTONYMS: (adv) precisely,
clear, articulate, eloquent, indicatory, reminiscent; (n) audibly, coherently, distinctly
intelligible, lucid, sound, concise, indicative mood, common mood; (v) indolence: (n) laziness, inaction,
consistent indicating. ANTONYMS: (adj) lethargy, inertia, inactivity,
incomparably: (adv) superlatively, hidden, secretive listlessness, slowness, torpor,
matchlessly, uniquely, indifference: (adj, n) coldness, sluggishness, apathy; (adj, n) sloth.
exceptionally, outstandingly, phlegm; (n) detachment, ANTONYMS: (n) energy,
unbeatably, uncomparably, impassiveness, disregard, aloofness, nimbleness, activity, bustle,
excellently, very, greatly, beyond nonchalance, neglect, unconcern, liveliness, vigor
compare. ANTONYM: (adv) impassivity, disinterest. indoors: (adv) at home, inwards,
comparably ANTONYMS: (n) fervor, interest, within, inwardly, internally, deep
incomprehensible: (adj) eagerness, dedication, sympathy, down, at heart, at bottom, in reality,
inapprehensible, inscrutable, favorite, compassion, anxiety, arrived, here. ANTONYMS: (adv)
inarticulate, abstruse, cryptic, responsiveness, forcefulness, care out, outdoors
unfathomable, puzzling, obscure, indifferent: (adj) apathetic, indulge: (n, v) gratify, humor; (v)
inexplicable, inconceivable, impassive, cold, cool, callous, fair, coddle, cosset, baby, pamper, spoil,
unaccountable. ANTONYMS: (adj) insensible, unconcerned, careless, satisfy, please, mollycoddle, cocker.
comprehensible, explicable, dull, average. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (v) frustrate, deprive,
understandable, intelligible, legible, enthusiastic, fervent, keen, stifle, neglect, deny, displease, fast
obvious, straightforward obsessive, energetic, eager, indulged: (adj) pet, privileged,
inconsideration: (n) hastiness, involved, surprised, exceptional, cherished, admired
imprudence, rashness, concerned, shocked indulgence: (adj, n) gratification,
thoughtlessness, inattention, indignant: (adj) angry, incensed, delight; (n) allowance, extravagance,
bluntness, unkindness, giddiness, furious, enraged, wrathful, hurt, debauchery, hobby, tolerance,
levity, carelessness, indiscretion. rage, provoked, hot, anger, irate. luxury, enjoyment, leniency,
ANTONYM: (n) consideration ANTONYMS: (adj) cool, content, pardon. ANTONYMS: (n) denial,
inconvenience: (n, v) trouble, unaffected virtue, intolerance, uprightness,
incommode; (v) discommode, indignantly: (adv) irately, angrily, necessity, indifference, dismay,
disoblige, annoy, disturb, disquiet; wrathfully, enragedly, sorely, severity
(n) disadvantage, difficulty, acrimoniously, cynically, sulkily, indulgent: (adj) forgiving, gentle,
nuisance, unsuitableness. hotly, exasperatedly, furiously clement, lenient, soft, kind, gracious,
ANTONYMS: (n) expediency, indignation: (n) anger, resentment, tolerant, merciful, compassionate;
advantage; (v) help, please displeasure, grudge, umbrage, rage, (adj, v) permissive. ANTONYMS:
incorporeal: (adj) immaterial, outrage, exasperation, choler, (adj) intolerant, unsympathetic,
spiritual, disembodied, dudgeon; (adj, n) wrath. severe, restrained, harsh,
insubstantial, intangible, bodiless, ANTONYMS: (n) contentment, hardhearted, abstemious,
ethereal, incorporal, impalpable, pleasure disapproving
metaphysical, incorporate. indiscretion: (n) foolishness, fault, indulging: (n) pampering, excess,
ANTONYM: (adj) tangible rashness, inconsideration, indulgence, orgy, folly, foolery,
incredulous: (adj) dubious, doubtful, carelessness, injudiciousness, faux gratification
suspicious, unbelieving, faithless, pas, hastiness, indiscreetness, inefficient: (adj) inadequate,
skeptical, doubting, lacking faith, flippancy; (adj, n) temerity. ineffective, ineffectual, incapable,
questioning, cynical, mistrustful. ANTONYMS: (n) discretion, inefficacious, shiftless, feeble,
ANTONYM: (adj) convinced diplomacy, forethought impotent, unfit, useless, unable.
incur: (n, v) contract; (v) catch, get, indispensable: (adj, v) necessary, ANTONYMS: (adj) economical,
incite, begin, cause, encounter, imperative, requisite; (adj) competent, diligent, productive
experience, obtain, suffer, receive obligatory, fundamental, required, inexperienced: (adj) naive, young,
incurable: (adj) incorrigible, mandatory, vital, urgent, absolutely callow, ignorant, unsophisticated,
immedicable, cureless, inveterate, necessary; (v) needful. new, unexperienced, clumsy; (adj, v)
irretrievable, irrecoverable, terminal, ANTONYMS: (adj) dispensable, raw; (v) green; (n) inexperience.
irremediable, irreparable, nonessential, optional, marginal, ANTONYMS: (adj) trained,
remediless, chronic. ANTONYM: unnecessary, worthless, minor sophisticated, skilled,
(adj) mild indisposition: (adj, n, v) ailment; (n) knowledgeable, expert, accustomed,
indefinite: (adj, v) ambiguous, vague; disinclination, dislike, distaste, sharp, seasoned
Emily Brontë 393
inexpressible: (adj, v) indescribable; apprisal, warning, revelation, enable, repair, protect, help
(adj) ineffable, unspeakable, ratting, presentation, introduction; injustice: (n) iniquity, wrong,
unutterable, indefinable, (v) inform; (adj) intelligencing, unfairness, bigotry, wickedness,
incommunicable, nameless, untold, giving information prejudice, crime; (adj, n) injury, evil,
beyond description, unexpressible, infringement: (n) violation, harm, damage. ANTONYMS: (n)
undefinable. ANTONYM: (adj) infraction, encroachment, breach, fairness, evenhandedness,
definite trespass, contravention, reasonableness, goodness, tolerance
infamous: (adj) disreputable, transgression, breaking, crime, inmate: (n) captive, convict, gaolbird,
flagrant, notorious, disgraceful, assault, invasion denizen, prisoner, con, patient,
dishonourable, contemptible; (adj, v) ingenious: (adj) adroit, artful, clever, jailbird, lodger, occupant, resident.
foul, shameful, base; (adj, n, v) cunning, deft, expert, creative, ANTONYM: (n) outpatient
scandalous; (adj, adv, v) nefarious. imaginative, cute, acute, able. innate: (adj) inherent, congenital,
ANTONYMS: (adj) reputable, ANTONYMS: (adj) impulsive, inbred, indigenous, instinctive,
famous naive, unoriginal, inept natural, intrinsic, constitutional,
infancy: (n) babyhood, cradle, ingenuity: (adj, n) ability; (n) essential, ingrained; (adj, v) born.
beginning, birth, genesis, minority, adroitness, ingeniousness, cunning, ANTONYMS: (adj) learned,
early childhood, youth, nonage, imagination, acumen, resource, conditioned, acquired, trained,
adolescence, early days. originality, skill, wit, inventiveness. spiritual
ANTONYM: (n) maturity ANTONYM: (n) ineptness innumerable: (adj) countless,
infantile: (adj) immature, infant, ingratitude: (n) oblivion of benefits, numberless, incalculable,
babyish, infantine, young, juvenile, thanklessness, ungratefulness, multitudinous, infinite, innumerous,
childlike, baby, adolescent, puerile, feeling. ANTONYM: (n) gratitude unnumbered, uncounted, myriad,
little. ANTONYM: (adj) old inhabit: (v) reside, abide, occupy, immeasurable, untold. ANTONYM:
infatuated: (adj, n) fanatical; (adj, v) lodge, settle, people, live, indwell, (adj) finite
besotted; (adj) gaga, crazy, mad, be, exist; (n) habit. ANTONYMS: (v) inquire: (v) demand, ask, explore,
dotty, in love, obsessed, smitten, desert, vacate enquire, inspect, research, consult,
taken with; (v) illiberal inhabitant: (n) denizen, resident, pry, request, wonder; (n, v)
infatuation: (adj) devotion, occupant, citizen, tenant, occupier, question. ANTONYM: (v) answer
fascination, enchantment, gross population, native, liver, indweller; inquiring: (adj) inquisitive, quizzical,
credulity; (adj, n) passion, fervor, (v) habitant. ANTONYM: (n) interested, analytical, probing,
fanaticism; (n) crush, idolatry, love, stranger intrusive; (adj, n) questioning; (v)
hobby. ANTONYM: (n) indifference inhospitable: (adj) unsociable, cold, inquire; (n) enquiry, question,
inferiority: (n) poorness, degeneracy, hostile, unfriendly, cool, harsh, examination. ANTONYM: (adj)
subordinacy, minority, barren, austere, frosty, stark, bleak. uninquiring
disadvantage, calibre, vulgarity, ANTONYMS: (adj) hospitable, inquisitive: (adj) inquiring,
quality, subordination, meanness, welcoming, sheltered, lush, mild speculative, nosy, prying,
deteriority. ANTONYMS: (n) inhospitality: (n) unsociability, questioning, nosey, meddling,
superiority, advantage, excellence, frostiness, aloofness, coldness, investigative, meddlesome,
preeminence coolness, dreariness, gloominess, quizzical, overcurious.
infernal: (adj) devilish, fiendish, surliness, unfriendliness, desolation. ANTONYMS: (adj) apathetic,
diabolical, demonic, damned, ANTONYM: (n) friendliness uninterested
cursed, blasted, unholy, wicked; inhumanity: (n) brutality, atrocity, inquisitively: (adv) pryingly, nosily,
(adj, v) diabolic, satanic barbarism, cruelty, barbarousness, inquiringly, questioningly,
infernally: (adv) satanically, heinousness, atrociousness, meddlesomely, speculatively,
fiendishly, diabolically, devilishly, savagery, inhuman treatment, searchingly, meddlingly,
wickedly, unholy, demonically, inhumaneness, outrage. interestedly, interrogatively, eagerly
satanicly, deucedly, blessedly, ANTONYMS: (n) kindness, inroads: (n) wear
damnedly humaneness, humanity insane: (adj) foolish, daft, demented,
infinitely: (adv) greatly, vastly, initiatory: (adj) initiative, first, mad, delirious, lunatic, fool,
immensely, immeasurably, inaugural, maiden, preliminary, moonstruck, frantic, idiotic, nutty.
boundlessly, enormously, introductory, inceptive, incipient, ANTONYM: (adj) sensible
unboundedly, hugely, ceaselessly, foremost, rudimentary, elementary insanity: (adj, n) craziness,
unendingly; (adj, adv) incalculably. injudicious: (adj) foolish, unwise, derangement, frenzy, aberration; (n)
ANTONYM: (adv) finitely indiscreet, unadvised, careless, delirium, dementia, mania, folly,
inflict: (v) impose, cause, wreak, improper, thoughtless, rash, hasty, lunacy, idiocy; (adj) madness.
force, enforce, deal, deliver, ill-judged, incautious. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (n) sanity, sense
administer, foist, put, obtrude (adj) wise, sensible, careful, prudent, inscribed: (adj) etched, incised,
informant: (n) betrayer, sneak, judicious, discreet, advisable graven, written, carved, carven
informer, squealer, deponent, injure: (n, v) damage, harm, impair; inscription: (n) epigraph, entry,
author, attestant, communicator, (v) contuse, disfigure, maim, bruise, dedication, autograph, epitaph,
fink; (v) mouthpiece, teller blemish, wound, insult; (adj, v) registration, lettering, writing,
informing: (n) briefing, disclosure, abuse. ANTONYMS: (v) heal, record, superscription, title
394 Wuthering Heights
insensible: (adj) imperceptible, consecrate; (n) privilege internally: (adv) innerly, intrinsically,
numb, unconscious, callous, dull, insulted: (adj) affronted, offended, inwardly, nationally, intimately,
unaware, apathetic, impassive, injured, huffy insidely, within, locally, essentially,
indiscernible, comatose, impassible. insults: (adj) insulting; (n) abuse, privately, really. ANTONYMS:
ANTONYMS: (adj) sensible, swearing (adv) outwardly, outside,
conscious, sensitive, awake, alive, insure: (v) assure, secure, guarantee, internationally
compassionate, concerned, aware cover, underwrite, ensure, interpose: (v) interject, insert,
insipid: (adj) tasteless, bland, dull, indemnify, ascertain, control, cinch, interpolate, intercede, intervene,
watery, flavorless, uninteresting, verify meddle, intrude, tamper, step in,
vapid, savorless, boring, tame, intellect: (n) mind, intelligence, butt in; (adj, v) intermeddle
humdrum. ANTONYMS: (adj) understanding, reason, brains, head, interposed: (adj) interjacent,
exciting, tasty, interesting, flavorful, intellectual, apprehension, psyche, intercedent, intervenient,
spicy, lively, colorful, dark, bright, genius, brainpower. ANTONYM: parenthetical, intermediate colors,
inspired, imaginative (n) stupidity mediate
insisting: (v) insist; (adj) persistent, intelligible: (adj) clear, interpreter: (n) commentator,
insistent, incumbent; (n) insistency, understandable, articulate, interpretive program, exponent,
imperativeness luminous, apprehensible, graspable, explainer, translator, mouthpiece,
insolence: (n) impertinence, simple, lucid, definite, distinct, ambassador, prophet, bagman,
arrogance, audacity, impudence, perspicuous. ANTONYMS: (adj) expounder, program
effrontery, cheek, assumption, gall, difficult, illegible interpreting: (n) rendering, interpret,
disrespect, haughtiness, crust. intently: (adv) fixedly, attentively, explanation, translation, broad
ANTONYMS: (n) respect, seriously, raptly, intensely, closely, interpretation, interlingual
politeness, meekness, shyness steadily, eagerly, absorbedly, hard, rendition, rendition
insolent: (adj) impertinent, abusive, steadfastly. ANTONYM: (adv) interred: (adj) buried, inhumed,
disrespectful, impudent, fresh, absently hidden. ANTONYM: (adj) unburied
arrogant, brazen, defiant, offensive, intentness: (adj, n) earnestness, zeal; interrogatively: (adv) inquisitively,
brassy, bold. ANTONYMS: (adj) (adj) ardor, empressement; (n) curiously
respectful, modest, gracious, meek, concentration, absorption, interrupt: (v) disturb, break, hinder,
submissive engrossment, intentiveness, earnest, intermit, stop, cut, break in, arrest,
inspect: (v) overhaul, overlook, complete attention, handsel check; (n, v) suspend; (adj, v) pause.
survey, watch, scrutinize, view, intercommunication: (n) intercourse, ANTONYMS: (v) cheer, respect,
explore, look, review, inquire, mutual communication, restore
monitor. ANTONYMS: (v) skim, communion, association, interrupting: (adj) cross,
ignore anastomosis, communicating, interchanged, interpelling,
inspecting: (n) inspection; (v) inspect; communicativeness, meddlesome, adverse, defensive,
(adj) curious, inspective intercommunity, inosculation contrary, interpellant, interruptive
instal: (v) mount, install, erect, fix, interdict: (n, v) ban, veto; (v) forbid, intimacy: (adj, n) familiarity,
put up, constitute, arrange, enjoin, inhibit, prohibit, proscribe, acquaintance; (n) closeness,
assemble, plant, set, place debar, outlaw; (n) embargo, fellowship, association, friendship,
instantaneously: (adv) directly, prohibition. ANTONYM: (v) allow intercourse, affair, camaraderie,
instantly, at once, forthwith, interfering: (adj, n) meddling; (adj) conversance, confidence.
suddenly, promptly, abruptly, officious, busy, disturbing, ANTONYMS: (n) distance, formality
momentarily, outright, right away, meddlesome, nosy, busybodied, intimated: (adj) tacit, furtive, dejected
in a flash. ANTONYM: (adv) curious, overbearing, domineering; intimately: (adv) nearly, familiarly,
eventually (n) hindrance personally, secretly, internally,
instil: (v) implant, inculcate, instill, interloper: (adj, n) stranger, alien; (n) privately, narrowly, thoroughly,
transfuse, introduce, impregnate, encroacher, trespasser, invader, near, well, thickly. ANTONYM:
imbue, impress, infix, ingrain, boarder, bodkin, foreigner, (adv) superficially
impart gradually gatecrasher, go between, unknown. intimation: (n) hint, inkling,
instinctively: (adv) involuntarily, ANTONYM: (n) native implication, insinuation, suggestion,
mechanically, spontaneously, intermeddling: (adj, n) interposition; clue, allusion, indication, cue, notice,
automatically, intuitively, (n) intercession, intervention; (adj) innuendo
inherently, automaticly, meddlesome intolerable: (adj) unbearable,
unconsciously, impulsively, interment: (n) burial, sepulture, insupportable, painful, obnoxious,
unthinkingly, instinctually. entombment, funeral, sepulcher, detestable, inexcusable, deplorable,
ANTONYMS: (adv) consciously, committal, obsequies, arenation, undesirable, hard, excruciating,
objectively burying, grave, humation difficult. ANTONYMS: (adj)
insult: (n, v) contumely, affront, intermission: (n) rest, pause, lull, bearable, tolerable, acceptable,
abuse, flout, outrage, wound, taunt; cessation, suspension, interruption, reasonable, nice, understandable,
(n) disgrace, indignity, contempt; (v) abeyance, disruption, gap, lovable, excusable, inoffensive,
cut. ANTONYMS: (n, v) discontinuance, respite. manageable
compliment, praise; (v) flatter, ANTONYM: (n) continuation intolerance: (adj, n) impatience; (n)
Emily Brontë 395
fanaticism, discrimination, unintentionally, inadvertently, uncontrollable. ANTONYMS: (adj)
dogmatism, bias, insularity, automatically, forcedly, resistible, insignificant, unappealing,
illiberality, narrowness; (adj) mechanically, unthinkingly, weak
nonendurance, persecution, reluctantly, accidentally, irresistibly: (adv) charmingly,
intolerant. ANTONYMS: (n) automaticly, unwillingly. necessarily, overwhelmingly,
lenience, broadmindedness, fairness, ANTONYMS: (adv) voluntarily, charismatically, fiercely, temptingly,
patience consciously, willingly, purposely overpoweringly, appealingly,
intoxicated: (adj) drunken, drunk, involuntary: (adj) instinctive, beguilingly
inebriate, tipsy, elated, stimulated, unconscious, unintentional, forced, irresolutely: (adv) waveringly,
intoxicate, infatuated, fuddled, mechanical, unthinking, reluctant, undecidedly, indecisively,
loaded, plastered. ANTONYM: (adj) unwilling, compulsory, inadvertent, hesitantly, uncertainly, hesitatingly,
sober accidental. ANTONYMS: (adj) weakly, infirmly, spinelessly,
intractable: (adj) inflexible, fractious, voluntary, intentional, intended, unsteadily, unsettledly.
stubborn, contumacious, contrary, willing ANTONYMS: (adv) decisively,
insubordinate, froward, recalcitrant, inward: (adj) inner, intrinsic, internal, firmly
perverse, wayward, unruly. interior, intestine, inherent, irrevocably: (adv) finally,
ANTONYMS: (adj) tractable, domestic; (adv) inwardly, inwards, irreversibly, conclusively
biddable, flexible, manageable, in; (n) innards. ANTONYMS: (adj, irritable: (adj) fractious, irascible,
compliant, easy, easygoing, docile, adv) outward; (adj) outgoing, edgy, cantankerous, touchy,
amenable external petulant, excitable, cross, sensitive,
introductory: (adj) elementary, irefully: (adv) irately, angrily grumpy, disagreeable.
incipient, basic, opening, first, irksome: (adj, v) wearisome, ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, happy,
prefatorial, preparatory, prelusive; tiresome; (adj) boring, dull, cheerful, amiable, patient, pleasant,
(adj, v) inceptive, preliminary, annoying, tedious, trying, stable, courteous; (n) cheeriness
prefatory burdensome, bothersome, irritating, irritated: (adj) annoyed, exasperated,
intruder: (n) trespasser, interloper, prosaic. ANTONYMS: (adj) incensed, enraged, aggravated,
encroacher, raider, invader, delightful, pleasant, refreshing, furious, irate, inflamed, sore,
aggressor, go between, gatecrasher, soothing displeased, provoked. ANTONYMS:
stalker, boarder; (adj, n) stranger ironing: (n) flatwork, household (adj) calm, pleased, patient,
intrusion: (n) infringement, linen, flat wash contented
encroachment, disturbance, irrational: (adj) absurd, inconsistent, irritating: (adj) infuriating,
interruption, inroad, trespass, silly, unreasonable, blind, illogical, bothersome, annoying,
invasion, violation, incursion, senseless, preposterous, imprudent, exasperating, irksome, irritative,
disruption, entry unsound, thoughtless. vexatious, aggravating,
invading: (adj) invade, incursive, ANTONYMS: (adj) logical, lucid, troublesome, irritant; (v) stinging.
attacking, impertinent, abhorrent, wise, sensible, worthwhile, ANTONYMS: (adj) soothing,
abusive, aggressive, assailant, systematic calming, delightful, pleasant
disgusting, disagreeable, distasteful irrationality: (n) absurdity, irritation: (n) exasperation, anger,
invalid: (adj) false, illogical, unreasonableness, inconsistency, annoyance, displeasure, bother,
unreasonable, null, weak, void, illogicality, unreason, insanity; (adj, excitation, temper, excitement,
unhealthy, sick, flawed; (n) infirm; n) folly; (adj) unreasonable, frivolity, irritability, vexation, annoying.
(v) disable. ANTONYMS: (adj) lip wisdom, nugacity. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (n) satisfaction, balm,
valid, legitimate, current, healthy, (n) sense, sensibleness, worthiness calm, calmness, equanimity,
true, watertight, correct irregularly: (adv) erratically, patience
invariable: (adj) fixed, consistent, occasionally, abnormally, issuing: (n) issuance, supplying,
even, immutable, steady, sporadically, crookedly, unequally, emanation, consequence,
unchanging, stable, uniform, set, randomly, atypically, roughly, publication, effect, egress,
undeviating, unchanged. eccentrically, fitfully. ANTONYMS: emergence, exit; (adj) flowing,
ANTONYMS: (adj) changing, (adv) evenly, systematically, emergent
dynamic, erratic, irregular, varied constantly, frequently, honestly, iteration: (n) iterance, reiteration,
invent: (v) devise, form, create, peacefully, recurrently run, succession, frequency,
excogitate, concoct, imagine, irrepressible: (adj) uncontrollable, repeating, recurrence, rehearsal,
contrive; (n, v) forge, fabricate, uncontainable, unmanageable, backbone, stereotypy, grit
design, coin wanton, inextinguishable, rampant, jailor: (n) jailer, gaoler, warden,
investing: (v) invest; (n) investiture; effervescent; (v) ungovernable, prison guard, screw, fuck, ass,
(adj) circumfused, ambient volcanic, stanchless, simmering. fucking
inveterate: (adj) incorrigible, ANTONYM: (adj) orderly jargon: (n, v) gibberish; (n) idiom,
confirmed, chronic, ingrained, old, irresistible: (adj) resistless, invincible, dialect, vernacular, slang, lingo,
irredeemable; (adj, v) fixed; (v) irrefragable, irrefutable, language, argot, cant,
rooted, ingrafted, hackneyed; (n) overpowering, overwhelming, gobbledygook; (adj, n) palaver
ineffaceable impregnable, indomitable, jaws: (n) jaw, chops, fauces, chaps,
involuntarily: (adv) unconsciously, charming, fascinating; (adj, v) mandible, maw, lips, holding
396 Wuthering Heights
device; (v) mazard jutting: (adj) prominent, protruding, kneelingly, prostration, genuflexion,
jealously: (adv) covetously, protrusive, salient, protuberant, genuflection, curtsy, courtesy,
resentfully, greenly, suspiciously, hence; (n) protrusion, protuberance, obeisance
solicitously, vigilantly, greedily, extrusion, hump, gibbosity knotted: (adj) knotty, gnarled, gnarly,
grudgingly, spitefully, avariciously, kennel: (n) doghouse, ditch, gully, involved, entangled, complicated,
zealously fosse, dike, drain, culvert, sewer, tangled, matted, knobbed, fastened;
jerking: (adj) arrhythmic, gutter, hutch, trough (adj, v) kinky. ANTONYMS: (adj)
arrhythmical, jerky, unsteady; (n) kicker: (n) grouch, significance, straight, tidy, relaxed
movement, jolt, dork, jar revelation, restriction, reservation, knuckles: (n) brass knuckles, knuckle
jest: (n) gag, gibe, quip, game; (n, v) purport, punter, log kicker, football duster, weapon, arm, knucks, hand
jape; (v) banter, jeer, deride, gird, player, dropkicker, condition laboured: (adj) labored, forced,
sneer, clown kicks: (n) elation, thrill, excitement, arduous, hard, strained, difficult,
jesting: (adj) jocular, jocose, facetious, fulfillment, gratification, pleasure laborious, grievous, grave, weighty,
humorous, playful; (n) banter, kidnapped: (adj) kidnaped unnatural
humor, comedy, pleasantry, fun, kindle: (adj, v) inflame; (v) fire, labourer: (n) laborer, toiler, peon,
joke. ANTONYM: (n) tragedy excite, arouse, burn, flame, awaken, navvy, porter, docker, gravedigger,
jewel: (n) gemstone, darling, incite, enkindle, stir; (n, v) light. hodman, hewer, digger, drudge
diamond, jewelry, trinket, treasure, ANTONYMS: (v) enkindle, dampen, labouring: (adj) drudging, work,
ornament, idol; (adj, n) bijou, calm, extinguish, quench, stifle working, busy, toiling
precious stone; (adj) brilliant kindled: (adj) enkindled, lighted, lit, laced: (adj) even, fastened, spiked,
jonah: (n) hex, curse; (adj) hapless burning drunk, decorated, alcoholic
journeying: (adj) itinerant, kindliness: (n) friendliness, geniality, lachrymose: (adj) dolorous, weeping,
wayfaring, vagabond; (n) excursion, amiability, grace, benignancy, dolourous, maudlin, sad, weepy,
digression, expedition, travelling, mercy, tenderness, compassion, bilious, atrabilious; (v) saturnine,
movement, outing, passage, charity, consideration, helpfulness. melancholic, splenetic
pilgrimage ANTONYMS: (n) indifference, laconic: (adj) curt, brief, terse,
joyful: (adj) gay, glad, elated, reserve, cruelty compendious, succinct, pithy,
cheerful, gleeful, cheery, delighted, kindling: (n) combustion, firing, compact, taciturn, laconical,
joyous, jolly, blissful, blithe. ignition, lighting, tinder, fire, summary, short. ANTONYM: (adj)
ANTONYMS: (adj) miserable, firewood, dismissal; (v) ignite, voluble
sorrowful, unhappy, despairing, agitate, kindle laden: (adj) burdened, full, loaded,
unpleasant, staid, sorry, kindred: (adj) cognate, akin, similar, ladened, filled, hampered, heavy,
disappointed, depressed, heavy allied, related; (n) kin, charged, encumbered; (v) lade, load.
joyfully: (adv) joyously, merrily, consanguinity, relation, folk, folks, ANTONYMS: (adj) empty, lacking
gaily, gleefully, buoyantly, cheerily, kin group lain: (adj) artless, unsophisticated,
jubilantly, pleasantly, mirthfully; kinsman: (n) relation, relative, kin, unaffected, naive, untutored,
(adv, v) happily; (adj, adv) kindred, kinswoman, description, simple, pure, natural, native,
cheerfully. ANTONYMS: (adv) forefather, countryman, detail, inartificial
joylessly, miserably, despondently consanguinity; (v) confederate lair: (n) burrow, hole, hideaway,
jubilee: (n) celebration, carnival, kirk: (n) church, temple, chapel, hiding place, hideout, cell, retreat,
jubilation, triumph, fete, holiday, meetinghouse, cathedral, church earth, sanctum sanctorum; (adj) sty,
festival, paean, festivity, gala, building, minster sink of corruption
ovation kissing: (n) hugging, cuddling, lame: (adj) crippled, disabled,
judas: (n) betrayer, spyhole, Judah, fondling, arousal, foreplay, necking; halting, feeble, halt, weak, paralytic;
peephole, St Jude, snake in the grass, (adj) embracing, adhering closely, (adj, n) game; (adj, v) paralyze,
serpent, saint Jude, Judas Iscariot, billing, clinging, interosculant maim, becripple
conspirator, cockatrice kitten: (n) cat, foal, kitty, colt, foetus; lamed: (adj) lame, impeded, injured,
judicious: (adj, v) discreet; (adj) (v) teem, flower, fructify, bear fruit, disabled
careful, discerning, sensible, farrow, EAN lament: (v) bemoan, complain,
prudent, rational, sagacious, sound, knack: (adj, n) facility, craft, deplore, grieve, keen, bewail,
cautious, reasonable, advisable. proficiency; (n) gift, ability, art, mourn; (n) dirge, complaint; (n, v)
ANTONYMS: (adj) stupid, tactless, aptitude, dexterity, artifice, mastery, wail, moan. ANTONYMS: (n)
indiscriminate, reckless, illogical, know-how. ANTONYM: (n) celebration, joy; (v) revel, rejoice,
extreme, untimely incompetence celebrate, applaud, praise,
justly: (adv) accurately, fairly, knave: (n) cheat, jack, blackguard, compliment
correctly, honestly, lawfully, crook, rascal, villain, cad, scalawag, lamentable: (adj) grievous, pitiful,
properly, exactly, uprightly, scallywag, scoundrel, varlet distressing, sad, dismal, sorrowful,
legitimately, impartially, purely. kneel: (v) genuflect, cringe, stoop, piteous, unfortunate, lugubrious;
ANTONYMS: (adv) wrongly, bob, cry for quarter, dip, duck, (adj, v) pitiable, mournful.
unfairly, unjustifiably, unjustly, humble oneself; (n) kneeling, knee, ANTONYMS: (adj) laudable,
unlawfully, sinfully, falsely, movement fortunate
immorally kneeling: (n) homage, kowtow, lamentation: (n) dirge, grief,
Emily Brontë 397
mourning, plaint, regret, complaint, lavish: (v) dissipate; (adj) exuberant, amplification, production,
cry, crying, wail, moan, condolence. generous, copious, prodigal, ample, continuance. ANTONYM: (n)
ANTONYM: (n) celebration abundant, bountiful, excessive, contraction
lamented: (adj) mourned, bewailed improvident; (adj, v) profuse. leniently: (adv) indulgently,
lamenting: (adj) weeping, wailing, ANTONYMS: (adj) simple, scant, tolerantly, mildly, kindly,
sad, whining; (adj, n) plaintive; (adj, economical, impoverished, frugal, mercifully, blandly, softly,
v) bewailing, querulous; (n, v) unadorned, plain; (v) stint, skimp, easygoingly, generously, easily,
complaining; (n) grief, sorrow; (v) begrudge, economize compliantly
dissatisfied lawful: (adj) legal, just, rightful, lethargy: (n) drowsiness,
languid: (adj) lazy, dull, indolent, constitutional, true, right, justifiable, indifference, apathy, inactivity,
feeble, lethargic, lackadaisical, licit, regular; (n, v) allowable; (adj, fatigue, inertia, stupor, laziness,
sluggish, faint, torpid, inert, v) permissible. ANTONYMS: (adj) sluggishness, idleness, languor.
apathetic. ANTONYMS: (adj) active, unlawful, prohibited, ANTONYMS: (n) verve, vitality,
lively, exciting, vigorous unconstitutional liveliness, nimbleness, animation,
lankly: (adv) gauntly, lankily, leanly, laziness: (n) indolence, acedia, alertness, vigor, activity,
thinly, slenderly, angularly, inactivity, inertia, sloth, slowness, wakefulness, interest, speediness
emaciatedly, meagerly, sparely, lethargy, inactiveness, faineance, levity: (n) flightiness, frivolity,
skinnily, scrawnily lassitude, dreaminess. ANTONYMS: flippancy, buoyancy, lightness,
lantern: (n) beacon, light, dormer, (n) diligence, willingness, vigor, giddiness, inconstancy,
tube, lighting fitting, bedside light, liveliness, interest frivolousness, humorousness,
street light, street lamp, oil lamp, leagued: (v) brief, dense, firm, jocosity; (n, v) fickleness.
lime light, lanthorn compact, confederated, not verbose, ANTONYMS: (n) gravity,
lapse: (n, v) decline, drop, mistake; not diffuse, solid, pithy; (adj) seriousness
(adj, n, v) fall; (v) expire, elapse, confederate, allied liar: (n) deceiver, fibber, fabricator,
collapse, go by; (n) oversight, error, leant: (adj) inclined falsifier, trickster, prevaricator, con
fault. ANTONYMS: (v) behave, leaping: (n) jump, bounce, bound, artist, phony, lie, impostor, swindler
start, rise, renew, improve leap, spring, saltation, bouncing; (v) liberally: (adv) freely, bountifully,
lapsed: (adj) fallen, elapsed, slip, jumping; (adj, v) bounding; (adj) abundantly, munificently, profusely,
defunct, forgotten, invalid, springing; (adv) leapingly copiously, bounteously,
irreligious, lost, nonchurchgoing, leapt: (adj) sprung magnanimously, plentifully, largely,
finished lear: (n) Lir, Lyr, annealing tunnel, richly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
lapwing: (n) green plover, pewit, Edward Lear, King Lear, leer parsimoniously, carefully, stingily,
plover ledge: (n) projection, bulge, jetty, meagerly, ungenerously
larch: (n) wood, larches, tamarack, board, shelf, rack, bench, hummock, liberated: (adj) freed, emancipated,
black larch, coniferous tree, larch protrusion, rim; (adj) escarpment. loose, released, exempt, liberal,
tree ANTONYM: (n) depression independent, clear, disengaged,
larches: (n) Larix, genus Larix leeches: (n) cupping, bleeding, open, unattached. ANTONYMS:
larks: (n) family Alaudidae venesection, phylum Annelida, (adj) constrained, conventional
lascar: (n) volcano, sailor, crewman Annelida, phlebotomy liberating: (adj) emancipating,
lass: (n) girl, lassie, damsel, young lees: (adj, n) grounds; (n) sediment, emancipative, therapeutic
woman, young girl, fille, miss, Jeune deposit, residue, ground, lee, dreg, liberties: (n) freedoms, familiarity,
fille, bobbysocker, bobbysoxer, feculence, bottom, silt, feces intimacy
woman legion: (n) crowd, troop, mass, army, licking: (n) thrashing, rout, debacle,
latch: (v) bar, fasten, grab; (n, v) bolt; horde, cohort, force, multitude, beating, drubbing, discomfiture,
(adj, n, v) lock; (n) hasp, clasp, door corps; (adj) many, countless. whipping, lacing, lick, hiding,
latch, hook; (adj) link, yoke ANTONYM: (adj) few reverse. ANTONYM: (n) victory
lath: (n) fillet, spline, batten, plank, leisurely: (adj) slow, deliberate, lids: (n) lid
list, ribbon, strip, rod, flat timber, easygoing, leisure, at ease, lifeless: (adj) inanimate, dull, insipid,
spill; (v) frame unhurried, measured, idle; (adv) defunct, inactive, flat, exanimate,
latitude: (n) freedom, scope, breadth, deliberately, slowly, at leisure. dreary, tedious, inert, lackluster.
room, expanse, range, compass, ANTONYMS: (adj) rushed, hurried, ANTONYMS: (adj) lively, stiff,
climate, clime, space, reach. formal, vigorous, speedy, fast; (adv) alive, interesting, awake, moving,
ANTONYM: (n) constraint formally, quickly upright, bright, brilliant, firm,
lattice: (n) grill, grille, grid, net, lengthened: (adj) elongated, inspiring
fretwork, network, gridiron, wicket, prolonged, long, protracted, lighted: (adj) illuminated, lit, light,
web, netting; (v) trellis expanded, elongate, longer, ablaze, bright, ignited, burn,
laughs: (n) diversion, comedy, lingering, extensive, stretched out, burning, ignite, kindled, lighten
amusement, sport, recreation, lengthy lightening: (v) lighten, lightning; (n)
merriment, entertainment, levity lengthening: (n) extension, mitigation, change of color,
lave: (v) launder, bathe, clean, protraction, prolongation, whitening, alleviation, brightening,
cleanse, lap, dip, pour, wash up; continuation, expansion, increasing, consolation, assuagement; (adj)
(adj) splash, swash; (n) residue enlargement, perpetuation, comforting, fulgurant
398 Wuthering Heights
lightning: (n) levin, electricity, attendee, attendant, beholder looped: (adj) coiled, coiling, curly,
thunderbolt, Leven, ignis fatuus, listless: (adj) indifferent, dull, intoxicated, curved, helical,
heat lightning, forked lightning, indolent, careless, languid, inert, continuous, interminable, round,
fetter, dart, chain lightning; (adj) inattentive, dispirited, slow, whorled
wind uninterested, spiritless. looping: (v) circulate; (n) iteration
likeness: (n) resemblance, copy, ANTONYMS: (adj) lively, animated, loosen: (n, v) relax, release, ease; (adj,
effigy, image, affinity, similarity, energetic, strong, spirited v) loose, disengage; (v) detach,
correspondence, facsimile; (adj, n) listlessness: (n) lethargy, apathy, undo, ravel, discharge, fluff, untie.
figure, form, semblance. languor, lassitude, inertia, ANTONYMS: (v) fasten, compress,
ANTONYMS: (n) difference, disregard, torpidity, torpor, ennui, fix, tense, stiffen, bend
diversity, dissimilarity, unlikeness, boredom, fatigue loosened: (adj) disentangled, loose,
contrast liveliness: (adj, n) animation, freed, disengaged, extricated,
liking: (n, v) inclination; (n) fancy, briskness; (n) life, effervescence, unsnarled
appetite, taste, fondness, buoyancy, exuberance, vigor, lore: (n) erudition, folklore, letters,
predilection, affection, partiality, activity, agility, cheerfulness, literature, tradition, science,
admiration, approval, appreciation. enthusiasm. ANTONYMS: (n) acquired knowledge, knowledge,
ANTONYMS: (n) dislike, aversion, lethargy, awkwardness, lifelessness, wide information, lesson, legend
hatred, indifference, detachment, laziness, sadness, apathy loth: (adj) disinclined, averse,
dissatisfaction, antipathy livid: (adj) furious, irate, ashen, mad, reluctant, unwilling, indisposed,
lilac: (adj) lavender, mauve, purple, blue, gray, ghastly, leaden, colorless, antipathetical, antipathetic, not
violet, puce, chromatic; (n) shrub, angry, enraged. ANTONYMS: (adj) content, shy of, repugnant; (v)
heliotrope, ash, common lilac, flushed, happy, pleased averse from
family Oleaceae loading: (n) cargo, load, burden, lottery: (n) drawing, raffle,
lilting: (adj) tripping, musical, consignment, lading, charging, filler, sweepstakes, draft, chance,
lightsome, rhythmic, rhythmical, freightage, encumbrance, shipment, allotment, tombola, draw, bet, brag,
swingy, light burthen cassino
limb: (n) arm, branch, member, locality: (n) vicinity, area, place, spot, lowering: (adj) heavy, dismal,
bough, extremity, offshoot, part, leg, position, district, point, region, gloomy, threatening, dark, glum,
wing, appendage, edge stead, section; (n, v) quarter murky; (n) fall, drop, cut, decline
lime: (n) basswood, calx, lemon, locket: (n) jewelry, medallion, luckless: (adj) unlucky, unfortunate,
limestone, quicklime, lime tree, pendant, case, ornament, bracelet, doomed, unhappy, untoward,
cement, linden, calcined lime, anklet, adornment, accessory, fortuneless, ill-fated, disastrous,
caustic lime, burnt lime carcanet unsuccessful, infelicitous, wretched.
limping: (n) lameness, gimp, locking: (n) lockup, bolting, ANTONYMS: (adj) fortunate,
claudication, gimpiness, gameness; interlocking, engagement, successful
(adj) hobbling, crippled, halting, cordoning off, closing off, binding, lull: (n, v) calm, quiet, hush, rest,
inefficient, imperfect, claudicant guarding pause; (adj, v) assuage, pacify,
lineage: (adj, n) pedigree; (n, v) lodged: (adj) wedged, stuck fast, tranquilize; (v) allay, still; (n) peace.
family, house; (n) descent, stuck, jammed ANTONYMS: (v) waken; (n)
extraction, ancestry, birth, stock, lodging: (n) abode, apartment, activity, intensification
line, origin; (adj, n, v) genealogy accommodation, housing, hostel, lumber: (n) timber, wood; (adj, n)
ling: (n) burbot, heath, eelpout, cusk, residence, quarter, home, jumble, rubbish; (v) log, trail; (adv,
broom, lota lota, Scots heather, lodgement, address, hospice v) plod; (adj) junk, litter, huddle,
Calluna vulgaris, caltrop, cod, lodgings: (n) digs, accommodation, disarray
codfish domiciliation, lodging, billet, lumps: (n) repulse, deserts, due, grit,
linger: (v) loiter, delay, dally, hover, housing, quarters, residence, pad, punishment
stay, hesitate, hang around, living quarters, launchpad lunatic: (n) madman, maniac,
procrastinate, dawdle, tarry, loneliness: (n) desolation, aloneness, bedlamite; (adj) insane, foolish,
saunter. ANTONYMS: (v) hurry, isolation, solitariness, lonesomeness, moonstruck, mad, mental,
end, rush, depart, lead bleakness, forlornness, desolateness, deranged, idiotic; (adj, n) madcap.
lingering: (adj) long, chronic, temperament, unhappiness; (adj, n) ANTONYM: (adj) sensible
extended, dilatory, protracted, solitude. ANTONYMS: (n) lurk: (v) ambuscade, skulk, prowl,
prolonged, residual, lengthy, inclusion, cheerfulness, hopefulness waylay, lie in wait, conceal, lurch,
inactive, dull; (n) delay. longing: (n, v) desire, aspiration; (adj) loiter, creep, wait, sneak
ANTONYM: (adj) quick eager, wistful, nostalgic; (n) lurking: (n) ambush; (adj) snaky,
linnets: (n) canaries, cardinals, nostalgia, wish, hankering, urge, backstair, backstairs, clandestine,
Carduelis, buntings, crossbills, appetite; (adj, n) yearning. concealed, dormant, latent,
genus Carduelis, grosbeaks, family ANTONYMS: (n) apathy, potential, skulking, sneaky
Fringillidae, chaffinches, bullfinches disinclination; (adj) satisfied, lustre: (n) brilliance, gloss, brilliancy,
listener: (n, v) auditor; (n) unconcerned grandeur, splendour, effulgence,
eavesdropper, audience, observer, looker-on: (n) bystander, spectator, splendor, shininess, shine, sheen,
perceiver, hearkener, attender, eyewitness, witness brightness
Emily Brontë 399
lusty: (adj) energetic, stout, lustful, spiteful, virulent, sinister, (adj) pure, unspoiled
corpulent, potent, virile, vigorous, mischievous, pernicious, venomous marrying: (adj) married
hearty, sturdy, bouncing, dynamic. malignantly: (adv) maliciously, marvel: (n, v) wonder; (n) prodigy,
ANTONYM: (adj) feeble spitefully, evilly, malevolently, curiosity, phenomenon, amazement,
luxuriant: (adj, n) lush; (adj) hatefully, perniciously, nastily, miracle, portent, marl, surprise,
abundant, lavish, exuberant, dense, malefically, viciously, pestilentially, admiration; (v) admire.
thick, fertile, flourishing, fecund, noisomely. ANTONYM: (adv) ANTONYMS: (v) disregard; (n)
opulent, profuse. ANTONYMS: benevolently nightmare
(adj) barren, meager, unhealthy, malignity: (n) malevolence, marvellously: (adv) wondrously,
arid, withering, sparse, shabby, malignance, venom, animosity, wonderfully, terrifically, superbly,
unadorned enmity, hatred, evil, rancor, spite, fantastically, miraculously, terrificly,
maddening: (adj) exasperating, malignancy, hate. ANTONYM: (n) phenomenally, gloriously,
annoying, aggravating, irritating, benignity tremendously, tally
galling, trying, vexing, madden, malt: (n) milkshake, grist, beer, master's: (n) postgraduate degree
bothersome, crazy, vexatious. malted milk, wort, alcohol, malt matronly: (adj) grave, womanly,
ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasing, liquor, inebriant, alcoholic beverage, ladylike, wifely, sedate, matronlike,
soothing, satisfying food grain maidenly, anile, female
madder: (v) redden; (n) Turkey red, mamma: (n) breast, mother, ma, mattress: (n) bedding, bed,
ruddle, Mather knocker, boob, mum, mammy, featherbed, pad, blinding, brush
madman: (n) bedlamite, maniac, mom, momma, mommy, mummy gully plug, feather bed, futon,
crazy, loony, nut, madcap, looney, mane: (n) encolure, head of hair, paillasse, pallet, palliasse
loco, sufferer, raver, nutcase crest, wool, tresses; (adj) brush, mawkish: (adj) maudlin, mushy,
magically: (adv) as if by magic, beard, ringlet, whisker, tress, emotional, flat, slushy, sentimental,
occultly, marvelously, charmingly, moustache sappy, bathetic, milk and water,
enchantingly, witchingly, manger: (n) crib, cage, bunk, gutter, mild, drippy. ANTONYMS: (adj)
wonderfully, mysteriously, rack, flume, feed bunk, bowl, dry, unemotional
miraculously, supernaturally, container meadow: (n) hayfield, lea, mead,
mysticly manhood: (n) majority, maturity, grassland, plain, lawn, sward,
magisterial: (adj) haughty, valor, resolution, personality, grazing land, greensward,
domineering, imperious, dictatorial, humanity, integrity, bravery; (adj) pasturage, paddock
authoritative, authoritarian, lordly, manliness, ripe age, maturity full meanest: (adj) last, least
peremptory, dogmatic, arbitrary, age measles: (n) morbilli, rubeola,
bossy mania: (n) passion, craze, delirium, rubella, leprosy, contagion,
magnanimity: (adj, n) generosity, fad, fury, enthusiasm, rage, contagious disease; (adj) polio,
liberality; (n) largesse, greatness, obsession; (adj, n) insanity, lunacy, mumps
charity, munificence, tolerance, madness meddle: (v) intervene, interfere,
nobleness, nobility, kindness, manifestation: (n) appearance, intrude, monkey, interpose, fiddle,
largess. ANTONYM: (n) pettiness indication, exhibition, expression, pry, dabble, interlope; (n)
magpie: (n) pie, chatterbox, gossip, display, demonstration, sign, interference; (adj) moil. ANTONYM:
mag, babbler, chatterer, prater, incarnation, advent, show, (v) disregard
cotinga, accumulator; (v) parrot, poll revelation meddling: (adj) busy, inquisitive,
maiden: (n) maid, girl, demoiselle, manly: (adj) manlike, masculine, curious, meddlesome, intrusive,
damosel, wench, fille, lass, miss; manful, virile, brave, gallant; (adv) officious, nosy, dabbling,
(adj) first, initiatory, unmarried manfully, boldly, hardily, virilely; impertinent, busybodied; (adj, n)
malady: (n, v) illness, ailment, (adj, adv) stately. ANTONYMS: prying
indisposition, distemper; (adj, n, v) (adj) weak, unmanly, cowardly; mediation: (n) arbitration,
disorder; (adj, n) complaint, (adv) unmanfully intervention, intercession, agency,
infirmity; (n) sickness, condition, manservant: (n) man, butler, valet, intermediation, propitiation,
trouble, ill gentleman, lackey, domestic, men, interposition, negotiation,
malevolence: (n) malice, hatred, gillie, menial, servitor, servant atonement, mediate, bring together
spite, hate, ill will, bitterness, mantle: (n) cloak, cape, pall, blanket, to an agreement. ANTONYM: (n)
hostility, rancor, venom, grudge, curtain, blind, coat; (n, v) cover, veil; provocation
enmity. ANTONYMS: (n) (adj, n, v) blush, flush meditate: (n, v) muse; (v)
benevolence, good, affection, marching: (n) walking, mar, drill; contemplate, consider, cogitate,
goodwill (adj) ongoing, moving reflect, speculate, wonder, ruminate,
malice: (n) spite, animosity, enmity, mare: (n) Maria, Money makes the ponder, think, bethink
venom, ill will, hatred, malevolence, mare go, broodmare, doe, hen, bitch, meditating: (n) conception
cruelty, envy, hate, spleen. horse, region, part, jennet, roe meditation: (n, v) contemplation,
ANTONYMS: (n) goodwill, marred: (adj) damaged, defaced, study; (n) consideration, reflection,
benevolence, affection, goodness dilapidated, crippled, deformed, deliberation, thought, introspection,
malignant: (adj) malevolent, faulty, flawed, hurt, impaired, musing, rumination, conception,
malicious, evil, malefic, fatal, imperfect, scarred. ANTONYMS: reflexion. ANTONYM: (n)
400 Wuthering Heights
distraction merriment: (n) fun, amusement, minx: (n) flirt, hussy, vamp,
meditations: (n) contemplation, cheerfulness, hilarity, glee, jollity, jackanapes, malapert, mink, slut,
consideration, cogitation frolic, gaiety, happiness, festivity; jade, quean, woman, bitch
meditative: (adj, v) thoughtful, (adj, n) mirth. ANTONYMS: (n) mire: (n, v) bog, muck; (n) filth,
pensive; (adj) wistful, reflective, misery, gloom, seriousness, marsh, quagmire, dirt, sludge, clay;
broody, museful, ruminative, despondency, boredom (adj, n, v) mud; (v) involve, bog
musing, brooding; (v) philosophical, merry: (adj) joyful, lively, cheerful, down
sedate glad, jolly, facetious, frolicsome, mirth: (adj, n) merriment, jollity; (n)
meek: (adj) lowly, docile, gentle, lighthearted, festive; (adj, n) amusement, happiness, delight, joy,
tame, low, submissive, compliant, convivial, jovial. ANTONYMS: (adj) hilarity, cheerfulness, festivity,
mild, modest, quiet, kind. gloomy, miserable, serious, uptight gladness, exhilaration.
ANTONYMS: (adj) assertive, bossy, messenger: (n, v) herald; (n) ANTONYMS: (n) gloom, sadness,
haughty, arrogant, overbearing, harbinger, runner, emissary, bearer, misery
rebellious, disobedient, wild, harsh, ambassador, precursor, courier, misanthropical: (adj) cynical,
brash carrier, apostle, errand distrustful
melancholy: (adj, v) dreary; (adj, n) methodist: (adj, n) Wesleyan; (adj) misbehaviour: (n) indecency,
gloom, melancholic; (adj) depressed, pietist, precisian, puritan, religionist, indecorum, liberty, indiscretion,
dejected, dismal, gloomy, doleful; sabbatarian; (n) Lutheran, devotee, delinquency, devilry, familiarity,
(n, v) low spirits; (n) gloominess, Calvinist deviltry, devilment, misconduct,
depression. ANTONYMS: (n) michaelmas: (n) Martinmas, misdemeanour
happiness, cheerfulness, Michaelmas Day mischief: (adj, n) evil, hurt, harm; (n)
hopefulness, optimism; (adj) happy, midst: (adj, n) middle; (adv) mid, damage, ill, detriment,
bright, cheery, satisfied between; (prep) among, amid; (n) disadvantage, devilry, caper,
mellow: (adj, v) ripe, mollify, smooth, core, center, thick, interior, heart, devilment, maleficence.
soften; (adj) gentle, luscious, mild, waist ANTONYMS: (n) obedience,
soft, juicy; (v) melt, ripen. mightily: (adv) powerfully, beneficence, help
ANTONYMS: (adj) harsh, frantic, vigorously, strongly, greatly, mischievous: (adj) bad, injurious,
fresh, bright, strict, young, frenetic potently, fiercely, sturdily, violently, detrimental, naughty, deleterious,
melt: (v) dissolve, deliquesce, vanish, robustly, puissantly, vastly. impish, harmful, playful, maleficent,
coalesce, relent, meld, fade, defrost; ANTONYMS: (adv) weakly, slightly arch; (adj, v) hurtful. ANTONYMS:
(adj, v) run, liquefy; (n, v) thaw. mildewed: (v) moldy, rusty, seedy, (adj) harmless, serious
ANTONYMS: (v) freeze, solidify, spotted, decayed; (adj, v) fusty; (adj) miser: (n) stinginess, curmudgeon,
cool, set trite hunks, muckworm, niggard,
melted: (adj) molten, fluid, liquified, mildness: (adj, n) gentleness, skinflint, cheapskate, parsimony,
dissolved, liquefied, baked, fluent, kindness, benignity, compassion, moneygrubber, Jew, miserliness
touched, limpid, sorry, flowing goodness; (n) lenity, mercy, misfortune: (n) accident, hardship,
melting: (n) thawing, fusion, melt, meekness, leniency, lenience, misadventure, disaster, calamity,
dissolution, warming, thaw, tenderness. ANTONYMS: (n) mischance, catastrophe, mishap, bad
liquefaction, fusion range; (adj) roughness, pungency luck, misery, affliction.
liquescent, pathetic; (adj, n) milo: (n) Polynesian rosewood, ANTONYMS: (n) joy, bonus,
dissolving Thespesia, milo maize opportunity, privilege, success,
memoranda: (n) memorandum, note mincing: (adj) mince, prim, happiness
menaced: (adj) doomed, exposed mannered, twee, pretentious, misfortunes: (n) misfortune
mend: (adj, v) improve; (v) correct, foppish, affected, la-di-da, misgivings: (n) anxiety, doubt,
cure, heal, doctor, better, amend, simpering, nice, sentimental misgiving, apprehension, fear,
restore, convalesce; (n, v) fix, patch. minded: (prep) inclined; (adj, prep) suspicion, doubts, concern,
ANTONYMS: (v) worsen, tear, disposed; (adj) willing, apt, ready, consternation, disbelief, foreboding.
smash, decline, deteriorate; (n) prone, orientated, favorable, ANTONYM: (n) equanimity
fracture oriented, prepared, partial misguided: (adj) erroneous,
mending: (n) fix, repair, fixing, minding: (adj) intent mistaken, false, foolish, unwise,
maintenance, restoration, mingled: (adj) miscellaneous, incorrect, imprudent, injudicious,
reparation, improvement, darning, complex, indiscriminate, perverted, flawed, faulty.
mend, amendment, correction heterogeneous, medley, confused, ANTONYMS: (adj) correct, sensible
merited: (adj) deserved, just, suitable, eclectic, motley, different; (v) misplaced: (v) misjoined,
rightful, right, due; (v) due to, richly blended, blent mismatched; (adj) mislaid, inept,
deserved ministering: (adj) assisting, helpful, inappropriate, disordered, gone
merrily: (adv) gaily, cheerfully, latreutical, ministrative, ministrant astray, lost temporarily, misguided,
blithely, cheerily, gladly, gleefully, minutely: (adv) precisely, in detail, missing, not there. ANTONYM:
mirthfully, brightly, jovially, closely, tinily, smally, (adj) found
joyfully, gayly. ANTONYMS: (adv) insignificantly, infinitesimally, missis: (n) wife, missus, lady,
sadly, anxiously, miserably, diminutively, nicely, exactly, mistress, matron, married woman
unhappily, carefully, despondently microscopically missive: (n) epistle, note, message,
Emily Brontë 401
communication, billet, moisture content, moisten, dank, morn: (n) dawn, daybreak, forenoon,
memorandum, encyclical, dampen period, prime, aurora, a, amount of
correspondence, alphabetic molest: (v) harass, assail, assault, time, break of dawn, break of day,
character, correpondence, circular plague, bother, harry, attack, annoy, break of the day
missy: (n) maiden, girl, lass, colleen, haunt, beset, chevy. ANTONYM: (v) morose: (adj) grim, dismal, glum,
lassie, chick, young lady, wench, defend dark, moody, grumpy, dour,
fille, doll, dame momentary: (adj) brief, fugitive, depressed, sullen, blue, dejected.
mistaking: (n) misunderstanding, transient, short, instantaneous, ANTONYMS: (adj) happy, cheery,
mistake, imbroglio, ephemeral, passing, momentaneous, stable
misinterpretation, misconstruction, temporary, impermanent, temporal. moroseness: (n) glumness,
misapprehension, misconstrual, ANTONYMS: (adj) lasting, lengthy, sullenness, grumpiness, sullen,
interpretation, misreading; (adj) long asperity, moodiness, tartness,
mistaken, misleading monkey: (n) imp, primate, scamp, gloom, petulance, surliness, sulk.
misty: (adj) hazy, foggy, cloudy, rascal, battering ram; (v) tinker, ANTONYM: (n) cheeriness
brumous, dim, indistinct, nebulous, meddle, tamper, trifle, cuckoo, echo morrow: (n) morning, future, mean
fuzzy, dark, dull, blurred. monomania: (adj, n) madness, solar day, day
ANTONYMS: (adj) clear, distinct fanaticism, frenzy, derangement, morsel: (n, v) bite, mouthful; (n)
misunderstood: (adj) mistreated, aberration, alienation, insanity, crumb, chew, particle, fragment,
confused lunacy; (adj) infatuation; (n) passion, taste, piece, nibble; (adj, v) gobbet,
misused: (adj) tainted, perverted, craze mite
lost, changed, misrepresented. monotonous: (adj) dull, flat, boring, mortal: (adj) deadly, fatal, lethal,
ANTONYMS: (adj) unchanged, dreary, tedious, insipid, monotone, deathly, earthly; (n) man,
used monotonic; (adj, v) dry, individual, creature, person, human
mitigated: (adj) eased, palliate, ease, uninteresting, stupid. ANTONYMS: being, body. ANTONYMS: (adj, n)
relieved, disguised, cloaked (adj) exciting, varied, stimulating, immortal; (adj) eternal, heavenly,
mitigating: (adj) extenuating, lively, exotic, enthralling, brilliant, mild, perfect, spiritual
comforting, mitigant, paregoric, flexible mortally: (adv) lethally, deadly,
assuasive monument: (n) headstone, cenotaph, pestilently, perniciously, extremely,
moan: (n, v) grumble, gripe, whine, tombstone, tablet, shrine, slab, humanly, grievously, poisonously,
lament, cry, howl; (v) bewail, gravestone, landmark, statue; (adj, individually, killingly, dangerously.
complain, mourn; (n) complaint, n) column; (n, v) record ANTONYM: (adv) mildly
lamentation. ANTONYMS: (v) moodily: (adv) morosely, peevishly, mortgagee: (n) lender, lessor,
compliment; (n) praise glumly, sulkily, grumpily, mortgage holder
moaning: (n, v) lamentation; (adj) capriciously, temperamentally, mortification: (n) chagrin,
groaning, whining, funereal, petulantly, saturninely, crossly, embarrassment, shame, gangrene,
inarticulate, dirgeful; (n) erratically. ANTONYM: (adv) disappointment, disgrace,
complaining, mourning cheerily corruption, necrosis, degradation;
moans: (adj) moaning moody: (adj) gloomy, dark, irritable, (adj, n) vexation; (adj) grievance
mock: (adj, v) counterfeit; (n, v) morose, capricious, glum, grumpy, mortified: (adj) humiliated,
ridicule, jeer, gibe, laugh at, flout; fickle, petulant, dour, sullen. embarrassed, abashed, gangrenous,
(adj, n, v) burlesque, sham; (v) ANTONYMS: (adj) equable, happy, sheepish, chagrined, feeling shame,
mimic, ape, taunt. ANTONYMS: reliable, stable, calm feeling guilty, guilty, hangdog,
(adj) real, natural; (v) praise, moonbeam: (adj) moonglade; (n) humbled. ANTONYM: (adj)
applaud, respect, approve beam of light, light beam, moonray, unabashed
mockery: (n) gibe, jeer, irony, farce, sunbeam mortifying: (adj) embarrassing,
charade, derision, parody, mock, moonlight: (adj, n) moonshine; (n) demeaning, humbling, undignified,
scorn, imitation, burlesque. moonbeam, moonglade, occupation, off, awkward, unpleasant; (v)
ANTONYM: (n) approval lunation, lunar month, labor; (n, v) annoying, aggravating, irritating,
mocking: (adj) derisive, ironic, work; (v) pilfer, do work; (adj) stinging. ANTONYM: (adj)
jeering, mock, quizzical, sarcastic, moonshiny dignified
taunting, derisory, teasing, sardonic, moped: (n) minibike, carrier tricycle moss: (n) lichen, marsh, bog, morass,
sneering. ANTONYMS: (adj) morally: (adv) virtuously, chastely, marish, fen, bryophyte, quagmire,
respectful, approving, righteously, justly, properly, swamp, Bryace; (adj) byssus
complimentary, sympathetic; (n) decently, ethically, purely, mossy: (adj) floral, mosslike, moldy,
praise uprightly, rightly, religiously. hoary, musty, covered, musciform,
modelled: (adj) patterned ANTONYMS: (adv) indecently, stodgy, hoar, chromatic, canescent
moist: (adj) damp, wet, muggy, corruptly, improperly motionless: (adj) inactive, inert,
clammy, dank, damps, dampish, morbid: (adj) diseased, gruesome, immobile, stationary, fixed,
soggy, soppy, wettish, moisture. macabre, corrupt, pathologic, unmoving, quiescent, dead, torpid;
ANTONYMS: (adj) dry, limp, fresh unwholesome, peccant, sick, (adj, adv) calm, at rest.
moisture: (n) damp, dampness, wet, unhealthy, pathological; (adj, v) ANTONYMS: (adj) mobile, active,
humid, moist, moistness, vapor, sickly alive, flowing
402 Wuthering Heights
mound: (v) embankment; (adj, n) (adj) clear, distinct murmuring, grumble, murmuration,
knoll, hillock, hummock; (n) hill, mumbling: (n) gumming, diction, murmur vowel, complaint, heart
mass, grave; (n, v) stack, bank, pile; enunciation, chewing, mussitation, murmur, cardiac murmur; (adj)
(adj) barrow. ANTONYM: (n) mastication; (adj) inarticulate, mumbling, faint
hollow incoherent mutton: (n) lamb, em, mouton, mut,
mounting: (n, v) mount; (adj, n) munching: (n) feeding sheep, pork, red meat, white meat,
climbing; (n) ascent, setting, climb, munificent: (adj) liberal, bountiful, beef, area unit; (v) pilot bread
frame, assembly, chassis, lavish, free, bounteous, prodigal, nameless: (adj) unknown, unnamed,
framework, ascension; (adj, adv) beneficent, magnanimous, unidentified, unsung,
rising unstinted, unsparing, princely. undistinguished, unspecified,
mounts: (adj) mounted ANTONYMS: (adj) mean, inexpressible, strange, indescribable,
mourn: (v) bewail, grieve, deplore, tightfisted, malevolent obscure, unspeakable. ANTONYM:
cry, bemoan, regret, distress, sad, murderess: (n) killer, manslayer, (adj) famous
wail, mourning, weep. liquidator, assassin narrator: (n) teller, speaker, fabulist,
ANTONYMS: (v) rejoice, celebrate, murderous: (adj) cutthroat, anecdotist, narrators, talker,
applaud homicidal, gory, bloodthirsty, cruel, lecturer, narrater, orator, relator,
mourner: (n) sorrower, bearer, brutal, fierce, mortal, deadly, lethal, raconteur
griever, unfortunate, pallbearer, killing. ANTONYM: (adj) easy narrow-minded: (adj) narrow, petty,
wailer, weeper murmur: (n, v) grumble, mumble, bigoted, provincial, stuffy, fanatical,
mournful: (adj) sad, miserable, hum, whisper, mutter, whine, dogmatic, selfish, sectarian, rabid,
melancholy, funereal, dolorous, babble, drone; (v) complain, bubble, conventional
dark, pensive, gloomy, lugubrious, breathe naught: (n) cipher, nothing, null,
lamentable; (adj, n) plaintive. murmuring: (n) murmuration, aught, nix, nought, zip, cypher,
ANTONYMS: (adj) joyful, happy, murmur, complaint, grumble, nada; (adj, n, pron) nil; (n, pron)
emotionless muttering, mutter, murmur vowel; zilch
mournfully: (adv) sadly, sorrowfully, (adj) whispering, humming, naughtiness: (n) misbehavior,
glumly, woefully, unhappily, droning, murmurous rascality, disobedience, badness,
plaintively, grievously, funereally, muse: (v) meditate, ponder, mischievousness, roguishness,
dejectedly, dolorously, poignantly. deliberate, consider, cogitate, reflect, insubordination, devilry,
ANTONYMS: (adv) cheerfully, brood, ruminate, speculate, think, impishness, roguery, breaking the
joyfully mull. ANTONYM: (v) wander rules. ANTONYM: (n) obedience
mourning: (n) lament, lamentation, musing: (adj) contemplative, nausea: (n) sickness, queasiness,
bereavement, gloom, woe, meditative, thoughtful, pensive; (n) squeamishness, revulsion,
memorial, sorrowfulness, sadness, meditation, consideration, reflection, repugnance, qualm, illness; (v)
sorrow; (adj) grieving; (v) lamenting rumination, reverie, thought, loathing, aversion, dislike, distaste
mouthful: (n) gulp, morsel, swallow, cogitation necessities: (n) supplies, necessity,
gobbet, nip, bit, sip, piece, drink; musingly: (adv) thoughtfully, essential, wants, support,
(adj, n) handful; (adj) thimbleful ponderingly, meditatively, subsistence, requirement, bread
moveable: (adj) movable, contemplatively, reflectively, neckerchief: (n) kerchief, neckcloth,
transportable, moving, transferable, ruminatively, broodingly, deep in scarf, shawl
transferrable, assignable, conveyable thought. ANTONYM: (adv) needful: (adj) necessary, essential,
mucky: (adj) muddy, grubby, filthy, unthinkingly indispensable, required, needed,
foul, miry, grimy, unclean, squalid, musty: (adj) fusty, rancid, stale, mandatory, exigent, needy; (adj, v)
soiled, dingy, marshy mouldy, rank, bad, obsolete, requisite; (n) necessity, almighty
mule: (n) ass, donkey, jackass, hinny, antiquated, stuffy, threadbare, trite. dollar
mules, scuff, bullhead, slipper; (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) airy, modern needless: (adj, v) unnecessary,
hybrid, crossbreed, Metis mute: (adj) dumb, silent, inarticulate, superfluous; (adj) futile,
multiply: (v) expand, increase, dummy, tongueless; (v) muffle, dispensable, bootless, excessive,
propagate, breed, augment, dampen, deaden, hush; (adj, v) preventable, meaningless, pointless,
duplicate, proliferate, procreate, quiet, dull. ANTONYMS: (adj) wanton, unavailing. ANTONYMS:
reproduce, calculate, extend. talkative, speaking, spoken; (v) (adj) essential, worthwhile,
ANTONYMS: (adv) singly; (v) amplify inevitable, justifiable
divide, diminish, reduce, estimate, mutely: (adv) dumbly, wordlessly, neglecting: (n) neglect, disregard
dwindle stilly, speechlessly, taciturnly, negligent: (adj) neglectful, heedless,
multitude: (n) flock, horde, crowd, unspokenly, quietly, noiselessly, forgetful, reckless, inattentive,
host, throng, concourse, mob, dully, soundlessly, dummily. inadvertent, indifferent, slow, lax,
masses, mass, herd, swarm. ANTONYM: (adv) noisily untidy; (adj, v) remiss.
ANTONYM: (n) trickle mutter: (n, v) mumble, grumble, ANTONYMS: (adj) strict, diligent,
mumbled: (adj) inaudible, faint, whisper; (v) growl, maunder, conscientious, careful, dutiful,
broken, slurred, thick, garbled, grouch, snarl, croak; (n) prompt, prudent, responsible,
unintelligible, muffled, low, murmuration, grumbling, complaint sensible, cautious
incomprehensible. ANTONYMS: muttering: (n) grumbling, mutter, negus: (v) flip, grog, wassail, toddy,
Emily Brontë 403
purl, punch, mulled wine, bishop, noticing: (n) observation, look; (adj) accommodate, obligate, necessitate,
cup conscious enforce, impel. ANTONYMS: (v)
nerveless: (adj) coolheaded, feeble, nought: (adj, n) nil, naught, zero; (n) displease, request, hinder
weak, cool, powerless, spineless, cipher, cypher, nobody, aught, nix, obliterated: (adj) obliterate,
impuissant, flaccid, marrowless, null, nada; (adj) no destroyed, lost, forgotten, invisible;
composed, imperturbable nourish: (v) foster, keep, bring up, (v) erased, effaced
nervousness: (n) nerves, trepidation, nurture, sustain, aliment, cherish, obscurely: (adv) cloudily, darkly,
disquiet, tension, jumpiness, feed, maintain, cultivate; (n, v) vaguely, secretly, hazily, abstrusely,
restlessness, jitters, agitation, worry, cradle. ANTONYMS: (v) starve, sap foggily, mysteriously, indistinctly,
fearfulness, edginess. ANTONYMS: nourishment: (n) food, alimentation, occultly, unclearly. ANTONYMS:
(n) boldness, confidence, meal, meat, diet, feeding, nutrition, (adv) clearly, comprehensibly,
reassurance, calm, relief, peace, repast, sustenance, edible, fuel intelligibly
equanimity novelty: (adj) news; (n) freshness, obscurity: (n) gloom, darkness,
nestling: (n) chick, bairn, toddler, mutation, newness, trinket, shade, dimness, obscureness, night,
baby bird, bambino, changeling, fry, curiosity, originality, oddity, bauble; oblivion, haze, ambiguity, shadow,
kiddy, nesting, pullet, tadpole (n, v) change, difference cloudiness. ANTONYMS: (n) clarity,
neutralised: (adj) neutral nowt: (n) nothing, naught, nought, fame, light, simplicity, prominence,
nicety: (n) detail, exactness, zilch, nada, nobody, cipher, bugger celebrity, brightness
fastidiousness, nuance, refinement, all, zero observable: (adj, adv) noticeable,
exactitude, justness, precision, nursed: (adj) care, suckled perceptible; (adj) discernible,
correctness, daintiness, elegance nursling: (n) baby, babe, infant, apparent, appreciable, visible,
nigh: (adj, adv, prep) near; (adj, adv) suckling, child, sucker, toddler, evident, noteworthy, notable,
close, nearly, almost, nearby, most, lactation detectable, remarkable.
all but, about, adjacent; (prep) by; nurture: (v) foster, cherish, bring up, ANTONYMS: (adj) hidden,
(adj) approximate grow, nourish, care, maintain, imperceptible, invisible
nimbly: (adv) adroitly, alertly, educate, nurse; (n) education, observing: (adj) observant, mindful,
lightly, energetically, cleverly, breeding. ANTONYMS: (n, v) watchful, commemorative,
hastily, deftly, rapidly, readily; (adj) neglect conscious, observative, perceptive,
dexterously; (adj, adv) neatly. oaks: (n) beech family, Castanopsis, thoughtful; (n) investigation
ANTONYMS: (adv) lethargically, Nothofagus, Lithocarpus, genus obstinacy: (n) stubbornness,
heavily, awkwardly Quercus, Genera Castanea, family firmness, bullheadedness,
ninny: (n) idiot, nincompoop, sap, Fagaceae, Fagus, Fagaceae, determination, contumacy,
noodle, poop, booby, moron, gawk, chestnuts mulishness, impenitence, resolve,
dunce, tomfool, ass oath: (n) expletive, malediction, resoluteness, impenitency,
nodding: (adj) cernuous, drooping, imprecation, promise, affidavit, pertinacity. ANTONYMS: (n)
dozy, dozing, somnolent, drugged, cuss, swearing, pledge, assurance, cooperation, compliance
pendulous, drowsing, droopy, asseveration; (v) swear obstinate: (adj) obdurate, inflexible,
annuent, flagging. ANTONYM: (adj) oatmeal: (n) burgoo, rolled oats, intractable, determined, inveterate,
awake porridge, meal, beige; (v) ice cream, disobedient, willful, stubborn,
noiselessly: (adv) silently, mince pie, mangosteen, mango, contrary, wayward, dogged.
soundlessly, stilly, softly, mutely, lettuce; (adj) mush ANTONYMS: (adj) flexible,
delicately, wordlessly, gently, oats: (n) Avena, grain, millet, cereal, amenable, irresolute, cooperative,
speechlessly; (adj, adv) stealthily; cereal grass, common oats, genus easygoing, docile, biddable,
(adj) noiseless. ANTONYMS: (adv) Avena, Haver, holder, maize, agreeable, accommodating,
heavily, audibly buckwheat malleable, gentle
noisily: (adv) clamorously, obdurate: (adj) inflexible, stony, obstinately: (adv) obdurately,
boisterously, vociferously, riotously, obstinate, callous, firm, stubborn, mulishly, persistently, perversely,
raucously, uproariously, loudly, headstrong, flinty, mulish, doggedly, refractorily, unyieldingly,
blatantly, rowdily, stridently, impenitent, rigid. ANTONYMS: willfully, pigheadedly, waywardly,
vocally. ANTONYMS: (adv) (adj) compliant, amenable, firmly. ANTONYM: (adv) helpfully
noiselessly, silently, calmly, accommodating, easygoing, caring, obtrusive: (adj) blatant, conspicuous,
peacefully, softly irresolute, soft, acquiescent officious, impudent, intrusive,
nook: (n) angle, niche, recess, hole, obedient: (adj) submissive, pushy, saucy, prominent, forward,
coign, bay, compartment, oriel, cove, compliant, good, conformable, tame, protrusive, rude. ANTONYMS: (adj)
refuge, haven acquiescent, dutiful, meek, biddable, unobtrusive, helpful
norther: (n) north wind, northern, amenable, subservient. obviate: (v) avert, preclude, avoid,
mistral, khamsin, foehn, blizzard, ANTONYMS: (adj) defiant, exclude, debar, eliminate, forestall,
bize, bise, barber, Chinook, north assertive, rebellious, crooked, prevent, foreclose, rule out, stave off
nostril: (n) flue, chimney, funnel, intractable, naughty, wild, resistant occupant: (n) tenant, inhabitant,
weasand, nozzle, port, throat, obeying: (adv) under dweller, denizen, occupier, inmate,
trachea, naris, anterior naris, nare oblige: (v) coerce, force, drive, holder, citizen, householder,
nostrils: (n) naris, nose constrain, make, bind, dalesman, coaster
404 Wuthering Heights
odious: (adj, v) hateful, obnoxious; ornament: (n) decoration, adornment, sunny, clear
(adj) detestable, hideous, nasty, embellishment, decor; (v) beautify, overcoming: (adj) fortunate
execrable, disgusting, abhorrent, decorate, deck, embellish, adorn; (n, overdone: (adj) exaggerated,
abominable, heinous, forbidding. v) garnish, dress. ANTONYM: (v) overstated, overcooked, excessive,
ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasant, strip immoderate, extravagant, fulsome,
delightful, agreeable, lovable, nice ornamented: (adj) embellished, overdo, undue, overwrought,
odour: (n) flavour, smell, odor, beautified, fancy, flowery, ornate, profuse. ANTONYMS: (adj)
aroma, scent, bouquet, savour, nose, adorned, bedecked, decked, restrained, tender
flavor, smack, redolence festooned, feathered, florid overhear: (v) catch, eavesdrop, listen,
o'er: (adv) on, upon, across orphan: (n) waif, caterpillar, nymph, overheard, understand, fold up,
offend: (v) irritate, affront, insult, nympha, cocoon, Aurelia, tyke, befool, fascinate, entrance, enchant,
contravene, injure, disgust, infringe, staddle, youngster, shaver; (adj) enamour
displease, abuse, wound, anger. orphaned overhearing: (n) silent listening
ANTONYMS: (v) please, delight, ostler: (n) groom, stableboy, overlook: (v) disregard, excuse, omit,
praise, attract stableman, hostleress, jockey, tiger, ignore, forget, fail, command,
offended: (adj) angry, affronted, swineherd, herdsman, hired hand, dominate, oversee, control, miss.
aggrieved, pained, wronged, hired man, gillie ANTONYMS: (v) remember, notice,
annoyed, insulted, shocked, vexed, outcast: (n) exile, castaway, leper, spot, acknowledge, see, accept,
resentful, injured. ANTONYMS: expatriate, outlaw, vagabond, lown, punish
(adj) indifferent, proud, loon, refugee; (adj, n) derelict; (adj) overlooked: (adj) ignored, neglected,
unconcerned homeless. ANTONYM: (n) native unobserved, unnoted, unmarked
offending: (adj) opprobrious, outcry: (n, v) clamor, exclaim, call, overpass: (v) neglect, overlook,
criminal, aberrant, guilty, shout, vociferation; (n) noise, overleap, ignore, omit, overstep,
delinquent, antisocial, scurrilous, exclamation, din, uproar, cross, fail; (n) bridge, viaduct,
errant commotion, racket. ANTONYM: (n) flypast
omen: (n, v) harbinger, bode, herald, acceptance overreach: (v) outwit, cheat, overdo,
augury; (n) indication, portent, outlive: (v) survive, live, endure, outsmart, beat, do, beguile, fool,
forerunner, foreboding, sign, mark, overlive, live through, make it, dupe, overpass, mislead
auspice overbide, overcome, remain, overtaking: (n) passing, overtake,
ominous: (adj) baleful, inauspicious, supervive, subsist pass, going, expiration, loss,
ill, menacing, threatening, black, out-of-the-way: (adj) strange, departure, exit
sinister, minatory, unlucky, singular, remote, devious, secluded, overwhelmed: (adj) beaten,
forbidding, minacious. outlying, distant, obscure, unusual, overpowered, vanquished,
ANTONYMS: (adj) promising, peculiar, far dumbfounded, inundated, flooded,
auspicious, reassuring, bright, lucky, outrage: (n, v) insult, affront, overthrown, engulfed, conquered,
wonderful dishonor, anger; (v) offend, violate, bewildered; (v) overborne.
omit: (adv, v) neglect, disregard; (adj, desecrate; (adj, n, v) abuse; (n) ANTONYM: (adj) unimpressed
v) miss, skip, jump, pretermit; (v) atrocity, indignity, enormity owing: (adj) due, unpaid, unsettled,
delete, forget, exclude, except, leave. outrageous: (adj) inordinate, outstanding, overdue, owed,
ANTONYMS: (v) add, remember atrocious, ridiculous, monstrous, payable, undischarged, indebted,
open-mouthed: (adj) spellbound offensive, gross, excessive, fulfilling obligation, lawful.
opportunely: (adv) conveniently, extravagant, absurd, ANTONYM: (adj) settled
expediently, handily, auspiciously, unconscionable; (adj, v) furious. owning: (n) admission, avowal,
advantageously, fortunately, luckily, ANTONYMS: (adj) acceptable, confession, courteous recognition,
aproposly, favorably, appropriately, reasonable, normal, credible, good, acknowledgment
happily. ANTONYMS: (adv) honorable, lovely, complimentary, oyster: (v) clam, ostracize, frumenty,
inconveniently, unfortunately appealing, commendable, admirable oatmeal, chowder, damper; (n)
oppressive: (adj, v) onerous, close, outright: (adj) straight, absolute, huitre, shellfish, blue point, capiz,
burdensome; (adj) sultry, stuffy, entire, perfect, altogether, total, bluepoint
tyrannical, muggy, despotic, downright; (adv) wholly, pacified: (adj) appeased
dictatorial, gloomy, domineering. instantaneously, instantly, fully. pacify: (adj, n, v) calm, allay,
ANTONYMS: (adj) liberal, ANTONYMS: (adv) hardly, compose, appease; (adj, v) mollify,
democratic, humane, free, tolerant, indirectly; (adj) partial, qualified lull, soothe; (n, v) ease; (v) conciliate,
airy, freezing, libertarian outward: (adj) external, apparent, placate, moderate. ANTONYMS: (v)
oppressor: (adj, n) despot, tyrant; (n) extrinsic, outer, superficial, surface, annoy, enrage, excite, infuriate,
autocrat, persecutor, bully, outside, ostensible, foreign, outdoor; aggravate, displease, inflame,
tormenter; (adj) extortioner, hard (adv) out. ANTONYMS: (adj, adv) provoke
master, martinet, Draco, bashaw inward; (adj) inner, internal, deep pacing: (n) accelerando, andante,
orison: (n) invocation, intercession, overcast: (adj) dark, cloudy, dim, allegro, allegretto, pace, walk,
supplication, benediction, request, dull, gloomy, heavy, muddy, tempo, musical time, maneuvering
rogation, communion, entreaty, dismal; (n, v) cloud; (adj, v) obscure; alongside another vessel, cardiac
commination, collect, blessing (v) darken. ANTONYMS: (adj) pacing
Emily Brontë 405
pail: (n) bucketful, jug, tub, pailful, parson: (n) cleric, clergyman, rector, curbside, earth, ground, sett paving,
cannikin, pails, skeel, tankard, pot, pastor, curate, preacher, ecclesiastic, surface, paved surface, metalling of
pipkin, vessel divine, priest, vicar, father road, ground floor
pained: (adj) offended, aggrieved, partake: (v) deal, touch, share, peaty: (adj) turfy, soggy, boggy,
distressed, displeased, sore, grieved, consume, attend, eat, taste, receive, muddy, swampy, turbinaceous,
miserable, injured, wounded, communicate, join, have. combustible. ANTONYM: (adj) dry
worried, upset. ANTONYM: (adj) ANTONYM: (v) refrain pebble: (n) boulder, crystal, flint,
unaffected parted: (adj) divided, separate, rock, scree, cobblestone, calculus,
palaver: (v) chatter, babble, coax, distributed, separated, divisible, crag, granite, pebblestone; (adj)
gabble, clack; (n, v) talk; (n) gab, disunited, compounder, compound, quartz
negotiation, cajolery, flattery; (adj, v) dividable pebbles: (n) shingle, grit, gravel,
prate partiality: (n) favor, fondness, stones
paleness: (adj, n) pallor; (n) leaning, fancy, favour, predilection, peculiarity: (n) idiosyncrasy,
pallidness, wanness, whiteness, liking, prejudice, favoritism, bias, distinction, particularity, oddness,
achromasia, blondness, lividity, affection. ANTONYMS: (n) eccentricity, distinctiveness,
luridness, lividness, fairness, pale. impartiality, fairness, indifference, abnormality, characteristic,
ANTONYM: (n) strength horror, antipathy attribute, difference, individuality.
paltry: (adj, n) mean; (adj) parting: (n) adieu, division, leave, ANTONYM: (n) similarity
contemptible, measly, trifling, abject, departure, disunion, goodbye, peculiarly: (adj, adv) particularly,
insignificant, inconsiderable, puny, leaving, segregation, dying, rupture; curiously, unusually, uncommonly,
little, trivial, low. ANTONYMS: (adj) valedictory. ANTONYMS: (n) singularly; (adv) especially, oddly,
(adj) generous, substantial, plentiful, joining, meeting, connection, strangely, specifically, weirdly,
enormous, important, profound Reunion specially. ANTONYMS: (adv)
pane: (n) window pane, paneling, passionately: (adv) fervently, typically, ordinarily, slightly
pane of glass, panelling, vehemently, violently, fiercely, peep: (n, v) glance, peek, look, gaze,
windowpane, window-pane, board, eagerly, zealously, fervidly, fierily, glint, squeal; (n) glimpse, cheep; (v)
square, sheet of glass, leaf, box enthusiastically, heatedly, stormily. chirp, peer, pry. ANTONYMS: (v)
panes: (n) Fauni ANTONYMS: (adv) mildly, stare, gaze; (n) examination
pang: (n) pain, torture, ache, agony, apathetically, calmly, halfheartedly, peeping: (n) cheeping, tweeting,
twinge, affliction, sting, stab, impassively, jokingly, gently chirping; (adj) inquisitive
distress, ailment, cramp passionless: (adj) frigid, indifferent, peering: (adj) nosy, prying, snoopy
panting: (adj) gasping, breathless, emotionless, soulless, spiritless, peevish: (adj) fretful, fractious,
blown, winded, puffed; (v) dispassionate, impassive, morose, testy, irascible, moody,
palpitation; (n) heaving, gasp, apathetical, unimpassioned, calm, captious, petulant, cross,
asthma, heave, puff unemotional cantankerous, touchy
papa: (n) father, pa, daddy, Dada, pastor: (n) minister, ecclesiastic, peevishly: (adv) querulously,
sire, pappa, pop, old man, cleric, divine, priest, parson, curate, tetchily, fractiously, sullenly, sulkily,
paterfamilias, cardinal, high priest herdsman, churchman, chaplain, testily, moodily, touchily, crossly,
paragon: (n) exemplar, ideal, model, celebrant surly, morosely. ANTONYMS: (adv)
perfection, paradigm, pattern, paternal: (adj) parental, agnate, cheerfully, pleasantly, calmly
jimdandy, idol; (adj, n) beau ideal; maternal, agnatic, concerned, peevishness: (n) irritability,
(adj) phenix, pink solicitous, patrimonial, ancestral, fretfulness, biliousness, anger,
pardonable: (adj, v) defensible; (adj) fatherlike, racial, fraternal. surliness, testiness, pettishness,
forgivable, justifiable, venial, ANTONYMS: (adj) filial, motherly temper, petulance, choler, fussiness
remissible, allowed, not heinous, paternity: (n) parenthood, source, penance: (n) atonement, sacrament,
understandable, veniable, authorship, origin, beginning, confession, compunction, penalty,
explicable. ANTONYM: (adj) relationship, parentage, genesis, expiation, remorse, repentance,
unpardonable provenance, consanguinity, family punishment, reparation, hair shirt
parentage: (n) family, extraction, relationship pendent: (adj) pendulous,
origin, descent, ancestry, lineage, pathos: (v) emotion, inspiration, suspended, pendant, dangling,
stock, birth, pedigree, kinship, impression, affection; (n) poignancy, pending, unsettled, undecided,
bloodline pity, ruth, commiseration, grief, pensile, drooping, projecting; (n)
parlour: (n) living room, parlor, poignance, sympathy stipend
sitting room, front room, patiently: (adv) perseveringly, penning: (n) writing, composition,
livingroom, room to meet guests, invalidly, quietly, uncomplainingly, authorship, fabrication, drafting,
parlours, parlors, salon, reception persistently, forbearingly, lexicography, committal to writing,
room, room resignedly, steadily, doggedly, composing, musical composition,
parlours: (n) parlour calmly, meekly. ANTONYM: (adv) redaction, versification
paroxysm: (adj, n) fit, burst; (n) eagerly pensive: (adj) contemplative,
convulsion, outburst, explosion, patriarchs: (n) forbears, forefathers meditative, musing, wistful,
attack, seizure, spasm, gust, agony; paved: (adj) cobbled dreamy, melancholy, abstracted,
(adj) breaking out paving: (n) pavement, floor, pavage, broody, reflective, moody; (adj, v)
406 Wuthering Heights
sad. ANTONYMS: (adj) shallow, intermittent, transitory, mortal, astuteness, judgement, discernment,
satisfied, carefree unstable, finite, inconstant, shrewdness, perception, wisdom;
perceiving: (n) feeling, sensing, occasional, sporadic (adj) penetration. ANTONYMS: (n)
hearing, looking at, recognition, perpetually: (adv) eternally, stupidity, dullness
thought, vision, lipreading; (adj) everlastingly, always, incessantly, perspiration: (n) diaphoresis,
conscious, percipient, reasonable continually, endlessly, permanently, hidrosis, sudor, sweating,
perceptible: (adj) conspicuous, unceasingly, ceaselessly, ever; (adj, extravasation, secretion, exertion,
appreciable, evident, discernible, adv) forever. ANTONYMS: (adv) exudation, effort, lather, water
obvious, visible, palpable, apparent, erratically, sporadically pert: (adj) impertinent, bold,
detectable, manifest, observable. perplex: (adj, v) confuse, puzzle; (v) impudent, insolent, forward, fresh,
ANTONYMS: (adj) intangible, amaze, mystify, astonish, nonplus, brazen, saucy, malapert, irreverent,
unclear, inaudible, inconspicuous, complicate, confound, disconcert, cheeky. ANTONYM: (adj) listless
obscure, undetectable, invisible bother, get. ANTONYMS: (v) pertinacious: (adj) obstinate, dogged,
perdition: (adj, n) downfall, fall, ruin; simplify, clarify, enlighten, placate, stubborn, obdurate, dour, tenacious,
(n) hell, inferno, infernal region, explain unyielding, headstrong, restive, stiff,
nether region, deperdition, bane, perplexed: (adj) confused, puzzled, pigheaded. ANTONYM: (adj)
destruction, overthrow. baffled, confounded, doubtful, agreeable
ANTONYM: (n) heaven distracted, disconcerted; (adj, v) pertinaciously: (adv) stubbornly,
peremptorily: (adv) absolutely, intricate, complicated, lost, unyieldingly, firmly, tenaciously,
positively, imperatively, flatly, involved. ANTONYMS: (adj) obstinately, doggedly, headstrongly,
dogmatically, magisterially, unperplexed, assured, clear, stiffly, contumaciously, dourly
commandingly, imperiously, knowing pertly: (adv) impudently,
authoritatively, decidedly, perplexity: (n) confusion, dilemma, impertinently, freshly, rudely,
decisively bewilderment, maze, labyrinth, perkily, smartly, brashly,
peremptory: (adj) imperious, embarrassment, quandary, immodestly, forwardly, briskly,
commanding, dictatorial, complication, enigma; (adj, n) sassily
overbearing, decisive, magisterial; difficulty, distress. ANTONYM: (n) pertness: (n) insolence, impudence,
(adj, v) authoritative, dogmatic, flat, understanding audacity, sauciness, effrontery,
absolute; (v) decided. ANTONYM: persecutor: (n) tormentor, bully, perkiness, archness, cheekiness,
(adj) polite gadfly, tormenter, teaser, pursuer, playfulness, forwardness, cheek
perforce: (n) on compulsion; (adv) dictator, annoyer, tantalizer, peruse: (v) examine, look through,
needs pesterer, pest inspect, study, leaf, flip, flick, learn,
perfuming: (adj) emitting perfume, perseverance: (n) endurance, review, to read, browse.
perfumatory tenacity, resolution, constancy, ANTONYM: (v) skim
peril: (n, v) hazard, risk, endanger, fortitude, assiduity, industry, perusing: (n) poring over, studying
menace, adventure; (n) danger, doggedness, firmness, persistence, pervading: (adj) penetrating, general,
jeopardy, chance; (v) imperil, determination. ANTONYMS: (n) profound, permeating, permeant,
expose, compromise. ANTONYM: vacillation, cowardice, indecision, overmastering, lowly, deeply felt,
(n) security indifference intellectually deep, deep, almighty
perilous: (adj, v) dangerous, persevere: (v) persist, continue, perverse: (adj) fractious, obstinate,
hazardous; (adj) insecure, unsafe, endure, abide, go on, hang on, hold obdurate, bad, corrupt, headstrong,
parlous, precarious, risky, on, follow, keep, remain, pursue. disobedient, intractable, willful,
treacherous, dicey, critical, dodgy. ANTONYMS: (v) surrender, stop, sinister, wayward. ANTONYMS:
ANTONYM: (adj) secure quit (adj) wholesome, obliging,
perishable: (adj) mortal, temporary, persevering: (adj) diligent, firm, agreeable, accommodating,
frail, corruptible, transitory, dying determined, constant, resolute, malleable, good
words, dying day, caduke, dying; dogged, persistent, tenacious, perverseness: (n) perversity,
(adj, v) unstable; (v) precarious. steadfast, industrious, insistent. cussedness, unruliness, wilfulness,
ANTONYM: (adj) durable ANTONYM: (adj) irresolute willfulness, contumacy, obliquity,
perished: (adj) decayed, emperished, persist: (v) persevere, go on, endure, degeneracy, depravity, deliberate
rotting, annihilated, fallen, lost, insist, maintain, remain, linger, unruliness, crotchetiness
moldy, nonexistent, putrefied, dead, follow; (n, v) last, abide, hold. perversity: (n) perverseness,
decomposed ANTONYMS: (v) abandon, desist, cussedness, evil, perversion,
perishing: (adj) chilly, cold and cease willfulness, unruliness, corruption,
damp, crumbly, starving, inclement; personification: (n) incarnation, wilfulness, depravity; (adj)
(n) decay avatar, epitome, personation, contumacy, spinosity
permitting: (adj) lenient, permitted prosopopoeia, figure of speech, perverted: (adj) perverse, immoral,
perpetual: (adj) incessant, continual, manifestation, trope; (adj, n) type; distorted, kinky, corrupt, twisted,
constant, endless, eternal, (adj) metalepsis, anagoge abnormal, debauched, deviant,
everlasting, lasting, ceaseless, personified: (adj) embodied reprobate, unnatural. ANTONYMS:
immortal, continuous, perennial. perspicacity: (n) intelligence, (adj) normal, moral, unchanged
ANTONYMS: (adj) temporary, judgment, insight, discrimination, petrified: (adj) mineralized,
Emily Brontë 407
motionless, frightened, scared, phoenix: (n) perfection, capital of devoted, sanctimonious; (adj, v)
numb, stiff, harder, firm, mineral, Arizona, chimera, genus phoenix, earnest. ANTONYMS: (adj)
like a statue, lacking sensation. hydra, ideal, jewel, Minotaur, impious, sinful, profane,
ANTONYMS: (adj) mobile, fearless monster blasphemous, irreligious,
petted: (adj) cherished, domesticated, phraseology: (n) language, uncommitted, secular, irreverent
indulged, admired, cade expression, phrasing, wording, pistol: (n) firearm, gun, gat, revolver,
petting: (n) necking, fondling, idiom, vernacular, dialect, choice of rod, Captain Bobadil, derringer,
hugging, kissing, dalliance, words, terminology, locution; (n, v) spray gun, shooter, drawcansir,
cuddling, caress, gorgerin, style Thraso
indulgence, foreplay, smooching physiognomy: (n) face, kisser, phiz, pitched: (adj) oblique, thrown,
pettish: (adj) peevish, irritable, cross, visage, mug, look, brow, contour, slanting, at an angle, leaning; (v)
nettlesome, cranky, huffy, touchy, aspect, physnomy , metoposcopy fixed, pight, determined.
fretful, techy, petulant, tetchy pictured: (adj) envisioned, portrayed, ANTONYM: (adj) level
pettishly: (adv) testily, irritably, graphic, delineate, delineated, pitcher: (n) jar, ewer, mug, pot,
crossly, tetchily, peevishly, techily, impictured, unreal, visualised, hurler, creamer, container, pail,
huffily, touchily, fractiously, visualized, impressed bucket, flagon, tankard
fretfully, moodily picturing: (n) depiction, delineation, pitchfork: (v) bolt, fulminate, drive,
pettishness: (n) irritability, surliness, envisioning, pictorial representation, sling, branch; (n) hayfork, hand tool,
snappishness, biliousness, photography, portrayal, picture shakefork
fretfulness, petulance, temper, taking, photographic, imagination, piteous: (adj) miserable, pitiful,
petulancy, mood, irritation, ill mental imagery, imaging pathetic, doleful, lamentable, abject,
nature piercing: (adj, n) sharp, cutting; (adj, compassionate, unfortunate, poor,
petulance: (n) touchiness, testiness, v) keen, penetrating, biting, bitter, paltry, pitiable
tetchiness, crossness, choler, harsh, shrill; (adj) high, raw, loud. pitiful: (adj, n) abject; (adj) pathetic,
fretfulness, peevishness, temper, ANTONYMS: (adj) quiet, dull, soft, lamentable, piteous, contemptible,
acerbity; (adj) petulant, flippancy hot miserable, distressing, mean,
petulant: (adj) irritable, peevish, pigeons: (n) order Columbiformes, wretched, poor, sad. ANTONYMS:
cross, testy, irascible, cranky, Columbiformes (adj) generous, heartwarming,
fractious, fretful, pettish, touchy, piked: (adj) pointed, acute admirable, cheerful, fine, happy,
choleric. ANTONYMS: (adj) piled: (adj) heaped, dense, aggregate, impressive
easygoing, amiable, calm, affable, collective, concentrated, cumulous pitiless: (adj) merciless, brutal, harsh,
cheerful pilgrimage: (n, v) expedition, cruel, ruthless, implacable,
petulantly: (adv) testily, impatiently, excursion; (v) trip, tour, remorseless, inexorable, inhuman,
sulkily, querulously, pettishly, peregrination, ramble, discursion, heartless, hard. ANTONYMS: (adj)
irritably, snappishly, morosely, circuit; (n) hajj, haj, career merciful, charitable, soft,
tetchily, crossly, sullenly. pillow: (v) rest, breathe, lie, not compassionate, warmhearted,
ANTONYMS: (adv) calmly, lightly move; (adj) wadding; (n) throw sympathetic, flexible, caring,
pewter: (n) chowchow, solder, alloy pillow, Wanger, bed pillow, feather tolerant
phalanx: (n) baulk, balk, horde, bed, long pillow, padding pitying: (adj) sympathetic, merciful,
phalange, posse, os, military unit, pills: (n) medicine, tablets pity, pityingly, gloomy, meritless,
military force, force, crowd, cohort pincers: (n) tweezers, pliers, nippers, pitiful, sorry, sorry for, humane,
pharisee: (n) Pecksniff, Jesuit, Janus, tweezer, pair of tongs, nipper, dreary
disagreeable person, Mawworm, pinchers, pair of pincers, vice; (n, v) placidly: (adv) coolly, calmly,
sophist tongs; (v) clutches tranquilly, peacefully, stilly, quietly,
pheasant: (n) monal, afropavo, pinch: (n, v) nip, arrest, twinge, composedly, silently, meekly,
peafowl, wildfowl, bird of Juno, squeeze; (n) emergency, crisis, impassively, collectedly.
golden pheasant, monaul, exigency; (v) compress, lift, wring, ANTONYMS: (adv) agitatedly,
phasianid, Argus pheasant, Argus constrict boisterously
pheasants: (n) Phasianidae, brush pinched: (adj) haggard, drawn, plague: (v) molest, harass, afflict,
turkeys, chickens, curassows, family emaciated, cadaverous, narrow, hassle, annoy, badger, pester,
Phasianidae, Galliformes, grouse, penurious, thin, penniless, disturb, beleaguer; (n, v) worry; (adj,
hoatzins, order Galliformes, adenoidal; (adj, n) necessitous; (n) n, v) bother. ANTONYM: (v)
partridges distressed. ANTONYM: (adj) comfort
philosopher: (n) thinker, bacon, relaxed plagued: (adj) overrun, inundated,
libertarian, gymnosophist, pining: (adj, n) longing; (adj) snowed under, beleaguered,
empiricist, necessitarian, moralist, languishing, languid, marcid, weighed down, obsessed, besieged,
theorist, wisdom, pundit, mechanist amorously pensive, dull, eager; (n) beset, overwhelmed
phlegm: (n) indifference, impassivity, pinning, hankering, craving, desire plaguing: (adj) galling
impassiveness, lethargy, pinkness: (n) blush plaid: (n) check, tartan, patchwork,
sluggishness, dullness, stolidity, pious: (adj, n, v) devout; (adj, n) kirtle, fabric, cloth, cape, tippet; (v)
sputum, languor, inactivity; (adj) godly; (adj) religious, holy, saintly, mosaic, tesselated; (adj) checked
mucus devotional, pure, hypocritical, plank: (n) timber, beam, slat, girder,
408 Wuthering Heights
panel, parachute, matchboard, drudgery, walking. ANTONYMS: baneful, poison, lethal, viperous,
footbridge, hardboard; (v) flump; (n, (adj) dilettante, rapid mephitic. ANTONYMS: (adj)
v) planch plotted: (adj) planned, aforethought, harmless, benevolent, edible,
plantation: (n) orchard, farm, garden, arranged, studied kindhearted
shrubbery, hacienda, planting, ploughboy: (n) plowboy, child, male poker: (n) draw, lotto, nap, fire hook,
settlement, colony, parterre, grove, child, boy monte, reversis, shovel, squeezers,
planter pluck: (adj, n) nerve; (v) cull, jerk, tongs, trivet, rake
plash: (n, v) splash; (v) pleach, gather, pick, fleece, grab; (n) grit, politeness: (n) civility, courteousness,
splatter, spatter, swash, interlace, courage, boldness; (n, v) pull. courtliness, manners, decorum,
enlace, entwine, drip, drop; (n) ANTONYMS: (n) cowardice, gentility, good manners, niceness,
drizzle gutlessness; (v) undercharge refinement, gallantry, decency.
plateful: (n) helping, portion, home, plucked: (v) ploughed; (adj) pulled, ANTONYMS: (n) vulgarity,
crustal plate, serving, collection unfeathered, featherless, moulting, rudeness, incivility, neglect
plate, catcher, photographic plate, pilled pondering: (adj) pensive, musing,
home plate, containerful, denture plump: (adj) chubby, corpulent, meditative, contemplative,
playfellow: (n) fellow, associate, pal, stout, round, obese, overweight, thoughtful, reflective; (n)
familiar, comrade, companion, gross, buxom, pudgy; (adj, n) fleshy; consideration, deliberation,
buddy, playfere, chum, friend (v) fatten. ANTONYMS: (adj) thin, cogitation, reflection, lucubration
playfulness: (n) mischief, emaciated, skinny, slim, slender pony: (n) crib, nag, trot, mustang,
impertinence, gaiety, archness, plundered: (adj) pillaged, despoiled, clavis, cayuse, jigger, rendering,
friskiness, pertness, merriment, raped, robbed, emptier, empty, racehorse, translation, version
humor, impishness; (n, v) play, fleeced, ransacked porch: (n) lobby, hall, vestibule,
sport. ANTONYM: (n) seriousness plundering: (n) rape, pillage, veranda, door, entrance, deck,
playmate: (n) friend, chum, depredation, despoliation, rapine, gallery, portico, balcony, inlet
companion, associate, fellow, spoliation, despoilment, plunder, porridge: (v) oatmeal, hasty pudding,
partner, comrade, pal, buddy, mate, looting; (adj) predatory, marauding mince pie, oyster, pineapple, mango;
familiar plunge: (n, v) drop, dive, fall, jump; (n) burgoo, pap, plash, loblolly,
plead: (v) entreat, implore, beg, (v) douse, duck, submerge, crash, podge
adjure, petition, ask, appeal, defend, dunk, plummet; (adj, v) immerse. possessing: (adj) fruitive
invoke, sue; (n, v) allege. ANTONYMS: (n, v) rise; (v) hesitate; possessor: (n) owner, holder,
ANTONYMS: (v) answer, demand (n) improvement proprietor, householder, occupant,
pledge: (n, v) bond, gage, wager, poacher: (n) alligatorfish, landowner, landholder, proprietary,
engage, promise, plight, guarantee, scorpaenoid, lurcher, armed somebody, someone, soul
bet, contract; (n) assurance; (v) bullhead, gormandizer, sea poker, postern: (n) gate, ostiary, portal,
covenant. ANTONYM: (v) redeem smuggler, glutton, sea poacher porch, wicket, vestibule, trapdoor,
pledged: (adj, v) affianced; (adj) pocket-handkerchief: (n) threshold, back door; (adj, n) rear;
betrothed, busy, bound, occupied, handkerchief (adj) side
bespoken, promised, sworn, poignant: (adj, v) acrid, biting, harsh, postpone: (v) defer, delay, adjourn,
responsible, intermeshed, painful, penetrating, brisk; (adj) procrastinate, put off, suspend, hold
guaranteed acute, cutting, moving, affecting; over, remit, shelve; (adj, v) retard,
pledging: (n) marriage (adj, n) piquant. ANTONYMS: (adj) waive. ANTONYMS: (v) advance,
plentiful: (adj) opulent, bountiful, unemotional, cheerful, emotionless continue
ample, luxuriant, liberal, copious, pointer: (n) hand, needle, clue, point, pouting: (adj) sullen
fruitful, full, abundant, rich, plenty. tip, indicator, intimation, cursor, powerfully: (adv) strongly, potently,
ANTONYMS: (adj) scanty, meager, arrow, indication, beacon vigorously, puissantly, effectively,
sparse, lacking, insufficient, few, poised: (adj) balanced, calm, forcefully, robustly, intensely,
infertile composed, steady, equanimous, violently, hardily, firmly.
plentifully: (adv) plenteously, assured, urbane, serene, stable, ANTONYMS: (adv) gently, faintly,
bountifully, bounteously, massed, gathered. ANTONYMS: powerlessly, slightly, mildly, feebly,
abundantly, profusely, richly, fully, (adj) awkward, unprepared, coarse ineffectively, loosely, calmly
liberally, opulently, amply, poisoned: (adj, v) tainted; (v) peccant, powerless: (adj) impotent, unable,
prolifically. ANTONYM: (adv) morbid, tabid; (adj) venenate, made feeble, incapable, ineffective,
meagerly virulent, rabid, resentful, sour, ineffectual, infirm, inefficient,
pliable: (adj) elastic, ductile, soft, mangy, leprous nerveless, weak, prostrate.
malleable, flexile, susceptible, poisoning: (n) intoxication, gassing, ANTONYMS: (adj) powerful,
yielding; (adj, v) plastic, lithe, pliant, corruption, carbon monoxide strong, effective, capable, able
limber. ANTONYMS: (adj) stiff, poisoning, defoedation, practicable: (adj) possible, operable,
inflexible, intractable, firm, hard, discoloration, ergotism, caffeinism, practical, executable, workable,
unyielding, wild alkali poisoning, Malathion viable, doable, achievable,
plodding: (adj) slow, stodgy, heavy, poisoning, cyanide poisoning attainable, likely, handy.
hardworking, ponderous, steady; (n) poisonous: (adj) toxic, mortal, ANTONYMS: (adj) impossible,
persistence, grind, donkeywork, venomous, noxious, malicious, fatal, impracticable, unrealistic,
Emily Brontë 409
impractical principal, utmost, uppermost, shy, timid, humble, modest
praiseworthy: (adj, v) laudable; (adj) unequaled pretence: (n) deceit, pretext,
admirable, meritorious, worthy, prejudiced: (adj) biased, partisan, dissimulation, pretense, affectation,
creditable, good, deserving, bigoted, jaundiced, interested, falsehood, deception, hypocrisy,
honorable, applaudable, exemplary; opinionated, narrow, intolerant, bluff, appearance, pretension
(adj, n) excellent. ANTONYMS: (adj) colored, inequitable, subjective. pretended: (adj, v) sham, mock,
blameworthy, disgraceful, ANTONYMS: (adj) unbiased, counterfeit, pseudo, spurious; (adj)
despicable, dishonorable, poor, broadminded, balanced, impartial, assumed, fake, feigned, fictitious,
unworthy unprejudiced, objective, just, bogus, affected
praising: (adj) praiseful, tolerant preternaturally: (adv) supernaturally,
commending, praise, flattering, prejudicial: (adj) pernicious, hurtful, irregularly, transcendentally,
admiring, kind, complimentary, damaging, injurious, harmful, extraordinarily, occultly,
bestowing praise, eulogistic, noxious, disadvantageous, adverse, abnormally, strangely, outlandishly,
commendatory, encomiastical mischievous, prejudicious, noisome. uncannily, miraculously
praying: (n) prayer ANTONYMS: (adj) beneficial, prevail: (n, v) triumph, control,
preach: (v) lecture, exhort, moralize, helpful govern; (v) dominate, overcome,
advocate, sermonize, urge, hold prematurely: (adv) early, outweigh, obtain, persist, carry,
forth, admonish, evangelize, inopportunely, hastily, precipitately, vanquish; (adj) preponderate.
prophesy, moralise unripely, previously, rashly, ANTONYM: (v) lose
preacher: (n) missionary, parson, immaturely, precociously, primrose: (n) auricula, polyanthus,
lecturer, clergyman, evangelist, forwardly, beforehand primula, oxlip, paigle, primerole,
pastor, priest, sermonizer, revivalist, preposterously: (adv) absurdly, herbaceous plant, herb; (adj)
gospeler, preachers ludicrously, nonsensically, foolishly, sensuous
preaching: (n) sermon, lecture, crazily, silly, senselessly, proceeding: (n) matter, transaction,
homily, preachment, baccalaureate, outrageously, inordinately, affair, procedure, lawsuit,
speech, pulpit, exhortation, derisorily; (adj, adv) monstrously. proceedings; (v) deed, act; (n, v)
kerygma; (v) preach; (adj) hence ANTONYM: (adv) impressively measure; (adv, n) happening; (adj,
precarious: (adj) dangerous, insecure, presentable: (adj) decent, personable, adv, v) going on
hazardous, doubtful, unstable, satisfactory, acceptable, suitable, procure: (v) get, obtain, buy, earn,
unsafe, uncertain, delicate, passable, comely, tidy, neat, win, gain, have, purchase, induce,
disputable, tricky, risky. becoming, sufficient. ANTONYMS: derive, find. ANTONYM: (v) give
ANTONYMS: (adj) stable, secure, (adj) unsatisfactory, untidy, profaned: (adj) defiled, impure,
certain inadequate unclean
precaution: (n) foresight, care, presentiment: (n) premonition, profusely: (adv) lavishly, copiously,
prevention, discretion, anticipation, hunch, apprehension, feeling, extravagantly, bountifully,
caution, circumspection, prudence, foreboding, anticipation, intuition, generously, plentifully, galore,
safeguard, protection; (adj) boding, suspicion; (v) augury; (n, v) prodigally, richly, excessively,
precautionary omen amply. ANTONYMS: (adv)
precautions: (n) protection, defense, preserving: (n) conservation, meagerly, stingily, thinly
safety net preservation, protection, prognosticate: (v) augur, predict,
precede: (v) lead, head, forego, conservancy, embalmment, fixation; forecast, presage, foretell, portend,
antecede, antedate, anticipate, (adj) saving, frugal, economical, anticipate, bode, divine, forebode,
introduce, forerun, pass, preface, go. protective, thrifty prophesy
ANTONYMS: (v) succeed, postdate presiding: (adj) president, dominant, prohibition: (n) inhibition,
precept: (n) canon, decree, command, administrative forbiddance, exclusion, interdiction,
mandate, charge, lesson, injunction, presume: (v) dare, consider, believe, proscription, banning, embargo,
law, commandment, principle; (adj, think, infer, guess, expect, esteem, forbidding, injunction, enjoinment,
n) rule conclude, suppose, conjecture. forbid. ANTONYMS: (n)
precincts: (n) entourage, arena, ANTONYMS: (v) appreciate, entitlement, permission
outskirts, neighbourhood, walk, despair, speculate projecting: (adj) projected,
neighborhood, proximity, presumed: (adj) supposed, reputed, protruding, jutting, protrusive,
surroundings, vicinity, limitations, putative, understood, alleged, pendent; (adj, v) overhanging,
suburbs probable, theoretical jutting over, salient; (v) beetling,
precipitating: (adj) down presuming: (adj) forward, arrogant, protuberant, convex
precluded: (adj) not allowed insolent, familiar, overconfident, prolong: (v) extend, delay, protract,
predicament: (n) dilemma, fix, plight, conceited, assuming, rash, brash, keep up, expand, elongate, drag out,
crisis, difficulty, mess, quandary, pretentious, confident maintain, lengthen, draw out,
case, category, impasse; (n, v) presumptuous: (adj) arrogant, procrastinate. ANTONYMS: (v)
condition audacious, forward, assuming, stop, cancel, curtail, quit
pre-eminent: (adj) prominent, insolent, impertinent, assumptive, prompt: (adj) agile, quick, nimble,
outstanding, notable, transcendent, familiar, haughty, proud; (adj, n) punctual, expeditious; (v) actuate,
remarkable, eminent, famous, bold. ANTONYMS: (adj) respectful, incite, inspire, move, instigate; (adj,
410 Wuthering Heights
v) fleet. ANTONYMS: (adj) late, disdainfully, conceitedly. generously, indiscreetly,
uncertain; (v) discourage, hinder, ANTONYMS: (adv) humbly, immaturely, stupidly
halt modestly prying: (adj) inquisitive,
pronounce: (v) articulate, declare, providence: (n) forethought, fortune, meddlesome, nosy, inquiring, nosey,
affirm, say, assert, express, vocalize, fate, discretion, God, destiny, care, intrusive, busy, snoopy; (n)
proclaim; (n, v) allege; (adj, v) economy, caution, precaution, nosiness, curiosity; (adj, n)
deliver, utter. ANTONYM: (v) chance. ANTONYM: (n) meddling. ANTONYMS: (adj)
mumble improvidence apathetic; (n) apathy
pronouncing: (v) pronounce; (n) provident: (adj) prudent, frugal, puffed: (adj) puff, bloated, distended,
pronunciation, utterance sparing, economical, farsighted, puffy, tumid, turgid, swell,
prop: (n, v) support, buttress, brace, cautious, careful, parsimonious, breathless, bepuffed, overflowing,
shore, rest; (n) post, fulcrum, sagacious, wise; (v) precautionary. out of breath
property, mainstay; (v) bolster, hold ANTONYM: (adj) foolish pulpit: (n) platform, dais, ambo,
propensity: (n) proclivity, leaning, providential: (adj) lucky, happy, lectern, hustings, stump, rostrum,
disposition, bias, bent, aptitude, divine, fortuitous, opportune, forum, desk, stand, state
aptness, proneness, predisposition, miraculous, favorable, blessed, punctually: (adv) precisely, exactly,
predilection, penchant. ANTONYM: seasonable; (adj, v) auspicious; (v) duly, accurately, correctly, on time,
(n) inability propitious. ANTONYM: (adj) regularly, timely, punctiliously,
prophecy: (n) oracle, augury, unfortunate strictly, sharp
prognostication, forecast, provoke: (n, v) excite; (v) defy, punish: (v) amerce, discipline,
vaticination, prevision, prediction, offend, enrage, anger, irritate, castigate, chasten, chastise, penalize,
prognosis, omen, revelation, arouse, kindle, inflame, invite, get. strike, avenge, pay, beat, execute.
foreboding ANTONYMS: (v) please, soothe, ANTONYMS: (v) excuse, exonerate,
propitiate: (v) pacify, mollify, mollify, deter, inhibit, dampen, pardon, reward, commend
appease, placate, assuage, atone, arbitrate, allay, defuse, discourage, punishing: (adj) gruelling, arduous,
compose, calm, allay, becalm; (adj, douse labourious, laborious, hard, heavy,
v) reconcile provoking: (adj) provocative, punitive, backbreaking, clayey,
propriety: (adj, n) decency, modesty, annoying, aggravating, galling, accented, severe. ANTONYM: (adj)
correctness, aptitude; (n) decorum, maddening, vexatious, agitative, undemanding
fitness, etiquette, civility, grace, tempting, agitating; (adj, v) puny: (adj) weak, petty, feeble, frail,
politeness, manners. ANTONYMS: irritating, insulting. ANTONYMS: tiny, small, minute, measly, runty,
(n) impropriety, rudeness, (adj) conciliatory, courteous, paltry, trivial. ANTONYMS: (adj)
unsuitableness, indecorum, satisfying muscular, brawny, strong,
decadence, tactlessness, corruption, provokingly: (adv) annoyingly, significant, fit, huge, enormous,
vulgarity, indecency maddeningly, exasperatingly, robust, considerable
prosecute: (v) pursue, persecute, irritatingly, aggravatingly, gallingly, purgatory: (n) limbo, abyss,
follow, chase, engage, indict, litigate, vexatiously purgation, hell, situation, imaginary
drive, execute, accuse; (n, v) sue. proximity: (n) propinquity, vicinity, place, living death, punishment,
ANTONYM: (v) pardon adjacency, neighborhood, Gehenna, grief
prostrate: (adj, v) prone, exhaust, contiguity, presence, closeness, purification: (n) defecation, purge,
level, fatigue; (v) fell, overwhelm, contact, nearby, juxtaposition, refinement, catharsis, purgation,
overcome, floor, overthrow; (adj) approach. ANTONYM: (n) purging, refining, cleaning,
deject, knock down. ANTONYM: remoteness cleansing, cleanup, rectification.
(adj) upright proxy: (n) attorney, deputy, agent, ANTONYMS: (n) debasement,
protector: (n) guard, guardian, agency, delegate, alternate, dirtying, contamination
patron, champion, custodian, surrogate, procurator, authority, purport: (n, v) aim, amount; (n)
conservator, escort, hero, paladin, vicar; (adj, n) replacement intent, drift, intention, meaning,
supporter, benefactor prudence: (n) foresight, economy, end, effect, design; (v) mean,
protract: (v) extend, draw out, delay, frugality, caution, care, forethought, propose
lengthen, defer, procrastinate, providence, circumspection, purposely: (adj, adv) designedly,
continue, postpone, elongate, keep judgment, deliberation; (adj, n) advisedly, knowingly; (adv)
up; (adj) produce. ANTONYMS: (v) wisdom. ANTONYMS: (n) intentionally, on purpose, by design,
curtail, shorten, quit imprudence, profligacy, generosity, consciously, by choice, calculatedly,
protracted: (adj, v) extended, hindsight, recklessness, explicitly; (adj) wittingly.
lingering, continued; (adj) extravagance ANTONYM: (adv) unintentionally
prolonged, lengthy, extensive, prudential: (adj) discreet, economical pursuits: (n) diversion, duties
prolix, chronic, lengthened, slow, prudently: (adv) wisely, cautiously, puzzle: (adj, v) perplex, confuse,
spun out. ANTONYMS: (adj) brief, judiciously, discreetly, shrewdly, embarrass; (n) enigma, riddle,
abrupt, short, concise, easy sparingly, charily, sagaciously, mystery, maze; (n, v) nonplus; (v)
proudly: (adv) haughtily, arrogantly, warily, frugally, circumspectly. confound, mystify, baffle.
superciliously, boastfully, vainly, ANTONYMS: (adv) recklessly, ANTONYMS: (v) clarify, placate,
splendidly, stately, loftily, snootily, imprudently, extravagantly, explain; (n) explanation
Emily Brontë 411
pyramid: (n) pile, mass, heap, lump, quiver: (adj, n, v) shudder, shiver, wander, roam, meander, excursion,
prism, congeries, stack, pyramis; tremble, shake; (v) flicker, flutter, hike, tramp, walk, promenade.
(adj) spire, steeple; (v) raise vibrate; (n, v) palpitate, quaver; (n) ANTONYM: (v) settle
quaker: (n) trembler, Jovinianist, vibration, tremor rambling: (adj) disjointed,
friend, Familist, earthquake, quivering: (adj, n) trembling, tremor, incoherent, desultory, discursive,
champion, booster, Broadbrim, quaking, trepidation; (n) palpitation, erratic, excursive, meandering,
acquaintance, admirer, ally quiver, vibration; (adj) flutter, diffuse, loose, errant; (adj, n)
qualm: (n) misgiving, doubt, nausea, quavering, shivering, tremulous. wandering. ANTONYMS: (adj)
distrust, compunction, uncertainty, ANTONYM: (adj) steady coherent, abrupt, conclusive, pithy,
regret, hesitation, apprehension, quoting: (n) citation taciturn, compact
fear; (adj, n) suspicion rabid: (adj) mad, fanatical, fanatic, ramparts: (n) rampart, fortification
quarrel: (adj, n, v) dispute; (n, v) enthusiastic, frantic, insane, rankness: (n) foulness,
fight, feud, brawl, row, altercation, frenzied, extreme; (v) fierce, fiery; malodourousness, overgrowth,
argue, conflict, squabble; (n) (adj, v) wild. ANTONYMS: (adj) scent, smell, exuberance, odour,
dissension, difference. happy, moderate odor, body odor, plenty, profusion
ANTONYMS: (n) agreement, racked: (adj) assured, confident, ransacked: (adj) plundered, pillaged,
reconciliation, acceptance, concord, miserable emptier, despoiled, empty
consensus; (v) agree radiance: (n) gleam, glory, brilliance, rapt: (adj) engrossed, intent, ecstatic,
quarrelling: (adj) at variance, in luster, lustre, beam, brightness, preoccupied, spellbound, captive,
dispute, in disagreement, in conflict; effulgence, sparkle, light; (adj, n) enthralled, attentive, fixed,
(n) dissension brilliancy. ANTONYMS: (n) enwrapped; (v) engrossed in.
quart: (n) quartile, quartic, darkness, gloominess ANTONYMS: (adj) detached,
quartilunar, quartole, quartlet, radiant: (adj, v) bright, glittering, inattentive, uninterested, bored
quarts, quarto, quarter lustrous, beamy, glorious; (adj) rapturously: (adv) ravishingly,
quean: (n) jade, Trull, bitch, drab, beaming, luminous, effulgent, lucid, rhapsodically, overjoyedly, raptly,
hussy, minx, girl, slut, trollop, rig, glowing, beautiful. ANTONYMS: delightedly, enrapturedly, gladly
demirep (adj) gloomy, dark, pale, unhappy rascal: (n) villain, rapscallion,
queer: (adj) fantastic, odd, eccentric, ragged: (adj, n) shabby; (adj) seedy, monkey, miscreant, knave,
funny, curious, gay, peculiar, worn, hoarse, jagged, scruffy, torn, scoundrel, scamp, rogue, varlet,
strange, quaint, fishy, outlandish. untidy, unkempt; (adj, v) vagabond, brat
ANTONYMS: (adj) conventional, threadbare; (n) harsh. ANTONYMS: rascally: (adj) dirty, contemptible,
normal, well (adj) smart, elegant, smooth, new, abject, mean, mischievous,
quelled: (adj) quenched, allayed, even scoundrelly, roguish, scabby,
extinguished, extinct raging: (adj) hot, angry, fierce, irate, scurvy, shabby, paltry
quenched: (adj) extinct, quelled, out, wild, infuriated, enraged, vehement, rash: (adj, n) foolhardy, hasty,
slaked, squelched, dead, kayoed, heated; (adj, n) mad, rabid. precipitate, eruption; (adj)
permanently inactive, prohibited, ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, mild, imprudent, reckless, impetuous,
proscribed, put out contained heedless, audacious, sudden; (adj,
querulous: (adj) petulant, irritable, rails: (n) track, railroad, Gruiformes, adv) thoughtless. ANTONYMS:
fretful, discontented, tetchy, railing, railway, bustards, Coots, (adj) cautious, careful, sensible,
complaining, fractious, touchy, course, gallinules, crakes, order wise, considered, deliberate,
cross, grumpy, grouchy Gruiformes prudent, modest, slow, responsible,
questioner: (n) inquirer, interrogator, rainbow: (n) tortoise shell, tulip, patient
enquirer, interviewer, querist, sunbow, spectrum, peacock, dream, ratified: (adj) sanctioned, legal,
investigator, examiner, asker, chimera; (adj) multicolored, motley, canonical, canonic
doubter, talker, speaker kaleidoscopic, colorful rating: (n) mark, evaluation, grade,
quiescence: (n) still, calm, abeyance, raining: (adj) rainy, showery, drizzly; appraisal, estimate, rebuke, rate,
inaction, ease, inactivity, rest, (n) woe. ANTONYM: (adj) dry rank, estimation, dressing, ratings
quiescency, estivation, hibernation, rains: (n) wet rationally: (adv) logically, sanely,
calmness rainy: (adj) moist, pluvial, damp, judiciously, wisely, coherently,
quietness: (n) quiet, serenity, calm, pluvious, stormy, juicy, dirty, sagaciously, lucidly, justly,
calmness, peacefulness, repose, soppy, raining, drizzly; (adj, v) reasonably, sensibly, practically.
hush, composure, quietude, silence, showery. ANTONYM: (adj) pleasant ANTONYMS: (adv) irrationally,
stillness. ANTONYMS: (n) volume, rake: (n, v) tilt; (adj, v) comb; (v) hoe, illogically, emotionally, foolishly,
disturbance, loudness, bustle, harrow, graze, draw, plow; (n) unconvincingly, unreasonably
wildness, turbulence, noise, turmoil, debauchee, roue, slant, blood. rattle: (n, v) jingle, jangle, clatter; (n)
brashness, boldness, movement ANTONYM: (v) glance click, clang, clack; (v) bang, confuse,
quilt: (n) blanket, comforter, duvet, rallying: (n) effort, mobilization, shake, patter, disconcert
bedding, cover, bedspread, mobilisation, mass meeting, feat, rattled: (adj) hot and bothered,
counterpane, quilting, eiderdown, deed, exchange; (adj) moving, perturbed, upset, unsettled,
sheet; (adj, v) embroider encouraging, convalescent puzzled, disconcerted,
quitting: (n) departure, resignation ramble: (n, v) journey, stroll, saunter, discomposed, bewildered, beside
412 Wuthering Heights
oneself, abashed, addled. recluse: (n) hermit, anchoret, solitary, enthusiastic, boiling, up-to-date,
ANTONYM: (adj) calm ascetic, eremite, loner, troglodyte; sultry, contemporary
rattling: (adj) lively, brisk, racy, (adj) reclusive, secluded, cloistered, redoubled: (adj) ingeminate
marvelous, fantastic, zippy, snappy, withdrawn. ANTONYM: (n) native re-enter: (v) return, come back
spanking, merry; (adv) very, real recoil: (n, v) rebound, kick, bounce, refinement: (n) culture, cultivation,
raving: (adj, v) wild; (adj) frantic, shrink; (n) reaction, repercussion, purification, gentility, polish, finish,
delirious, furious, mad, insane; (adj, backlash; (v) bound, cringe, flinch, civilization, nicety, courtesy, grace;
n) madness, distraction, rage; (n) quail (adj, n) elegance. ANTONYMS: (n)
rabid, delirium recollect: (v) recall, remember, vulgarity, adulteration, tackiness,
rearing: (n) breeding, nurture, recognize, call to mind, remind, uncouthness, tastelessness,
education, bringing up, raising, mind, think, call up, reminisce, inelegance, coarseness, clumsiness,
fostering, upbringing, background, refresh, retrieve. ANTONYM: (v) awkwardness, crudeness
fosterage, nursing; (adj) rampant forget reflective: (adj, v) thoughtful,
reasoned: (adj) coherent, rational, recollecting: (n) recollection meditative; (adj) contemplative,
sound, logical, valid, reasonable, recollection: (n, v) mind; (n) musing, wistful, brooding, reflexive,
carefully considered, intelligent, reminiscence, recall, anamnesis, ruminative, museful, reflecting,
heavy, healthy, good. ANTONYM: remembrance, recognition, broody. ANTONYMS: (adj)
(adj) confused memento, memorial, superficial, satisfied, shallow
rebuke: (n, v) reprimand, rebuff, commemoration, memoir, retrospect reformed: (adj) improved, corrected,
reproach, chide, blame, reproof, recommence: (v) renew, restart, unorthodox, altered
lecture, check; (v) castigate, berate; regenerate, rejuvenate, start again, refrain: (v) desist, cease, fast, avoid,
(n) admonition. ANTONYMS: (n, v) take up, take it from the top, start leave off, withhold, stop, spare; (adj,
praise, compliment; (v) commend, afresh, shuffle the cards, reshuffle v) forbear; (n) chorus, hold.
acknowledge, approve; (n) approval the cards, pick up ANTONYMS: (v) participate, act,
rebuked: (adj) reproved, recompense: (n, v) pay, redress; (n) consume, persist
admonished, chastened compensation, amends, atonement, refresh: (v) air, enliven, invigorate,
recalling: (adj) revocatory; (n) payment, consideration, update, comfort, regenerate,
recognition indemnification, indemnity; (v) rejuvenate, cool, renew, restore;
recapitulation: (n) recap, outline, compensate, reimburse. (adj) refreshing. ANTONYMS: (v)
summary, resume, epanodos, ANTONYMS: (v) penalize, receive; exhaust, tire, weary, stagnate, drain,
review, palingenesis; (v) capitation, (n) penalty kill
dead reckoning, muster, poll. reconciled: (adj) consistent, resigned, refreshing: (adj) bracing,
ANTONYM: (n) cenogenesis serene, meet; (v) made friends, invigorating, refreshful, pleasant,
recess: (n) niche, pause, intermission, affriended. ANTONYM: (adj) fresh, cool, refresh, refreshingly,
holiday, nook, vacation, hollow, unreconciled crisp, tonic, pleasing. ANTONYMS:
alcove, interval, interruption; (n, v) recounting: (n) narration, relation, (adj) unwelcome, soporific, tiring,
break. ANTONYM: (n) continuation recital, narrative, tale, story, relaxing, musty
recesses: (n) penetralia, bowels, notification, practice, recitation, refreshment: (n) bite, drink,
inside relating, unfolding recreation, collation, repose, relief,
recipient: (n) addressee, receiver, recriminate: (v) remonstrate, rest, entertainment, treat; (v)
payee, consignee, grantee, taker, incriminate, impeach, criminate, invigoration; (n, v) regalement
donee, heir, annuitant, assignee; inveigh, scold, expostulate refute: (v) confute, contradict,
(adj) receptive. ANTONYMS: (n) recurring: (adj) frequent, intermittent, controvert, oppose, disprove, rebut,
sender, donor, predecessor, cyclic, periodic, periodical, repeated, deny, invalidate, negate, gainsay; (n,
dispatcher, benefactor repetitive, customary, accustomed, v) answer. ANTONYMS: (v) agree,
reciprocation: (n) interchange, memorable, chronic. ANTONYMS: prove, avow, confirm, corroborate
exchange, return, interaction, (adj) irregular, intermittent, regaining: (n) regain, clawback,
transposition, mutuality, retribution, spasmodic, unusual, rare, occasional proceeds, payoff, paying back,
reply, reaction, payback; (adj, n) reddened: (adj) red, ablaze, aflame, reappearance, indemnity, issue,
reciprocity flushed, crimson, inflamed, blazing, recapture, recurrence, redress.
reckless: (adj) careless, rash, aroused, blemished, red as scarlet, ANTONYM: (n) loss
foolhardy, hasty, incautious, spotty regardlessly: (adv) thoughtlessly,
extravagant, daring, desperate, reddening: (n) flush, rubescence; (v) unheedingly, carelessly, heedlessly,
brash; (adj, v) imprudent, wanton. redden inadvertently, neglectfully,
ANTONYMS: (adj) cautious, redeemed: (adj) ransomed, blessed negligently, blindly, remissly,
prudent, sensible, wise, responsible, redemption: (n) atonement, unmindfully, unconcernedly
parsimonious, considered, safe, compensation, salvation, discharge, regrets: (n) regret, declination, RSVP
guarded, dutiful, discreet expiation, repurchase, propitiation, regrets only, acknowledgement,
reclining: (adj, v) leaning; (adj) performance, absolution, buyback, acknowledgment, celestial latitude,
recumbent, decumbent, accumbent, fulfillment excuse, Dec
lying, lying down, obligatory, idle, red-hot: (adj) impassioned, flaming, reinstate: (v) restore, rehabilitate,
prone, prostrate; (n) relaxation burning, fiery, incandescent, torrid, reestablish, return, replace,
Emily Brontë 413
reconstruct, bring back, redeem, repentance, regret, guilt, penance, foreclose, recruit, distrain, recapture
recover, heal, mend. ANTONYM: sorrow, grief, qualm, ruefulness, repress: (v) inhibit, crush, quash,
(v) withdraw compassion. ANTONYM: (n) control, suppress, put down, bridle,
reiterated: (adj) repeated, shamelessness keep down, subdue, restrain,
monotonous, frequent remorselessly: (adv) mercilessly, reduce. ANTONYMS: (v) declare,
reiterating: (adj) reiterant, redundant relentlessly, unmercifully, liberate, incite
rejecting: (adj) negative, dismissive, ruthlessly, brutally, unrelentingly, repressing: (adj) inhibiting, insolent,
disdainful; (n) rejection fiercely, grimly, unpityingly, discouraging, aggressively haughty,
rejoice: (v) cheer, gladden, triumph, inhumanly, callously overbearing, arrogant, dictatorial,
revel, jubilate, gratify, gloat, please; render: (v) interpret, explain, give, domineering, restrictive, repressive,
(n, v) delight, glory, joy. offer, furnish, pay, construe, return, overpowering
ANTONYMS: (v) lament, mourn, provide, impart, translate reprimanded: (adj) reproved,
complain rendering: (n) interpretation, admonished, chastened
rejoicing: (n) exultation, jubilation, translation, rendition, reading, reproachful: (adj, v) condemnatory,
happiness, joy, mirth, pleasure, representation, version, interpreting, disparaging, vituperative; (adj)
elation; (adj) jubilant, exultant; (v) depiction, execution, construction, admonitory, opprobrious,
rejoice; (adv) rejoicingly. explanation disgraceful, shameful, reproving,
ANTONYM: (n) sadness renew: (v) renovate, rejuvenate, objurgatory, contumelious; (v)
rekindle: (v) revive, refresh, restore, refresh, refurbish, denunciatory
revitalize, reinforce, rejuvenate, modernize, revive, overhaul, reproachfully: (adv) critically,
relume, relumine, renew, renovate, reinstate, reiterate, mend. abusively, admonitorily,
restore, stimulate ANTONYMS: (v) reduce, kill vituperatively, disapprovingly,
releasing: (adj) cathartic, purgative, rents: (n) quad, board walk, close, wearily, contemptuously,
psychotherapeutic, evacuant, embankment, esplanade, lane, disparagingly, disdainfully,
emotionally purging, emotional; (n) parade, alley, place, Alameda, witheringly, shamefully.
acquittal quadrangle ANTONYMS: (adv) approvingly,
relent: (v) give, give in, melt, soften, repairing: (n) repair, adjustment; hopefully
moderate, ease, submit, cede, relax, (adj) remedial reprobate: (adj, n) profligate,
capitulate; (adj) remit. ANTONYMS: repay: (v) recompense, reward, pay, miscreant; (adj) depraved, immoral,
(v) worsen, strengthen, resist, stand reimburse, compensate, refund, corrupt, dissolute; (v) censure,
relentless: (adj) implacable, cruel, render, requite, remunerate, return, condemn, reproach; (adj, v)
inflexible, stern, pitiless, harsh, redeem. ANTONYM: (v) penalize perverted; (n) scoundrel
merciless, grim, obdurate, repeal: (n, v) recall; (adj, v) annul, reprove: (n, v) censure, blame, chide,
persistent, unrelenting. cancel, abrogate, abolish, invalidate; rebuke, reprehend; (v) admonish,
ANTONYMS: (adj) gentle, lenient, (v) revoke, quash, rescind, reproach, lecture, condemn, warn,
merciful, finite, soft, sporadic, feeble countermand; (n) abolition. castigate. ANTONYMS: (v) praise,
relic: (n, v) memento, souvenir, ANTONYMS: (v) enact, ratify, approve, commend
keepsake; (n) token, trace, validate, impose, reinstate, reproved: (adj) reprimanded,
remainder, remains, antique, relict, maintain; (n) enactment, ratification chastened, admonished
vestige, remnant repeating: (n) repeat, iteration, reprover: (n) upbraider, detractor,
relieving: (adj) pertinent, comforting, renewal, repetition, redundancy, rebuker
applicable; (n) encouragement copying, reduplication; (adj) reproving: (adj) admonitory,
relinquished: (adj) forsaken, repetitious, iterating, iterative, admonishing, exemplary,
deserted, derelict, unoccupied, repetitive disparaging, disapproving,
given, surrendered repelling: (adj) offensive, repellant, deterrent, critical, unfavorable,
relish: (n, v) enjoy, fancy, love; (n) repellent, loathsome, disgusting, cautionary; (adj, n) accusing; (n)
gusto, liking, palate, enthusiasm, repel, severe, repulsion, powerful, condemning
enjoyment; (adj, n) flavor; (v) bask, wicked, yucky reptile: (n) reptilian, creeper, basilisk,
like. ANTONYM: (n) apathy repellingly: (adv) severely, sneak, wretch, mammal, bird,
relishing: (n) savoring, tasting, revoltingly shellfish; (adj) abject, vile, sordid
feeding, eating, degustation, repent: (v) deplore, bewail, rue, repulsing: (adj) repelling
savouring; (adj) tastable, savory, mourn, lament, atone, sorry, repulsive: (adj) offensive, detestable,
palatable bemoan, feel remorse, grieve, be ugly, disagreeable, nauseous,
remembrance: (n, v) recollection, sorry hideous, loathsome, abhorrent; (adj,
mind; (n) commemoration, repenting: (adj) repentant v) abominable, hateful, obnoxious.
memorial, recall, relic, monument, repose: (n, v) recline, peace, lie, calm; ANTONYMS: (adj) pleasant,
keepsake, reminiscence, recognition; (n) composure, ease, quiet, leisure, delightful, desirable, reputable,
(adj, n) memento recreation, relaxation; (v) lay. lovely, lovable, humane, appealing,
remnant: (n) end, relic, remains, ANTONYMS: (n, v) work; (n) laudable
residue, fragment, leftover, survival, activity, panic, agitation repulsiveness: (n) dreadfulness,
trace, oddment, balance, stub repossess: (v) regain, reclaim, recoup, disgustedness, distastefulness,
remorse: (n) penitence, contrition, retrieve, get back, take back, resume, vileness, unsightliness,
414 Wuthering Heights
unpleasantness, unattractiveness, restless: (adj) fidgety, uneasy, retreating: (n) flight; (adj) moving
ugliness, odiousness, deformity, impatient, restive, agitated, fretful, back
nefariousness. ANTONYMS: (n) turbulent, feverish; (adj, n) nervous, retrieval: (v) retrieve, revendication;
loveliness, pleasantness, pull apprehensive; (adj, v) unquiet. (n) reclamation, redress,
resemble: (v) seem, imitate, compare, ANTONYMS: (adj) relaxed, deliverance, recuperation,
correspond, to resemble, agree, look, peaceful, lethargic, unbroken, still, repossession, delivery, reparation,
simulate; (adj) look like; (n) contented redemption, acquisition.
resemblance; (adv) alike restlessly: (adv) fidgetily, ANTONYM: (n) return
resembling: (adj, prep) like; (adj) apprehensively, agitatedly, fretfully, revelations: (n) gospels, acts,
analogous, parallel, similar, unquietly, sleeplessly, nervously, apocalypse, Epistles
conformable, approximate, restively, edgily, anxiously, revelling: (n) rejoicing, jubilation,
semblative, other, probable; (prep) disturbedly. ANTONYMS: (adv) heyday, flush, triumph; (adj)
similar to, reminiscent of. peacefully, unconcernedly exultant
ANTONYM: (prep) unlike restoring: (n) reinstatement, revenging: (adj) malicious,
resent: (v) resentful, envy, grudge, restoration; (adj) grateful, refective, revengeful
begrudge, embittered, angry, abhor, comforting, refreshing reverend: (n) preacher, clergyman,
take offense, take umbrage, take restrain: (adj, v) confine; (v) control, parson, rector, vicar, pastor, priest,
exception, loathe. ANTONYMS: (v) rein, hold, curb, bind, contain, minister, churchman; (adj)
welcome, wish, accept prevent, limit, repress; (n, v) check. respectable, honourable
reside: (adj, v) inhabit, dwell; (v) ANTONYMS: (v) encourage, reverie: (n) dream, fantasy, air castle,
exist, occupy, remain, live, belong, promote, unleash, impel, release, brown study, revery, trance,
abide, lodge, populate, lie intensify, increase, free, extend, abstraction, castle in Spain, castle in
resolute: (adj, n) constant, firm, fixed, express, support the air; (adj) preoccupation,
steady; (adj, v) determined; (adj) restrained: (adj) reserved, quiet, distraction. ANTONYM: (n) reality
inflexible, brave, adamant, dogged, modest, temperate, discreet, limited, reverting: (n) reversion, relapse,
unbending, courageous. reasonable, subdued, unemotional, relapsing, recidivism, lapse,
ANTONYMS: (adj) weak, uncertain, reticent, guarded. ANTONYMS: backsliding, lapsing, regress,
uncommitted, timid, fickle, feeble, (adj) unrestrained, open, flashy, reversal; (adj) returning, reversive
indecisive, flexible, flippant, immoral, ostentatious, wild, loud, revisit: (v) go back, get back,
hesitant, undecided theatrical, outgoing, extravagant, frequent, come back, review, revise,
resolutely: (adv) determinedly, emotional flood back, return to, go home, hang
decidedly, steadfastly, decisively, resurrection: (n) renewal, rebirth, around in, have a second look at.
unfalteringly, boldly, steadily, revival, regeneration, restoration, ANTONYM: (v) depart
stubbornly, definitely, resolvedly, resurgence, reanimation, restitution, revive: (v) refresh, invigorate,
unwaveringly. ANTONYMS: (adv) renaissance, resumption, quicken, renew, renovate, restore,
irresolutely, indecisively, resuscitation. ANTONYM: (n) resuscitate, animate, awake, repair,
uncertainly, feebly, hesitantly, disappearance recreate. ANTONYMS: (v)
aimlessly retaliate: (v) turn upon, pay, repay, demoralize, kill, slay, stagnate,
resolving: (n) factoring, resolve, revenge, retort, talion, strike, take abandon, die, drain
settlement, solving, solution, revenge, reciprocate, reply, requite revived: (adj) fresh, refreshed,
factorization, diagonalization, retaliation: (n) reprisal, revenge, animated, revitalized, alive,
declaration, firmness, resoluteness; requital, vengeance, payment, invigorated, new
(v) solve return, talion, repayment, reviving: (adj) bracing, restorative,
respectably: (adv) creditably, reciprocation; (v) retortion; (adv, n) renewing, refreshing, revival, brisk,
decently, honorably, properly, measure for measure. ANTONYM: enlivening, recuperative,
appropriately, admirably, (n) acceptance reanimating, promoting
commendably, decorously, fitly, retiring: (adj) humble, diffident, recuperation, giving life.
justly, becomingly. ANTONYMS: bashful, reserved, unassuming, ANTONYM: (adj) soothing
(adv) indecently, disreputably, unobtrusive, timid, coy, shy, revolted: (adj) sickened, sick,
dishonorably sheepish, meek. ANTONYMS: (adj) shocked, horrified, disgusted,
respecting: (prep) about, regarding, assertive, bold, outgoing, forward, appalled
apropos, as regards, pertaining to; incoming, arrogant, brash, sociable rheumatism: (n) arthritis, atrophic
(adj) relative, not absolute, retrace: (v) recollect, recall, trace, arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid
pertaining, referring, loving etymologize, recognize, construct, arthritis; (v) lumbago, podagra,
respite: (n, v) pause, rest, lull; (n) call up, bethink oneself, speculate; otalgia, neuralgia, earache,
repose, intermission, recess, break, (n, v) reconsider; (n) flyback cephalalgia, odontalgia, sciatica
remission, relief, cessation, retract: (v) abjure, rescind, cancel, riband: (n) ribbon, fascia, band,
interruption renounce, repudiate, forswear, ribband, spill, slip, shred, strip,
responsively: (adv) receptively, repeal, recoil, reverse, revoke, recall. wreath, medal, list
sensitively, sentiently, delicately, ANTONYMS: (v) maintain, validate, ribbed: (v) sulcated, striated; (adj)
sharply, openly, awarely, enact ridged, grooved, canaliculated,
answeringly, actively, perceptively retreated: (adj) withdrawn, people having ribs, unsmooth, corrugated.
Emily Brontë 415
ANTONYMS: (adj) smooth, ribless convulsion damage, collapse, desolation,
ribbon: (n) band, riband, tape, strip, rogue: (n, v) rascal; (n) knave, imp, destruction, dilapidation; (adj)
shred, decoration, medal, ribband, miscreant, crook, cheat, impostor, deleterious
thread, fascia, belt swindler, cad, villain, scoundrel rumbling: (adj, n) grumbling; (n)
ribs: (n) dinner, chest, bosom roughness: (n) harshness, asperity, grumble, noise, boom, thunder, roll,
richly: (adv) wealthily, copiously, crudeness, hoarseness, rigor, roar; (adj) hollow, low; (v)
opulently, lavishly, abundantly, unevenness, disorderliness, bombination, berloque
sumptuously, affluently, profusely, gruffness, huskiness, inclemency, rumour: (n, v) rumor; (n) hearsay,
amply, plentifully, fully. crudity. ANTONYMS: (n) softness, fame, news, story, reputation,
ANTONYMS: (adv) meagerly, complexity, gentleness, mildness, scuttlebutt, tale; (v) bruit
poorly, simply, barely evenness, exactness, friendliness, runaway: (adj, n) renegade,
ridicule: (n, v) laugh at, deride, orderliness, grace, lenience delinquent; (n) deserter, romp,
banter, insult, taunt, scorn, scoff; (n) rouse: (v) provoke, excite, arouse, walkaway, refugee, absconder,
derision, mockery; (adj, n) irony; (v) kindle, awaken, instigate, actuate, runagate, escapee, laugher; (adj)
jeer. ANTONYMS: (n, v) praise, disturb, move, agitate, incite. decided. ANTONYM: (n) challenge
respect; (v) approve; (n) approval, ANTONYMS: (v) dampen, rustic: (n) countryman, peasant; (adj)
admiration dishearten, suppress, douse, inhibit, rural, pastoral, boorish, country,
ridiculing: (adj) sneering, satirical stifle, quench bucolic, provincial, hick, agrestic,
righteous: (adj) fair, right, good, roused: (adj) excited, awake, countrified. ANTONYMS: (adj)
moral, virtuous, honest, just, correct, susceptible, emotional, elated, town, urbane, cultured, city,
honorable; (adj, n) pious, godly. interested sophisticated
ANTONYMS: (adj) immoral, rousing: (adj) stirring, provocative, rustle: (n, v) whisper; (v) lift, buzz,
wicked, unrighteous, bad, corrupt, bracing, thrilling, inspiring, steal, pilfer, whiz, pinch, abstract,
unethical, unjust, wrong, poor exhilarating, moving; (n) thieve, purloin; (n) rustling
righteously: (adv) uprightly, justly, awakening, wakening, stimulation; rustling: (n) rustle, whispering,
honestly, right, rightly, correctly, (v) rouse. ANTONYMS: (adj) whisper, larceny; (adj) murmurous,
morally, rightfully, properly, truly, conciliatory, dull, relaxing susurrous, active, soughing
rightwisely . ANTONYMS: (adv) rubbing: (n) friction, abrasion, sabbath: (n) day of rest, Saturday,
improperly, sinfully grinding, detrition, rub, grip, vacation, recess, holiday, dies non,
rigidly: (adv) severely, sternly, resistance, chafe, sweat, travail, Pentecost, sabbat
strictly, firmly, stringently, massage. ANTONYM: (n) sadder: (adj) doleful
unbendingly, rigorously, smoothness sagacity: (n, v) discernment,
uncompromisingly, stubbornly, ruddy: (adj) cherry, rubicund, rosy, judgment, penetration; (n)
unyieldingly, strongly. flushed, florid, sanguine, reddish, judiciousness, sense, prudence,
ANTONYMS: (adv) loosely, glowing, blooming, crimson; (adj, gumption, acumen, perspicacity;
amenably adv) blushing (adj, n) discretion, wisdom.
ripening: (n) ageing, maturement, rudely: (adv) crudely, coarsely, ANTONYM: (n) foolishness
development, mellowing, aging, uncivilly, indelicately, impolitely, sallow: (adj) pasty, pallid, bloodless,
maturing, mature, growing, growth, roughly, harshly, vulgarly, brutally, sickly, wan, ashen, fair, white,
gestation, organic process meanly, wildly. ANTONYMS: (adv) tawny, sandy; (n) osier.
riven: (adj) broken respectfully, graciously, decently, ANTONYMS: (adj) dark, glowing
roadside: (n) verge, shoulder, border, civilly, properly, attentively, salubrious: (adj) healthful,
edge, margin agreeably, tactfully, thoughtfully, wholesome, beneficial, hygienic,
roar: (n, v) bellow, cry, shout, howl, acceptably, gently salutary, good for you, invigorating,
bark, clatter, holler; (adj, n, v) rudeness: (n) disrespect, audacity, lusty, hale, good, advantageous.
thunder; (v) bawl; (adj, v) bluster; insolence, impudence, discourtesy, ANTONYMS: (adj) rundown, musty
(adj, n) peal. ANTONYMS: (v) cry, incivility, effrontery, bad manners, salutation: (n, v) salute; (n) reception,
week impoliteness, impropriety, hail, hello, welcome, address,
roaring: (n) bellowing, roar, bellow, primitiveness. ANTONYMS: (n) compliment, hullo, recognition,
thunder; (adj) booming, prosperous, civility, refinement, propriety, interpellation, pax
thriving, flourishing, deafening, courteousness, courtesy, decency, salutations: (n) respects
noisy, boisterous respect, diplomacy, praise, salute: (v) greet, hail, kiss, accost,
roasted: (adj) fried, baked thoughtfulness, gentleness acknowledge, buss; (n) salutation,
roasting: (n) barbecuing, cookery, ruffian: (n) rowdy, rascal, hooligan, bow, salaam; (n, v) address,
cooking; (adj) broiling, baking, bully, brute, hoodlum, tough, compliment
burning, boiling, airless, blazing, miscreant, villain, rogue, roughneck sanctimonious: (adj) pious, pharisaic,
close; (adj, n) scorching. ruffianly: (adj) atrocious, brutal, pietistic, hypocritical, sanctimonial,
ANTONYMS: (adj) airy, fresh ruffianlike, ruffianish, physically pharisaical, sanctified, unctuous;
robbing: (adj) freebooting, practicing toughened, hard, bad, violent; (adv) (adj, v) pietistical; (v) canting; (n)
freebootery; (n) theft brutally, blackguardly, abusive hypocrite
rocking: (adj) vivacious, merry, ruining: (n) ruin, laying waste, sanctum: (n) adytum, holy place,
spirited, spry, festive; (n) metalling, devastation, wrecking, razing, holy, den, sanctum sanctorum, spot,
416 Wuthering Heights
shrine, study, workroom, retreat, disgraceful, ignominious, mockingly. ANTONYM: (adv)
place outrageous, opprobrious, shocking, humbly
sanguine: (adj) hopeful, optimistic, disreputable, disgusting, scoundrel: (n, v) rascal; (n) knave,
bloody, rubicund, confident, dishonorable; (adj, v) base, foul. blackguard, cad, villain, ruffian,
crimson, cheerful, buoyant, ANTONYMS: (adj) proper, seemly, miscreant, crook, rapscallion, varlet,
sanguineous; (adj, n) red, florid. honorable, appealing, scalawag
ANTONYMS: (adj) pessimistic, complimentary, reputable, scoured: (adj) worn, windswept,
gloomy, doubtful admirable wrinkled, weathered, tough,
sarcastic: (adj) sharp, poignant, scented: (adj) fragrant, perfumed, gnarled, battered, craggy
caustic, bitter, biting, pungent, acid, aromatic, balmy, sweet, redolent, scouring: (n) scrub, scrubbing,
acrimonious, ironical; (adj, v) odoriferous, spicy, savory, smelling, cleansing, rub, cleaning, washing,
derisive, satirical. ANTONYMS: angelical. ANTONYMS: (adj) erosion, mopping, hunt, cleanup,
(adj) sympathetic, pleasant, scentless, smelly chaparral
approving, kind, complimentary, sceptre: (n) sovereignty, verge, wand, scowl: (n, v) glare, grimace, roar,
mild, respectful bauble, mace, brink sneer; (v) glower, pout, lower, sulk;
sarcastically: (adv) satirically, schoolboy: (n) lad, scholar, pupil, (adj) black looks, mumps; (n) growl.
mordantly, sharply, bitingly, student, disciple, learner, ANTONYMS: (n, v) grin
ironically, tartly, cynically, schoolchild, youngun, younker, scowling: (adj) frowning, angry, dire,
scornfully, mockingly, scathingly, youth, school child frowny, grim, threatening, ugly,
derisively. ANTONYM: (adv) gently scintillating: (adj) sparkling, bright, unfriendly, dark
satan: (n) Lucifer, devil, deuce, the bubbling, effervescent, fulgid, scrambling: (adj) boisterous,
Devil, Old Nick, Belial, fiend, Prince glinting, glistering, glittery, impetuous, cursory, furious
of Darkness, Dickens, archfiend, scintillant, aglitter, brilliant. scrape: (n, v) scratch, graze, score,
daemon ANTONYM: (adj) matte mark; (v) rub, pare, rake, grate,
satisfactorily: (adv, v) well, fully, scissors: (n) clipper, shears, pair of chafe, abrade; (n) abrasion
rightly; (adv) sufficiently, scissors, scissors hold, compound scraped: (adj) scratched, worn out,
satisfyingly, fairly, amply, enough, lever, edge tool, scissor grip, scissors worn, threadbare, frayed, hurt,
gratifyingly, competently, grip; (adj, n) cutters skinned, damaged, raw
pleasingly. ANTONYMS: (adv) scold: (v) reprimand, chide, berate, scratched: (adj) hurt, abraded,
unsatisfactorily, inadequately, rebuke, abuse, lecture, reproach, sgraffito, raw, dented, spoiled,
intolerably, badly, negatively rail, grouch; (n, v) nag; (adj, n) damaged, injured
saturnine: (adj) dour, moody, shrew. ANTONYMS: (v) praise, scratching: (n) scrape, scraping,
morose, sullen, dark, glum, gloomy, compliment, approve abrasion, mark, scar, poor
heavy, dismal; (v) melancholic, scolding: (n) rebuke, lecture, handwriting, incision, excoriation,
bilious castigation, admonition, reproof, chicken feed; (adj) hoarse, abrasive
saucer: (n) plate, platter, discus, bowl, objurgation, chiding, dressing, scrawled: (adj) scribbled, hard to
pan, dot, calabash, disk, dish jobation, scold, rating. ANTONYMS: decipher, incomprehensible, written,
antenna, point, porringer (n) compliment, approval unreadable, indecipherable,
saucers: (n) tableware, plates, cups, scorn: (v) despise, contemn, reject; (n, impossible to read
dishware v) ridicule, neglect, disregard, screwed: (adj) threaded, firm,
sauciness: (n) pertness, impudence, deride, slight; (n) contempt, maudlin, muddled, muzzy, raddled,
insolence, gall, cheek, flippancy, derision, mockery. ANTONYMS: (n, corned; (n) whittled
perkiness, archness, cheekiness, v) respect, praise; (v) appreciate, scripture: (adj, n) gospel; (n) bible,
effrontery, sauce revere, value, approve, admire, book, Holy Writ, canon, writ,
saucy: (adj, n) pert; (adj) bold, accept; (n) admiration, inscription, writing, Vulgate, fact,
impudent, audacious, insolent, commendation, humility Holy Scripture
fresh, forward, impertinent, scorned: (adj) detested, hated, abject, scrubbed: (adj) deferred, clean,
flippant, rude, brazen. ANTONYM: neglected, contemptuous, cleaner
(adj) respectful despicable, insolent, undesirable, scruple: (adj, v) hesitate, demur,
saunter: (n, v) ramble, amble, walk, unloved, unpopular, mean pause; (n) hesitation, qualm,
wander, promenade, hike; (adv, v) scornful: (adj) disdainful, haughty, misgiving, distrust, objection; (n, v)
loiter, linger, lag; (v) roam, meander arrogant, sarcastic, disparaging, mistrust; (v) falter, question
savagely: (adv) brutally, ferociously, derisive, mocking, abusive, scathing, scruples: (n) conscience, moral sense,
barbarously, wildly, barbarianly, opprobrious, insulting. sense of right and wrong, morality,
viciously, uncivilizedly, violently, ANTONYMS: (adj) approving, ethical motive, principle, ethics,
felly, untamedly, roughly complimentary, humble, moral fiber, morals
scalping: (n) defeat sympathetic, admiring scrutinizing: (adj) exploring
scamper: (v) dash, sprint, dart, scornfully: (adv) disdainfully, thoroughly, inquisitive, searching,
scuttle, skitter, skip, bustle, hasten, disparagingly, haughtily, penetrating
bolt; (n, v) run; (n) haste derogatorily, condescendingly, seasoned: (adj) veteran, flavoured,
scampering: (n) running contumeliously, sneeringly, flavored, mature, ripe, versed,
scandalous: (adj) infamous, arrogantly, sarcastically, derisively, hardened, confirmed, practised,
Emily Brontë 417
accustomed, sophisticated. ambiance ANTONYMS: (adj) pristine, elegant,
ANTONYMS: (adj) green, senseless: (adj) foolish, mindless, opulent, honorable, decent, new,
unseasoned, inexperienced, mild preposterous, pointless, irrational, neat, comfortable, tasteful, strong,
secluded: (adj) remote, secret, absurd, stupid, insensible, idiotic, respectful
reclusive, privy, cloistered, isolated, fatuous, purposeless. ANTONYMS: shaded: (adj) dark, shads, sheltered,
lonely, retired, sequestered, solitary; (adj) meaningful, wise, conscious, shadowed, umbrageous, twilight,
(adj, v) hidden. ANTONYMS: (adj) provoked, prudent, useful, sunless, subdued, soft, colored,
nearby, near, exposed, busy, worthwhile darksome. ANTONYM: (adj)
accessible sententiously: (adv) concisely, unshaded
seclusion: (n) retreat, segregation, succinctly, laconically, pithily, shadowing: (n) screening, shielding,
retirement, isolation, secrecy, briefly, aphoristically, shortly, shading, pursuit, cast shadowing;
concealment, insulation, separation, tersely (adj) following surreptitiously
hermitage; (adj, n) solitude, sentiment: (n) emotion, mind, notion, shaggy: (adj) bushy, hirsute, hairy,
loneliness. ANTONYMS: (n) feeling, persuasion, opinion, bearded, shagged, pilous, brushy,
company, closeness, inclusion judgment, sense, judgement, unkempt, hispid; (adj, n) ragged; (n)
securely: (adv) surely, safely, closely, attitude, impression rugged. ANTONYMS: (adj) sleek,
solidly, steadily, assuredly, strongly, sentiments: (n) breast tidy
tightly, fixly, setly, stably. sentinel: (n) sentry, lookout, watch, shameful: (adj) scandalous,
ANTONYM: (adv) insecurely watchman, scout, picket, patrol, dishonorable, opprobrious,
seeming: (adj) ostensible, superficial, lookout man, guardian, outlook, shocking, ignominious,
illusory, outward, probable, protector disreputable, despicable; (adj, v)
deceptive, specious; (adj, n) separating: (v) parting, partible; (n) foul, base, gross, black.
appearance, semblance; (n) aspect, division, separation, severance, ANTONYMS: (adj) honorable,
show. ANTONYMS: (adj) actual, unscrambling, unraveling, removal; noble, dignified, admirable,
deep, inner (adj) separated, disjoining, faultless, reputable, glorious,
seemly: (adj, v) befitting, becoming; graduating compassionate, praiseworthy,
(adj, adv) comely; (adj) respectable, sequel: (n) sequence, result, issue, commendable, excellent
decorous, decent, fitting, fit, aftermath, continuation, shamefully: (adv) ignominiously,
appropriate; (adv) becomingly, continuance, outcome, consequence, ingloriously, scandalously,
properly. ANTONYMS: (adj) ending, upshot, outgrowth. infamously, shockingly,
unseemly, unbecoming, unsuitable, ANTONYM: (n) prelude discreditably, basely, outrageously;
inappropriate sermon: (n) discourse, oration, (adv, v) dishonorably, foully,
seize: (v) catch, capture, grab, arrest, speech, address, homily, nastily. ANTONYMS: (adv)
clutch, get, apprehend, receive, preachment, harangue, preaching, commendably, compassionately,
annex, clasp; (n, v) grapple. exhortation, predication; (n, v) nobly
ANTONYMS: (v) baulk, relinquish, lecture shameless: (adj) bold, immodest,
restore, surrender, give, remove serpent: (n) snake, ophidian, viper, profligate, depraved, audacious,
seizing: (v) seize; (n) seizure, snake in the grass, reptile, blatant, barefaced, unscrupulous,
clutches, prehension, taking, rattlesnake, colubrid, contrafagotto, impudent, unblushing; (adj, v)
apprehension, capture, infection; cor anglais, hautboy; (v) goose graceless. ANTONYMS: (adj)
(adj) catching, galling, controlling serviceable: (adj) practical, helpful, restrained, abashed, ashamed,
self-absorbed: (adj) egotistic, handy, profitable, beneficial, discreet, prudish, apologetic
egocentric effective, useful, convenient, sharpen: (v) focus, edge, hone,
self-defence: (n) self-defense efficient, operative, practicable. intensify, sharp, increase, heighten,
self-denial: (n) renunciation, ANTONYMS: (adj) impractical, whet, pare, improve; (n, v) point.
abstinence, austerity, restraint, unusable, unserviceable, useless, ANTONYMS: (v) blunt, dull, flatten,
temperance flimsy, worthless soften, spoil, blur, quench
selfishness: (n) greed, egotism, sever: (n, v) part, cut; (v) break, sharpness: (n, v) keenness, edge; (n)
greediness, meanness, individuality, detach, cut off, separate, rupture, severity, bitterness, asperity,
opportunism, expedience, rend, disconnect, crack, divorce. acumen, poignancy, pungency,
individualism, self, selfness, selfish. ANTONYMS: (v) join, associate, quickness, perspicacity; (adj, n)
ANTONYMS: (n) altruism, establish, initiate, unite, mend roughness. ANTONYMS: (n)
selflessness, sensitivity, sewing: (n) embroidery, sew, dullness, haziness, softness,
thoughtfulness, conformity, needlecraft, stitch, stitching, slowness, indistinctness, gentleness,
generosity fancywork, mend, gather, patch, evenness, courtesy, blandness,
self-love: (n) egoism, vanity, pride, gathering, binding stupidity, kindness
arrogance sexton: (n) beadle, verger, almoner, shattering: (n) smashing, breakage;
self-respect: (n) pride, self-esteem, Anne sexton, Suisse, gravedigger, (adj) piercing, loud, ruinous, severe,
dignity, face, honesty church officer, caretaker grueling, earsplitting, dreadful,
self-righteous: (adj) complacent, shabby: (adj) poor, abject, mean, disastrous; (v) shatter. ANTONYMS:
hypocritical mangy, low, sorry, decrepit, worn, (adj) wonderful, fortunate
sensations: (n) feelings, vibrations, sordid, ragged; (adj, v) frayed. shawl: (n) wrap, mantle, cape,
418 Wuthering Heights
muffler, scarf, pall, mantlet Mantua, decent, excellent laxity, abjection; (n, v) prevarication
wrapper, kerchief, headscarf, stole shockingly: (adv) scandalously, shun: (v) evade, escape, elude,
shedding: (n) molting, abscission, dreadfully, shamefully, dodge, flee, refuse, shirk, ostracize,
fluffing, effusion, moulting, disgracefully, horridly, awfully, banish, parry; (adj, v) eschew.
biological process, desquamation, surprisingly, offensively, terrifically, ANTONYMS: (v) befriend, invite,
sloughing, emission; (adj, n) peeling; startlingly, revoltingly. seek, welcome, woo, court,
(adj) flaking ANTONYMS: (adv) pleasantly, participate, include
sheltered: (adj) secure, comfortable, commendably, predictably, properly shunned: (adj) undesirable,
screened, safe, secluded, cozy, snug, shoo: (v) dispel, drive away, chase friendless, abandoned
covered, shaded; (adj, v) private; (v) away, drive off, drive out, run off, shunning: (n) avoidance, evasion,
covert. ANTONYMS: (adj) shoo away, shoo off; (int) shough dodging, avoiding, evitation,
vulnerable, sunny, exposed, public, shouldering: (n) assumption aversion, deliberately avoiding,
harsh, bleak shovel: (v) dig, rake, broom, delve, dodge, averting, rejection, run-
shew: (v) demonstrate, prove, show, mop; (n) excavator, digger, around
contradict, establish, substantiate, shovelful, dipper, power shovel, shutting: (n) closing, conclusion, end,
support, sustain, indicate, exhibit, poker closure, ending, finish, mop up,
display. ANTONYM: (v) disprove shovelful: (n) spadeful, power culmination, closedown; (adj)
shifting: (adj) moving, variable, shovel, excavator, digger, confining, claudent. ANTONYM: (n)
changeable, fickle, changing, containerful opening
varying, unsettled, movable, fitful; showers: (n) rain sickly: (adj, adv) poorly; (n) invalid;
(n) change, movement. showy: (adj, v) pretentious, brilliant; (adj) sick, ailing, pale, sallow,
ANTONYMS: (adj) smooth, (adj) gaudy, garish, flashy, loud, indisposed, morbid, diseased; (adj,
consistent flamboyant, dashing, gay; (adj, n) n, v) infirm; (adj, v) faint.
shilling: (n) York shilling, Tanzanian magnificent, fine. ANTONYMS: ANTONYMS: (adj) healthy, bitter,
shilling, British shilling, Kenyan (adj) tasteful, restrained, discreet, robust
shilling, Ugandan shilling, Somalian plain, dull, quality sideboard: (n) cupboard, closet,
shilling, dock, cork, farthing, coin, shrank: (v) minify cellaret, credenza, cabinet, counter,
cheat shriek: (n, v) screech, cry, shout, call, locker, credence, press, snack bar,
shimmering: (adj) glittering, howl, yell, yowl, screak; (v) bellow, bin
sparkling, gleaming, dazzling, caterwaul, shrill. ANTONYM: (v) signet: (n) sigil, completion, key,
lustrous, bright, iridescent, sigh ratification, signature, imprint,
shimmery, flashing, glittery, shrieking: (n) shriek, screeching, talisman, mark, cachet, stamp, arms
glowing. ANTONYMS: (adj) dull, screech, scream, belly laugh, shright, signified: (n) common sense,
dim howler, riot; (adj) sharp acceptation, good sense, horse sense,
shine: (n, v) light, sheen, flash, glitter, shrink: (adj, v) recoil; (n, v) flinch, mother wit, sensation, sense,
sparkle, polish, rub; (v) burnish, wince; (v) contract, shorten, lessen, sensory faculty, sentience, sentiency;
gleam, blaze; (n) radiance diminish, cower, reduce, quail, (adj) implied
shirk: (v) evade, avoid, dodge, duck, decrease. ANTONYMS: (v) increase, signify: (n, v) intend, mark; (adj, n, v)
goldbrick, elude, malinger, eschew, enlarge, grow, stretch, swell, bloom, import; (v) imply, indicate, denote,
parry, blink, flinch. ANTONYMS: rise, inflate point, stand for, express, intimate,
(v) accept, court shrinking: (n) contraction, recoil, matter
shiver: (n, v) shake, tremble, shudder, reduction, decrease, condensation; silenced: (adj) mute, muffled,
fragment, thrill, splinter, tingle; (v) (n, v) lessening; (adj) timid, fearful, disabled
quake, shatter, palpitate; (adj, v) shy, bashful; (adj, adv) cowardly. silky: (adj, v) silken; (adj) glossy, soft,
break ANTONYM: (adj) confident smooth, satiny, delicate, fine, fluffy,
shivering: (adj) quivering, shaking, shrubs: (n) undergrowth sericeous, slick, downy.
trembling, shaky, quaking, shrunk: (adj) contracted, wizened, ANTONYMS: (adj) rough, harsh,
tremulous, shuddering, chilled; (n) withered, shrivelled, shriveled, coarse, dull
chill, cold, shiver. ANTONYM: (adj) wizen, insipid, drawn grain, wearish sill: (n) ledge, threshold, doorstep,
composed shudder: (adj, n, v) shake, quake, rung, step, round, stone,
shiveringly: (adv) shudderingly, tremble; (n, v) quiver, twitch, thrill; cornerstone, sole, window sill,
shivering, quiveringly, shakingly, (n) quivering, shivering, chill, windowsill
tremulously frisson; (v) flutter silvery: (adj) silvern, argent, bright,
shivers: (n) cold, jitters shuddering: (adj, n) quivering, white, gray, rich, silverish,
shocking: (adj) frightful, shameful, shaking; (adv) shudderingly; (n) melodious, fair, Argentine, clear
formidable, ghastly, horrible, cold sweat, tremor; (adj) rough, simpleton: (n) fool, blockhead, dolt,
hideous, disgraceful, disgusting, shaky, jumpy, quaking, shivery, dunce, numskull, ninny,
scandalous; (adj, v) offensive, bumpy. ANTONYM: (adj) smooth nincompoop, booby, sap, dummy,
abominable. ANTONYMS: (adj) shuffled: (adj) disorganized dullard
admirable, delightful, pleasing, shuffling: (n) shuffle, evasion, sincere: (adj, v) earnest, devout; (adj)
lovely, comforting, honorable, shambling, make, shamble; (adj) genuine, faithful, heartfelt, honest,
wonderful, bland, inoffensive, evasive, moral turpitude, milling, serious, open, artless, candid; (adj,
Emily Brontë 419
n) cordial. ANTONYMS: (adj) skylight: (n) shutter, window, light, downfall, glaze, metabolic residue,
insincere, dishonest, guarded, porthole, transom, knowledge, moment; (v) come down
flippant, affected, disingenuous, happiness, enlightenment, felicity, slighter: (adj) smaller, less
hypocritical, cunning, unfaithful, day, casement slinging: (n) fling, cast, throw, slinger
unenthusiastic, unbelievable slam: (n, v) knock, slap, smash, hit, moulding
sincerity: (adj, n) candor, honesty, bat; (n) sweep, crash, clap, shot, slop: (v) spill, splash, slosh, smudge;
integrity, probity, faithfulness; (n) gibe; (v) shut. ANTONYMS: (v) (adj, n) filth; (n) pigwash, slops; (n,
earnestness, heartiness, open, commend v) swill; (adj) dabble, dirt, soil
genuineness, candour, frankness, slander: (n, v) scandal, insult, slouching: (adj) clumsy, gross, rough,
cordiality. ANTONYMS: (n) calumniate; (adj, v) defame, asperse; rude, rugged, awkward, slouchy,
dishonesty, hypocrisy, flippancy, (n) defamation, aspersion, obloquy, rickety, slumped
frivolity, affectedness, caution, disparagement; (adj, n) abuse; (v) slough: (n) bog, fen, quagmire,
reticence, deceit, doubt denigrate. ANTONYMS: (n, v) morass, mire, swamp, marish,
sinewy: (adj) muscular, brawny, acclaim; (v) compliment; (n) sludge; (v) shed, exuviate, cast
wiry, beefy, tough, powerful, acclamation slovenly: (adj) careless, untidy,
tendinous, strong, robust, stringy, slant: (n, v) incline, angle, pitch, bias, sloppy, frowzy, dowdy, unkempt,
fibrous. ANTONYM: (adj) stout tilt, lurch; (v) lean, bend; (adj, n, v) negligent, frowsy, messy,
singers: (n) gospel choir, church slope; (adj, n) inclination; (adj) disheveled; (adv) slatternly.
choir, choral group, singing group, obliquity. ANTONYMS: (v) level, ANTONYMS: (adj) clean, neat,
school choir straighten diligent
singular: (adj, n) extraordinary; (adj) slap: (n, v) clap, cuff, knock, hit, slumber: (n, v) rest, doze, snooze,
odd, individual, particular, peculiar, whack, beat, strike, spank; (n) blow; nap, drowse, repose, catnap; (v) be
phenomenal, rare, queer, single, (v) buffet; (adv) bang asleep, kip, take a nap; (n) siesta
quaint, exceptional. ANTONYMS: slapped: (adj) mistreated slut: (n) hussy, slattern, jade, floozy,
(adj) ordinary, normal, together, slapping: (adj) slapper trollop, prostitute, hooker, quean,
usual, customary slate: (n) list, platform, plank; (v) wench, sloven; (adj) dowdy
singularly: (adv) peculiarly, condemn, paper, papyrus, smartly: (adv) cleverly, quickly,
uniquely, unusually, curiously, parchment, foolscap, chide, sprucely, nattily, astutely, shrewdly,
rarely, uncommonly, oddly, solely, lambaste, intend chicly, stylishly, trendily, wittily,
exceptionally, individually; (adj, slates: (n) tiling modishly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
adv) remarkably slattern: (n) hooker, floozie, floozy, scruffily, clumsily, untidily,
sinking: (n) sinkage, settling, fall, trapes, trollop, sloven, hustler; (adj, unattractively, tastelessly, stupidly,
descent, foundering, depression, n) malkin; (adj) drab, dowdy, messily, ineptly, slowly
immersion, submersion, slummock smash: (n, v) crash, hit, bang, clash,
submergence; (v) decrease, decline. slaver: (v) drool, dribble, slobber, knock; (v) shatter, crush, mash,
ANTONYM: (adj) rising salivate, gloze, spit, soothe, hawk; break, defeat, ruin. ANTONYMS:
sinner: (n) criminal, miscreant, (n, v) slabber; (n) slave trader, (v) mend, preserve; (n) flop
culprit, sinful, trespasser, slaveholder smashing: (n) crash; (adj) corking,
transgressor, evildoer, magdalen, slavish: (adj) servile, menial, swell, terrific, great, nifty, groovy,
rascal, villain, sinners fawning, cringing, abject, neat, cracking, dandy, bully
sipping: (n) imbibing, imbibition; obsequious, subservient, smelling: (n) smell, flavor, scent,
(adj) libant submissive, ignoble, contemptible, olfactory modality, sensing, sense of
sister-in-law: (n) the wife of one's pliant smell; (adj) redolent, scented,
elder brother sleeper: (n) railroad tie, crosstie, tie, odorous, stinking, rotten
skies: (n) heavens, firmament, noctambulist, baggage car, smelt: (v) fuse, temper, anneal, to
expanse slumberer, dreamer, Pullman car, smelt, distill, refine, heat; (n)
skinned: (adj) scraped, dartos, freight car, parlor car, express car sparling, capelan, caplin, capelin
frustrated, raw, scratched, sensitive, sleepless: (adj) insomniac, lidless, smitten: (adj, v) stricken; (adj) in love,
sore, tender, painful vigilant, wakeful, awake, watchful, crazy, enamored, struck, nuts, dotty,
skittish: (adj) nervous, timid, disturbed, alert, unquiet, uneasy, besotted, gaga, taken with, affected
excitable, coy, lively, fearful; (n) restive smoothing: (n) fine cutting,
freakish, fantastic, crotchety, sleeplessness: (n) wakefulness, smoothness, sleeking; (adj) sleek,
fanciful; (v) mettlesome. restlessness, nerves, insomnolence, even, not harsh, smooth porcelain,
ANTONYMS: (adj) solemn, calm, disquietude, unrest; (v) vigil. bland, not rough, moving equably,
confident ANTONYM: (n) sleepiness mild
skulk: (v) prowl, sneak, creep, lie in sleepy: (adj) drowsy, dozy, slow, smote: (v) smite
wait, steal, malinger, shirk, conceal, lazy, hypnotic, inactive, comatose, smothered: (adj) strangled, stifled,
slink; (adj) hide; (n, v) cower dull, heavy, dreamy; (adv) asleep. smothers, pent-up, covered
skulker: (n) malingerer, lurcher, ANTONYMS: (adj) awake, smothering: (adj) choking,
skulk, coward, shirker, role player, energetic, vigorous, clear, lively, suffocative, suffocating, tight, sultry,
sham, shammer, faker, pseud, refreshed breathless; (adv) smotheringly; (v)
pretender sleet: (n, v) rain; (n) hail, snift, suffocate
420 Wuthering Heights
smuggled: (adj) bootleg, illegal, snowy: (adj) white, pure, clean, relieve, recreate; (n, v) ease, cheer,
black, dim, ignominious, fateful, blank, hoary, achromatic, snow- support. ANTONYMS: (n) distress,
fatal, extremely dark, extend, white, unblemished, wintry, wet, grief
disgraceful, fuse favorite solemn: (adj, n, v) serious; (adj, v)
snail: (v) sluggard, loiterer, lingerer, snuffers: (n) pair of scissors sober, important, sedate, devout,
pull together; (n) conch, snug: (adj, v) cosy, trim; (adj) cozy, formal, demure; (adj) heavy,
hodmandod, gastropod, garden easy, comfy, tight, close, warm, dignified, sacred; (adj, n) earnest.
snail, edible snail, dodman; (adj) secure, homely; (v) neat. ANTONYMS: (adj) frivolous,
whelked ANTONYMS: (adj) baggy, cheerful, unceremonious, funny,
snake: (n) serpent, ophidian, viper, uncomfortable, unwelcoming, bleak, playful, flippant, relaxed
constrictor, hydra, elapid; (v) wind, formal, loose solemnly: (adv) earnestly, gravely,
twist, curl, weave; (n, v) sneak soaked: (adj) wet, drenched, sopping, majestically, stately, sternly, staidly,
snap: (v) bite, nip, snarl; (adj, v) soggy, soaking, drunk, wet through, thoughtfully, soberly, formally,
break; (n, v) photograph, fracture, soaking wet, damp, sloshed; (adj, v) ceremoniously, importantly.
clack, go; (n) pushover, picnic, catch. sodden. ANTONYM: (adj) dry ANTONYMS: (adv) cheerfully,
ANTONYMS: (adj) roundabout, sobbing: (adj) crying, weeping, flippantly
considered weepy, tearful; (n) lamentation, solicited: (adj) requested
snapping: (adj) noisy shortness of breath, shit, prick, soliciting: (n) traffic, suit; (adj)
snappish: (adj) irritable, snappy, motherfucker, tear, lament petitory, petitioning
fractious, crusty, curt, irascible, sober: (adj, v) grave, sedate; (adj) soliloquy: (n) language, oral
brusque, waspish, peppery, peevish, sane, earnest, quiet, solemn, communication, apostrophe
morose. ANTONYMS: (adj) moderate, modest, serene, dull, solitary: (adj) forlorn, only, alone,
easygoing, gentle, rambling somber. ANTONYMS: (adj) single, lonely, lone, sole,
snappishly: (adv) abruptly, intoxicated, unrestrained, drunk, unaccompanied, isolated; (adj, n)
brusquely, petulantly, snappily, playful, sensational, emotional, recluse; (n) hermit. ANTONYMS:
grumpily, fretfully, waspishly, cheerful, frivolous, funny, muddled, (adj) sociable, combined, common,
testily, shortly, fractiously, crustily. delirious outgoing
ANTONYM: (adv) verbosely sobriety: (n) temperance, seriousness, solitude: (n) desolation, loneliness,
snarled: (adj) tangled, gnarly, soberness, graveness, abstinence, seclusion, privacy, aloneness,
knobbed, complex, twisted, snarly, earnestness, composure, sedateness, isolation, retirement, lonesomeness,
gnarled, matted, untidy, knotty staidness; (adj, n) gravity; (adj) retreat, desert, solitariness.
snatch: (n, v) pinch, snap, catch, grip; rationality. ANTONYMS: (n) excess, ANTONYMS: (n) companionship,
(v) abduct, clutch, kidnap, seize, drunkenness, flippancy closeness
jerk, capture, pluck. ANTONYM: (v) sociable: (adj) outgoing, affable, soot: (n) smut, lampblack, carbon
release amicable, genial, congenial, cordial, black, grime, carbon, crock, dirt;
snatched: (adj) hasty, speedy, brief, companionable, amiable, gracious, (adj) ink, ebony, coal pitch, jet
hurried, quick, rapid, short, sudden, agreeable; (adj, n) social. soothe: (n, v) comfort, allay, console,
swift. ANTONYM: (adj) slow ANTONYMS: (adj) unfriendly, solace; (v) alleviate, palliate, ease,
snatching: (n) capture reserved, lonely, introvert, calm, mitigate; (adj, v) appease; (adj,
sneaking: (adj) hangdog, furtive, discourteous, frosty, hostile, n, v) assuage. ANTONYMS: (v)
contemptible, abject, clandestine, inhospitable, disagreeable, shy, upset, irritate, aggravate, annoy,
confidential, dirty, shabby; (n) inaccessible intensify, worry, enrage, scare,
creeping, crawling; (adj, n) sneaky soften: (adj, v) moderate, mitigate, provoke, incite, disturb
sneer: (n, v) deride, jeer, scorn, flout, mollify, assuage, relieve; (v) melt, soothed: (adj) composed
ridicule, scoff, mock, leer, grimace, dull, relent, mute, alleviate; (adj, n, soothing: (adj) calming, soft, smooth,
gird; (n) smirk v) palliate. ANTONYMS: (v) harden, pacifying, quiet, restful, bland, calm,
sneering: (adj) contemptuous, solidify, set, congeal, exacerbate, assuasive; (adj, n) softening; (n)
disdainful, sarcastic, mocking, snide, freeze, sharpen, stand, increase alleviation. ANTONYMS: (adj)
scornful, disparaging, disapproving; softened: (adj) diffused, muffled, upsetting, disturbing, hostile, scary,
(n) mockery, disdain; (adv) muted, quiet, slow, touched, worrying, stimulating, exasperating,
sneeringly. ANTONYMS: (adj) sluggish, soften, pultaceous, annoying, invigorating, painful,
respectful, admiring subdued, low-key intimidating
sneeringly: (adv) disdainfully, softness: (n) mildness, kindness, soothingly: (adv) softly, quietly,
contemptuously, derisively, flabbiness, flaccidity, suavity, calmingly, lullingly, lightly,
superciliously, snidely, scornfully, downiness, gentleness, tenderness, tenderly, kindly, blandly, calmly,
disrespectfully, condescendingly, faintness; (adj, n) delicacy; (adj) comfortingly, sedatively
sarcastically, sneering smoothness. ANTONYMS: (n) sorrow: (n, v) regret, lament, grieve;
snivel: (n, v) blubber, sob, whine, rigidity, hoarseness, brightness, (v) mourn; (n) mourning, heartache,
sniffle, snuffle; (v) weep, whimper, hardness, volume, harshness, tone, repentance, remorse; (adj, n)
sniff, wail, pule; (n) sniveling noise, heaviness, firmness, loudness sadness, misery; (adj, n, v) distress.
snorting: (n) puffing, laughter, solace: (n) consolation, relief, balm, ANTONYMS: (n) joy, delight,
expiration, breathing out, exhalation solacement; (v) console, allay, happiness, peace, hopefulness,
Emily Brontë 421
cheerfulness, shamelessness, calm, bright, brilliant, radiant, glittery, rancor, maliciousness, ill will,
content; (v) rejoice bubbly, glittering, scintillating, animosity; (n, v) pique.
sorrowful: (adj) melancholy, doleful, shining, scintillant; (n) sparkle. ANTONYMS: (v) please; (n)
sad, rueful, lugubrious, gloomy, ANTONYMS: (adj) dull, dirty, benevolence, goodwill, love,
dreary, grievous, piteous, unhappy, lifeless, lethargic affection, harmony
mournful. ANTONYMS: (adj) sparks: (n) fire spiteful: (adj) malicious, malevolent,
cheerful, content, joyful, successful spat: (n, v) squabble, altercation, tiff, sinister, nasty, malignant,
sorrowfully: (adv) dolefully, bicker, dispute, wrangle, row; (n) venomous, despiteful, ill-natured,
mournfully, gloomily, woefully, gaiter, argument, bickering, fuss. vindictive, cruel, hateful.
unhappily, sorrily, ruefully, ANTONYM: (n) agreement ANTONYMS: (adj) benevolent,
dejectedly, grievously, forlornly, speckless: (adj) clean, immaculate, harmless, merciful, kindhearted,
contritely. ANTONYMS: (adv) impeccable, spick, spic, faultless, friendly, pleasant, loving, benign,
happily, unrepentantly, joyfully, cleaner generous, gentle, flattering
cheerfully spectacle: (n) scene, pageant, display, spitefully: (adv) maliciously,
sough: (n, v) moan; (v) sigh, seed, exhibition, phenomenon, malevolently, resentfully,
inseminate; (n) moat, main, gully, appearance, spectacles, view, vindictively, viciously, venomously,
sewer, cloaca, ditch, dike wonder; (n, v) sight, parade. malignantly, meanly, nastily,
sounding: (n) investigation, depth, ANTONYM: (n) understatement rancorously, hatefully.
exploration, test; (adj) resounding, spectacles: (n) glasses, specs, ANTONYMS: (adv) kindly, friendly,
resonant, looking, audible, sonant, spectacle, eyeglass, goggles, harmoniously, genially, mercifully,
voiceful, hollow lorgnette, monocle, bifocals, dark benevolently, compassionately,
soundly: (adv) sound, fully, solidly, glasses, optical instrument, shades innocently
thoroughly, deeply, substantially, spectator: (n) eyewitness, observer, spitting: (n) spiting, expectoration,
validly, strongly, stably, fastly, onlooker, witness, audience, ejection, sizzle, projection, forcing
safely. ANTONYMS: (adv) beholder, viewer, watcher, out, expulsion, saliva
harmfully, halfheartedly, fitfully, spectators, looker, ogler. splashed: (adj) dabbled, bespattered,
unconvincingly ANTONYM: (n) player besplashed, spattered, marked,
sour: (adj, n) morose, harsh; (adj, v) spectre: (n) phantasm, shadow, unclean, dirty, splattered,
acid; (adj) bitter, rancid, gruff, grim, shade, phantom, apparition, ghost, distributed, showy, dotted
glum, dour; (adj, n, v) severe; (v) spook, wraith, revenant, terror, spleen: (n) spite, anger, resentment,
ferment. ANTONYMS: (adj) kindly, eidolon rage, lien, malice, bitterness,
pleasant, bland, amiable, fresh, speechless: (adj) silent, mute, dumb, rancour, huff, grudge, rancor.
mature, mild, kind; (v) sweeten, dumbfounded, voiceless, quiet, ANTONYM: (n) affection
enhance tongueless, tacit, noiseless, mum, splendidly: (adv) gallantly,
sourly: (adv) bitterly, acidly, wordless. ANTONYMS: (adj) brilliantly, famously, beautifully,
morosely, sullenly, sharply, loquacious, eloquent, talkative gloriously, gorgeously,
unpleasantly, bitingly, harshly, speedily: (adj, adv) quickly, quick, resplendently, superbly,
caustically, crossly, gruffly. immediately; (adv) rapidly, sumptuously, excellently, grandly.
ANTONYMS: (adv) graciously, promptly, hastily, swiftly, fast, ANTONYMS: (adv) badly, terribly,
sweetly, cheerfully, kindly apace, hurriedly, fleetly. abysmally, modestly, simply,
spade: (v) grub, delve, scoop, ANTONYMS: (adv) later, eventually meagerly
excavate; (n) nigger, coon, nigra, speedy: (adj, v) rapid, prompt, fleet, splinter: (adj, v) break, shiver, crack;
jigaboo, boy, black person, spit swift; (adj) fast, agile, ready, (adj, n, v) split; (n, v) chip, fragment,
spaniel: (n) sycophant, beagle, immediate, cursory, hurried, brisk. fracture; (adj, n) shred; (n) shaving,
harrier, clumber, bootlicker, ANTONYMS: (adj) leisurely, part; (v) smash
springer, groveller, gun dog, plodding splitting: (adj) ripping; (n) fission,
groveler; (v) snob, lapdog spelling: (n) misspelling, spell, partition, division, schism, crack,
sparing: (adj, n) economical, saving; orthograph breakup, disunion, dissociation,
(adj, v) scanty, poor, chary, meager, spider: (n) spiders, tarantula, cleavage; (v) to split
parsimonious, spare, moderate; (adj) arachnid, mussuk, chatti, lota, spoiled: (adj) bad, rotten, stale, spoil,
thrifty, careful. ANTONYMS: (adj) schooner, wedge ring, spinner, star coddled, pampered, corrupt,
spendthrift, generous, wasteful, handle, terrine damaged, spoilt, putrid, rancid.
extravagant spilling: (n) betrayal, booming ANTONYM: (adj) unspoiled
spark: (n, v) flicker, flash, gleam, spirited: (adj) animated, frisky, spoils: (n) prize, stolen goods, booty,
glint, glitter; (n) light, glimmer, arc, energetic, racy, bold, gritty, quick, plunder, haul, swag, pickings,
flame, fire; (v) activate enthusiastic, dashing, peppy, brave. trophy, boodle, prize money,
sparkle: (n, v) flicker, flash, shimmer, ANTONYMS: (adj) spiritless, treasure
spark, shine, blaze, fizz, gleam, lifeless, feeble, cowardly, apathetic, spoilt: (adj) spoiled, blighted, be
glitter; (v) blink, glare. lethargic, spineless, dull, solemn, stunted, destroyed, unsound,
ANTONYMS: (n) apathy, dullness, sluggish, lackluster corrupt, disordered, reproduced
lifelessness spite: (n) malice, grudge, hatred, fraudulently, defective, defiled, big
sparkling: (adj, v) effervescent; (adj) malevolence, rancour, venom, spontaneously: (adv) naturally,
422 Wuthering Heights
unaffectedly, impromptu, willingly, trite, corny, flat, stagnant; (adj, v) sturdily, devotedly
gratuitously, instinctively, dry. ANTONYMS: (adj) fresh, steadfastly: (adv) steadily, solidly,
impulsively, ad lib, easily; (adj, adv) original, innovative, airy, new, unwaveringly, resolutely,
freely, ad libitum. ANTONYM: exceptional, imaginative unfalteringly, unswervingly,
(adv) deliberately stalled: (adj) static, delayed, disabled, determinedly, faithfully,
spoonful: (n) mouthful, handful, motionless, caught up persistently, permanently,
armful, cochleare, tablespoonful, stalwart: (adj) brawny, brave, sturdy, staunchly. ANTONYMS: (adv)
dose, containerful, blob, capful, strapping, resolute, hardy, unreliably, irresolutely, unfaithfully
taste; (adj) thimbleful powerful, sinewy, firm, stout, stealing: (n) pilferage, larceny, theft,
sporting: (adj) fair, sportsmanlike, courageous. ANTONYMS: (adj) steal, burglary, misappropriation,
clean, gambling, betting, dissipated, unreliable, weak, inconstant, feeble, embezzlement, stolen, thievery,
athletic, adventurous, sporty; (v) delicate, cowardly, uncommitted pilfering, thieving
tauromachy; (n) diversion. stammer: (v) falter, hesitate, stumble, stealthily: (adv) furtively, sneakily,
ANTONYM: (adj) unsporting bumble, fumble, mumble, utter, surreptitiously, covertly,
springer: (n) impost, stone, spaniel, verbalize, waver, halt, splutter clandestinely, underhandly,
sping, springing cow, springer stammering: (n) hesitation, hesitancy, underhandedly, in secret, privately,
spaniel, spring, attorney, shew back, psellism, indistinct pronunciation, sneakingly; (adj, adv) noiselessly.
cow, customs duty doubt; (adj) halting, hesitating, ANTONYM: (adv) brazenly
springing: (v) jumping, climbing, inarticulate, incoherent, broken, stealthy: (adj) clandestine, secret,
bounding, furious, conspicuous, ashamed surreptitious, sneaky, covert,
prominent, ascending, projecting stamped: (adj) beaten, marked, private, backstairs, concealed, feline;
outwardly; (n) growth, suspension, pressed, printed; (v) fixed, engraved (adj, v) sly, insidious. ANTONYM:
emanation stamping: (n) impression, blocking, (adj) blatant
sprinkled: (adj) scattered, speckled, coin, postage, stamping of rail steeped: (adj) seasoned, experienced
wet, dotted staple: (n, v) nail, pin, tack; (n) raw steer: (v) navigate, guide, direct,
sprinkling: (n) sprinkle, scattering, material, material, stuff; (adj, n) drive, aim, conduct, maneuver, run,
touch, aspersion, smack, spray, bit, basic; (adj) fundamental, central, manage; (n, v) lead, point
scatter, watering; (adj, n) spice; (adj) main; (v) hook. ANTONYMS: (v) steering: (n) management, steerage,
drop undo; (adj) minor direction, navigation, driving,
spur: (n) inducement, incentive, startling: (adj) wonderful, shocking, pilotage, control, aim, attitude
impulse, stimulus; (n, v) prod, prick, surprising, striking, alarming, control, piloting, managing
incite, prompt; (v) provoke, impel, appalling, marvellous, dramatic, stern: (adj) rigid, rigorous, austere,
animate. ANTONYMS: (n) frightful, sensational, lurid. hard, strict, grim, solemn, rough;
discouragement, disincentive, ANTONYMS: (adj) unremarkable, (adj, v) harsh; (n) back; (adj, n) rear.
deterrent; (v) calm, delay, inhibit soothing, comforting ANTONYMS: (adj) friendly,
spurn: (v) scorn, rebuff, repulse, starve: (v) fast, crave, lust, hunger, approving, lenient, funny, genial,
disdain, reject, refuse, snub, kick, thirst, perish, be hungry, deprive, gentle, kindly, lax, liberal, cheerful,
decline, deny; (n, v) slight. benumb; (adj, v) pinch; (adj) gripe. flexible
ANTONYMS: (v) admire, court, ANTONYMS: (v) feed, eat sternly: (adv) severely, strictly,
respect starved: (adj) famished, starving, austerely, harshly, rigidly, grimly,
spurred: (adj) barbed, calcarated ravenous, meager, emaciated, rigorously, stringently, seriously,
squalling: (adj) unquiet malnourished, thin, esurient, relentlessly, solemnly.
squealing: (adj) squeaky, screaky, hungerly, lean, starveling. ANTONYMS: (adv) leniently,
screechy, creaky, creaking; (n) ANTONYM: (adj) healthy lightheartedly, kindly, warmly,
betrayal, state's evidence starving: (adj) famished, hungry, cheerfully
squint: (n) look, strabismus, cast; (v) malnourished, voracious, skinny, sternness: (n) harshness, rigor,
leer, skew, blink, squinch; (adj) undernourished, thin, empty, strictness, austerity, rigour, asperity,
sidelong, askant, cross-eyed, asquint peckish; (adj, v) starved; (n) inclemency, hardness, grimness,
squire: (n, v) escort; (n) landlord, starvation. ANTONYMS: (adj) unpermissiveness, acrimony.
gallant, attendant, beau, gentleman, satiated, healthy ANTONYMS: (n) leniency, warmth,
esquire, landowner, landholder, stationary: (adj) motionless, fixed, pleasantness, cheerfulness
armiger; (v) attend set, quiescent, permanent, immobile, stifled: (adj) strangled, suppressed,
stab: (n, v) thrust, impale, jab, pierce, steady, static, constant, unmoving, muffled, deafened, completely
prod, dig, stick, pink; (n) try, prick; still. ANTONYMS: (adj) mobile, covered, dead, deadened, weak,
(v) spike shifting, flowing deaf corn, regardless, decayed
staggered: (adj) dumbfounded, staunch: (adj) faithful, loyal, constant, stinging: (adj) cutting, bitter, piquant,
astonished, flabbergasted, solid, resolute, devoted, stalwart, prickling; (adj, v) caustic, acrid,
astounded, stunned, bewildered, secure, sturdy; (n, v) stanch; (adj, n) piercing, poignant, biting, pungent,
surprised, thunderstruck, angular, hardy. ANTONYM: (adj) disloyal keen. ANTONYMS: (adj) stingless,
dizzy, taken aback staunchly: (adv) stanchly, solidly, gentle
stale: (adj, n) musty, moldy; (adj) old, firmly, strongly, faithfully, steadily, stipend: (n) salary, pay, earnings,
commonplace, hackneyed, insipid, steadfastly, resolutely, hardily, allowance, remuneration, wage,
Emily Brontë 423
compensation, pension, reward, fee, endeavor, torture, twisting; (adj) waywardly, contrarily,
grant arduous; (v) tighten pertinaciously, insistently.
stirring: (adj) lively, exciting, alive, strangle: (v) smother, stifle, ANTONYMS: (adv) feebly,
rousing, spirited, touching, thrilling, asphyxiate, scrag, tighten, repress, helpfully, openly, hesitantly
active; (n) agitation; (v) eventful, constrict, pinch, strangulate; (adj, v) stuffing: (n) pad, filling, forcemeat,
brisk. ANTONYMS: (adj) throttle; (n) strangling farce, dressing, filler, fill, wadding,
depressing, boring, inactive, dull, strangled: (adj) smothered, contents, inside, tompion
conciliatory, asleep, uninspiring, completely covered, muffled, stumble: (adj, n, v) slip; (n, v) lurch,
unimpressive; (n) suppression suppressed; (v) bowstringed fall, err, stagger; (adj, v) blunder,
stoical: (adj, n) stoic; (adj) indifferent, stray: (v) wander, ramble, range, flounder, fumble; (n) misstep; (v)
patient, imperturbable, calm, digress, straggle, meander, depart, hit, falter
spirited, princely, phlegmatic, deviate, rove, drift, err. ANTONYM: stunned: (adj) dumbfounded,
exalted, elevated, lofty (v) settle astonished, astounded, amazed,
stolidity: (n) indifference, phlegm, strayed: (v) stray flabbergasted, dazed, stupefied,
impassiveness, impassivity, streaming: (adj) flowing, flapping, staggered, bewildered, confused;
emotionlessness, stoicism, lethargy, detached, incoherent, baggy, slack, (adj, v) astonied. ANTONYMS: (adj)
languor, obtuseness, inactivity; (adj) relaxed, loose, lax; (n) cyclosis; (v) indifferent, unimpressed
stupidity disheveled stunted: (adj) scrubby, little, scrawny,
stony: (adj) rocky, hard, rough, strenuous: (adj) arduous, energetic, diminutive, puny, short, spare,
callous, cold, pitiless, flinty, hard, grueling, active, keen, tough, weak, underdeveloped, dwarfish;
unfeeling, obdurate, bleak, icy. eager, dynamic, forward, difficult. (v) strangulated. ANTONYM: (adj)
ANTONYMS: (adj) smooth, kind ANTONYMS: (adj) weak, tall
stoop: (v) crouch, bend, deign, undemanding, refreshing, effortless, stupefied: (adj) stunned, amazed,
condescend, descend, squat, couch, feeble, light astonished, bewildered, astounded,
cringe, lean, lower oneself; (n) strewn: (adj) spread, distributed, dumbfounded, stupid, confused,
porch. ANTONYM: (v) straighten disordered, strewed, confused, flabbergasted, dumfounded, groggy.
stooped: (adj) hunched, stoop, covered, diffuse, disconnected, ANTONYMS: (adj) precise,
stooping, crooked, bended, not disjointed, circulated, dispersed unimpressed
straight, inclined, not erect, arched, stricken: (adj) smitten, struck, beaten, stupidity: (n) foolishness, nonsense,
asymmetrical, droopy laid low, affected, hurt, low, obtuseness, dullness, fatuity,
stooping: (adj) hunched, crooked, impaired, dotty; (v) heavy laden, absurdity, stolidity, slowness,
asymmetrical, not erect, not straight, victimized denseness, idiocy, imbecility.
corrupt; (n) patronage stride: (n, v) pace, tread, walk, stalk, ANTONYMS: (n) sense, logic,
storing: (n) warehousing, rate, toddle, stump; (n) footstep, cleverness, shrewdness, wisdom,
accumulation, congestion, gait, progress; (v) march ability
deposition, harvest, repositing, striving: (n) nisus, pains, endeavor, subdue: (adj, n, v) conquer; (v)
stockpiling strife, try, strain, attempt, strive, overpower, crush, defeat, quell,
stormy: (adj, n) inclement, boisterous, ambition, struggle, exertion. quash, suppress, restrain; (n, v)
rough, severe; (adj) fierce, windy, ANTONYM: (adj) unmotivated reduce; (adj, v) repress; (adv, v)
wild, dirty, foul, tempestuous, stroking: (v) caress, strike, blow; (n) control. ANTONYMS: (v) incite,
blustering. ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, cam stroke, feeling, effleurage, enliven, resist, submit
still, pleasant, fair, mild, relaxed diagonal, CVA, commendation, subdued: (adj) quiet, muffled, dull,
stout: (adj, n) sturdy, stocky, hearty; glide, slash restrained, muted, tame, faint,
(adj) hardy, strong, robust, obese, stroll: (n, v) ramble, saunter, walk, repressed, low, meek; (adj, v)
husky, bold, corpulent, fleshy. amble, wander, promenade, tramp, resigned. ANTONYMS: (adj)
ANTONYMS: (adj) thin, slim, hike; (v) roam, go for a walk, range enthusiastic, lively, uninhibited,
flimsy, cowardly, slight, skinny, stronghold: (n) bastion, fortress, unsubdued, rebellious, noisy, bright,
fragile, weak keep, fortification, fort, bulwark, elaborate, frivolous, upbeat
stowing: (n) stow, pack, storeroom, redoubt, strength; (adj, n) castle, subduing: (adj) aggressively
gobbing, storage, storage room, fastness; (v) hold haughty, conquering, domineering,
stowed goaf strove: (v) strive insolent, overbearing, overcoming,
straggling: (adj) rambling, straggly, stubborn: (adj) contrary, hard, overpowering, repressing,
spread, few, trailing, untidy, intractable, perverse, rigid, suppressive; (n) bondage,
vagabond, sprawly, sprawled. determined, persistent, refractory, oppression
ANTONYM: (adj) compact tenacious, obdurate, inveterate. submissive: (adj) obedient, passive,
strained: (adj) tense, labored, intense, ANTONYMS: (adj) compliant, meek, dutiful, obsequious, docile,
constrained, laboured, unnatural, irresolute, flexible, amenable, docile, compliant, resigned, subject, lowly,
nervous, affected, taut, artificial, easygoing, malleable, agreeable, servile. ANTONYMS: (adj)
tight. ANTONYMS: (adj) natural, accommodating, cooperative, feeble assertive, resistant, disobedient,
calm stubbornly: (adv) obdurately, defiant, obstinate, rebellious, wild,
straining: (n) effort, push, exertion, mulishly, persistently, doggedly, intractable, proactive; (adv) bossily
distortion, overrefinement, tension, tenaciously, unyieldingly, firmly, succeeding: (adj) following,
424 Wuthering Heights
subsequent, after, consecutive, (n) cheeriness religion, old wives' tale,
posterior, ensuing, consequent, sullenly: (adv) sulkily, sourly, superstitious notion, lore, folklore,
successive, consequential; (adj, adv) grumpily, morosely, moodily, fanaticism, fallacy, belief, magic.
later; (v) succeed. ANTONYMS: dourly, somberly, peevishly, surly, ANTONYMS: (n) science, truth
(adj) outgoing, preceding crossly, petulantly. ANTONYMS: superstitious: (adj) superstition, false,
succinct: (adj) concise, brief, (adv) graciously, contentedly, groundless, eerie, irrational,
compendious, short, summary, gladly, cheerily fallacious
pithy, laconic, condensed, compact, sullenness: (n) glumness, supplicating: (adj) imploring,
curt, sententious. ANTONYMS: moroseness, moodiness, resentment, soliciting, beseeching, entreating,
(adj) long, convoluted sourness, gloominess, brusqueness, petitioning, apologetic, begging,
succour: (n, v) succor; (n) consolation, sulk, gloom, doggedness, mumps. manifesting entreaty, petitory,
relief, ministration, mercy, ANTONYM: (n) cheeriness piteous; (v) supplicate
assistance, helping, ease, sultry: (adj) hot, humid, muggy, supplication: (n, v) entreaty,
embossment; (v) relieve, further oppressive, stifling, sticky, ardent, solicitation; (n) petition, invocation,
sucking: (n) suck, intake, uptake, sensual, stuffy, sweltering, torrid. appeal, request, rogation, plea,
aspiration, ingestion, consumption ANTONYMS: (adj) fresh, cool, cold, orison, blessing, imploration
suffice: (v) satisfy, do, answer, temperate, dry supposing: (adv) admitting,
content, fulfill, be sufficient, qualify, summon: (v) assemble, convene, conditionally, in case; (n)
function, be enough, suit, fulfil demand, ask, invoke, evoke, invite, supposition, conjecture, thought,
suffocate: (v) strangle, stifle, smother, muster, page, rally, convoke. theory, assumption; (conj) although,
asphyxiate, throttle, gag, extinguish, ANTONYM: (v) disband what if; (v) suppose
drown, die, quench; (adj) summoning: (n) induction, suppress: (v) subdue, silence, quell,
suffocating conjuration, conjuring, conjury, check, stifle, restrain, subjugate,
suffocating: (adj) choking, demand, elicitation, adjuration, curb, crush, strangle, oppress.
oppressive, smothering, close, exhortation ANTONYMS: (v) encourage,
stifling, suffocative, suffocatingly, summons: (n) call, invitation, stimulate, incite, expose, declare,
suffocate, sultry, stifle, bidding, process, writ, invocation, resist, confess, divulge, surrender,
overpowering warrant, command; (n, v) summon; advertise, acknowledge
suffused: (adj) distributed, covered, (v) demand, cite suppressed: (adj) stifled, smothered,
full sunbeams: (n) sunshine, light, strangled, repressed, downtrodden,
suggestive: (adj, v) expressive; (adj) daylight, rays buried, hidden, pent-up, latent,
obscene, spicy, allusive, graphic, sundry: (adj) several, different, untold; (n) subordinate.
smutty, significative, narrative, diverse, assorted, miscellaneous, ANTONYMS: (adj) publicized, overt
meaningful, epic, implicative many, varied, mixed, divers, suppressing: (n) reticence
suicidal: (adj) ruinous, destructive, various; (n) sundries. ANTONYMS: surlily: (adv) gruffly, brusquely,
deadly, despairing, suicidical, (adj) uniform, homogeneous sullenly, snappishly, clownishly,
dangerous, unsafe sung: (v) sing; (n) call, sung dynasty, fretfully, chuffily, grumpily,
suing: (adj) suppliant, begging, strain, song dynasty, song, birdsong, morosely, sharply
beseeching, entreating, imploring; birdcall; (adj) spoken, outspoken, surly: (adj) sullen, grumpy, peevish,
(n) prayer, entreaty choral crusty, churlish, grouchy, gruff,
suitor: (n) plaintiff, suer, admirer, sunrise: (n) dawn, sunup, daybreak, morose; (adj, n) harsh, rude; (adj,
beau, candidate, complainant, daylight, aurora, first light, adv) unfriendly. ANTONYMS: (adj)
gallant, boyfriend, applicant, dayspring, twilight, dawning, break cheerful, gentle, pleasant, courteous,
petitioner; (n, v) wooer of day, crack of dawn. ANTONYMS: easygoing, friendly
sulkily: (adv) morosely, glumly, (n) sunset, sundown, nightfall surmise: (n, v) guess; (v) suppose,
peevishly, crossly, grumpily, sunset: (n) dusk, sundown, nightfall, suspect, presume, imagine, divine,
petulantly, moodily, gloomily, surly, twilight, night, sunsetting, periodic doubt; (n) hypothesis, supposition,
resentfully, angrily. ANTONYMS: event, crepuscule, atmospheric speculation, assumption.
(adv) cheerily, gladly phenomenon, hour, recurrent event. ANTONYMS: (n) knowledge,
sulkiness: (n) moroseness, glumness, ANTONYMS: (n) sunrise, daybreak measurement
sullenness, mood, sourness, superfluous: (adj, v) spare; (adj) surmised: (adj) rude, conjectural,
huffishness, temper, grumpiness, needless, extra, excess, excessive, assumed
rancour, resentment, sour unnecessary, surplus, pointless, surname: (n) cognomen, name,
sulky: (adj) gloomy, grouchy, superabundant, supernumerary, sobriquet, family name, soubriquet,
morose, surly, peevish, moody, supererogatory. ANTONYMS: (adj) last name, nickname, maiden name,
dismal, cross, petulant, crabby; (adj, indispensable, important, essential, moniker, first name, agnomen
v) glum. ANTONYMS: (adj) basic, pertinent surrendered: (adj) given
resigned, cheerful; (n) cheeriness superintend: (v) oversee, manage, surveying: (n) mensuration,
sullen: (adj, n) morose, sulky, sour; direct, administer, control, run, measurement, investigation,
(adj) gloomy, gruff, glum, moody, supervise, govern, handle, overlook, triangulation; (v) inspect, examine;
dark, cross, surly; (adj, v) grim. inspect (adj) observant
ANTONYMS: (adj) bright, cheery; superstition: (n) superstitious, taboo, susceptibility: (n) sensitivity,
Emily Brontë 425
liability, impressibility, inclination, touched, convinced. ANTONYM: taciturn: (adj) silent, quiet, reserved,
capability, sensibility, (adj) doubtful uncommunicative, speechless,
susceptibleness, receptivity, swaying: (adj) swinging, convincing, secretive, mute, withdrawn, distant,
responsiveness, proclivity, oscillating, influential, persuasive, mum, incommunicative.
tendency. ANTONYMS: (n) moving, lilting, groggy; (n) floating, ANTONYMS: (adj) wordy, voluble,
resistance, insensitivity manipulation communicative, forthcoming, fluent,
suspend: (adj, v) defer, put off; (v) swearing: (n) curse, expletive, open
interrupt, stop, adjourn, postpone, profanity, oath, abuse, blasphemy, tails: (n) dress suit, tail coat, full
hang, dangle, stay, shelve, debar. swearword, execration, adjuration, dress, tail, waste, evening dress,
ANTONYMS: (v) continue, sustain, asseveration; (v) swear dress coat, coat, morning coat,
rise, finish, advance, inaugurate swears: (n) swearing cutaway, formalwear
suspense: (n) doubt, expectancy, sweetheart: (n) dear, girl, darling, talons: (v) claws, tenaculum, unguis,
anticipation, indecision, insecurity, mistress, flame, beloved, boyfriend, tentacle, teeth; (n) clutches
unrest, expectation, irresolution, love, steady; (adj, n) beau, admirer. tame: (v) break, subdue, soften,
suspension, tension; (adj, n) ANTONYMS: (n) foe, enemy domesticate; (adj) meek, docile,
hesitation. ANTONYM: (n) sweetly: (adv) pleasantly, sweet, bland, domestic, gentle, slow; (adj,
knowledge mildly, melodically, melodiously, v) moderate. ANTONYMS: (adj)
suspicions: (adj) entertain doubts, softly, syrupily, beautifully, exciting, bright, unmanageable,
have doubts; (n) doubts, misgivings, pleasingly, dulcetly, fairly. interesting, untamed, inspiring,
reservations, qualms, worries, fears, ANTONYMS: (adv) discordantly, brilliant, colorful, rebellious, lively
uncertainties horribly, sharply, harshly, unkindly tangible: (adj) substantial, concrete,
suspiciously: (adj, adv) doubtfully, sweetness: (n) sugariness, sweet, actual, real, perceptible, physical,
skeptically, hesitantly, redolence, pleasantness, fragrance, palpable, evident, corporeal,
unbelievingly; (adv) mistrustfully, aroma, charm, perfume, amenity, definite, sensible. ANTONYMS:
warily, uncertainly, shadily, niceness, kindness. ANTONYMS: (adj) intangible, impalpable,
dubiously, watchfully, (n) sourness, sharpness, incorporeal, disembodied,
questioningly. ANTONYMS: (adv) unpleasantness, harshness, conceptual, abstract, ethereal,
carelessly, gullibly, thoughtlessly, tastelessness, unkindness insubstantial
certainly, confidently swelled: (adj) big, inflated, bloated, taps: (n) demise, bugle call
sustaining: (adj) underneath, swollen, adult, boastful, bighearted, tarnish: (adj, n, v) sully, blot, soil; (n,
alimentary, at the bottom of, bad, fully grown, crowing, elder v) blemish, taint, spot, stain,
comforting, filling, fundamental, swine: (n) hog, boar, beast, sow, disgrace, foul; (v) smear; (adj, v)
healthy, profitable, rich; (n) Eohyus, babiroussa, babirussa, blur. ANTONYMS: (v) uncorrupt,
continuation, maintenance barrow, brute, razorback, grunter clean, Polish, purify, enhance,
sustenance: (n) living, food, swoon: (adj, n, v) faint; (adj, n) dignify, respect
maintenance, subsistence, fare, collapse; (n) fainting, syncope, tarry: (v) linger, loiter, stay, remain,
sustentation, provisions, prostration, deliquium; (v) conk, delay, lag, dally, dawdle, bide, rest;
nourishment, nutriment, aliment, black out, pass out, die; (adj) puff (adj) pitchy. ANTONYMS: (v)
livelihood. ANTONYM: (n) extras sworn: (adj) extreme, mortal, complete, finish
swallowing: (adj) absorptive, implacable, engaged, dedicated, tartly: (adv) sharply, sarcastically,
unsuspecting, absorbent, absorbing; committed, betrothed, bespoken, sourly, bitingly, bitterly, acerbically,
(n) consumption affianced, inveterate harshly, caustically, keenly,
swamp: (v) flood, submerge, syllable: (n) antepenultimate, cuttingly, vinegarily. ANTONYM:
overwhelm, inundate, drench; (n) antepenult, penultima, penultimate, (adv) kindly
marsh, mire, quagmire, morass; (adj, articulate, utter, linguistic unit, solfa taunting: (n) twit, taunt, ridicule,
v) sink, drown. ANTONYMS: (v) syllable, speech sound, syllabe, scorn, witty; (adj) mocking, gibelike,
underwhelm, disperse, dry language unit sarcastic, jeering, unkind; (adj, n)
swarm: (n) host, horde, multitude, sympathise: (v) sympathize, satirical
drove, throng, cloud, assembly; (n, commiserate, empathise, empathize, tauntingly: (adv) jeeringly,
v) mob; (v) teem, pour; (adj) shoal. gather, infer, interpret, read, realise, mockingly, sarcastically, satirically
ANTONYMS: (v) retreat; (n) few realize, see tease: (n, v) annoy; (adj, v) molest,
swarming: (adj) full, crowded, alive, sympathize: (v) pity, understand, harry, worry, bait; (v) taunt, kid,
packed, populous, sensitive, thick; condole, compassionate, feel, pester, plague, provoke, mock.
(v) dense, crowded to suffocation, sympathise, identify with, ANTONYM: (v) placate
serried, closely packed. empathize, have compassion, feel teasing: (n) tease, play, joke, fun,
ANTONYMS: (adj) clear, deserted sorry for, feel for. ANTONYMS: (v) banter; (adj) quizzical, vexatious,
sway: (n, v) command, rule, control, disapprove, disregard pestering, annoying, playful; (v)
rock, stagger, roll; (v) oscillate, reel, tacit: (adj) silent, implicit, worrying. ANTONYM: (n)
lurch, shake; (n) reign. understood, implied, undeclared, seriousness
ANTONYMS: (v) stay, dissuade, unspoken, voiceless, mute, mum; (n) tedious: (adj) tiresome, boring,
discourage tace; (v) not expressed. dreary, slow, heavy, humdrum,
swayed: (adj) persuaded, susceptible, ANTONYMS: (adj) spoken, express irksome, lifeless; (adj, v)
426 Wuthering Heights
monotonous, arid, dry. treatment, attention, babysitting, indivisibility
ANTONYMS: (adj) exciting, varied, incubation; (adj) apt, conducive, thickly: (adv) deeply, heavily, thick,
easy, readable, lively, entertaining, prone, disposed viscously, thicksetly, solidly, dully,
enthralling, brisk, concise, exotic, tenure: (n) tenancy, occupancy, dumbly, compactly, closely,
pleasant occupation, term of office, turbidly. ANTONYMS: (adv) thinly,
teens: (n) minority, tender age, incumbency, administration, finely, slightly, sparsely, loosely,
teenage years, childhood, large copyhold, ownership, presidency, distinctly
integer, puberty, youth, boyhood, freehold, land tenure. ANTONYMS: thinner: (n) dilutant, solvent, reducer,
adolescence, bloom (n) vacancy, title rarefied, phenylic acid, phenol,
teething: (n) teeth, odontiasis terminating: (adj) final, ending, propanone, perchloromethane,
temperate: (adj) sober, moderate, conclusive, dying, determining, resolvent, oxybenzene,
restrained, calm, reasonable, terminative, last, expiring, decisive, methylbenzene
abstemious, gentle, balmy, expiring groans; (n) termination thirsty: (adj) eager, arid, parched,
abstinent, frugal, equable. termination: (n) close, end, avid, keen, athirst, greedy,
ANTONYMS: (adj) violent, conclusion, result, dissolution, absorbent, ambitious; (v) craving,
unrestrained, stormy, cool, extreme, cessation, expiration, finale, finish, hungry. ANTONYMS: (adj)
hot, immoderate, wintry, rough completion, issue. ANTONYMS: (n) quenched, satisfied, disinterested,
tempered: (adj) attempered, beginning, preservation, initiation, wet
temperate, moderated, toughened, inauguration, creation thither: (adv) hither, whither, on that
subdued, set, enured, proportioned, terrier: (n) cairn, bullterrier, ratter, rat point, in that respect, at that place,
properly adapted, emotionally terrier, piercer, Lhasa, fox terrier, in that location; (adj) further,
hardened, treated. ANTONYM: stylet, hunting dog, perforator, ulterior, remoter, succeeding, more
(adj) untempered schnauzer distant
tempest: (adj, n) storm, gust; (n) gale, terrific: (adj) tremendous, fantastic, thorn: (n) barb, prickle, bramble,
hurricane, squall, disturbance, great, wonderful, dreadful, spike, point, brier, pricker, needle,
cyclone, typhoon, agitation, tornado, formidable, splendid, brilliant, sticker, fang; (adj, n) sting
blizzard. ANTONYM: (n) serenity marvellous; (adj, v) terrible, thoughtless: (adj, v) careless,
temples: (n) brow shocking. ANTONYMS: (adj) tiny, heedless, rash, improvident; (adj)
tempt: (adj, v) attract, allure; (v) abysmal, bad, calm, moderate, reckless, inattentive, hasty,
entice, decoy, charm, inveigle, nasty, dreadful, insignificant, unthinking, negligent, neglectful,
invite, coax, seduce, fascinate, ordinary, unremarkable imprudent. ANTONYMS: (adj)
attempt. ANTONYMS: (v) terrify: (n, v) frighten, alarm, fright, considerate, considered, heedful,
discourage, appall, repel affright; (v) panic, dismay, startle, prudent, kind, cautious, mindful,
tempter: (n) seducer, human, soul, horrify, intimidate, terrorize, daunt. responsible, attentive, observant,
philanderer, person, mortal, ANTONYMS: (v) please, delight, sensible
individual, someone, somebody calm, soothe, comfort thoughtlessly: (adv) carelessly,
tempting: (adj) seductive, alluring, thankful: (adj) appreciative, inconsiderately, heedlessly, rashly,
attractive, enticing, tantalizing, indebted, beholden, obliged, imprudently, inattentively, hastily,
charming, appealing, captivating, contented, pleased, gratified, negligently, indiscreetly,
beguiling, delicious, irresistible. relieved, under obligation, unheedingly; (adj, adv) foolishly.
ANTONYMS: (adj) repulsive, appreciatory, welcome. ANTONYMS: (adv) considerately,
revolting, unattractive, repellent ANTONYMS: (adj) worried, carefully, cautiously, prudently,
tenacious: (adj) obstinate, dogged, unappreciative, unthankful, sorry sensibly, wisely
adhesive, persistent, resolute, tough, thaw: (v) fuse, dissolve, warm, thoughtlessness: (n) inconsideration,
sticky; (adj, v) strong, steadfast; (v) unfreeze, soften, liquefy, defrost, rashness, carelessness,
retentive; (adj, n) firm. run, liquify; (n) melting, thawing. impulsiveness, imprudence,
ANTONYMS: (adj) fickle, loose, ANTONYMS: (v) cool, chill, congeal indiscretion, heedlessness,
slack, surrendering, unattached, thence: (adv) therefore, thus, bluntness, foolhardiness, neglect,
weak, compliant, yielding, malleable therefrom, thereof, consequently, negligence. ANTONYMS: (n)
tenderly: (adv) softly, kindly, then, so, thereafter, thenceforth, thoughtfulness, care, responsibility,
delicately, affectionately, fondly, since, on account of carefulness, caution, wisdom,
warmly, painfully, sensitively, thenceforth: (adv) thenceforward, diplomacy, sensitivity
caringly, sympathetically, gently. thence, elsewhere, absent, not there, thrash: (v) flog, whip, beat, pound,
ANTONYMS: (adv) roughly, then defeat, whack, lam, drub, baste, lick,
severely, disapprovingly, harshly thereto: (adv) thereunto, moreover; clobber
tenderness: (n) fondness, soreness, (adj) likeness, accurate, coincidence, thrashing: (n) beating, lashing,
love, affection, sympathy; (adj, n) correct, correctness, deportment, flogging, whipping, drubbing,
clemency, mildness, compassion, detail, exact, expected licking, flagellation, rout, tanning,
gentleness, softness, delicacy. thickening: (n) thickener, hiding, debacle. ANTONYMS: (n)
ANTONYMS: (n) pleasure, dryness, inspissation, growth, lymph node, victory, win
hatred, strength, detachment pommel, indiscerptibility, node, thrice: (adv) three times, thirdly
tending: (n) care, hairdressing, aid, bodying up, lymph gland, knob, thrill: (n, v) delight, shudder, quiver,
Emily Brontë 427
shiver; (v) excite, exhilarate, exalt, bashfulness, nervousness, reserve, unsatisfactory, bad, inadequate,
stir; (n) shake, excitement, chill. cowardice, fearfulness, timidness, appalling, inadmissible
ANTONYMS: (v) dishearten, modesty, humility, coyness. tolerably: (adv) well enough,
discourage, disappoint, displease; ANTONYMS: (n) confidence, passably, acceptably, reasonably,
(n) depression, calm, boredom, boastfulness, swagger, brashness, enough, moderately, to a tolerable
agony, sorrow; (n, v) bore security degree, pretty, to an adequate
thrilling: (adj, n) electric; (adj) timidly: (adv) fearfully, timorously, degree; (adj, adv) somewhat; (adj)
exciting, sensational, exhilarating, cautiously, shyly, diffidently, pretty well. ANTONYMS: (adv)
electrifying, emotional, rousing, anxiously, nervously, shily, unbearably, intolerably,
gripping, stimulating; (adj, v) gingerly, modestly, apprehensively. unacceptably, unreasonably,
impressive; (n, v) swelling. ANTONYMS: (adv) confidently, insufficiently, inadequately
ANTONYMS: (adj) boring, bravely, daringly, brashly, tolerate: (adj, v) accept; (v) let, bear,
depressing, discouraging, upsetting, fearlessly, decisively, brazenly take, permit, endure, support,
uninspiring tingling: (n) tingle, itch, thrill, pins brook, stand, abide, allow.
thrive: (adj, v) prosper; (v) flourish, and needles, tickle, somesthesia, ANTONYMS: (v) veto, disapprove,
grow, advance, blossom, succeed, somatic sensation; (adj) stinging, disallow
increase, bloom, get ahead, boom; tickling, tickly; (v) turn tolerated: (adj) permissive, permitted,
(adj) luxuriate. ANTONYMS: (v) tiptoe: (v) tip, tippytoe, creep, patter, permitting, suffered, admissible
deteriorate, fail, languish, struggle, skirt, skip, tilt, sidle, lean; (adj) alert; tome: (n) volume, compass,
decrease (n) quieter. ANTONYM: (v) clump periodical, part, opuscule, mass,
throbbing: (adj, n) beating; (n) tiresome: (adj) tedious, dull, magazine, journal, bulk,
pounding, pulsation, pulse, ache, laborious, irksome, monotonous, convolution, work
palpitation, sting; (adj) painful, annoying, slow, dreary, bothersome; tooth: (n) palate, denticle, trident,
pulsatile, palpitating, palpitant. (adj, v) wearisome, troublesome. sprocket, saw, premolar, nap,
ANTONYM: (n) pleasure ANTONYMS: (adj) stimulating, fun, incisor, grain, eyetooth; (adj) nib
throttler: (n) strangler tree, strangler, varied, soothing, pleasant, brisk, toothless: (adj) powerless,
ruffle, ruff, neck ruff, garroter, dog exciting, convenient, refreshing immobilized, edentulous, dull.
collar, collar, choker, neckband tiresomely: (adv) tediously, ANTONYM: (adj) effective
thrusting: (n) thrust, push, jab, poke, wearisomely, dully, irksomely, topmost: (adj) highest, upmost,
jabbing, stab, driving force, scoke, monotonously, drearily, upper, maximum, uppermost, head,
sack, punch, Phytolacca Americana troublesomely, wearyingly, supreme, utmost, crowning, apical,
thud: (n) crash, clunk, clump; (n, v) uninterestingly, tiringly, uttermost. ANTONYM: (adj) bottom
bang, beat, rap, knock, pulse; (v) annoyingly. ANTONYM: (adv) torment: (n, v) tease, distress, harass,
bump, hit, crump conveniently afflict, pain, annoy; (n) agony,
thundering: (adj) thumping, titan: (n) colossus, heavyweight, anguish, suffering; (v) persecute,
whopping, lumpish, gaunt, hulky, monster, behemoth, Goliath, oppress. ANTONYMS: (v) please,
lubberly, spanking, big, loud, Hyperion, Ahriman, hulk, cocus, delight, placate, comfort, soothe; (n)
striking terror; (n) thunder atlas; (adj) gigantic contentment, happiness, pleasure,
thwart: (adv, v) cross; (v) frustrate, titter: (n, v) laugh, chuckle, snigger, calm, content
prevent, oppose, baffle, obstruct, chortle, twitter, gurgle, snort, tormented: (adj) worried, tortured,
hinder, impede, defeat, disappoint, guffaw; (v) snicker; (n) laughter, hagridden, troubled, beleaguered,
bilk. ANTONYMS: (v) promote, quiet laughter beset, besieged, cruciate, cruciform,
assist, encourage, aid, help, please, toasted: (adj) heated distraught, distressed. ANTONYM:
permit toil: (n, v) labor, work, drudge, (adj) calm
thwarting: (n) defeat, foiling, sweat, drudgery, grind, labour, tormenting: (v) bothering, teasing,
precaution, prepossession; (adj) travail; (v) plod; (n) effort, exertion. pestering, harassing; (adj)
frustrative, frustrating, not parallel, ANTONYMS: (n) pastime, harrowing, perturbing, plaguy,
oblique, perverse, mutually inverse; entertainment, fun, relaxation; (v) raging, upsetting, vexatious; (adj, v)
(v) obstruction laze, neglect worrying
tiger: (adj) fury, dragon, demon; (n) toilette: (n) dress, costume, attire, tormentor: (n) pest, tormenter,
hostler, cat, jockey, ostler, big cat, raiment, drapery, guise, trim, John, torturer, pesterer, annoyer, teaser,
endangered, Alecto, monster lavatory, privy, bathroom tease, tantalizer, persecutor, gadfly,
tightened: (adj) secure, securer, firm token: (n) memento, souvenir, note, flat
timid: (adj) shy, afraid, diffident, coy, keepsake, sign, relic, stamp, signal, torrent: (n) flood, cloudburst,
bashful, nervous, frightened, indication; (adj) nominal; (n, v) overflow, stream, downpour, rain,
apprehensive, modest; (adj, adv) trace. ANTONYM: (adj) great shower, soaker, inundation; (adj, n)
cowardly; (adj, n) cautious. tolerable: (adj) passable, mediocre, volley, eruption. ANTONYMS: (n)
ANTONYMS: (adj, n) brave; (adj) bearable, fair, middling, reasonable, drought, trickle, shower
confident, bold, fearless, resolute, adequate, respectable, endurable, tossing: (n) cast; (adj) moving
forward, daring, brazen, extrovert, sufferable; (adj, v) satisfactory. totter: (v) stumble, shake, falter,
brash, talkative ANTONYMS: (adj) intolerable, lurch, rock, teeter, waver, waddle,
timidity: (n) shyness, fear, exceptional, unbearable, toddle, stagger, shamble
428 Wuthering Heights
touchiness: (n) tetchiness, irritability, take, get, withhold, keep trinket: (n) trifle, novelty, charm,
petulance, fussiness, choler, trash: (n) rubbish, litter, scum, gaud, jewel, fallal; (adj, n) bauble,
nervousness, crossness, edginess, garbage, refuse, rubble, debris; (n, v) gewgaw, gimcrack; (adj) toy, paper
fretfulness, temper, peevishness scrap, junk; (v) destroy; (adj, n) pellet
touchy: (adj) sensitive, irritable, testy, trumpery. ANTONYMS: (n) trinkets: (n) finery, jewels
huffy, irascible, excitable, edgy, valuables, sense, possessions, assets, trio: (n) triplet, threesome, three, trey,
feisty, crabby, temperamental, hot. fact; (v) renovate, conserve trine, trinity, ternary, triumvirate,
ANTONYMS: (adj) easygoing, travels: (n) actions, expedition ternion; (adv) solo, duo
unflappable, impervious, placid treacherous: (adj) unfaithful, triumphant: (adj) victorious,
towering: (adj) lofty, tall, eminent, deceitful, false, perfidious, successful, triumphal, exulting,
great, soaring, mighty, elevated, dangerous, disloyal, unreliable, winning, joyful, rejoicing, elated,
monumental, exalted, imposing, unsafe, Punic, fraudulent, faithless. conquering, prideful; (adj, v)
distinguished. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (adj) faithful, loyal, exultant. ANTONYMS: (adj)
short, dwarfed, little, low honest, safe, true, genuine, disappointed, failing, losing,
tracing: (n) trace, copy, design, forthright, stable, harmless, defeated, miserable, sorrowful
model, chase, drafting, action of dependable, open trodden: (adj) trampled, damaged,
tracing, blueprint, cast, treachery: (n) betrayal, disloyalty, beaten, compressed, packed down.
draftsmanship, ghost infidelity, duplicity, treason, ANTONYM: (adj) loose
trait: (n) characteristic, attribute, perfidy, falseness, faithlessness, trombone: (n) bugle, clarion, cornet,
quality, character, idiosyncrasy, perfidiousness, guile, dishonesty. cornopean, horn, sackbut, brass,
property; (adj, n) peculiarity, trick; ANTONYMS: (n) loyalty, ophicleide
(n, v) lineament; (v) stroke, touch faithfulness, fidelity, reliability, trot: (n, v) run; (n) crib, canter, pony,
traitor: (n) betrayer, conspirator, allegiance, goodness gait, ride, lope; (v) gallop, general,
Judas, renegade, rat, quisling, tread: (n, v) pace, walk, rate, march, frequent, household
deserter, cheat, collaborationist; (adj) tramp; (n) gait, stride, footstep, troublesome: (adj) difficult, hard,
insurgent, mutineer. ANTONYMS: footfall, track; (v) trample arduous, bothersome, inconvenient,
(n) loyalist, patriot trembles: (n) animal disease, onerous, awkward, annoying,
trample: (v) oppress, stamp, squash, nervousness laborious, tough, heavy.
crush, tread, flatten, defeat, trepidation: (n) fear, tremor, alarm, ANTONYMS: (adj) nice, helpful,
suppress, step, frustrate; (n) apprehension, fright, terror, dread, useful, advantageous, convenient,
trampling dismay, consternation, perturbation, uncomplicated, delightful
trampled: (adj) crushed, damaged, disquiet. ANTONYMS: (n) troublesomely: (adv) tiresomely,
flattened, compressed, packed down contentment, calm, confidence, annoyingly, importunately,
tranquil: (adj, v) quiet, unruffled, equanimity, bravery, reassurance arduously, difficultly, hardly,
smooth; (adj, n) peaceful; (adj) tresses: (n) locks, mop, head of hair unpleasantly, onerously,
placid, still, serene, sedate, collected, trickle: (n, v) dribble, drip, distill, wearisomely, toughly, naughtily
composed, equable. ANTONYMS: drool; (v) percolate, ooze, seep, flow, troubling: (adj) worrying,
(adj) noisy, tense, agitated, anxious, leak, filter, leach. ANTONYMS: (n) disquieting, distressing, distressful,
troubled, bustling, loud, perturbed, throng, deluge, onslaught; (v) gush, disconcerting, alarming, perturbing,
frenetic, moving, bothered flow, flood bad, annoying, sad, worrisome.
tranquillity: (adj, n, v) quiet; (n) trifle: (n, v) play; (adj, n, v) trinket; ANTONYM: (adj) reassuring
serenity, quietness, relaxation, (v) dally, fiddle, flirt, fool, frivol; (n) trumpet: (n) horn, cornet, bugle,
quietude, peacefulness, calmness; (n, nothing, triviality, detail; (adj, n) clarion, trump, brass, trombone; (v)
v) repose, rest; (adj, n) stillness, bagatelle proclaim, promulgate, show off,
calm. ANTONYMS: (n) noise, trifles: (n) jests, nonsense, nugae, blare
agitation, movement, panic, trivia trunks: (n) short pants, pants,
turbulence, turmoil trifling: (adj) paltry, slight, petty, luggage, Jockey shorts, Jamaica
transgress: (v) offend, infringe, break, negligible, immaterial, worthless, shorts, Bermuda shorts, bathing
trespass, contravene, violate, trivial, minor, small; (adj, v) trunks, bathing suit, costume,
overstep, disobey, breach, infract; inconsequential; (adj, n) frivolity. drawers, swimming trunks
(adj, v) err. ANTONYM: (v) behave ANTONYMS: (adj) significant, trustful: (adj) confiding,
transient: (adj) fleeting, temporary, worthwhile, major, considerable, unsuspicious, credulous, gullible,
passing, transitory, fugacious, crucial, enormous, great, mature, trusty, trustworthy, unsuspecting;
ephemeral, momentary, temporal, profound, substantial; (n) (n) trust, private conversation, bold,
provisional; (adj, n) fugitive, importance belief
vagabond. ANTONYMS: (adj) trim: (adj, v) tidy, spruce; (adj, n, v) trusting: (adj) credulous,
enduring, lasting, immanent, long; dress; (n, v) cut, clip, garnish, lop; unsuspecting, naive, confident,
(n) resident (adj) neat, orderly; (v) shave, confiding, simple, innocent, gullible,
transmit: (v) pass, communicate, embellish. ANTONYMS: (adj) reliant, give, easy to fool.
convey, send, transfer, carry, scruffy, unkempt, sloppy, large, ANTONYMS: (adj) distrustful,
broadcast, forward, propagate, pass chubby, disorderly, overweight; (v) suspicious, doubtful, hesitant,
on, give. ANTONYMS: (v) receive, lengthen, develop, expand, lose protective, shrewd, disingenuous,
Emily Brontë 429
smart, jaded autocrat, disciplinarian, bully, determinedly, decisively, steadily,
tuft: (n) wisp, crest, cluster, truss, authoritarian, sovereign, czar, indisputably, boldly, certainly,
knot, fagot, tassel, strand, thicket, monarch, suzerain, stickler admirably
curl; (adj, n) feather unaccompanied: (adj) lone, solitary, unchain: (v) release, free, unbind,
tumbler: (n) acrobat, beaker, turner, unescorted, unaided, unattended; unfasten, emancipate, unloose,
mime, roller, buffoon, tumbler (adj, adv) only, on your own, loose, unbar, unbolt, undo, unravel.
switch, cup, bowl, flute; (v) glass without help; (adv) solo, singly, by ANTONYMS: (v) lock, confine,
tumult: (adj, n, v) hubbub, yourself. ANTONYM: (adj) together fetter
disturbance; (n) stir, commotion, unaccountable: (adj) unchained: (adj) unreined,
bustle, din, fuss, excitement; (n, v) incomprehensible, inexplicable, unmuzzled, uncurbed, freed,
clamor, disorder, brawl. strange, unintelligible, unbound, unfettered, untied,
ANTONYMS: (n) peace, push, unexplainable, mysterious, unsubject, ungoverned,
serenity, order, calm impenetrable, undiscoverable, unenthralled, unenslaved
tumultuously: (adv) turbulently, undecipherable, unknowable, unchangeable: (adj) invariable, firm,
tempestuously, violently, unnatural. ANTONYMS: (adj) immutable, permanent, irrevocable,
uproariously, boisterously, accountable, explainable, irreversible, unalterable, immovable,
tumultuarily, noisily, furiously, responsible, explicable inflexible, determined, definite.
loudly, agitatedly; (adj, adv) madly unalterably: (adv) inflexibly, ANTONYMS: (adj) changing,
tureen: (n) skillet, horn, terrene, inescapably, inevitably, obstinately, inconstant, flexible, uncertain, fluid,
tumbler, the earth, soup tureen, unchangeably, unwaveringly, unconfirmed, impermanent
serving dish, saucepan, rummer, relentlessly, stubbornly, steadfastly, unchristian: (adj) uncharitable,
punch bowl, posnet fixedly, unavoidably christless, pagan, remorseless,
turf: (n) sward, greensward, ground, unanswered: (v) unrefuted, unchristianly, antichristian
grass, field, peat, lawn, green, divot, unconfuted; (adj) unsolved, uncivil: (adj) discourteous,
Corso, race course unresolved, unrequited, disrespectful, impolite, coarse,
tush: (n) buttocks, backside, unreciprocated, unsettled brusque, curt, blunt, barbarous,
posterior, quarter, place, poop, John, unavailing: (adj) fruitless, bootless, short; (adj, n) rough, harsh.
pot, prat, piece of ass, puke useless, ineffectual, inefficacious, ANTONYMS: (adj) polite,
tutored: (adj) educated, schooled, otiose, inutile, ineffective, idle, vain, courteous, gracious
taught pointless unclose: (v) open, unbar, disclose,
twang: (n, v) flavor; (n) accent, tang, unavenged: (adj) unwroken, not unbolt, uncover, reveal, unharness,
strong taste; (v) jar, strum, play, revenged; (v) unresented. unhand, uncork, unrip, undo
smack, taste, smatch, savor ANTONYM: (adj) avenged unclosed: (v) ajar, unstopped; (adj)
twined: (adj) bent, coiled, contorted, unavoidably: (adv) inescapably, sincere, public, plain, obvious,
distorted, misrepresented, perverted necessarily, ineluctably, by frank, exposed, evident, artless,
twinkle: (n, v) flash, gleam, shimmer, necessity, of necessity, apparent
glimmer, glisten, glitter, scintillate, automatically, needs, inevitable, uncombed: (adj) disheveled, tousled,
wink; (adj, n, v) flicker; (v) shine, relentlessly, true to form, untidy, untamed, uncouth, unlicked,
blink unsurprisingly. ANTONYMS: (adv) unpolished, shaggy, rumpled,
twinkling: (n) moment, jiffy, minute, surprisingly, unnecessarily messy, matted. ANTONYMS: (adj)
second, flash, trice, twinkle, wink, unbarred: (adj) unlocked, unlatched, combed, tidy, neat
split second, breath; (adj) sparkling. unbolted, open uncommonly: (adv) rarely, strangely,
ANTONYM: (adj) dull unbeliever: (n) infidel, disbeliever, infrequently, scarcely, occasionally,
twisting: (adj) tortuous, winding, doubter, agnostic, nonbeliever, exceptionally, oddly; (adj, adv)
sinuous, crooked, zigzag, sceptic, irreligionist, deist, particularly, remarkably, singularly,
meandering; (n) distortion, turn, materialist, pagan; (adj, n) skeptic. curiously. ANTONYMS: (adv)
spin, torsion, overrefinement ANTONYM: (n) adherent frequently, typically
tying: (n) ligation, bundling, unbidden: (adj) unbid, uninvited, uncomplaining: (adj) patient,
attachment, knotting, lacing; (adj) spontaneous, voluntary, willing, enduring, tolerant, unmurmuring,
binding; (v) restrict unwanted submissive, unwearied, compliant,
tyrannical: (adj) domineering, unceremoniously: (adv) casually, acquiescent, resigned, forbearing.
autocratic, despotic, dictatorial, familiarly, easily, offhandedly, ANTONYMS: (adj) impatient,
overbearing, authoritarian, abruptly, ungraciously, uncivilly, intolerant
tyrannous, cruel, peremptory, curtly, closely, intimately, cozily. uncompromising: (adj) rigid,
tyrannic, lordly. ANTONYMS: (adj) ANTONYMS: (adv) attentively, inflexible, unbending, inexorable,
liberal, libertarian carefully, distantly, formally strict, tough, obstinate, obdurate,
tyrannically: (adv) cruelly, uncertainly: (adv) dubiously, positive, unyielding, adamant.
despotically, oppressively, doubtfully, unsurely, unsettledly, ANTONYMS: (adj) compromising,
despoticly, harshly, autocratically, falteringly, unsteadily, waveringly, flexible, gentle, weak, cooperative,
peremptorily, unfairly, repressively, irresolutely, undecidedly, kind, acquiescent, lenient, moderate,
arbitrarily, lordly undeterminedly, unfixedly. qualified, accommodating
tyrant: (n) dictator, oppressor, ANTONYMS: (adv) firmly, unconsciously: (adv) instinctively,
430 Wuthering Heights
unintentionally, unthinkingly, connotation, overtone, association, ANTONYMS: (n) peace, calm,
unwittingly, ignorantly, innocently, hint confidence
comatosely, automatically, undeserved: (adj) unfair, unearned, unequal: (adj) different, unlike,
obliviously, unsuspectingly, unjust, inequitable, undue, uneven, rough, lopsided, unfair,
inadvertently. ANTONYMS: (adv) excessive, iniquitous, wrong, inadequate, disparate,
consciously, deliberately, unreasonable, unwarranted. disproportionate, unbalanced,
knowingly, purposely ANTONYMS: (adj) rightful, fair, just unsymmetrical. ANTONYMS: (adj)
unconsciousness: (n) blackout, undisguised: (adj) downright, plain, equal, even, fair, identical, similar,
insensibility, grogginess, loss of overt, naked, bare, frank, literal, same, level, constant, balanced, like,
consciousness, coma, trance, obvious, ingenuous, simple, honest corresponding
stupefaction, faint, unawareness, undisputed: (adj, v) undoubted, unfastened: (adj) open, movable,
ignorance, torpor. ANTONYM: (n) unquestioned; (adj) unchallenged, loose, unbuttoned, overt, opened,
awareness unquestionable, accepted, opened out, slack, undecided,
uncontrollable: (adj) unruly, recognized, recognised, indubitable, undetermined, assailable.
incontrollable, ungovernable, absolute, decided; (v) uncontested. ANTONYMS: (adj) buttoned, fixed,
unmanageable, intractable, ANTONYMS: (adj) doubtful, shut, tied
undisciplined, disobedient, indocile, disputable, dubious, individual, unfeeling: (adj) harsh, impassive,
overwhelming, boisterous; (adj, v) questionable cold, cruel, callous, merciless,
uncontrolled. ANTONYMS: (adj) undisturbed: (adj) peaceful, quiet, pitiless, ruthless, numb, insensible,
controllable, imperceptible, orderly, tranquil, serene, placid, still, easy, insensitive. ANTONYMS: (adj)
biddable, weak smooth, uninterrupted, untroubled, caring, sympathetic, sensitive, kind,
uncovered: (adj) naked, open, bare, composed. ANTONYMS: (adj) understanding, merciful, feeling,
nude, unclothed, bald, unreserved, tense, anxious, agitated, bothered, warm, tactful, concerned,
unprotected, evident, frank, disordered, disturbed, noisy, scared compassionate
manifest. ANTONYMS: (adj) indoor, undone: (adj) ruined, unfinished, unfit: (adj) inappropriate, improper,
concealed sunk, done for, finished, inapt, unbecoming, incompetent,
uncultivated: (adj) savage, ignorant, behindhand, decayed; (adj, v) unable, incapable, unsuitable, bad;
uneducated, wild, fresh, uncivilized, doomed; (v) accursed, to be pitied, (adj, v) incapacitate; (v) indispose.
rude, untutored, uncultured, artless, devoted ANTONYMS: (adj) appropriate,
lowbrow. ANTONYMS: (adj) undress: (v) strip, unclothe, divest, suitable, ready, healthy, able, firm,
cultivated, familiar, refined discase, doff, unrobe, strip down, competent; (v) qualify
uncurtained: (adj) curtainless. uncase; (n) dishabille, disarray, unfixed: (adj, v) uncertain, vague,
ANTONYM: (adj) curtained morning dress. ANTONYMS: (v) ambiguous, undetermined; (adj)
undecided: (adj) uncertain, doubtful, dress, clothe unsettled, nebulous, unstable,
dubious, unresolved, pending, undressed: (adj) naked, unclad, undefined, loose; (adj, adv) moving;
indecisive, irresolute, hesitant, unclothed, bare, raw, stripped, (v) stray. ANTONYMS: (adj) fixed,
debatable, indefinite; (adj, v) unattired, unappareled, crude, constant, definite
undetermined. ANTONYMS: (adj) rough, disrobed. ANTONYMS: (adj) unfledged: (adj) callow, green,
certain, determined, sure, settled, covered, decent young, unfeathered, newborn,
definite, decisive undulating: (adj) sinuous, waved, fledgeless, hebetic, fledgling,
undefined: (adj) indeterminate, undulant, undulatory, curly, untaught, unlicked, unnurtured
indistinct, obscure, shadowy, apprenticed, zigzag, crimped, curvy, unflinching: (adj) resolute, steadfast,
uncertain, vague, unspecified, indented, intended. ANTONYMS: undaunted, firm, unfaltering,
ambiguous, unlimited, inexact, (adj) steep, straight determined, dauntless, intrepid,
neutral. ANTONYMS: (adj) defined, unearthly: (adj) weird, ghostly, undeviating, constant, unswerving
exact, constrained uncanny, ethereal, unworldly, unfold: (v) spread, open, extend,
undeniable: (adj) incontrovertible, preternatural, spectral, eerie, develop, stretch, spread out, reveal,
irrefutable, certain, indisputable, spiritual, strange, heavenly. display, stretch out; (adj, v)
positive, incontestable, obvious, ANTONYMS: (adj) natural, expound, explain. ANTONYMS: (v)
indubitable, unquestionable, physical, acceptable, normal, human fold, block, stagnate, stop, hide,
conclusive, evident. ANTONYMS: uneasily: (adv) apprehensively, withhold, check, wrap, conceal
(adj) disputable, dubious, doubted, restlessly, worriedly, nervously, unformed: (adj) shapeless,
contestable, questionable, debatable, solicitously, unquietly, amorphous, unfashioned, formless,
uncertain, equivocal, unconvincing constrainedly, awkwardly, fretfully, crude, unlabored, unpolished,
undergo: (v) experience, encounter, unsettledly, fearfully. ANTONYMS: unwrought, unfledged, inchoate,
sustain, have, endure, bear, tolerate, (adv) calmly, confidently, embryonic. ANTONYMS: (adj)
go through, take, feel, know. unconcernedly, comfortably, distinct, mature
ANTONYMS: (v) commit, do, fearlessly unfriended: (v) helpless; (adj)
execute uneasiness: (n) disquiet, discomfort, fatherless
undertone: (n) undercurrent, inquietude, anxiety, unease, malaise, ungenerous: (adj, v) illiberal; (adj)
murmur, tinge, nuance, whisper, disquietude, apprehension, unrest, stingy, parsimonious, miserly,
suggestion, implication, impatience; (n, v) agitation. cheap, uncharitable, close, narrow,
Emily Brontë 431
tightfisted, closefisted, penurious. unbar, reveal, free, release, unheeded, unregarded, unthought
ANTONYMS: (adj) generous, kind disengage, unbolt, unclose, of, unperceived; (adj) ignored, not
ungodly: (adj) sinful, irreligious, withdraw. ANTONYMS: (v) fasten, noticed, hidden, unmarked,
iniquitous, wicked, profane, godless, lock, close unnoted; (adv) secretly.
blasphemous; (adj, adv) unholy; unluckily: (adv) unfortunately, ANTONYM: (adj) evident
(adv) wickedly, impiously, sinfully. inauspiciously, lucklessly, unobstructed: (adj) open,
ANTONYMS: (adj) pious, unhappily, untowardly, unconstrained, clear, unhindered,
reasonable, sensible, moral, devout, unsuccessfully, alas, regrettably, ill- unchecked, unimpeded, manifest,
reverent fatedly, tragically, haplessly. uncaught, unconfined, unloaded,
ungovernable: (adj) unruly, ANTONYM: (adv) luckily free. ANTONYMS: (adj) obstructed,
uncontrollable, irrepressible, unlucky: (adj) luckless, hapless, unclear, restricted
intractable, licentious, violent, wild, unhappy, sinister, inauspicious, unpleasing: (adj) displeasing,
indocile, uncontrolled, turbulent; unsuccessful, ominous, adverse, graceless, ungracious, unpleasant,
(adj, v) headstrong disastrous, unfavorable; (adj, v) disagreeable, wicked, not grateful,
ungraciously: (adv) rudely, untoward. ANTONYMS: (adj) offensive, perturbed, restless, stiff
ungracefully, impolitely, unkindly, fortunate, happy, auspicious, unprincipled: (adj) abandoned,
discourteously, uncivilly, surly, successful unscrupulous, depraved, dishonest,
churlishly, unceremoniously, unmanned: (adj) emasculate; (v) unethical, profligate, dissolute,
disrespectfully, unpleasingly. unnerved shameless, unconscionable, vicious,
ANTONYM: (adv) graciously unmannerly: (adj) impolite, immoral. ANTONYMS: (adj) ethical,
ungrateful: (adj) unmindful, unmannered, uncivil, impertinent, moral, honest, professional
unthankful, unappreciative, insolent, ill-mannered, discourteous, unquiet: (adj) restless, anxious,
unnatural, ingrate, unpleasant, ungracious, rustic, disrespectful, nervous, turbulent, unsettled,
distasteful, displeasing, unkind, churlish disturbed, fussy, tumultuous; (v)
disagreeable, not kind. unmistakably: (adv) undoubtedly, movable, saltatory, shifting.
ANTONYMS: (adj) grateful, manifestly, decidedly, signally, ANTONYM: (adj) quiet
thankful, appreciative remarkably, evidently, apparently, unrestrained: (adj, n, v) loose; (adj)
unharmed: (adj) intact, safe, visibly, palpably, unambiguously, unconstrained, wild, uncontrolled,
unscathed, uninjured, whole, markedly immoderate, extravagant,
unhurt, untouched, safe and sound, unmolested: (adj) undisturbed, unconfined, mad, uninhibited; (adj,
sound, secure; (adj, adv) in one untroubled, unthreatened, v) dissolute, wanton. ANTONYMS:
piece. ANTONYMS: (adj) hurt, peaceable, tranquil, still, smooth, (adj) restrained, restricted,
injured, broken, marred safe, quiet; (v) unafflicted, contained, limited, partial, biddable,
unheard: (adj) aspirated, atonic, deaf, unplagued frugal, hidden, inhibited,
indistinct, involving surds, unmoved: (adj) apathetic, unaffected, manageable, reserved
nonvocal, radical, sharp, silent, surd, indifferent, unconcerned, unrevenged: (v) unresented; (adj)
irrational unimpressed, uninspired, revengeless
unheeding: (adj) regardless, heedless, dispassionate, imperturbable, calm, unruly: (adj) boisterous,
inattentive, unmindful, undisturbed, fixed. ANTONYMS: insubordinate, disobedient,
unobservant, deaf to, unthinking, (adj) affected, compliant, uptight, intractable, headstrong,
neglectful, inadvertent; (adj, n) concerned, enthusiastic, tolerant, uncontrollable, wayward,
careless; (n) incautious. ANTONYM: sensitive rambunctious, ungovernable,
(adj) heedful unnatural: (adj) affected, artificial, lawless, rebellious. ANTONYMS:
uninhabited: (adj) empty, desert, grotesque, supernatural, forced, (adj) manageable, obedient,
desolate, vacant, unoccupied, abnormal, eccentric, uncanny, yielding, biddable, compliant, loyal,
unpopulated, uninhabitable, lonely, stilted, mannered, anomalous. gentle, peaceful, placid, restrained
untenanted, unsettled, waste. ANTONYMS: (adj) natural, normal, unsaid: (adj) implicit, unvoiced, tacit,
ANTONYMS: (adj) inhabited, real, unaffected, commonplace, understood, unexpressed, wordless,
overcrowded, populous genuine, sincere untold, unwritten, unverbalized; (v)
unison: (n) agreement, union, accord, unnerved: (v) relaxed; (adj) unsung, untalked of. ANTONYMS:
coincidence, accordance, concord, enervated, afraid, alarmed, anxious, (adj) stated, explicit, expressed,
unity, unisonance, concurrence, fearful, hysterical, scared, tense, spoken
consonance, concordance. terrified, timid. ANTONYM: (adj) unsatisfactorily: (adv) badly,
ANTONYMS: (n) discord, confident insufficiently, inadequately, weakly,
disharmony, disarray unnoticed: (v) unheeded, unthought pathetically, pitifully,
unjustly: (adv) wrongly, wrongfully, of, unregarded; (adj) disregarded, disappointingly, imperfectly,
wickedly, iniquitously, inequitably, unmarked, hidden, neglected, absurdly, embarrassingly,
undeservedly, illegally, foully, ignored, obscure; (adj, v) derisorily. ANTONYMS: (adv)
injuriously, unrighteously, unremarked, unobserved. satisfactorily, impressively, well,
unjustifiedly. ANTONYMS: (adv) ANTONYMS: (adj) evident, seen, perfectly, competently
rightly, reasonably noticeable, noted, obvious unseasonable: (adj) inopportune,
unlock: (v) open, unfasten, disclose, unobserved: (adj, v) unseen; (v) inappropriate, premature, ill timed,
432 Wuthering Heights
improper, immature, inconvenient, untenanted: (adj) vacant, ANTONYMS: (adj) understandable,
ill-timed, inept, unchancy; (v) uninhabited. ANTONYM: (adj) excusable, justifiable
illtimed occupied unwashed: (adj) dirty, grubby,
unseen: (adj, v) unknown; (adj) untidy: (adj) unkempt, disheveled, unclean, filthy, common, mean,
invisible, concealed, hidden, disorderly, sloppy, messy, unstrained, unpurified; (v) unswept,
unobserved, secret, veiled, latent; (v) disordered, confused, disorganized, unscoured, unwiped. ANTONYM:
unheeded, unperceived; (n) spiritual sluttish, frowzy, scruffy. (adj) clean
world. ANTONYMS: (adj) seen, ANTONYMS: (adj) tidy, neat, unwaveringly: (adv) firmly,
visible, open, famous, noticeable elegant, orderly, smart, legible, clean unfalteringly, loyally, fixedly,
unsettle: (v) perturb, confuse, untie: (v) disentangle, unfasten, free, resolutely, faithfully, solidly,
discompose, unnerve, disconcert, loosen, release, loose, disengage, unswervingly, consistently, steadily,
ruffle, trouble, disorder, discomfit, untangle, open, unlace, unbind. firm. ANTONYMS: (adv) unreliably,
upset, derange. ANTONYMS: (v) ANTONYMS: (v) fasten, bind, halfheartedly
settle, smooth, reassure, order, tighten, tie, entangle, enslave, close, unwearied: (adj) indefatigable,
balance, compose, soothe fetter untiring, tireless, untired,
unsettled: (adj) changeable, untied: (adj) unfastened, unchained, indomitable, unflagging,
undecided, doubtful, uneasy, unshackled, unlaced, unbound, industrious, tolerant, persistent,
outstanding, variable, unpaid, unfettered, free, unsewed, open, persevering, laborious. ANTONYM:
unresolved; (adj, v) unfixed, unconnected, rambling. (adj) impatient
indefinite, undetermined. ANTONYMS: (adj) tied, laced unwelcome: (adj) undesirable,
ANTONYMS: (adj) confident, untold: (adj) infinite, incalculable, objectionable, unpopular, unasked,
definite, decided, well, sure, happy, innumerable, vast, uncounted, unwished, unintroduced, unvisited,
constant, conclusive, certain, unnumbered, unlimited, endless; (v) uninvited, unpleasant; (adj, n)
calmed, calm unsaid, untalked of, unpublished. disagreeable, unsatisfactory.
unsociable: (adj) antisocial, distant, ANTONYMS: (adj) little, minor, ANTONYMS: (adj) welcome,
unfriendly, uncommunicative, small, tiny, open, slight desirable, gratifying, wanted,
solitary, inhospitable, hostile, untroubled: (adj) calm, quiet, fortunate
retiring, reserved, cool, antagonistic. peaceful, composed, carefree, unwell: (adj) sick, ill, poorly, ailing,
ANTONYMS: (adj) friendly, serene, unworried, clear, still, sickly, unhealthy, seedy, bad,
approachable, nice, warm undisturbed; (adj, v) smooth. diseased, frail; (adj, v) indisposed.
unsolicited: (adj) unsought, ANTONYMS: (adj) anxious, ANTONYMS: (adj) healthy, well, fit
uninvited, undesirable, not desired, turbulent, uneasy, worried, unwillingly: (adv) grudgingly,
not requested, undesired, unasked insecure, disturbed, unnerved, strict, loathly, aversely, unenthusiastically,
for, annoying, unwanted, heavy, bothered, perturbed indisposedly, resentfully,
unwelcome, unasked. ANTONYMS: untruth: (n) falsehood, fiction, lie, involuntarily, recalcitrantly,
(adj) solicited, asked, invited, falsity, deception, fable, deceit, refractorily, lothly, hesitatingly.
requested story, tale, misrepresentation, ANTONYM: (adv) wholeheartedly
unspeakable: (adj) ineffable, invention. ANTONYM: (n) fact unwittingly: (adv) unintentionally,
dreadful, awful, terrible, untying: (n) undoing, unfastening, unknowingly, unconsciously,
inexpressible, nasty, horrible, unraveling, loosening, accidentally, ignorantly, innocently,
atrocious, indefinable, shocking; disentanglement, unscrambling, unawares, unawarely,
(adj, v) unutterable. ANTONYMS: opening unsuspectingly, uninformedly,
(adj) nice, wonderful, pleasant, unutterable: (adj) indescribable, obliviously. ANTONYMS: (adv)
good, lovely, bearable unspeakable, inexpressible, mindfully, deliberately, knowingly
unspeakably: (adv) indescribably, unpronounceable, indefinable, unwonted: (adj) unaccustomed, rare,
horrifically, horrifyingly, untellable, unnameable, unusual, unused, infrequent,
staggeringly, inexcusably, unapproachable, beyond uncustomary, singular,
unbearably, unkindly, unpleasantly, description, incommunicable, extraordinary, scarce,
unutterably, offensively, terrible unaccountable, remarkable
horrendously. ANTONYM: (adv) unutterably: (adv) ineffably, unworthy: (adj) undeserving, base,
pleasantly inexpressibly, indescribably, beyond disgraceful, ignoble, low,
unsubstantial: (adj) unreal, airy, thin, words, deeply, overwhelmingly contemptible, despicable, ugly,
imaginary, shadowy, light, empty, unvalued: (adj) unalluring, unmerited, unseemly, shameful.
immaterial, insignificant, vaporous; unappreciated, uncared for, ANTONYMS: (adj) deserving,
(adj, v) flimsy undesired, unattractive, unsung, valuable, honorable, estimable,
unsuspecting: (adj) gullible, naive, valueless, obscure, all one to, reputable
innocent, unsuspicious, credulous, ungratifying, thankless upbraid: (v) rebuke, censure, blame,
unaware, trustful, unconscious, unwarrantable: (adj) unwarranted, scold, chide, reprimand, condemn,
unwary, not suspicious, unwitting. unjustifiable, indefensible, berate, objurgate, rate; (n, v) revile
ANTONYMS: (adj) suspicious, unreasonable, inexcusable, undue, uppermost: (adj) top, upmost, upper,
shrewd, prepared, expecting, unallowable, insupportable, highest, chief, maximum, supreme,
conscious, realizing unforgivable, unjustified, improper. greatest, major, outermost; (n) main.
Emily Brontë 433
ANTONYMS: (adj) bottom, lowest, vainly: (adv) uselessly, futilely, fervently, passionately, ferociously,
trivial, lower fruitlessly, conceitedly, in vain, fervidly, keenly, intensely, furiously.
uproar: (adj, n, v) hubbub, worthlessly, abortively, bootlessly, ANTONYMS: (adv) feebly, gently,
disturbance, tumult; (n) din, noise, arrogantly, unproductively; (adj, impassively
turmoil, commotion, disorder, adv) foolishly. ANTONYMS: (adv) veil: (n, v) cover, hide, disguise,
confusion; (adj, n) row; (n, v) brawl. fruitfully, successfully, effectively mask, cloud, shroud, camouflage;
ANTONYMS: (n) calm, peace, valorously: (adv) gallantly, fearlessly, (v) cloak, conceal; (n) curtain, blind.
serenity, order courageously, boldly, stoutly, ANTONYMS: (v) disclose, unveil,
upward: (adv) upwards, upwardly, bravely, intrepidly, gamely, expose
aloft; (adj) overhead, rising, upper, heroically, heroicly, undauntedly vengeance: (n) retribution, reprisal,
increasing, open, vertical, mounting, valour: (n) valor, valiancy, valiance, retaliation, requital, avengement,
upright. ANTONYMS: (adj) heroism, courage, bravery, wrath, vendetta, spite, revengeance;
descending, downward; (adv) down valorousness, prowess, daring, (n, v) avenge, resentment.
urging: (n) spur, encouragement, pluck, spirit ANTONYMS: (n) forgiveness,
prod, prodding, goad, advocacy, vane: (adj) weathercock; (n) weather acceptance
spurring, goading, influence, vane, fan blade, cairn, staff, fan, venom: (n) poison, malice, bane,
exhortation; (adj) driving post, beacon, hand, pointer, impeller spite, rancor, malevolence,
uselessness: (n) inutility, vanish: (n, v) disappear; (adj, v) fade; maliciousness, malignity, hate,
fruitlessness, pointlessness, (v) disperse, pass, go, die, dissipate, bitterness; (adj, n) gall. ANTONYM:
impracticableness, impracticability, evaporate, depart, flee, melt away. (n) affection
unusefulness, vanity, idleness, ANTONYMS: (v) come, arrive, wax, venomous: (adj) poisonous, toxic,
ineffectualness, senselessness; (adj) stay noxious, malicious, virulent,
useless. ANTONYMS: (n) value, vanishing: (n) disappearance, spiteful, bitter, deadly, baneful,
competence, helpfulness, vanishment, dissipation; (adj) dying, caustic, vicious. ANTONYMS: (adj)
effectiveness, fruitfulness, skill, fleeting, momentary, breaking up, kind, praising, loving, gentle
utility, worthiness, worth, ability; declining, diminishing, dissolving, vent: (n) exit, opening, flue, chimney,
(adj) purposeful evanescent. ANTONYMS: (adj) escape, blowhole; (n, v) discharge,
usurped: (adj) tortious thriving, increasing air, release; (v) emit, ventilate.
usurper: (n) dictator, pretender, thief vanity: (n) egotism, pride, emptiness, ANTONYMS: (n) door, closure; (v)
utensils: (n) gear, equipment, tackle, arrogance, futility, inanity, block, suppress
apparatus, hardware vainglory, conceitedness, ventilation: (n) exploitation,
utmost: (adj, n) maximum, extreme, pretension, pomposity; (adj, n) ventilating system, discussion,
uttermost, furthermost, best, amour propre. ANTONYMS: (n) deliberation, exhaust, aeration,
highest; (adj, adv) farthest; (adj, v) selflessness, humility, importance, public discussion, air, air change,
supreme; (adj) last, furthest; (adj, n, value, effectiveness breathing, circulation
v) greatest. ANTONYMS: (adj) vanquish: (v) overcome, overpower, venturesome: (adj, n) hazardous,
moderate, worst crush, beat, rout, subjugate, thrash, adventurous, bold, brave,
uttered: (adj) expressed, express, overthrow, trounce, subdue; (adj, v) venturous, courageous, fearless,
verbalised, verbalized, vocal, conquer. ANTONYMS: (v) foolhardy; (adj) audacious,
explicit, oral; (v) spoke, quoth, said surrender, fail adventuresome, risky.
vacancy: (n) emptiness, blank, vanquished: (adj) beaten, ANTONYMS: (adj) dull, cowardly,
opening, void, incogitancy, post, overwhelmed, routed, overcome, afraid, safe, cautious
blankness, inanity, absence; (adj, n) overpowered, overthrown, defeated, verdant: (adj) lush, leafy, flourishing,
vacuity; (adj) depletion. crushed, tried, tired out, practiced fresh, raw, verdurous, blooming,
ANTONYMS: (n) fill, tenancy, vapid: (adj) flat, tasteless, dull, bland, immature, inexperienced, emerald,
overflow stale, tame, jejune, uninteresting, young. ANTONYMS: (adj) dying,
vagabond: (n, v) tramp; (adj, n) frigid, dead, lifeless. ANTONYM: urban, withering
vagrant; (v) roam, stray, wander, (adj) sharp verge: (n, v) edge, skirt; (n) boundary,
range, ramble; (n) outcast, bum, vapour: (n) vapor, evaporation, gas, brink, margin, limit, rim, bound,
wanderer, nomad. ANTONYMS: (n) vaporization, vaporisation, boiling, brim, side; (v) bend. ANTONYMS:
inhabitant, resident; (adj) settled clouding, mist, fog, damp, smoke (n) end, middle; (v) retreat
vagaries: (n) whims, disposition, vastly: (adv) greatly, hugely, verging: (adj) marginal, adjoining
facetiousness, freaks, humor, ill enormously, infinitely, extremely, verified: (adj) substantiated,
humor, mood, temper, caprices exceedingly, massively, very, confirmed, hard, proven,
vain: (adj) proud, arrogant, conceited, tremendously, highly, colossally demonstrated, authoritative, actual,
fruitless, idle, empty, abortive, vehemence: (n) force, violence, fury, established. ANTONYM: (adj)
ineffectual, unproductive, passion, eagerness, strength, unproven
narcissistic; (adj, v) useless. impetuosity, enthusiasm, fierceness, vestige: (n, v) trace, remains, track,
ANTONYMS: (adj) shy, successful, heat, fervor. ANTONYMS: (n) token, footprint; (n) relic, shadow,
possible, persuasive, selfless, indifference, meekness, serenity remnant, indication, evidence,
fruitful, humble, useful, responsible, vehemently: (adj, adv) ardently; remainder
worthwhile, effective (adv) violently, zealously, strongly, veto: (n, v) ban, negative, bar; (v)
434 Wuthering Heights
disallow, forbid, proscribe, reject, despiteful, vindicative, virulent. ANTONYM: (adv) quietly
blackball, interdict; (n) prohibition, ANTONYMS: (adj) nice, charitable, vocation: (n, v) calling, profession,
rejection. ANTONYMS: (v) permit, forgiving, helpful, merciful, tolerant employment; (n) occupation, job,
authorize, ratify, allow, accept; (n) vindictiveness: (n) rancor, revenge, trade, business, career, line, mission,
approval, permission, ratification; malice, spite, unkindness, nastiness, line of work
(n, v) sanction spitefulness, meanness, malignity, vociferate: (v) cry, roar, bawl,
vexation: (adj, n) annoyance, malevolence, implacability exclaim, yell, shout out, call, holler,
nuisance; (n) irritation, worry, viol: (n) bowed stringed instrument, outcry, scream, utter
aggravation, displeasure, chagrin, string, bass viol vowed: (v) promised, named,
chafe, anger, frustration, botheration viper: (n) adder, snake, asp, cerastes, benempt
vexatious: (adj) annoying, pesky, reptile, horned viper, asp viper, vulgar: (adj) rude, coarse, plebeian,
troublesome, tiresome, galling, basilisk, beast, brute, cockatrice nasty, common, foul, indecent,
irritating, untoward, thorny, virtuous: (adj) upright, pure, gross, unrefined; (adj, n) low, vile.
burdensome, pestiferous, vexing. righteous, good, moral, just, ANTONYMS: (adj) refined,
ANTONYMS: (adj) aiding, assisting, honorable, honest, respectable, sophisticated, tasteful, polite,
helpful, soothing decent, pious. ANTONYMS: (adj) aesthetic, muted, fashionable,
vexed: (adj) troubled, irritated, angry, bad, sinful, corrupt, impure, decent, artistic, pleasant, clean
pestered, peeved, harassed, sore, unethical, decadent, degenerate, wager: (n, v) stake, hazard, risk,
harried, uneasy, cross, offended. irreverent venture, gamble, chance; (v) lay,
ANTONYMS: (adj) calm, virulency: (n) spitefulness, bad pledge, pawn, play; (n) stakes
uncomplicated feeling, malignity, spite, peeve, waif: (v) waive; (adj) jetsam; (n)
victuals: (n) food, fare, viands, resentment, bad blood, ragamuffin, prize, nuts, godsend,
victual, edible, provender, grub, resentfulness, extreme hostility, gall, waift, urchin, youngster, hobo, weft
sustenance, support, diet, nutriment grudge wail: (n, v) howl, cry, lament, moan,
vigilance: (n) caution, alertness, visage: (n) face, look, mug, scream, bellow, whine; (v) ululate,
prudence, attention, watchfulness, physiognomy, expression, kisser, weep, whimper, mewl.
surveillance, jealousy, vigil, watch, appearance, aspect, brow, smiler, ANTONYMS: (v) whimper, laugh
circumspection; (adj) vigilant. forehead wailing: (n, v) lamentation, lament,
ANTONYMS: (n) carelessness, vis-a-vis: (adj) opposite; (prep) moaning; (adj) lamenting, weeping,
indiscretion, negligence, toward crying, wailful, howling, sobbing;
inattentiveness, recklessness visibly: (adv) apparently, noticeably, (adj, n) bawling; (n) cry
vigilant: (adj) alert, watchful, manifestly, obviously, plainly, waistcoat: (n) CHUDDER, barbe,
attentive, observant, cautious, perceptibly, appreciably, clearly, garment, jerkin, jubbah, oilskins,
guarded, circumspect, wakeful, discernibly, overtly, conspicuously. pilot jacket, pajamas, cardigan,
careful, jealous; (adj, v) awake. ANTONYMS: (adv) imperceptibly, singlet, talma jacket
ANTONYMS: (adj) careless, invisibly, secretly, ambiguously waken: (v) stir, awaken, wake, wake
negligent, reckless, oblivious, visitation: (v) visit, examination; (n) up, arouse, awake, excite, call,
unprepared, asleep tribulation, calamity, annoyance, kindle, evoke, provoke
vigour: (n) force, strength, vigor, misfortune, irritation, infliction, waking: (adj) wakeful; (n)
energy, power, potency, vim, inspection, test, ordeal awakening, wakefulness,
vitality, athleticism, verve, intensity vivacity: (adj, n) life, liveliness; (n) consciousness
viii: (n) eighter from Decatur, octad, energy, vitality, enthusiasm, dash, wander: (n, v) stroll, saunter, tramp,
ogdoad, octonary, eighter, octet, spirit, vigor, happiness, sparkle, drift; (v) stray, digress, err, travel,
octette, eightsome, digit effervescence. ANTONYMS: (n) roam, deviate; (adj, v) rave.
vile: (adj, n) contemptible, dirty, low; apathy, dullness, sluggishness ANTONYMS: (v) settle, stay, think,
(adj, v) base; (adj) despicable, vividly: (adv) brightly, lively, converge
ignoble, evil, sorry, revolting, intensely, clearly, brilliantly, wanderings: (n) peregrination
offensive, nasty. ANTONYMS: (adj) graphically, strikingly, dramatically, ware: (n) commodity, goods, wares,
attractive, kind, nice, lovely, lovable, colorfully, glowingly, severely. tableware; (v) beware, dissipate,
gentle, honorable, good, delightful, ANTONYMS: (adv) blandly, squander, luxuriate, consume; (adj)
admirable, noble modestly, vaguely cautious, commodities
villain: (n) rascal, scoundrel, rogue, vivisection: (v) martyrdom, toad warmed: (adj) warmer, warm, baked
knave, miscreant, criminal, bandit, under a harrow; (n) operation, warmly: (adv) cordially, ardently,
crook, reprobate, varlet, rapscallion. surgical procedure, dissection, hotly, genially, affectionately,
ANTONYMS: (n) heroine, hero surgery, division, surgical operation vigorously, fervently, zealously,
villainous: (adj, v) base, infamous, vixen: (adj, n) shrew; (n) virago, eagerly, strongly, pleasantly.
vile, black, shameful; (adj) heinous, termagant, fury, harpy, hag, fox, ANTONYMS: (adv) coolly,
atrocious, depraved, wicked, evil, reynard, hellcat, hart, harpy eagle inhospitably, sourly, disagreeably,
vicious vocally: (adv) verbally, noisily, indifferently, frostily, roughly,
vindictive: (adj) vengeful, malicious, vowelly, sungly, stridently, rudely, apathetically
revengeful, unforgiving, punitive, phonically, loudly, phonetically, watchdog: (n) bandog, guard dog,
malevolent, remorseless, implacable, chorally, in words, raucously. guard, sentinel, guardian, warden,
Emily Brontë 435
sentry, custodian, lookout, garment, cypress, widowhood, whet: (v) quicken, excite, grind, stir,
watchman, pinscher dress; (adj) willow stimulate, hone; (n) goad, spur,
watered: (adj) irriguous, dewy, weel: (n) weil fillip, stimulus; (adj) point.
watermarked, moist weep: (v) wail, bawl, lament, sob, ANTONYMS: (v) blunt, dishearten,
watering: (n) tearing, sprinkle, blubber, moan, howl, drip, greet, dull, dampen, quench
lachrymation, lacrimation, wetting, whimper; (n) tear whey: (n) serum, milk whey, plasma,
irrigation, bodily process, body weeping: (adj) tearful, lachrymose, plasm, dairy product
process, replenishment of water dolourous, dolorous; (n, v) lament, whey-faced: (adj) pasty
supplies, shedding tears, activity lamentation; (v) wailing; (n) whim: (n, v) fancy, vagary, humor,
watery: (adj) moist, diluted, wet, sobbing, tears, cry; (adj, n) howling. freak; (n) notion, impulse, fad,
dilute, washy, thin, damp, fluid, ANTONYM: (n) celebration mood, whimsy, thought, idea.
aqueous, weak, insipid. weighed: (adj) determined, ANTONYMS: (n) plan, reality,
ANTONYMS: (adj) strong, solid, deliberate, tared aversion
dry, soft, dehydrated, lively, dark, weighing: (n) deliberation, whimper: (n, v) cry, wail, moan,
clear, thick, hard consideration, think, advisement, groan, sigh; (v) sob, weep, howl,
waxed: (adj) resembling wax, soft, speculation, quantify, weigh, snivel, pule, blubber. ANTONYM:
waxen; (v) wex unhurriedness, study, slowness, (v) laugh
waxen: (adj) pale, waxy, white, ponderation whims: (n) vagaries, freaks, humor,
colorless, wan, ashen, yielding, soft, weighty: (adj) heavy, ponderous, ill humor, mood, facetiousness,
gray, drawn, cereous grievous, powerful, profound; (adj, caprices, disposition, temper
waxing: (n) application, covering, v) grave, serious, momentous, whining: (adj) whimpering, whiny,
coating. ANTONYM: (adj) waning significant, solemn, influential. sniveling pitiful, Snively, tearful,
wayward: (adj) contrary, disobedient, ANTONYMS: (adj) superficial, light, whiney, singing, peevish; (v) fretful,
obstinate, stubborn, intractable, unimportant, trivial, weightless, lamenting; (n) sniveling
unruly, capricious; (adj, n) freakish, unsubstantial, thin, solvable, small, whipping: (n) flagellation, beating,
crotchety, wanton, fanciful. facile, easy thrashing, licking, lashing, flogging,
ANTONYMS: (adj) controllable, welcoming: (n) welcome, salutation; overcasting, debacle, slaughter,
good, manageable, biddable (adj) cordial, friendly, inviting, overlocking; (adj) snappy
waywardness: (n) tomfoolery, restful, attractive, pleasing, warm, whirl: (n, v) spin, turn, eddy, roll,
trouble, unpredictability, affable, alluring. ANTONYMS: (adj) wheel, twist, swirl; (v) reel, gyrate;
unreliability, untrustworthiness, bad inhospitable, reserved, (n) go, fling
behavior, wickedness, passion, unwelcoming, unappealing, whiskers: (n) fuzz, goatee, hair,
foolishness, whimsicality, unapproachable, uncomfortable imperial, face fungus, beaver,
noncompliance. ANTONYM: (n) well-formed: (adj) symmetrical, mustache, moustache, sideburns,
dependability beautiful, shapely facial hair, sideboards
weakling: (adj) softling, feeble; (n) well-made: (adj) strong, fine, sturdy, whist: (adj) quiet, noiseless; (n) long
doormat, invalid, crybaby, wimp, buxom, dainty whist, short whist, whisk, tut, tush,
sap, softy, weak sister, somebody, wheedle: (n, v) entice, seduce, tempt; dummy whist, cards, card game; (v)
someone (v) cajole, persuade, inveigle, shut up
wearied: (adj) jaded, tired, spent, blarney, flatter, glaver; (n) allure, whitened: (adj) bloodless, bleached,
fatigued, weary, prostrate, limp, overpersuade Caucasian, clean, colorless, livid,
haggard, shattered, worn, fatigate wheedling: (n) blandishment, make white, snowy, unsullied,
weariness: (n) exhaustion, tiredness, palaver, charlatanry, empiricism, ashen, benevolent
lassitude, languor, asthenopia, enticement, flattery, quackery, whiteness: (n) paleness, ivory, chalk,
defatigation, grogginess, listlessness, persuasion; (v) fawning; (adj) pearl, bone, bleach, alabaster,
boredom, ennui, prostration fulsome, persuasive frostiness, hoariness, pallor,
wearisome: (adj, v) tiresome, wheeled: (adj) on wheels. innocence. ANTONYM: (n) black
irksome, troublesome; (adj) tedious, ANTONYM: (adj) wheelless wholesome: (adj) healthy, beneficial,
dull, monotonous, boring, laborious, wheeling: (adj) rotating, revolving, salubrious, healthful, salutary,
trying, slow, annoying. moving; (n) rolling, city, metropolis, sound, good, nutritious, nourishing,
ANTONYMS: (adj) satisfying, peal, propulsion, roll, transmission pure, hale. ANTONYMS: (adj)
soothing, exciting, refreshing, easy service, urban center unwholesome, unhealthy, impure,
wearying: (adj) exhausting, wearing, whelp: (n, v) pup; (n) chrysalis, indecent, sordid, warped, tainted,
monotonous, tiring, fatiguing, tadpole, nestling, larva, cur, chicken, decadent, deadly, unsavory
trying, boring, dull, wearisome, hound, tendril; (v) lay, bear wick: (n) taper, candlewick, wax
deadly, effortful whence: (adv) wherefrom, hence, light, cord, candle, sleeve bearing
weathered: (adj) worn, wrinkled, because, for, why, wherefore, how, wick, burner
lined, battered, hardened, wrinkly, then, then thence so, how comes it, wickedly: (adv) evilly, immorally,
rugged, tested, windswept, how happens it badly, iniquitously, sinfully,
weatherbeaten, weatherworn. whereupon: (adv) thereupon, mischievously, naughtily, wrongly,
ANTONYM: (adj) smooth hereupon, upon which, at what, at perversely, depravedly, criminally.
weeds: (n) viduity, mourning band, which ANTONYMS: (adv) kindly,
436 Wuthering Heights
virtuously, legally, rightly, freezing, icy; (adj) arctic, frigid, worldly: (adj, adv) earthly; (adj)
obediently wintery, frozen, chilly, chill, mundane, secular, terrestrial,
wickedness: (n) depravity, sin, hibernal. ANTONYMS: (adj) mild, temporal, carnal, sophisticated, lay,
sinfulness, iniquity, harm, ill, vice, summery, hot, vernal, autumnal, profane; (adv) mundanely,
evilness, corruption, immorality, balmy, tropical, warm temporally. ANTONYMS: (adj)
crime. ANTONYMS: (n) goodness, wisely: (adv) judiciously, prudently, spiritual, naive, cloistered, religious,
kindness, piety, righteousness, sagaciously, cleverly, discreetly, unsophisticated, unworldly,
benevolence, religiousness, shrewdly, smartly, learnedly, unrefined, otherworldly, low,
obedience, good astutely, sharply, perspicaciously. heavenly, immaterial
wicket: (n) lattice, hatch, door, grille, ANTONYMS: (adv) stupidly, worthless: (adj, v) futile, vain; (adj)
portal, hoop, ostiary, postern, porch, recklessly, imprudently, vile, idle, empty, trifling, void,
grill, vestibule immaturely, illogically trivial, cheap, miserable, null.
wilderness: (adj, n, v) desert; (adj, n) witch: (n) hag, pythoness, sorceress, ANTONYMS: (adj) precious, useful,
wild; (n) wasteland, solitude, enchantress, magician, lamia; (v) worthwhile, priceless, meaningful,
badlands, wildness, frontier, charm, bewitch, glamour, hex, jinx helpful, invaluable, deserving, valid,
boondocks, backwoods; (adj) withdrawing: (adj) receding, worthy, substantial
Sahara; (v) squandering. outgoing, retiring, moving back, wrangle: (adj, n, v) squabble; (n, v)
ANTONYM: (n) metropolis modest, lowly; (n) departure, quarrel, dispute, brawl, debate,
wildness: (n) fierceness, ferocity, privacy, seclusion, cancellation bicker, contest, row, altercation,
savageness, abandon, rage, withered: (adj) wizened, sear, fight, argue. ANTONYMS: (v) agree;
extravagance, ferociousness, shriveled, thin, shrunken, dry, dried (n) peace
intensity, vehemence; (v) up, wilted, faded, wizen; (v) lame. wrap: (v) envelop, cover, roll, wind,
wilderness; (n, v) waste. ANTONYM: (adj) plump shroud, enfold, enclose, drape; (n, v)
ANTONYMS: (n) tameness, order, withhold: (v) reserve, keep, suppress, cloak, swathe; (n) wrapping.
meekness, gentleness, caution, deny, retain, hold, detain, restrain, ANTONYMS: (v) uncover, undo,
orderliness abstain, check; (adj, v) stint. unwind, expose, reveal
wilful: (adj) headstrong, deliberate, ANTONYMS: (v) transmit, release, wrapping: (n) covering, wrapper,
intentional, knowing, designed, show, lavish, add envelope, bandage, wrap, swathe,
wayward, obstinate, willful, wits: (n) intellect, mind, wit, brains, case, packaging, plaster, film, lint
stubborn, studied, persistent common sense, presence, wrath: (n) rage, resentment, ire, fury,
wilfully: (adv) willfully, designedly, percipience, observation, mother displeasure, indignation, passion,
deliberately, knowingly, frowardly, wit, right mind, judgment madness, choler, irritation; (adj)
headstrongly, consciously, wolfish: (adj) edacious, esurient, angry. ANTONYMS: (n) happiness,
stubbornly, purposefully, voracious, ravening, rapacious, love, composure, serenity
persistently, on purpose predatory, ferocious, savage, wreath: (n) crown, coronal, garland,
willingly: (adv) readily, voluntarily, wolflike, greedy; (n) lupine chaplet, lei, circle, posy, fascia,
cheerfully, spontaneously, helpfully, wolfishly: (adv) esuriently, cincture, girdle, laurels
disposedly, actively, openly, edaciously wrench: (n, v) pull, jerk, strain, turn,
obligingly, eagerly; (adj, adv) freely. wonderfully: (adv) superbly, twist, tug, yank; (n) spanner; (v)
ANTONYMS: (adv) grudgingly, astonishingly, terrifically, distort, contort, force
reluctantly, uncooperatively, magnificently, fantastically, wrenched: (adj) strained, weakened
unenthusiastically marvellously, wondrously, wrenching: (n) extraction; (adj)
wilt: (v) flag, shrivel, sag, weaken, amazingly, excellently; (adj, adv) painful
fade, languish, dry, wither, collapse, strangely, famously. ANTONYMS: wrest: (adj, v) distort, twist; (v) extort,
tire; (n) wilting. ANTONYMS: (v) (adv) awfully, unpleasantly, poorly, contort, extract, wring, wrench,
flourish, rise, rally abysmally, unremarkably, mildly, deform, warp, squeeze, turn
wince: (v) shrink, cringe, quail, horribly, badly, incompetently wretch: (n) victim, villain, scoundrel,
cower, jump, contract; (n, v) flinch, wondrous: (adj) marvelous, reprobate, reptile, miscreant, martyr,
start, winch; (adj) bear ill; (n) sit on miraculous, marvellous, object of compassion, poor devil,
thorns astonishing, tremendous, fantastic, prey, wreak
wink: (n, v) twinkle, blink, flash; (n) phenomenal, extraordinary, rattling; wretched: (adj) unfortunate, pitiful,
instant, twinkling, trice; (v) sparkle, (adv) wonderfully, marvellously sad, pitiable, woeful, pathetic,
nictitate, flicker, nictate, leer wondrously: (adv) wonderfully, piteous, lamentable; (adj, v) poor,
winking: (n) twinkling, wink, blink, marvellously, terrifically, superbly, unhappy, forlorn. ANTONYMS:
New York minute, jiffy, instant, wondrous, toppingly, miraculously, (adj) fine, strong, fortunate,
nictation, nictitation, trice, blink of astonishingly, phenomenally, overjoyed, nice, admirable, good,
an eye; (adj) pink ribbons extraordinarily, fantasticly cheery, joyous, lucky, comfortable
winsome: (adj, v) winning; (adj) wordy: (adj) prolix, windy, lengthy, wretchedness: (n) unhappiness, grief,
charming, engaging, fetching, sweet, verbose, redundant, loquacious, distress, desolation, woe, sorrow,
comely, cheerful, merry, buxom, talkative, garrulous, rambling, anguish, infelicity, tribulation,
enchanting, lovable tedious, exuberant. ANTONYMS: affliction, misfortune
wintry: (adj, v) frosty, glacial, (adj) taciturn, quiet wring: (n, v) squeeze; (v) twist,
Emily Brontë 437
wrench, wrest, torture, torment, compliant, submissive, soft,
distort, extract, twine, contort, rack obedient, docile; (n) submission.
wringing: (adj) saturated, soaked, ANTONYMS: (adj) hard, firm,
soaked to the skin, soaking wet, inflexible, solid, rigid, obstinate,
sodden, sopping, sopping wet, wet, stiff, stubborn, unyielding,
wet through, wringing wet, soaking. rebellious
ANTONYM: (adj) dry yonder: (adv) beyond, further,
wrinkles: (n) crow's feet farther, abroad, thither, further
writhe: (adj, v) distort, wrest; (v) away, at that place; (adj) distant,
contort, wriggle, squirm, wrench, yond, furious, fierce
worm, coil, wiggle, thrash, warp yourselves: (pron) themselves,
writhed: (adj) crooked, writhen, myself, herself
distorted, twisted youthful: (adj) immature, fresh,
writhing: (adj, n) twisting; (adj) green, juvenile, vernal, adolescent,
wriggly, squirming, wiggling, childish, new, tender, sappy,
wiggly, twisty, tortuous, snaky, beardless. ANTONYMS: (adj) adult,
winding, sinuous; (n) twist mature, experienced, sophisticated,
wronged: (adj) upset, hurt, indignant, late
offended zeal: (adj, n) eagerness; (n) fervor,
wrongs: (n) mala enthusiasm, devotion, passion,
wrought: (adj) shaped, done, worked, vehemence, fire, fervency, heat,
worked up, formed fervour, ardour. ANTONYMS: (n)
xiii: (n) long dozen, large integer apathy, lethargy, patience
xvii: (n) large integer zealous: (adj) keen, enthusiastic,
xviii: (n) large integer fervent, ardent, avid, devoted,
xxiii: (n) large integer strenuous, vehement, glowing, fiery;
xxiv: (n) large integer (adj, n) passionate. ANTONYMS:
xxvii: (n) large integer (adj) indifferent, apathetic,
yawn: (v) open, ope, yaw, look unenthusiastic, cool, halfhearted,
stupidly, breathe; (n) yawning, nod, moderate
get sleep, tedium, bore, boredom zest: (n) gusto, taste, savor, flavor,
yawning: (adj, v) gaping, oscitant; (n) enthusiasm, piquancy, energy,
yawn, hiation, pandiculation, enjoyment, tang, appetite; (n, v)
oscitancy; (adj) cavernous, open, spice. ANTONYMS: (n) lethargy,
drowsy, profound, sleepy. blandness, dullness, indifference
ANTONYMS: (adj) cramped,
narrow
yearly: (adv) annually, each year,
every year, per annum, per year, by
year; (adj) perennial, anniversary,
periodic, annual tickets; (n) a year
yearn: (v) languish, pine, wish,
hanker, aspire, miss, ache, desire,
cherish, yen, want
yearning: (n) hankering, aspiration,
thirst, craving, desire, hunger,
nostalgia, eagerness; (adj) wistful,
pining, desirous. ANTONYMS: (adj)
disinterested; (n) dislike,
disinclination, apathy
yell: (n, v) cry, roar, scream, howl,
call, bellow, whoop, shriek, outcry;
(v) bawl, holler
yelling: (adj) crying, howling,
fantastic, noisy, marvelous,
marvellous, instant, insistent, rank;
(n) screaming, noise
yelping: (n) cry, wapping
yesternight: (n) last night
yielded: (v) yold, yolden
yielding: (adj, v) flexible, pliable,
supple, tractable, pliant; (adj)

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