to the lighthouse vocabulary

irascible

marked by hot temper and easily provoked anger

petulant

insolent or rude

auspicious

favorably disposed, propitious

asperity

rigor, harshness

punctiliously

with attention to finer points of etiquette and formal conduct

caustic

marked by direct, decisive sarcasm

adroit

having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness

portentous

being of grave or serious matter

scrupulous

punctiliously exact

elucidate

to make clear, to explain

fractious

tending to be troublesome, rebellious, or unruly

ephemeral

lasting a short time

suffuse

to spread through or over in the manner of fluid or light

capacious

able to hold much, roomy

raillery

good-natured ridicule

blandishment

something that tends to coax or cajole

quiescence

being at rest, quiet

benevolent

characterized by or expressing goodwill

gaunt

excessively thin and angular

lethargy

the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent