Vocabulary in The Devil in the White City

Drowsy or inducing a state of half-sleep; here used to describe a sluggish, inattentive atmosphere in which danger goes unnoticed.

Traveling from place to place rather than staying in one location; used to describe someone who moves constantly and has no fixed base of operations.

In architecture, finished with rough-hewn or deeply grooved stonework that gives a building a heavy, textured appearance.

A long, steep slope or cliff face, typically forming the edge of a plateau or ridge, used here to describe dramatic natural terrain.

Hostile or harmful to something; tending to work against or obstruct a goal or person.

Relating to a grand, ornate style of classical architecture taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, featuring symmetry, elaborate decoration, and monumental scale.

A decorative horizontal molding that projects along the top of a wall or building, used as a finishing architectural detail.

A watertight enclosure pumped dry so that construction work can be carried out below the waterline or in waterlogged ground.

A watertight chamber used in construction to allow workers to dig or build underwater or in unstable ground without flooding.

A continuous row of columns surrounding a building or courtyard, forming a covered walkway; a defining feature of the fair's classical architecture.

Death or loss of consciousness caused by the body being deprived of oxygen, whether by gas, suffocation, or other means.

A caustic white powder made by heating limestone, capable of destroying organic matter; used here as a means of concealing or disposing of human remains.

Concealing one's true motives, feelings, or identity by pretending to be something one is not; deliberate deception through false appearances.

A feeling of listless boredom and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of excitement or purpose; a deep, restless tedium.

Optimistic or positive about an outcome, especially in a difficult situation; confidently hopeful despite evidence of trouble.

Urgent needs or pressing demands created by a difficult situation, requiring immediate action or adjustment.

Lush green vegetation or the fresh greenness of growing plants; used to evoke the landscaped grounds of the fairgrounds.

Emitting a soft, glowing light without producing heat, as if lit from within; used to describe the eerie luminous appearance of the White City at night.

The squandering of money, energy, or health through excessive indulgence in pleasure; a dissolute, self-destructive way of living.

Giving a good sign that something will succeed; favorably timed or circumstanced for a particular purpose.

Physical or mental weariness and lack of energy; a state of exhaustion that makes effort feel impossible.

Relating to or involving money; used to describe financial matters, debts, or motives connected to money.

A formal legal inquiry, typically conducted by a coroner or jury, to determine the cause of a suspicious or unexplained death.

A person who hides their true character, intentions, or feelings behind a false front; a skilled and habitual deceiver.

A large, destructive, and uncontrollable fire; used here to describe the catastrophic burning of a major structure.