- wutheringadjectiveChapter 1 →
A regional Yorkshire word describing the fierce, roaring sound and force of stormy winds; used here to capture the wild, turbulent weather that batters the farmhouse on the exposed hilltop.
“'Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather.”
- provincialadjectiveChapter 1 →
Belonging to a particular region or local dialect rather than standard national usage; here it signals that 'wuthering' is a word specific to the Yorkshire countryside.
“'Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather.”
- misanthropistnounChapter 1 →
A person who deeply dislikes and distrusts other people and prefers to avoid their company; Lockwood uses it half-jokingly to describe both himself and Heathcliff.
“A perfect misanthropist's heaven — and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us.”
- desolationnounChapter 1 →
A state of complete emptiness, bleakness, and loneliness, with no comfort or companionship; used to describe the barren, isolated atmosphere of Wuthering Heights and its surroundings.
“A perfect misanthropist's heaven — and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us.”
- reservenounChapter 1 →
A habit of keeping one's feelings and thoughts hidden from others; a cool, distant manner that prevents emotional openness or warmth.
“I know, by instinct, his reserve springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling — to manifestations of mutual kindliness.”
- aversionnounChapter 1 →
A strong, settled dislike or unwillingness toward something; here it means Heathcliff has a deep distaste for openly showing emotion or affection.
“his reserve springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling — to manifestations of mutual kindliness.”
- manifestationsnounChapter 1 →
Outward signs or visible expressions of something inward, such as feelings or qualities; here it refers to open, visible shows of warmth and friendliness between people.
“his reserve springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling — to manifestations of mutual kindliness.”
- under coverphraseChapter 1 →
Kept hidden, concealed beneath a calm or indifferent surface; Heathcliff feels both love and hate intensely but never lets either show openly.
“He'll love and hate equally under cover.”
- terminationnounChapter 3 →
An ending or conclusion to something; used here with bitter irony to mean that all of Heathcliff's enormous efforts have come to a pathetically small result.
“It is a poor conclusion, is it not? An absurd termination to my violent exertions?”
- mattocksnounChapter 3 →
Heavy digging tools with a flat blade on one side and a pick or axe on the other, used for breaking hard ground; mentioned as instruments of destruction Heathcliff imagines using.
“I get levers and mattocks to demolish the two houses, and train myself to be capable of working like Hercules.”
- e'enadverbChapter 4 →
A contracted dialect form of 'even,' common in northern English speech; used here to mean 'just' or 'simply,' as in 'you must simply accept it.'
“'You must e'en take it as a gift of God; though it's as dark almost as if it came from the devil.'”
- superstitiousadjectiveChapter 4 →
Believing that certain people or events have a mysterious, almost supernatural power or significance that goes beyond rational explanation.
“I was superstitious about him to this day; and I fancy my old master must have had some strange notion about him, too.”
- tyrannynounChapter 5 →
Cruel, unjust, and oppressive use of power over someone who cannot easily resist; here it refers to Hindley's harsh and domineering treatment of Heathcliff.
“Poor lad! he's left worse than fatherless: none to take his part against his brother's tyranny.”
- slipnounChapter 6 →
An informal term for a young person, especially one who is slight, mischievous, or not yet fully grown; used affectionately or dismissively depending on context.
“I was a wild, wicked slip of a boy, but I was not altogether a fool.”
- civiladjectiveChapter 6 →
Polite and courteous in manner, even if not warm or friendly; behaving with basic social decency toward someone.
“You forget she has been among the Lintons, and has acquired their ways; and you must be civil to her.”
- insolentadjectiveChapter 8 →
Rudely disrespectful and contemptuous toward someone, especially a person in authority; showing open defiance or scorn.
“He was not insolent to his benefactress; he was simply indifferent—too indifferent even to be grateful.”
- benefactressnounChapter 8 →
A woman who gives help, money, or support to another person; a female patron or protector who does good deeds for someone in need.
“He was not insolent to his benefactress; he was simply indifferent—too indifferent even to be grateful.”
- irresoluteadjectiveChapter 8 →
Unable to make a firm decision; hesitant, uncertain, and lacking the courage or will to act decisively.
“He had not the courage to speak—he stood there, pale and irresolute.”
- degradeverbChapter 9 →
To lower someone's social standing, dignity, or worth; to bring a person down to a lesser or shameful position in the eyes of society.
“He had listened till he heard Catherine say it would degrade her to marry him, and then he stayed to hear no more.”
- foliagenounChapter 9 →
The leaves of trees or plants collectively; used here as a metaphor for something that is beautiful and alive but seasonal, changing, and ultimately temporary.
“My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees.”
- pitilessadjectiveChapter 10 →
Showing absolutely no mercy, sympathy, or compassion toward others; completely hard-hearted and unmoved by suffering.
“He's a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man.”
- athleticadjectiveChapter 10 →
Having a strong, well-built, and physically powerful body; here it emphasises how dramatically Heathcliff has changed from the mistreated boy into a commanding adult.
“He had grown a tall, athletic, well-formed man, beside whom my master seemed quite slender and youth-like.”
- thresholdnounChapter 11 →
The strip of wood or stone at the bottom of a doorway; more broadly, the entrance to a building. Crossing it means entering the house.
“I'll crush his ribs in like a rotten hazel-nut, before I cross the threshold again.”
- latticenounChapter 12 →
A window made of small panes of glass set in a criss-cross framework of lead strips; a common style in old farmhouses such as Wuthering Heights.
“And that wind sounding in the firs by the lattice. Do let me feel it—it comes straight down the moor.”
- entrailsnounChapter 14 →
The internal organs of a body, especially the intestines; used here with savage, violent force to express Heathcliff's total lack of pity for those he sees as his enemies.
“I have no pity! I have no pity! The more the worms writhe, the more I yearn to crush out their entrails!”
Wuthering HeightsNovel by Emily Brontë