Helen Keller's Story of My Life was published in 1903, and words that were commonplace at that time have become more obscure as the English language has inevitably morphed and shifted. No doubt in another century, word choices we find completely normal and understandable will seem strange and even incomprehensible to future readers. In fact, Keller does make every attempt to use simple words and convey her story in a natural way, but difficult vocabulary...
Helen Keller's Story of My Life was published in 1903, and words that were commonplace at that time have become more obscure as the English language has inevitably morphed and shifted. No doubt in another century, word choices we find completely normal and understandable will seem strange and even incomprehensible to future readers. In fact, Keller does make every attempt to use simple words and convey her story in a natural way, but difficult vocabulary nevertheless creeps in. Some words from Keller's book that may seem difficult to us now include the following:
soughing: a moaning or whispering noise
multitudinous: a lot, numerous, very many
pinafore: a loose dress without sleeves, similar to a big apron but with a back, worn over clothes to protect them
allurement: attraction, temptation
verbatim: the same exact words
amenities: comforts, desirable features
augmented: increased, made larger
indignant: to be annoyed or to feel put upon
antediluvian: before the great flood described in the Bible
primeval: the earliest periods on the earth
foraminifera: a single-celled animal with a chalky shell
placid: calm
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