Crime and Punishment: Part 4

by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
A classic of Russian literature, this novel explores the psyche of a poor young man who plots to murder and rob a wealthy pawnbroker. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6–Epilogue

Here is a link to our lists for An Honest Thief by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. apoplexy
    a loss of consciousness from the lack of oxygen in the brain
    All was regular and in order; the medical inquiry diagnosed apoplexy due to bathing immediately after a heavy dinner and a bottle of wine, and indeed it could have proved nothing else.
  2. propensity
    a disposition to behave in a certain way
    "I am not particularly interested in anyone's opinion," Svidrigaïlov answered, dryly and even with a shade of haughtiness, "and therefore why not be vulgar at times when vulgarity is such a convenient cloak for our climate...and especially if one has a natural propensity that way," he added, laughing again.
  3. mediation
    the act of intervening to bring about a settlement
    I want now to see Avdotya Romanovna through your mediation, and if you like in your presence, to explain to her that in the first place she will never gain anything but harm from Mr. Luzhin.
  4. conjugal
    relating to the relationship between a wife and husband
    ...marriage with a poor girl who has had experience of trouble is more advantageous from the conjugal point of view than with one who has lived in luxury, since it is more profitable for the moral character.
  5. aureole
    an indication of radiant light around the head of a saint
    The fascination of a charming, virtuous, highly educated woman might make his way easier, might do wonders in attracting people to him, throwing an aureole round him, and now everything was in ruins!
  6. arbiter
    someone with the power to settle matters at will
    Sonia looked in silence at her visitor, who was so attentively and unceremoniously scrutinising her room, and even began at last to tremble with terror, as though she was standing before her judge and the arbiter of her destinies.
  7. plaintive
    expressing sorrow
    "Love her? Of course!" said Sonia with plaintive emphasis, and she clasped her hands in distress.
  8. depravity
    moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles
    All that infamy had obviously only touched her mechanically, not one drop of real depravity had penetrated to her heart; he saw that.
  9. iniquity
    absence of moral or spiritual values
    Can that creature who has still preserved the purity of her spirit be consciously drawn at last into that sink of filth and iniquity?
  10. conjecture
    a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating
    This conjecture had begun to grow strong the day before, in the midst of all his alarm and despair.
  11. unmitigated
    not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity
    What he dreaded above all was meeting that man again; he hated him with an intense, unmitigated hatred and was afraid his hatred might betray him.
  12. allusion
    passing reference or indirect mention
    He puts himself forward where he is not wanted, speaks continually when he ought to keep silent, brings in all sorts of allegorical allusions, he-he!
  13. imperiously
    in a manner showing arrogant superiority
    "Briefly," he said loudly and imperiously, rising to his feet and in so doing pushing Porfiry back a little, "briefly, I want to know, do you acknowledge me perfectly free from suspicion or not?
  14. peremptory
    putting an end to all debate or action
    Now he was peremptory, stern, frowning and for once laying aside all mystification.
  15. paroxysm
    a sudden uncontrollable attack
    Raskolnikov, bewildered, suddenly fell into actual frenzy, but, strange to say, he again obeyed the command to speak quietly, though he was in a perfect paroxysm of fury.
Created on Wed Oct 09 18:55:08 EDT 2013 (updated Wed Jul 16 11:50:10 EDT 2025)

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