Pages 686-698
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Contents
November 11th, YDAU - Hal, after the match
Page 686
constellated
covered, as with stars
regressed
applied statistical analysis
Page 687
ontological
regarding the philosophy of the nature of existence
Bauhaus
short term for Staatliches Bauhaus, a design school in Germany during the Weimar period that gave rise to a particular form and style
festoon
to decorate with flowers, although here used to refer to alarm clocks
Page 688
thrums
makes a monotonous sound
deuteragonist
the second most important character next to the main character, the protagonist
Page 689
goo
over-the-top sentimentality
kinesthetic
regarding the sensation of movement in the muscles, tendons, joints, etc.
November 14th, YDAU - Poor Tony, after the seizure
Page 689
continent
able to control his bowels and bladder
Page 690
E. Room
emergency room
quixotic
impulsive or rashly unpredictable
emergent
just coming out
mercenary
paid soldiers
dour
sullen or gloomy
Contre
French: against
Page 691
rostrum
a pulpit or platform for speaking
epicene
having characteristics of both sexes
unrough trade
i.e., homosexual relations between men that are both gay
tartan
plaid, particularly when it is the pattern of a Scottish clan
The Penises of Ennet House
Page 692
Poor Richard
The putative author of a famous almanac published by Benjamin Franklin.
nonplussed
puzzled or perplexed
the Frightful Hog
Used originally by Frederick Exley, author of "A Fan's Notes"
Kate Gompert, types of Depression
Page 692
Endnote 280
Ribot
Théodule-Armand Ribot (1839-1916) was a French pre-Freudian psychologist.
Page 692 (cont'd)
gourmand
a food aficionado
novocaine
a topical anesthetic typically used for dental procedures
Page 693
schemata
diagrams or plans
Orin's and Hal's father
Notably, Mario is omitted from the list of Dr. Incandenza's children.
bogey
something that annoys or frightens
'Caius Is Mortal'
This is a variation on an older Greek syllogism used to demonstrate deductive logic:
- Major Premise: All men are mortal
- Minor Premise: Caius is a man
- Conclusion: Caius is mortal
Caius was Julius Caesar's first name.
Page 694
Year of the Trial-Sized Dove Bar
rarified
a misspelling of "rarefied," meaning "esoteric"
Weltschmerz
German: World-sorrow
fictile
capable of being molded
Page 695
Endnote 281
pregnant
teeming or fertile
Page 695 (cont'd)
dingy
lacking brightness or freshness
mordant
sharply sarcastic
didactic
intended to teach
putrid
decomposing or rotten
dysphoria
an emotional state characterized by anxiety, depression, or unease
remora
a fish that attaches itself to sharks for easier travel
ventral
on the side
involutional
entangling
Burton
Robert Burton (1577-1640) was an English author best known for his Anatomy of Melancholy
Yevtushenko
not the aforementioned Russian poet
Page 696
amperage
strength of electric current
Page 697
Endnote 283
ill-fated Prozac
Wallace is probably talking about the incidents of "violent suicidal ideation" that were linked with Prozac in its early use. Now it is linked to all SSRIs, though the frequency is very low.
Page 697 (cont'd)
Quadracyclics
Actually, they're known as tetracyclics.
E.C.T.
electroconvulsive therapy
Page 698
beads
i.e., rosary beads
Ernest Feaster
Possible reference to Ernest Hemingway, "A Moveable Feast".