Gluttony: A Dictionary for the Indulgent Read online

  GLUTTONY

  A DICTIONARY FOR THE INDULGENT

  JENNIFER M. WOOD

  An Introduction to

  Gluttony

  gluttony

  (GLUHT-n-ee)

  NOUN:Excessive indulgence in food and drink.

  When one succumbs to the all-consuming temptation to indulge, there really is no resisting the yearning for more. Like Ciacco damned to the third circle in Dante’s Divine Comedy or Tolkien’s Shelob channeling the human desire to devour it all, this particular vice can weigh heavily on the soul and create an insatiable hunger that ultimately leads to one’s destruction. The wants and well-being of others are secondary when overindulgence clogs the mind with insatiable thoughts. While gluttony is defined best in the demanding cry for more, this delightful dictionary gives a good taste of the most debaucherous sin.

  A

  abandon

  (uh-BAN-duhn)

  NOUN: A lack of restraint or inhibition.

  Consuming plateful after plateful, Joseph ABANDONED any sense of restraint as he feasted on the delicious spread before him.

  absinthe

  (AB-sinth)

  NOUN: A highly alcoholic green liqueur made from wormwood.

  abundance

  (uh-BUN-duhnts)

  NOUN: A great quantity of something; plentiful.

  ad infinitum

  (ad in-fi-NEYE-tum)

  ADVERB: Literally translating to “to infinity,” ad infinitum is usually used in the context of repeating a process or series of steps to infinity.

  ad nauseam

  (ad NAW-zee-um)

  ADVERB: To an annoying or sickening degree.

  adipose

  (AD-uh-pohs)

  ADJECTIVE: Pertaining to or containing fat.

  adulation

  (ad-yoo-LAY-shun)

  NOUN: Extreme admiration, especially that which is disproportionate to what is deserving.

  ample

  (AM-puhl)

  ADJECTIVE: As much or more than is required of something, in terms of size or quantity.

  animalistic

  (ann-uh-muh-LIST-ic)

  NOUN: One who is preoccupied with animal—or sensual—needs as opposed to spiritual ones.

  apolaustic

  (app-oh-LAW-stick)

  ADJECTIVE: Devoted to pleasure and enjoyment.

  With a complete disregard of responsibility and social grace, the young socialite spent her time at the party indulging in APOLAUSTIC behavior, focusing more on finishing champagne bottles than conversations with her parents’ acquaintances.

  Gluttony and lust are the only sins that abuse something that is essential

  to our survival.

  —HENRY FAIRLIE

  appetence

  (AP-ih-tuhns)

  NOUN: Strong craving or appetite, inclination, or tendency.

  appetite

  (AP-ih-tahyt)

  NOUN: Hunger or craving for something; often used to describe one’s desire for food.

  appetition

  (ap-ih-TISH-un)

  NOUN: A desire or longing for something.

  ardent

  (ARH-dent)

  ADJECTIVE: Passionate or eager.

  Jules liked to refer to herself as an ARDENT connoisseur of wine and used it as an excuse to enjoy it whenever she wanted.

  avidity

  (uh-VID-ih-tee)

  NOUN: Strong enthusiasm toward or greediness for something.

  B

  bacchanalian

  (back-uh-NAIL-yuhn)

  ADJECTIVE: Drunken and carousing.

  banquet

  (BANG-kwit)

  NOUN: An elaborate meal, often held in honor of a specific person or occasion.

  batterie de cuisine

  (bat-uh-REE duh kwee-ZEEN)

  NOUN: A French phrase meaning cooking utensils or vessels.

  beefy

  (BEEF-ee)

  ADJECTIVE: Strong or muscular.

  bender

  (BEN-der)

  NOUN: A protracted drinking binge.

  Ironically, Shane missed his first day of work when a couple of cocktails to celebrate his new job turned into a three-day BENDER.

  besotted

  (bih-SOTT-ed)

  ADJECTIVE: Foolish as the result of something, such as love, money, or—most often—alcohol; drunk.

  bibulous

  (BIB-yuh-luss)

  ADJECTIVE: Having a tendency to drink too much.

  binge

  (binj)

  NOUN: A period of uncontrolled eating or drinking.

  bite

  (bahyt)

  NOUN: A small amount of food.

  blatant

  (BLAYT-ent)

  ADJECTIVE: Excessively obvious or conspicuous; flagrant.

  Gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign something

  is eating us.

  —PETER DE VRIES

  blather

  (BLATH-er)

  VERB: To speak at length in a foolish manner; babble.

  blubber

  (BLUHB-er)

  NOUN: Excess body fat.

  The corpulent woman’s underarm BLUBBER sagged as she reached over her neighbor’s plate, almost dragging her fat through his food.

  bolt

  (bohlt)

  VERB: To gobble up or chew food in a hurried manner.

  bon vivant

  (BON vee-VAHNT)

  NOUN: One who lives the good life, particularly as it relates to food and drink. Also called a bon viveur.

  A true BON VIVANT, Katherine spent the last year traveling the world indulging in the local delicacies of every stop.

  bottomless

  (BOT-uhm-liss)

  ADJECTIVE: Unlimited or without end; unending.

  His stein appeared BOTTOMLESS since every time he finished his drink the bartender was there to immediately refill it.

  bountiful

  (BOUN-tih-ful)

  ADJECTIVE: In large supply; plentiful.

  braggadocio

  (brag-uh-DOH-shee-oh)

  NOUN: Boasting or bragging; a person who boasts or brags endlessly.

  braggart

  (BRAG-ert)

  NOUN: A person who brags or boasts often.

  brawny

  (BRAWN-ee)

  ADJECTIVE: Big or muscular; strapping.

  In love, as in gluttony, pleasure is a matter of the utmost precision.

  —ITALO CALVINO

  bulky

  (BUHL-kee)

  ADJECTIVE: Large and cumbersome; broad or heavy.

  burst

  (burst)

  VERB: To bust or break open in a forceful, violent, and usually unintentional manner; erupt.

  buzz

  (buzz)

  NOUN: A feeling of pleasure or excitement that can be related to a positive experience or accomplishment or light intoxication.

  Excess of liberty, whether it lies in state or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.

  —PLATO

  C

  capacity

  (kuh-PASS-ih-tee)

  NOUN: The maximum amount of something that can be held; the ability to do something.

  carouse

  (kuh-ROWZ)

  VERB: To take part in a loud or rowdy social activity, typically one involving alcohol.

  It is well known that CAROUSING with Mitchell is an all-night affair, with more toasting and drinking in one evening than most do in one year.

  chock full

  (CHOHK ful)

  ADJECTIVE: Filled to the brim; bursting.

  chock-a-block

  (CHOHK-uh-blohk)


  ADJECTIVE: Filled to capacity; squeezed together.

  There is a difference

  between eating and

  drinking for strength and from mere gluttony.

  —HENRY DAVID THOREAU

  chowhound

  (CHOU-hound)

  NOUN: A person who thoroughly enjoys food and eating.

  chubby

  (CHUB-ee)

  ADJECTIVE: Heavy or plump.

  chunky

  (CHUNG-kee)

  ADJECTIVE: Stout or stocky.

  complacent

  (kuhm-PLAY-cent)

  ADJECTIVE: Self-satisfied in such a way that one becomes unaware of potential dangers or changes; smug.

  compulsive

  (kuhm-PUHL-siv)

  ADJECTIVE: An excessive need or desire that seems to be motivated by some internal force.

  connoisseur

  (kon-uh-SOHR)

  NOUN: One who has developed an expertise or is a specialist in some field or artistic endeavor; an expert.

  consumption

  (kohn-SUMP-shun)

  NOUN: The act of consuming or utilizing something; the word is often used in reference to food or eating.

  contentment

  (kohn-TENT-muhnt)

  NOUN: A state of feeling satisfied; gratification.

  After the holiday feast, the sound of CONTENTMENT filled the room as everyone sat quietly and digested the delicious food they just devoured.

  continual

  (kuhn-TIN-yoo-ul)

  ADJECTIVE: Continuing frequently and on a regular basis; without interruption.

  copious

  (KOH-pee-us)

  ADJECTIVE: A large amount; abundant.

  The family fully expected everyone to celebrate and indulge after their daughter’s wedding, so they made sure COPIOUS amounts of alcohol were on hand at the reception for the bride and groom.

  cormorant

  (COR-mer-ehnt)

  NOUN: A type of voracious seabird, cormorant is also used in reference to a greedy person.

  cornucopia

  (korn-yuh-COE-pee-uh)

  NOUN: From Latin, cornucopia means “horn of plenty” but has come to describe any sort of overabundance.

  corpulent

  (KORP-you-lunt)

  ADJECTIVE: Obese or fat.

  Nothing exceeds like excess.

  —AL JOURGENSEN

  cosset

  (KOS-it)

  VERB: To pamper or coddle a person or thing.

  covetous

  (KUHV-ih-tuss)

  ADJECTIVE: Feeling extreme greed or desire, especially to possess those things belonging to someone else.

  cram

  (kram)

  VERB: To eat very quickly and voraciously; to fill something to capacity.

  Still sitting long after the others left, the pudgy little boy CRAMMED every morsel of food left on the table into his mouth.

  crapulous

  (KRAP-yuh-luss)

  ADJECTIVE: Describes a person or thing who makes a habit of overindulging in food and/or alcohol; the word also describes one who is suffering from the effects of overindulgence.

  craving

  (KREY-ving)

  NOUN: A strong desire or longing for something.

  cropsick

  (KROP-sik)

  NOUN: A feeling of sickness as the result of overindulgence in food and/or alcohol.

  D

  debauchery

  (dih-BOCH-er-ee)

  NOUN: Self-indulgent behavior, usually of an immoral kind; licentiousness.

  As one drink led to another and another after that, Kevin lost all good judgment and became involved in some of the DEBAUCHERY happening around him.

  decadence

  (DEK-uh-dunce)

  NOUN: Decadence can be used in reference to either a state of moral decline or one of extreme self-indulgence; debauchery.

  decadent

  (DEK-uh-dent)

  ADJECTIVE: Describes something marked by decadence; self-indulgent or immoral.

  decant

  (dih-KANT)

  VERB: To pour wine or another liquid from one container to another in order to avoid disturbing sediment.

  To describe drunkenness for the colorful vocabulary is rather cynical. There is nothing easier than to capitalize on drunkards.

  —ANTON CHEKHOV

  delectable

  (de-LEK-tuh-bull)

  ADJECTIVE: Extremely enjoyable or delightful, the word is often used in reference to food.

  After the DELECTABLE meal Roger feasted on, he could not resist disregarding proper table manners and licking each of his fat fingers.

  deluge

  (DELL-yoodje)

  NOUN: Often used in reference to a flood, deluge can be used in reference to anything of which there is an overwhelming amount.

  deluxe

  (duh-LUX)

  ADJECTIVE: Luxurious or sumptuous.

  demand

  (duh-MAND)

  VERB: To request something in a firm or urgent manner.

  desirous

  (dih-ZAHYR-uhs)

  ADJECTIVE: To desire or wish for something.

  dessert

  (dez-ERT)

  NOUN: A sweet course eaten at the end of a meal.

  devour

  (dih-VOUR)

  VERB: To eat or consume something quickly and voraciously.

  dine

  (dahyn)

  VERB: To eat or consume a meal, particularly dinner.

  dipsomania

  (dip-suh-MAY-nee-uh)

  NOUN: A regular and uncontrollable craving for alcohol.

  disproportionate

  (dis-pruh-PAWR-shun-it)

  ADJECTIVE: Out of proportion or unequal; uneven.

  If the DISPROPORTIONATE slice he cut himself was not indication enough, Reuben could not stop talking about how much he loved the decadent chocolate cake he bought for everyone attending his dinner party to enjoy.

  dissipation

  (dis-uh-PEY-shuhn)

  NOUN: Overindulgence, particularly in regards to alcohol; the lessening or disappearance of something.

  down

  (doun)

  VERB: To gulp or guzzle food or drink in a quick or greedy manner.

  drink

  (dringk)

  VERB: To take in any liquid, though it is often used in reference to the habitual intake of alcohol.

  drinkable

  (DRINGK-uh-buhl)

  ADJECTIVE: Any liquid that can be safely consumed; drinkable as a noun also refers to an enjoyable beverage.

  Vices are sometimes only virtues carried to excess.

  —CHARLES DICKENS

  drunk

  (druhngk)

  NOUN: An alcoholic.

  The red-nosed DRUNK bellied up to the bar hoping the barkeep would forget about his outstanding tab; but, unfortunately for the drunk and fortunately for the other patrons, the bartender sent him right back outside.

  drunk tank

  (druhngk tank)

  NOUN: A special area or cell of a jail or police station reserved for those who have been arrested for public intoxication.

  drunkard

  (DRUHNGK-erd)

  NOUN: A habitual drinker; alcoholic.

  drunken

  (DRUHNGK-en)

  ADJECTIVE: Intoxicated; of, involving, or occurring during intoxication.

  But one can be a cannibal and still be honourable,

  just as one can be a glutton and still be honest.

  One does not exclude

  the other.

  —CONSEIL IN JULES VERNE’S TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1869)

  E

  eat

  (eet)

  VERB: To consume something, particularly food.