Edgar Allan Poe Vocabulary List #2

Vocabulary terms, parts of speech, and definitions from Edgar Allan Poe's works: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Black Cat.

Acute

Sharp (adjective)

Vex

To disturb (verb)

Sagacity

Intelligence & good judgment (noun)

Refrain

To hold back (verb)

Wary

Cautious or careful (adjective)

Suavity

Smooth way of acting (noun)

Audacity

Boldness (noun)

Vehemently

Forcefully (adverb)

Gesticulations

Energetic gestures (noun)

Derision

Ridicule, mocking (noun)

Vainly

Unsuccessfully or ineffectively (adverb)

Ponder

To think deeply (verb)

Quaint

Pleasingly unusual or old-fashioned (adjective)

Lore

Knowledge from long ago (noun)

Distinctly

Clearly (adverb)

Bleak

Cold and depressing (adjective)

Entreat

To beg (verb)

Implore

To beg (verb)

Beguile

To mislead, or to entertain (verb)

Gaunt

Thin and sickly (adjective)

Ominous

Threatening (adjective)

Resolve

To make a firm decision (verb)

Preclude

To leave something out or prevent it (verb)

Retribution

Reward or punishment (noun)

Wont

Habit (noun)

Perceive

To see and understand (verb)

Accost

To approach someone and to speak to them (verb)

Excessive

Extreme, too much (adjective)

Impose

To create a burden for someone (verb)

Abscond

To leave secretly & quietly (verb)

Explicit

Clearly said (adjective)

Paltry

Small in amount or size (adjective)

Malevolence

The state of wishing evil to others (noun)

Consummate

Perfect and complete in every respect (adjective)

Conflagration

A very intense and uncontrolled fire (noun)

Succumb

Give in or consent reluctantly (verb)

Allay

Lessen the intensity of, or to calm (verb)

Bravado

A swaggering show of courage (noun)

Pestilence

Any epidemic disease with a high death rate (noun)

Aversion

A feeling of intense dislike (noun)