VocabularyVocabulary

Created by J. Phelps

“Why do they talk

that way?” “Why are these words so hard?” “Who talks like this?” “Are these words for real?”

Some words are antiquated (old fashioned) and not often used in current language, but were in more widespread use during Poe’s time.

Poe often published his stories in magazines which paid writers by the amount of words. In some cases, this may have contributed to some unique syntax (sentence structure)by Poe.

Much of Poe’s language is still used today, but is unfamiliar vocabulary to you as a ninth grader.

Learners recognize that they haven’t learned all of the words in the English language yet.

Be sure that your vocabulary notes include:

The word Part of Speech Definition Sentence

preclude: To preclude (avoid, prevent in advance) the risk of failing my driver’s test, I decided to study and practice with my father beforehand.

impunity: The guilty man grinned and chuckled at the impunity (freedom from punishment; without punishment) he had been awarded by an unsuspecting jury.

I got away with it!

virtuoso: After many years of practice and study, Gabriella and Tenjue may become virtuosos (masters, experts) of the violin.

accost: The angry mob accosted (spoke or approached in an aggressive or hostile way) the attorney about his client, an alleged murderer.

repose: Chandler supposed that he could repose (recline or to lie dead) for awhile on the sofa after a long day of soccer practice.

termination: At the termination (end of something; the limit) of the film, Tiffany and Daniel threw away their trash and left the theater.

fetter: The prisoner was fettered (shackled, chained) as he was taken to and from the courthouse.

implore: The students implored (asked in earnest, pleaded) their teacher to postpone the vocabulary test for one more day.

subside: The water subsided (lessened; became less active) as the tide turned from the shore.

destined: In the beginning of the play, we are told that Romeo and Juliet’s death was destined (determined beforehand; fated).

Tyann and Rabecca very cautiously traveled through the Parisian catacombs (underground tunnels or an area with holes for graves).

Roman Catacombs Image Source: http://www.davidmacd.com/images/pope_catacomb.jpg

- Definition 1: a person whose trade deals in building with materials such as bricks and mortar.

- -Definition 2: a person belonging to a fraternal secret society, often a charitable organization (i.e. the Freemasons—some of who may be/have been masons and some who are honorary members)

- -Mark, a mason in the traditional sense built houses, and he served as President of his local Freemasons Chapter.