Vocabulary for Poe’s “The Black Cat”

1. Allay: (V) – to calm or reduce

2. Allusion: (N) -the act of alluding; indirect reference:

3. Anomalous: (Adj) – unusual

4. Archfiend: (N) – a chief demon or devil, especially Satan

5. Atrocity: (N) -the quality of being extremely or shockingly wicked, cruel, or

brutal.

6. Bas-relief: (N) -relief sculpture in which the figures project slightly from the
background.

7. Bosom: (N) – the human chest, often thought of as the seat of emotions

8. Bravado: (N) – a show of bravery

9. Chimera: (N) – in this sense, something made up by the mind; a dream

10. Conflagration: (N) -a destructive fire, usually an extensive one.

11. Conscience: (N) -the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or
motives, impelling one toward right action.

12. Consign: (V) -to transfer to another's custody or charge; entrust.

13. Constitute: (V) – to make up or form

14. Consummate: (Adj) -complete, highest or most extreme degree.

15. Damnation: (N) – the act of being doomed or sent to hell

16. Debauch: (N) -a period of wanton self-indulgence, an excessive party which

includes consumption of alcohol.

17. Disposition: (N) -the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural
mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude.

18. Docility: (Adj) the state of being easily managed or handled; ready to accept
control or instruction; submissive

19. Equivocal: (Adj) -allowing the possibility of several different meanings, as a

word or phrase, esp. with intent to deceive or misguide; susceptible of double
interpretation; deliberately ambiguous.
20. Exasperate: (V) – to excite into anger

21. Expedient: (N) – a solution to a problem

22. Exult: (V) -to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be
highly elated or jubilant.

23. Expound: (V) - explain

24. Felicity: (N) -the state of being happy, esp. in a high degree; bliss.

25. Fidelity: (N) -faithfulness to obligations, duties, or observances.

26. Folly: (N) -the state or quality of being foolish; lack of understanding or sense.

27. Forbear: (V) - avoid

28. Gallows: (N) -a wooden frame, consisting of a crossbeam on two uprights, on

which condemned persons are executed by hanging.

29. Goad: (V) -to encourage, urge, or drive, or stimulate.

30. Gossamer: (N) -something delicate, light, or flimsy.

31. Hogshead: (N) -a large cask, esp. one containing from 63 to 140 gallons.

32. Incumbent: (Adj) – in this sense, resting on

33. In vain: (Adj) -without effect or avail; to no purpose.

34. Infamy: (N) -extremely bad reputation, public reproach, or strong condemnation
as the result of a shameful, criminal, or outrageous act.

35. Instrumentality: (N) – the use of something

36. Intimate: (N) – a person’s very close friend

37. Irrevocable: (Adj) – unable to be taken back

38. Intemperance: (N) -excessive use of alcoholic beverages.

39. Mad: (Adj) -mentally disturbed; deranged; insane; demented.

40. Malevolence: (N) -ill will; malice; hatred.

41. Maltreat: (V) -to treat in a rough or cruel way; abuse.

42. Odious: (Adj) – deserving hatred

43. Paltry: (Adj) -lacking in importance or worth; trivial.

44. Partiality: (N) – fondness

45. Pertinacity: (N) -the quality of being stubborn or obstinate.

46. Pestilence: (N) -something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil.

47. Phantasm: (N) -an illusory likeness of something.

48. Portraiture: (N) – a drawing

49. Procure: (V) -to get by special effort; obtain or acquire.

50. Projection: (N) – a part that sticks out

51. Rabid: (Adj) - going to extreme lengths.

52. Remorse: (N) - deep and painful regret for wrongdoing.

53. Repose: (V) – rest

54. Reverberation: (N) – an echo

55. Sagacious: (Adj) - having or showing keen discernment, and sound judgment;
wise.

56. Scruple: (N) -a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a

restraining force or inhibits certain actions.

57. Sentiment: (N) -a mental feeling; emotion.

58. Solicit: (V) -to seek for (something) by earnest or respectful request, formal
application, etc.

59. Stupefy: (V) – to amaze, daze, or make groggy

60. Succinct: (Adj) -expressed in few words; concise; terse.

61. Succumb: (V) -to give way to superior force; yield.

62. Temperament: (N) – attitude; personality

63. Tincture: (V) – to have the quality of

64. Uncongenial: (Adj) – unsuited; unagreeable in nature, taste, or outlook