The Tell-Tale Heart Vocabulary_10-08-24

Front

Meaning of "acute" in: "Above all was the sense of hearing acute."

Back

sharp

Front

Meaning of "dissimulation" in context: "You should have seen how wisely I proceeded—with what caution—with what foresight—with what dissimulation I went to work!"

Back

disguising of intentions and/or feelings

Front

What does "cunningly" mean in the sentence: "...and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in!"

Back

doing something in a sneaky, crafty, and skillful manner

Front

"...it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye." What does "vexed" mean?

Back

annoyed, or bothered

Front

Meaning of "sagacity" in the sentence: "Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers—of my sagacity."

Back

intelligence and good judgement

Front

"But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless." What does "refrained" mean?

Back

held back

Front

Meaning of "wary" in the sentence: "There was nothing to wash out—no stain of any kind—no blood spot whatever. I had been too wary for that."

Back

cautious

Front

Meaning of "suavity" in context: "There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police."

Back

smooth manner; smoothness

Front

In the wild audacity of my confidence, I invited the police into the old man's house. What does "audacity" mean?

Back

boldness

Front

What does "reposed" mean in the sentence: "I placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim."

Back

state of rest; rested