The Tell-Tale Heart Vocabulary

Front

"Above all was the sense of hearing acute."
What does the word "acute" mean in the above sentence?

Back

sharp

Front

"You should have seen how wisely I proceeded—with what caution—with what foresight—with what dissimulation I went to work!"
What does the word "dissimulation" mean in the above sentence?

Back

disguising of intentions and/or feelings

Front

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

Back

doing something in a sneaky, crafty, and skillful manner

Front

"...so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye."
What does the word "vexed" mean in the above sentence?

Back

annoyed, or bothered

Front

"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."

Back

held back

Front

"There was nothing to wash out—no stain of any kind—no blood spot whatever. I had been too wary for that."
What does the word "wary" mean in the above sentence?

Back

cautious

Front

"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.

Back

boldness

Front

"[I] placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim."
What does the word "reposed" mean in the above sentence?

Back

state of rest; rested