"The Fall of the House of Usher" Vocabulary

equivocal

• open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous

• clear and straightforward

• definite and certain

• simple and uncomplicated

futility

• pointlessness or uselessness

• great importance

• significant value

• high utility

fissure

• a solid object

• an opening; a groove; a split

• a type of plant

• a method of cooking

melancholy

• depression of spirits

• excessive joy

• state of confusion

• feeling of anger

palpable

• able to be touched or felt

• difficult to understand

• easily forgotten

• not noticeable

malady

• a sickness, illness, disease, disorder

• a type of food

• a form of exercise

• a style of painting

solace

• comfort, relief

• sorrow, pain

• joy, happiness

• anger, frustration

vivacious

• lively, sprightly, full of energy

• tired and sluggish

• calm and reserved

• quiet and introverted

upbraid

• to scold sharply

• to praise enthusiastically

• to ignore completely

• to confuse or mislead

protracted

• Extended in time; prolonged

• Shortened in duration; brief

• Occurring suddenly; abrupt

• Regularly scheduled; routine