What is the definition of acute?

Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in heaven and in the earth.

What is the definition of vexed?

And this I did for seven long nights - every night just at midnight - but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye.

What is the definition of sagacity?

Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers - of my sagacity.

What is the definition of refrained?

But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed.

What is the definition of wary?

There was nothing to wash out - no stain of any kind - no blood-spot whatever. I had been to wary for that.

What is the definition of suavity?

There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity.

What is the definition of audacity?

In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath...

What is the definition of vehemently?

I talked more quickly - more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased.

What is the definition of gesticulations?

I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations, but the noise steadily increased.

What is the definition of derision?

But any things was better than this agony! Any things was more tolerable than this derision!

What is the definition of hypocritical?

I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer!

What is the definition of dissemble?

"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more!"

What is the definition of scantlings?

I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings.

What is the definition of dissimulation?

You should have seen how wisely I proceeded - with what caution - with what foresight - with what dissimulation I went to work!

What is the definition of stifled?

It was not a groan of pain or of grief - oh, no! - it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe.

What is the definition of stealthily?

So I opened it - you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily - until, at length, a single dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and full upon the vulture eye.