The Masque of the Red Death — Vocabulary
Edgar Allan Poe
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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endureendure → endured:suffered through I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show sample from book And yet all this might have been endured,1 more Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain) to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
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endure#2continue to exist She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more Show sample from book they have endured but an instant1 more endure → endured:lasted (continued to exist) Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	3	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book ...sudden impulses of despair or of frenzy from within.2 more hopelessness Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
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solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book with a slow and solemn movement2 more serious and possibly dignified Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
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revelrevel → reveled:took delight in The team reveled in their victory.more Show sample from book And the revel went whirlingly on, until at length there commenced the sounding of midnight upon the clock.3 more party Show general definition to take delight in; or to party or celebrate -- especially in a noisy way
	2	top 2000
countenancefacial expression; or face She has a pleasant countenance.more Show sample from book look upon the countenances of those who entered1 more countenance → countenances:faces Show general definition for countenance (as in: a pleasant countenance) facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
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disconcertingdisturbing It was disconcerting to realize the experts don't really understand what is going on either.more Show sample from book ...there came yet another chiming of the clock, and then were the same disconcert and tremulousness and meditation as before.1 more disconcerting → disconcert:nervousness (disruption of composure) Show general definition disrupt composure -- such as to confuse or worry
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bizarreexceedingly unusual The paparazzi love her bizarre outfits and behavior.more Show sample from book Here the case was very different; as might have been expected from the duke's love of the bizarre.†1 more exceedingly odd or unusual Show general definition for bizarre (as in: is bizarre) exceedingly odd or unusual
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varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book These windows were of stained glass whose color varied in accordance with the prevailing hue of the decorations of the chamber into which it opened.† vary → varied:differed; or changed Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
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tapestrytapestry → tapestries:rug-like artworks -- often hung on a wall for display The Lady and the Unicorn is the modern title given to the six tapestries that are considered to be among the greatest artworks of the Middle Ages.more Show sample from book The second chamber was purple in its ornaments and tapestries, and here the panes were purple.1 more Show general definition for tapestry (as in: the tapestry hangs in the museum) rug-like artwork -- often hung on a wall for display
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novelnew and original We're looking for novel marketing ideas.more Show sample from book There was a sharp turn at every twenty or thirty yards, and at each turn a novel effect. Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation) new and original -- typically something considered good
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attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book He bore aloft a drawn dagger, and had approached, in rapid impetuosity, to within three or four feet of the retreating figure, when the latter, having attained the extremity of the velvet apartment, turned suddenly and confronted his pursuer.† attain → attained:gained or reached something with effort Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
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pervasiveexisting throughout something We were losing 35 to 0 at halftime and there was a pervasive sense of gloom in the locker room.more Show sample from book ...a light laughter at once pervaded the assembly; pervasive → pervaded:spread through or filled Show general definition existing throughout something; or generally widespread
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scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book ...that the closest scrutiny must have had difficulty in detecting the cheat. careful look or inspection Show general definition careful examination of something
	2
pestilencewidespread disease The Black Death was a pestilence that killed an estimated 30% of the European population in the 14th century.more Show sample from book No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous.†1 more widespread disease (usually severe)… Show general definition widespread disease (usually severe); or any severely harmful or evil influence that is hard to get rid of
	2
abbeya building where monks or nuns live The monks at the abbey followed a strict schedule of prayer, work, and study.more Show sample from book The abbey was amply provisioned.†1 more a building where monks or nuns live or lived… Show general definition a building where monks or nuns live or lived; or a church associated with such a building
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prevailingmost common In the afternoon, the meadow enjoys prevailing winds from the west.more Show sample from book These windows were of stained glass whose color varied in accordance with the prevailing hue of the decorations of the chamber into which it opened. most common or influential Show general definition for prevailing (as in: prevailing attitude) most common, powerful, or influential
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blasphemydisrespect of something considered sacred The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.more Show sample from book "who dares insult us with this blasphemous mockery?" blasphemy → blasphemous:disrespectful of something considered sacred Show general definition something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion
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brazenbold and improper She made a brazen attempt to take credit for her colleague’s work during the meeting.more Show sample from book and when the minute-hand made the circuit of the face, and the hour was to be stricken, there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical, but of so peculiar a note and emphasis that, at each lapse of an hour, the musicians of the orchestra were constrained to pause, momentarily, in their performance, to hearken to the sound;† bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper Show general definition bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper
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embellishembellish → embellished:added detail to The dress was elegant to begin with, but she embellished it with lace and tiny pearls along the neckline.more Show sample from book He had directed, in great part, the moveable embellishments of the seven chambers, embellish → embellishments:things added to make something more attractive or interesting Show general definition add to something -- typically to make it more attractive or interesting