Both Uses of
disconcerting
in
The Masque of the Red Death
- …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; and thus the waltzers perforce ceased their evolutions; and there was a brief disconcert of the whole gay company; and, while the chimes of the clock yet rang, it was observed that the giddiest grew pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands over their brows as if in confused reverie or meditation.†
- ...there came yet another chiming of the clock, and then were the same disconcert and tremulousness and meditation as before.
*disconcert = nervousness (disruption of composure)
Definition:
-
(disconcerting) disrupt composure -- such as to confuse or worry