Edgar Allan Poe's Wordlist

8/12/2019 Edgar Allan Poe's Wordlist

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Edgar llan Poes WordlistEdgar Allan Poe was fluent in several languages and had a very large vocabulary. Many

times he used a word because of the way it sounded. Poe used some fairly obscure words

that you may not be familiar with. Because of this, I have created the following list of words

and phrases. When these words appear in a story or poem on this site, they are

automatically hyperlinked to their definitions.

Source: http://poestories.com/wordlist.php


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a pipe ofThe Portuguese word for barrel is pipa. A pipe is, in fact, a large, lengthy barrel or cask withtapered ends. It's used for aging and shipping wine.

a prioriFound by deduction. Derived by reasoning from self-evident propositions.

abase

To lower or be lowered in rank, prestige, or esteem. To be made to feel guilty.abductor muscleAny muscle used to pull a body part away from the midline of the body. For example, theabductor muscles of the legs spread the legs away from the midline and away from one another.

AbernethyJohn Abernethy was a British surgeon known for being very blunt or even rude to his patients.Read More >

abeyanceSuspension, temporary inactivity.

about a leagueOriginally, a league was the distance a person could walk in 1 hour, usually about 3 miles. InEnglish units, during the 19th century, it was most often 3 nautical miles, or 3.45 miles. Whilethe nautical mile is still used today, the league is no longer used to measure distance.

Most people know the term "league" from the title of the book by Jules Verne, "20,000 LeaguesUnder the Sea". The number in this story refers to the distance travelled by the fictionalsubmarine, not how deep it went. The deepest part of any ocean on earth is just over 7 miles.

abstruseDifficult to understand.

accedeTo express approval or give consent; give in to a request or demand.

accoutreddressed, clothed, outfitted.

Achilles' HeelA fatal weakness in spite of overall strength. Achilles was a character in mythology who wasinvincible everywhere except his heel.Read More >

acrid Sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor.acumen

Keenness and depth of perception. Power to see what is not evident to the average mind.acute

1. An angle less than 90 degrees, like the angles of a triangle.2. Characterized by sharpness or severity, such as acute pain.3. Sensitive physical or intellectual perception, like an acute sense of smell or an acute thinker.

ad libitumIn accordance with desire.

addlingConfusion. A spoiling or rotting condition.

admonitioncautionary advice about something imminent, especially imminent danger.

AEgipansCentaurs with the bodies of goats instead of horses. AEgipan was a woodland god similar to Pan(though with four legs), the son of Zeus who aided the gods in the battle of the Titans.

AeolusThe Greek god of the winds.

AfrasiabAfrasiab is a character from Firdowsi's great Persian epic, "Shahnama" (The Epic of Kings),written around 1000 AD. It is a remarkable work, containing 62 stories, 990 chapters, and60,000 rhyming couplets, making it more than seven times the length of Homer's Iliad.Read More >

aghastTerrified, struck with amazement, showing signs of terror or horror.

Aidenn

Arabic word for paradise or heaven.
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aigretteA feather-shaped piece of jewelry worn in the hair or on a hat. From the French word "egret", awhite heron prized for its plumage.

alarumAn old spelling of "alarm". This is the way Shakespeare spelled it. Here, it provides 3 syllablesinstead of 2 for the rhythm of the verse.

amatoryOf, relating to, or expressing sexual love.aneurism

An aneurysm (or aneurism) is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of thevessel wall. Aneurysms most commonly occur in the brain and in the main artery coming out ofthe heart. The bulge in the blood vessel can burst and lead to death at any time.

anomalousdeviating from the normal; aberrant or abnormal.

AntaresAntares (Alpha Scorpii) is the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius and one of the brighteststars in the nighttime sky.

antechamberHall, lobby, reception room.

Antediluvians

People living before the great flood described in the Bible.aperture

An opening or hole. Today, this word usually refers to the size of the opening in a lens that letslight into a camera.

apothegmA short, pithy, and instructive saying.

AppenninesNow spelled "Apennines", a mountain system, running the entire length of the Italian peninsula.

appetencyAppetite, having a fixed and strong desire.

ApuleiusLucius Apuleius, a first century Roman, wrote a latin story called "The Golden Ass". It is anamusing work that relates the ludicrous adventures of one Lucius, a virile young man who is

obsessed with magic. His enthusiasm leads to his accidental transformation into an ass.Read More >aqua regia

Aqua Regia is a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. It can dissolve gold, which singleacids alone cannot do.

aquilineCurving like an eagle's beak, or resembling an eagle.

Arabian NightsA collection of stories within a story. The character Shahrazad narrates a set of fairy tales to theKing Shahriyar, leaving him in suspense each night to prevent him from executing her. Some ofthe tales Shahrazad spins were later translated into familiar stories like, "Aladdin's Lamp","Sinbad the Sailor", and "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves".Read More >

archipelago

A group of islands.ardor

Extreme energy or vigor. Sexual excitement.Artesian wells

Wells in which the water is under pressure and flows to the surface naturally. Artesian wells arenamed after the former province of Artois in France, where the first one was drilled byCarthusian monks in 1126.

arts of the toiletOriginally, "toilet" was the act of dressing and grooming oneself. Arts of the toilet referred to theskills used to apply makeup and groom the hair. From the French toilette cloth on which itemsused for grooming are placed.

AshtophetMost likely refers to "Ashtoreth, the Phoenician and Egyptian goddess of love and fertility and

"Tophet", a version of hell associated in the Old Testament with the Egyptian worship of Moloch.
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asphaltumA dark bituminous substance that is found in natural beds and is also obtained as a residue inpetroleum refining and that consists chiefly of hydrocarbons. Tar that has hardened.

AsphodelVarious Old World usually perennial herbs of the lily family with flowers in usually long erectracemes.

asphytichaving asphyxia, a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that is usually causedby interruption of breathing and that causes unconsciousness.

asseverationA strong and earnest statement or affirmation.

athwartAcross. In opposition to.

au troisiemeFrench for "on the third," but the meaning is the fourth floor, because the count starts after theground floor.

austereStern and cold in appearance or manner.

author of the ChroniclesJean Froissart (c.1337 - c.1405) was one of the most important of the chroniclers of medieval

France. For centuries, Froissart's Chronicles have been recognized as the chief expression of thechivalric revival of the 14th century Kingdom of England and France.Read More >

avariceGreediness, excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain.

avatorAn old spelling of "avatar", an incarnation in human form. Today, avatars are graphicrepresentation of people in chat rooms or online forums.

avoirdupoisA system of weights based on a pound containing 16 ounces or 7,000 grains. It can also simplymean heaviness.

axiomA statement accepted as true as the basis for argument or inference. An established rule or

principle.AzraelThe "Angel of Death" in Moslem and Jewish legend.

Azrael is also the name of Gargamel's cat in the 1981 animated series, "The Smurfs".bacchanalian

The Bacchanalia were wild and mystic festivals of the Roman god Bacchus. The term has sincebeen extended to refer to any drunken revelry.

bagtelleUsually a short and light piano piece. Also spelled "bagatelle".

balm in GileadGilead, a region of Palestine, known for its balm, a healing ointment.

"Is there balm in Gilead?" is like saying, "Are there palm trees in Florida?". It's a rhetorical

question.

This line is also spoken in the Bible, Jeremiah 8:22 (King James Version):

"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of thedaughter of my people recovered?"

bas-reliefSculptural relief in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of themodeled form is undercut.

BataviaKnown today as Jakarta, the port capital of Indonesia.

BatrachomyomachiaThe Battle of Frogs and Mice, a comic epic or parody on the Iliad.

The word by itself means "a silly altercation."
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baubleA small ornament. Something of little value. A fool's scepter.

beam-endsFallen over. The situation of a vessel when turned over so that her deck (beams) is inclinedtoward the vertical.

beau ideal

A perfect embodiment of a concept.bedewedTo wet with or as if with dew.

bedightTo dress or decorate especially in splendid or impressive attire.

beetlingProjecting, jutting out.

beguilingLeading by deception

behemothSomething of monstrous size or power. A mighty animal described in Job 40:15-24 as anexample of the power of God.

beldameAn old woman.

BelliniBorn in Sicily, Vincenzo Bellini was an Italian opera composer. A child prodigy, legend has it hecould sing an air of Firoavanti at eighteen months, began studying music theory at two, thepiano at three, and by the age of five could play well.

Belphegor of MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) wrote Belphegor, a satire on marriage in which a demon comesto earth to prove that women damn men to hell.

benightedlacking enlightenment or knowledge or culture; overtaken by the night.

BeresinaA river in Belarus, once part of the Soviet Union. Napoleon Bonaparte's army suffered significantlosses when crossing the Berezina in November 1812 during his retreat from Russia. Since then"Berezina" is used in French as a synonym of catastrophe.

besottedVery drunk

billetA chunky piece of wood (as for firewood). A bar of metal. A piece of semifinished iron or steelnearly square in section made by rolling an ingot.

bivalveHaving a shell composed of two valves. Clams, oysters, and scallops are examples of bivalves.

Black Hole at CalcuttaCalcutta was renamed to Kolkata in 2001. It was the capital of British India until 1912. The BlackHole of Calcutta was a small dungeon where Indian troops held British prisoners of war in 1756.According to a disputed account, 123 of 146 prisoners died of heat exhaustion in the confinedconditions, though historians now believe the number to be at most 43.Read More >

Blue Distance of TieckLudwig Tieck (1773-1853) was a German writer who was part of the Romantic movement of the18th and early 19th centuries.Read More >

bon tonFashionable manner or style. High society.

BorneoBorneo (including the Kalimantan provinces of Indonesia, Sabah and Sarawak of Malaysia, andBrunei) is the third largest island in the world. It has an area of 743,330 sq km (287,00 sq mi),and is located at the center of the Malay archipelago and Indonesia. Borneo is considered part ofthe geographic region of Southeast Asia.

boudoirA woman's dressing room, bedroom, or private sitting room.

brocade

A rich silk fabric with raised patterns in gold and silver.brusquerie

Abruptness of manner.
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buffoonsClowns, ludicrous figures.

bugabooAn imaginary object of fear. Something that causes fear or distress out of proportion to itsimportance.

cadaverously

Like a cadaver or a corpse.CalculusA central branch of mathematics dating back to the ancient greeks.

caloricHeat; A supposed form of matter formerly held responsible for the phenomena of heat andcombustion. While it is no longer believed that some invisible particle causes heat and fire, themodern word "calorie" is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of onegram of water one degree Celsius.

cameosGems carved in relief. A small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer withanother contrasting layer serving as background.

CampanellaTommaso Campanella (1568-1639), a Dominican theologian, philosopher and poet.

candelabrum

A candlestick with multiple branches allowing it to hold a number of candles. Also spelled"candelabra".

caoutchoucRubber, something made of or resembling rubber.

CarathisA character in "The History of the Caliph Vathek", a Gothic novel written by William ThomasBeckford. It was composed in French in 1782.

caricatureA drawing or other figure or description in which the peculiarities of a person or thing are soexaggerated as to appear ridiculous; a parody.

carpetbaga traveler's bag made of carpet and widely used in the U.S. in the 19th century.

cartilaginous

Composed of, relating to, or resembling cartilage.Caryatid

A sculpted female figure serving as an architectural element such as a column or a pillar. Themale counterpart of a caryatid is referred to as a telemon or Atlas (plural, atlantes). A caryatidsupporting a basket on her head is called a canephora.

cassockA garment resembling a long frock coat worn by the clergy of certain churches when officiating,and by others as the usually outer garment.

castellatedHaving battlements and high walls like a castle.

CatalaniAngelica Catalani (17801849), a famous Italian singer.Read More >

catalepsyA condition of suspended animation and loss of voluntary motion in which the limbs remain inwhatever position they are placed.

cattymountNow spelled "catamount", short for cat-a-mountain, any of various wild cats, like a cougar or alynx.

censerA covered incense burner, usually swung from a chain at funerals or other religious ceremonies.

chagrinA gnawing, corroding grief. To be vexed or annoyed.

chaise longueA long chair used for reclining.

ChamfortNicolas Chamfort (1741-1794), was a French writer who was famous for his sarcasm.

chanticleerRooster or Cock.
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charlatanerieOne making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability. A "charlatan" is a person whopretends to have knowledge or ability for fraudulent purposes.

Charles GreenCharles Green (1785-1870), was Britain's most famous balloonist of the 19th century.

charnel

A building or chamber in which bodies or bones are deposited.ChiromancyThe art of Palm Reading.

Chirurgical Journal"Chirurgeon" is an old word for surgeon. The journal may or may not have existed but there wasa Medico-Chirurgical Society of Dresden in 1817.

chrysalisA pupa of a butterfly. A protecting covering. A sheltered state or stage of being or growth.

CiceroMarcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC43 BC) was a statesman of Ancient Rome, and is generallyconsidered the greatest Latin prose stylist.

circumlocutionThe use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea.

clairvoyanceThe power or faculty of discerning objects not present to the senses; for example the ability tosee ghosts or spirits, to read minds, or predict the future.

clandestinelyMarked, held, or conducted secretly.

CleomenesCleomenes III lived from about 260 to 219 BC He was king of Sparta from 235 to 222 BCRead More >

Cleomenes is also a secondary character in "A Winter's Tale", a play by Shakespeare.Read More >

cloisterA place or state of seclusion. An area within a monastery or convent to which the religious arenormally restricted.

coadjutorsAssistants; Those who work together with one another.coal gas

A mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, produced by burning coal. Like hydrogen, thismixture is combustible.

cocaigneLondon was referred to by the Normans as the "Land of Sugar Cake" (Old French: pais decocaigne), an imaginary land of idleness and luxury. A humorous appellation, the word'Cocaigne' referred to all of London and its suburbs, and over time had a number of spellings:Cocagne, Cockayne, and in Middle English, Cocknay and Cockney.

coirA stiff coarse fiber from the outer husk of a coconut. The coir fibre is relatively water-proof andis the only natural fibre resistant to damage by salt water. The major use of white coir is in ropemanufacture.

colloquyConversation, dialogue, a high-level serious discussion.

conflagrationA large disastrous fire.

consequently crankThe condition of a ship that has not been loaded properly and leans to one side or can be tippedover easily.

contretempsAn inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation.

conundrumsIntricate and difficult problems. Riddles whose answers involves puns.

coppiceA thicket, grove, or growth of small trees.

coquetriesFlirtations.
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corpulentHaving a large bulky body. Obese.

cosmogonyA theory of the origin of the universe.

CotopaxiA volcano in Ecuador, at 5,897 meters (19,347 feet), the second highest in the country, and one

of the highest active volcanoes in the world. There have been more than 50 eruptions ofCotopaxi since 1738.cravat

A necktie. A band or scarf worn around the neck.Crebillon

Prosper Jolyot de Crbillon (1674-1762), was a French poet. The quote at the end of "ThePurloined Letter" is from "Atree et Thyeste", written in 1707.

It can be translated as, "So grievous a plan, if not worthy of Atree, is dignified by Thyeste."

In Greek mythology, Atreus and Thyestes were brothers who were rivals and committed terriblecrimes against each other.

crotchetA highly individual and usually eccentric opinion or preference

cupolaA dome-shaped ornamental structure located on top of a larger roof or dome, often used as alookout or to admit light and remove stale air.

daughters of DelosThe three daughters of king Anius of Delos, Oeno (wine), Spermo (wheat) and Elais (oliveoil).Their grandfather was Dionysus, and he gave them the powers to change water into wine, grassinto wheat and berries into olives. When the Greek fleet set out to make war in Troy, it was thedaughters who stocked their ships. Agamemnon was so impressed with this that he kidnappedthem. Dionysus saved them by turning them into white doves.

De Beranger"His heart is a lute strung tight; As soon as one touches it, it resounds."from "Le Refus" (1831) by Pierre-Jean de Beranger, a French poet and song writer.

De mortuis nil nisi bonum"Concerning the dead, people should say nothing except good."

death watchesDeathwatch beetles. Any of various small beetles (family Anobiidae) that are common in oldhouses where they bore in woodwork and furniture and make a tapping noise as a mating call.

decampedDeparted suddenly or secretly.

decorumPropriety and good taste in conduct or appearance.

decrepitudeWear from old age.

deigningCondescending reluctantly and with a strong sense of the affront to one's superiority that isinvolved.

demur

Hesitation, (as in doing or accepting) usually based on doubt of the acceptability of somethingoffered or proposed.

demurHesitation (as in doing or accepting) usually based on doubt of the acceptability of somethingoffered or proposed.

denouementThe final outcome of a complex sequence of events.

derisionThe use of ridicule or scorn to show contempt.

"...By pouring their derision upon anything we did And exposing every weakness howevercarefully hidden by the kids." -Pink Floyd

despotismA system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power.

dintBy force of; because of


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Diodorus SiculusDiodorus Siculus was a Greek historian. The earliest date Diodorus mentions is his visit to Egyptin the 180th Olympiad (between 60 and 56 BC). This visit was marked by his witnessing anangry mob demand the death of a Roman citizen who had accidentally killed a cat, an animalsacred to the ancient Egyptians.

Directorium InquisitorumA manual on how to torture Catholic heretics, published in Barcelona in 1503.Read More >

disapprobationCondemnation. The act or state of disapproving.

discomfitedPut into a state of perplexity and embarrassment. Disconcerted.

disconsolateDowncast, dejected, cheerless.

discordantlyIn disagreement with, conflicted.

disinterTo take a body out of its grave or tomb.

dissembleHide under a false appearance.

dissimulationHiding under a false appearance.

DodonaAt Dodona in Epirus, northwestern Greece, was a prehistoric oracle devoted to the Greek god,Zeus and the Mother Goddess identified as Dione. The shrine of Dodona was the oldest Hellenicoracle, according to the fifth-century historian Herodotus and in fact dates to pre-Hellenic times.Priests and priestesses in the sacred grove interpreted the rustling of the oak (or beech) leavesto determine the correct actions to be taken.

doffedTo remove an article of clothing from the body. To take off (the hat) in greeting or as a sign ofrespect.

doggerelLoosely styled and irregular in measure especially for burlesque or comic effect. Applies to either

clothing or poetry. The original Middle English term was "Dogge Dog". Hmmm, sound familiar?dogmaSomething held as an established opinion. A point of view put forth as authoritative withoutadequate grounds. A doctrine concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritativelyproclaimed by a church.

domiciliaryProvided or taking place in the home. Providing shelter and living space.

donjon-keepDungeon

dotageA condition of decay marked by decline of mental poise and alertness, usually attributed to oldage.

double-reefedTo reef is to reduce the size of a sail by using ropes running through eyelets in the sail. This is

usually done in high winds to protect the sails.draughts

British name for the game of checkers.Druidical

Like one of an ancient Celtic priesthood appearing as a magician or wizard.ducal

Of or relating to a Duke.dyspeptic

indigestion or ill humor.Earthquake at Lisbon

In 1755, the Lisbon earthquake took place on November 1, at 9:20am. It was one of the mostdestructive and deadly earthquakes in history, killing between 60,000 and 100,000 people. Thequake was followed by a tsunami and fire, resulting in the near total destruction of the city.

Read More >eclat

Ostentatious display. Dazzling effect. Brilliance.
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educedBrought out. Extracted. Evoked.

effulgenceBrilliance, radiant splendor.

egregiousObviously bad. Flagrant.

EidolonAn eidolon is the astral double of a living being; a phantom-double of the human form; a shadeor perispirit; the kamarupa after death, before its disintegration. The phantom can appear undercertain conditions to survivors of the deceased.

Elah-GabalusUsually spelled Elagabulus, emperor of Rome from 218-222, who indulged in the wildestdebaucheries. He was one of the most reviled Roman emperors to early historians. Finally, hisgrandmother had him assassinated.Read More >

EldoradoA place used as a metaphor to represent an ultimate prize that one might spend their lifeseeking. It could represent true love, heaven, happiness, or success.Read More >

emaciation

in a very thin state, wasted away.ennui

Boredom, a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction.ennuye

Bored, weary in spirits, emotionally exhausted.entrails

Internal parts, usually the organs of a human body.ephemeron

Something short-lived or of no lasting significance.Epicurus

Epicurus was a philosopher from 300 B.C. He thought the highest pleasure (tranquility andfreedom from fear) was obtained by knowledge, friendship, and living a virtuous and temperatelife. He lauded the enjoyment of simple pleasures, by which he meant abstaining from bodily

desires, such as sex and appetites.epigramA terse, sage, or witty and often paradoxical saying. A concise poem dealing pointedly and oftensatirically with a single thought or event.

epithetExpression. A characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of aperson or thing.

equivocalUncertain. Undecided. Subject to two or more interpretations and usually used to mislead orconfuse.

ErebusIn Greek mythology, Erebus, or rebos was a primordial god, personification of darkness,offspring of Chaos. He was brother of Nyx and father of Aether.

Eros

Greek god of love, where the word "erotic" comes from. Also, love conceived in the philosophy ofPlato as a fundamental creative impulse having a sensual element.

eruditionLearning; extensive knowledge acquired chiefly from books.

eschewTo avoid or shun, especially on moral or practical grounds.

escritoireA writing table or desk.

escutcheonA defined area on which armorial bearings are displayed and which usually consists of a shield. Aprotective or ornamental plate or flange. The part of a ship's stern on which the name isdisplayed.

ethereal

Heavenly. Of or relating to the regions beyond the earth.Eupatrids

One of the hereditary aristocrats of ancient Athens.
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euphonyPleasing or sweet sound. The acoustic effect produced by words so formed or combined as toplease the ear.

evanescentSomething that vanishes like vapor, passing especially quickly into and out of existence.

evinced

Displayed clearly; revealed.exacerbateTo make more violent, bitter, or severe.

excoriationsAbrasions of the skin. Places where the skin is worn off.

expectorateTo spit; to eject from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting.

expedientSuitable for achieving a particular purpose in a given circumstance.

expostulationreasoning earnestly with a person for purposes of talking them out of something.

facilis descensus Averni"The descent into Hell is easy", a quote from Virgil's "Aeneid", written around 20 BC. "Averni"translates to "Hell" because Lake Avernus was believed to be the entrance to the underworld.

fag endA poor or worn-out end. The last part or coarser end of a web of cloth. The untwisted end of arope.

FalstaffianFalstaff was a fat, convivial, roguish character in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor andHenry IV.

fandangoMost important of the modern Spanish dances, for couples. The dance begins slowly andtenderly, the rhythm marked by the clack of castanets, snapping of fingers, and stomping offeet.

farthingaleA series of hoops worn especially in the 16th century beneath a skirt to expand it at the hipline.

fastidious

Possessing or displaying careful, meticulous attention to detail; difficult to please; exacting.fathom

As a unit of measurement, a fathom is six feet.

15 fathoms = 90 feet40 fathoms = 240 feet

It also means, "to understand".fauces

The narrow passage from the mouth to the pharynx, situated between the soft palate and thebase of the tongue; -- called also the isthmus of the fauces. On either side of the passage twomembranous folds, called the pillars of the fauces, inclose the tonsils.

felicityHappiness. The quality or state of being happy.

feteA lavish often outdoor entertainment, a large elaborate party.

fetidHaving a heavy offensive smell.

filigreedOrnamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied chiefly to gold andsilver surfaces.

fillipingFlicking, striking or tapping with a quick motion.

fiorituriTaken from "fior" which means "flower" in Italian, fioratura refers to the actual flowery,embellished vocal line within an aria.

flambeau

A flaming torch.


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flaxFlax fibres are amongst the oldest fibre crops in the world. The use of flax fibre to make clothdates back to pre-Roman times. Coarser grades are used for the manufacturing of twine andrope.

flush deckA continuous deck of a ship laid from stem to stern without any break.

foolscapA size of paper formerly standard in Great Britain, measuring 17.2 cm x 21.6 cm, or simply apiece of writing paper.

footpadsThieves who rob pedestrians. Muggers.

forecastleThat part of the upper deck forward of the fore mast. Also, the forward part of the vessel, underthe deck, where the sailors live, in merchant vessels.

foredoomedA fancy way to say "doomed".

fortnightTwo weeks.

fouled our anchorThe anchor became entangled in the chain or rope that it was connected to.

francsFrench dollars.

FreemasonsA worldwide fraternal organization where members are joined together by shared ideals of botha moral and metaphysical nature. Certain aspects of Freemasonry are not generally revealed tothe public. Its members have "secret handshakes" and other ways to recognize each other.Read More >

friezeA sculptured or richly ornamented band (as on a building or piece of furniture).

FuseliA well known British painter (1741-1825). He favored the supernatural, and pitched everythingon an ideal scale, believing a certain amount of exaggeration necessary. He took this idea toextremes; and the violent and intemperate action which he often displays destroys the grand

effect of many of his pieces.Full Text >fustian

Excessively embellished or affected writing or speech.G--, the Prefect

The chief officer or chief magistrate.gainsayed

contradicted, opposed, declared to be untrue or invalid.gaiters

Cloth or leather leg coverings reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee.galvanic

Relating to, or producing a direct current of electricity.gaze aerienne

Airy gauzegelatinous

Resembling gelatin or jelly.gemmary

Pertaining to gems or jewels.gendarme

A police officer. A member of a body of soldiers especially in France serving as an armed policeforce for the maintenance of public order.

geniiA magic spirit believed to take human form and serve the person who calls it. Can also refer toangels. More commonly spelled "genie".

gesticulationsExpressive gestures made in showing strong feeling or in enforcing an argument.

gesticulation

A motion of the body or limbs in speaking, or in representing action or passion, and enforcingarguments and sentiments.
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gheeA clarified butter without any solid milk particles or water. Ghee is used in India and throughoutSouth Asia in daily cooking.

gimletA small tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and cross handle for boring holes.

gingham

A clothing fabric usually of yarn-dyed cotton in plain weave.girtingSurrounding, encircling. More commonly spelled "girding".

glutinousHaving the quality of glue; gummy

Gordian knotThe Gordian knot is a legend where Alexander the Great tried to untie a complicated knot andwhen he couldn't solve the puzzle, sliced it in half with his sword.Read More>

GorgiasAn ancient Greek philosopher, and rhetorician. In his work, he argued that:1) Nothing exists2) Even if something exists, nothing can be known about it.3) Even if something could be known about it, knowledge about it can't be communicated to

others.

Gorgias is credited with having invented the philosophy of nihilism, the view that the world, andespecially human existence, is without meaning, purpose, comprehensible truth, or essentialvalue. Movements such as Dada, Deconstructionism, and Punk have been described by variousobservers as "nihilist".

gossamerSomething light, delicate, or insubstantial. A cobweb, for example.

grandiloquentA lofty, extravagantly colorful, pompous, or bombastic style, manner, or quality especially inlanguage.

gunwaleUpper edge or topmost planking of the side of a ship or boat. Was also called gunnel.

habilimentClothing. The dress characteristic of an occupation or occasion.

HalcyonHalcyon was a bird, now believed to have been the kingfisher. It was supposed to have acalming influence on the sea at the time of winter solstice. Folklore held that during the "halcyondays", from seven days before the solstice until seven days after it, storms would not occur atsea. By extension, halcyon has come to mean the best period of one's life or career, or a periodof great happiness.

harangueA ranting speech or writing. A lecture.

Harrison AinsworthWilliam Harrison Ainsworth (1805-1882) was a British historical novelist. In 1839, he wrote "JackSheppard", the story of the notorious English burglar and thief.

hauteur

arrogance, haughtinessheaving the lead

A lead weight hollowed out at the bottom is fitted to a lead line, so that it may be armed withtallow, this allows the nature of the bottom to be ascertained when a lead line is used by aseaman to find the depth of water when a ship is navigating in restricted or shallow water.Read More >

HebridesThe Hebrides comprise a wide-spread and diverse group of islands off the west coast ofScotland. The area is known for its rough seas and high winds.

HelusionParadise. More often spelled Elysion or Elysium.
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HernaniA famous play written in 1830 by French dramatist Victor Hugo.

The play was classified as "Romantic" and was opposed by people who were referred to as"Classicists". On opening night, Hugo was determined to fill the auditorium with his fans so hehanded out special "red" tickets. Loyal groups were seated next to anyone that might betempted to try to hiss the cast off the stage. The auditorium turned into a spectacular field of

battle; Liberals versus Royalists, Romantics versus Classicists, free expression versus aestheticalconformism and the young versus the old.Read More >

Herod"Herod the Great" was the King of Judea around the time of Christ's birth (0 BC). He was knownfor his extravagance.

Herod was also known for his violence and cruelty. He executed his wife after she had 5 of hischildren. Later, he had his brother-in-law and a couple of his sons executed. In the Bible,Matthew's gospel describes how Herod had all children under 2 years old killed, in an attempt toprevent the birth of the Messiah.

HesperThe Hesperides were the Greek goddesses of evening or sunset. They are tied to their imaginedlocation in the distant west, and Hesperis is the personification of the evening.

The "Garden of the Hesperides" is Hera's orchard in the west, where either a single tree or agrove of immortality-giving golden apples grew.

hessianA German mercenary serving in the British forces during the American Revolution.

hillocksSmall hills.

hogsheadA large cask or barrel. A U.S. unit equal to 63 gallons.

HomericRelating to, or characteristic of the Greek poet Homer, author of the Iliad and Odyssey.

homoeopathistsThose who practice Homeopathy. ("Homoeopathy" is an alternative spelling). Homeopathy is

alternative methods of medical treatment, pioneered by German scientist Dr. SamuelHahnemann in 1796. The remedies are prepared from natural substances to precise standardsand work by stimulating the body's own healing power.

horticulturistA person who specializes in the art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants.

HouriOne of the beautiful maidens that in Muslim belief live with the blessed in paradise. In general, avoluptuously beautiful young woman.

HuguenotIn the 16th and 17th centuries, the name of Huguenots came to apply to members of theProtestant Reformed Church of France. Above all, Huguenots became known for their fierycriticisms of worship as performed in the Roman Catholic Church, in particular the focus on ritualand what seemed an obsession with death and the dead.

hyacinthine

Of the color of a hyacinth, either the gem or the flower.

In the Odyssey, Homer wrote, "... she also made the hair grow thick on the top of his head, andflow down in curls like hyacinth blossoms..."

hyperobtrusiveEspecially obvious. Excessively vivid. Garish.

Poe made this word up and it was later added to the Oxford English Dictionary.hyperquizzitistical

It appears that Poe made this word up.hypocritical

Being a hypocrite. Saying one thing but acting or thinking in a contradictory manner.ichor

A thin watery or blood-tinged discharge.
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idiomAn expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either grammatically or inhaving a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements.

idiosyncrasyA peculiarity of temperament. An individual hyper-sensitiveness, as to a drug or food.

ignes fatui

"Foolish Light". An old term for the light sometimes seen in marshes and swamps, when seepingmethane gas self-ignites, creating flickering lights. To travellers, these lights (seemingly thelights from distant lanterns) could act as a dangerous lure, tricking them off the safe path andonto treacherous ground.

imbibedReceived into the mind and retained. Absorbed.

imbuedInfused. Permeated, as if with dye.

immolationto be killed as a sacrificial victim.

improvisatoriThose that improvise, like actors or poets.

impunityFreedom from any punishment, loss, or consequences.

in articulo mortisThe moment of death

In pace requiescat"Rest in Peace".

in soothIn truth; In reality

inanitionLoss of vitality that results from lack of food and water. The absence or loss of social, moral, orintellectual vitality or vigor.

incipientBeginning. Becoming apparent.

incubusA nightmare. An oppressive thought like a nightmare. An evil spirit that has sexual intercourse

with women while they are sleeping.ineffable

Indescribable. Incapable of being expressed in words.inhumed

buried, as in a grave.inimitable

Not capable of being imitated. Matchless.Inquisition

The Spanish Inquisition. An institution by which people in Spain were converted to Christianityby force. It was considered a "cleansing" of the people. A court, operated by Church authorities,would determine if a person was a "heretic". A heretic could be a Jew, a Muslim, or anyone whodidn't claim to be a christian or follow the Catholic Church. Heretics were tortured, burned at thestake, or executed. The Inquisition finally ended in 1834, during Poe's lifetime.Read More >

intemperanceHabitual or excessive consumption of alcohol. In general, a lack of moderation.

Poe had a problem with alcohol himself.invention of Hero

Hero (or Heron) of Alexandria (c.10c.70) was a Greek engineer and geometer. His most famousinvention was the first documented steam engine, the aeolipile.

IrenePoe wrote a poem called "Irene" in 1831. It was later published as "The Sleeper".

jaggereeNow spelled "jaggery", it is an unrefined brown sugar made from palm sap. Jaggery is a nutritivesugar, high in vitamins and mineral salts. It is also very rich in iron, which helps preventsanemia.
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JavaThe island of Java is located in South Asia, next to the island of Sumatra, and below Borneo,Cambodia, and Vietnam. While Java is only the 13th largest island in the world, it is the mostpopulous island in the world, with a larger population than Australia.Read More >

Joseph GlanvillJoseph Glanvill (1636-1680) was an English writer, philosopher, and clergyman. He wroteSadducismus Triumphatus, which contained a valuable collection of seventeenth century folkloreabout witches.Read More >

JoveIn Roman mythology, Jupiter (sometimes shortened to Jove) held the same role as Zeus in theGreek pantheon. He was called Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter Best and Greatest) as thepatron deity of the Roman state, in charge of laws and social order.

juxtapositionThe act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side.

KabbalaAn interpretation of the Torah (Hebrew Bible), or the religious mystical system of Judaismclaiming an insight into divine nature. A unique, universal and secret knowledge of God, the lawsof nature and of the universe.

Read More >kirschenwasserA cherry brandy manufactured chiefly in the Black Forest in Germany.

KrakenProbably no legendary sea monster was as horrifying as the Kraken. According to stories, thishuge creature, resembling a giant squid, could reach as high as the top of a sailing ship's mainmast. The Kraken would attack a ship, wrap its arms around the hull and capsize it. The crewwould drown or be eaten by the monster.

Lachadive islandsNow spelled "Laccadive", a group of islands and coral reefs in the Arabian Sea off the southwestcoast of India.

laconicUsing or involving the use of a minimum of words; concise to the point of seeming rude ormysterious.

Lady Rowena Trevanion"Lady Rowena" was also a character in the book,Ivanhoe,by Sir Walter Scott in 1820.

Poe writes, "Lady Rowena Trevanion, of Tremaine." In Disney's version of "Cinderella", LadyTremaine is Cinderella's wicked stepmother. In the original version of Cinderella, written byJacob and Wilhelm Grimm in 1812, the stepmother does not have a name.

lambentFlickering. Playing lightly on or over a surface.

larboardThe old name for the left hand side of a ship. It was officially changed to 'port' in 1844, to avoidconfusion with starboard.

LeibnitzGottfried Leibniz (1646-1716). Along with Newton, jointly credited for the development of themodern calculus.Read More >

lethargicsluggish, indifferent

LetheForgetfulness. In Greek mythology, the Lethe is one of the rivers that flow through the realm ofHades. Called the River of Oblivion, the shades of the dead had to drink from this river to forgetabout their past lives on earth.

Liriodendron TulipiferumFamily: Magnoliaceae (magnolia family)Common Names: tulip poplar, tulip tree, yellow poplar.

This large, stately deciduous tree is fairly common in the eastern United States. The tulip poplarcan grow to heights of over 100 ft (30.5m) with trunk diameters of 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) not

uncommon.litterateurA professional writer.
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locutionA word or expression characteristic of a region, group, or cultural level.

Lord VerulamOne of the titles of Francis Bacon, born in London, 1561. He was a brilliant writer and philospher.He originated the saying, "Knowledge is Power".

Bacon's actual quote, paraphrased by Poe in "Ligeia" is, "There is no excellent beauty that hathnot some strangeness in the proportion."Read More >

luminiferous etherIn ancient times, "luminiferous ether" was the substance which was thought to fill the upperregions of space, beyond the clouds. In the 19th century, it was the term used to describe amedium for the propagation of light.

Einstein's theories seem to disprove the existence of an ether, but even to this day, not allscientists agree.Read More >

lustrumA period of five years. A purification of the whole Roman people made in ancient times after thecensus every five years.

Luxor The temple of Luxor was built in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes by King Amenhotep III,1390 BC.

Today, the Luxor is a hotel and casino in Las Vegas that is shaped like a pyramid. The originalLuxor temple in Egypt was not a pyramid.Read More >

MachiavelliNiccol Machiavelli (14691527) was a Florentine statesman and political philosopher.

Mad TristA "story within a story", apparently created by Poe in "The Fall of the House of Usher". Thenarrator is reading the story and at the same time hears sounds that seem to coincide with whathe is reading.

Madonna

Madonna is a medieval Italian term for a noble or otherwise important woman. In WesternChristian art tradition this word is used for the works depicting the Virgin Mary, the mother ofJesus.

magnetoestheticsPoe made up this word. In context it probably means the study of attraction or "AnimalMagnetism" between men and women.

MaisonFrench for House or building.

MalaysPeople of the Malay Peninsula, eastern Sumatra, parts of Borneo, and some adjacent islands.

mansardesA mansard roof has two slopes on all sides with the lower slope steeper than the upper one.Usually there are attic rooms with windows placed within the lower slope.

manumittedTo let go, send;To release from slavery.

Mare Tenebrarum"Sea of Darkness".

Massacre of St. BartholomewThe St. Bartholomew's Day massacre was a wave of Catholic mob violence against theHuguenots (French Protestants), under the authority of Catherine de Medici. Starting on August24, 1572, the massacres spread throughout Paris and later to other cities, during which as manyas 70,000 may have been killed.Read More >

mattockA digging and grubbing tool with features of both an axe and a pick.

meerschaum

A tobacco pipe. A fine light white clayey mineral that is a hydrous magnesium silicate foundchiefly in Asia Minor and is used especially for tobacco pipes.
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menages-humoredDomestically suited, domesticated.

Mendez FerdinandoFerno Mendes Pinto was a Portuguese explorer and writer born in 1509. The stories he wrote ofhis life were so unusual and exaggerated that they were not believed. The Portugueseexpression, "Ferno, Mentes? Minto!" makes fun of his name. It means, "Ferno, do you lie? Yes,I lie!"

mendicantsBaggars, homeless people.

MesmerFranz Anton Mesmer (17341815) discovered what he called animal magnetism and others oftencalled mesmerism. Mesmer's ideas led to the development of hypnosis in 1842.Read More >

metaphorA figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is usedin place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them; for example, "All the world'sa stage".

mienAir or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality; demeanor.

mizen-mast

The aftermost mast of a ship.moiety

One of two equal parts. Half of something.mollified

Appeased. Soothed in temper or disposition.monastic

Relating to monasteries or to monks or nuns. Resembling a secluded or simple life.monody

An ode sung by one voice (as in a Greek tragedy). An elegy or dirge performed by one person.monomania

Excessive concentration on a single object or idea.monomaniac

A person with monomania, the excessive concentration on a single object or idea.

morassMarsh, swamp.Something that is difficult to deal with.

morceauMorsel. Also a short literary or musical piece.

MoresqueHaving the characteristics of Moorish art or architecture.

MoultrieWilliam Moultrie was an American general in the Revolution. He repulsed British attack onSullivan's Island in Charleston Harbor in 1776, and defended Charleston again in 1779.

mummerActor, one who goes merrymaking in disguise during festivals.

Mussulmans

MuslimsNaiadIn Greek mythology, the Naiads were a type of nymph who presided over fountains, wells,springs, streams, and brooks.

naphthalineThe modern spelling is naphthalene. A white solid with a strong smell; is also called mothballs,moth flakes, white tar, and tar camphor. Naphthalene is a natural component of fossil fuels suchas petroleum and coal.

In humans, exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may damage or destroy red blood cells.Some of the symptoms of this condition are fatigue, lack of appetite, restlessness, and pale skin.

NapoleonsFrench 20-franc gold coins.

Nassau balloon

In 1837, Charles Green, Robert Holland, and Thomas Monck Mason really did take a balloon tripfrom London, England to Weilburg, Germany. Poe used this well known event to add credibilityto his story.
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NeapolitansNatives or inhabitants of Naples, Italy.

necromancysorcery: the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnaturaleffects in the world; conjuring up the dead, especially for prophesying.

Nemo me impune lacessit

"No one provokes me with impunity". This motto appears on the royal arms of Scotland.nepentheA potion used by the ancients to induce forgetfulness of pain or sorrow; Something capable ofcausing oblivion of grief or suffering.

neufchatelishRefers to Neufchtel-en-Bray (town of Normandy - France). Town famed for its cheese-making.

NewfoundlandAny of a breed of very large heavy highly intelligent black, black and white, or bronze dogsdeveloped in Newfoundland.

Nicholas KlimmBaron Ludwig Holberg (1684-1754) wrote a story about a voyage to the land of death and back.

Night ThoughtsA poem about life, death, and immortality, written by British author Edward Young in 1742.Read More >

nihilityNonexistence; nothingness

nitreAlso spelled "niter". Nitre is a clear or white mineral crystal of potassium nitrate. It usually isfound as massive encrustations and effervescent growths on cavern walls and ceilings wheresolutions containing alkali potassium and nitrate seep into the openings. Niter has been knownsince ancient times. The name is from Hebrew nter, for salt derived ashes. It is also known asSaltpetre.

nom de plumeA "Pen Name", or a pseudonym adopted by an author for various reasons.

non distributio mediiFallacy of the undistributed middle. A seemingly logical reasoning that is not always true.

Example:1. All students carry backpacks.2. My father carries a backpack.3. Therefore, my father is a student.

This logic sounds good at first but there are obviously problems with it. Even if the first twostatements are true, it doesn't mean my father is a student.Read More >

non-plussedPerplexed. To cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do.

NormanA native or inhabitant of Normandy. One of the Scandinavian conquerors of Normandy in the10th century.

Nourjahad

A reference to "The History of Nourjahad", written in 1767 by Frances Sheridan.Nouvelle Heloise

A romantic novel by Jean-Jacques Rousseau written in 1761. It was banned in France at the timeit was written.

obeisanceA gesture of respect, like kneeling or bowing before a king.

obstreperousMarked by unruly or aggressive noisiness; Stubbornly resistant to control.

obtuse1. An angle greater than 90 degrees. For example, the angles of a stop sign are obtuse.2. Dull, blunt, not pointed.3. A stupid person.

occiputThe back part of the head or skull.

ocularHaving something to do with the eyes.
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OedipusThe son of Laius and Jocasta who in fulfillment of an oracle unknowingly kills his father andmarries his mother.

The "Oedipus complex" is a concept developed by Sigmund Freud in the early 20th century, andis disputed by psychologists today.Read More >

ossificationThe natural process of bone formation; the hardening (as of muscular tissue) into a bonysubstance; a mass or particle of ossified tissue.

Ourang-OutangThe modern spelling is orangutan. A largely herbivorous arboreal ape of Borneo and Sumatrathat is about two thirds as large as the gorilla and has brown skin, long sparse reddish brownhair, and very long arms.

outreBizarre; Violating convention or propriety.

PaganA follower of a polytheistic religion, as in ancient Rome. One who has little or no religion andwho delights in sensual pleasures and material goods.

pall

A heavy cloth draped over a coffin; an overspreading element that produces an effect of gloomPallas

Pallas is probably Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. Poe himself writes,

"...the bust of Pallas being chosen, first, as most in keeping with the scholarship of the lover,and, secondly, for the sonorousness of the word, Pallas, itself."

palliativeReducing the violence of a disease; easing symptoms without curing the underlying disease.

pallidPale, lacking color.

palpablyEasily perceptible by the mind. Capable of being touched.

pantaloonsClose-fitting trousers usually having straps passing under the instep and worn especially in the19th century.

pantheisticalDoctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe. The worship of all gods ofdifferent creeds, cults, or peoples indifferently.

paradoxA statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhapstrue. An argument that apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by valid deduction fromacceptable premises. A person that possesses seemingly contradictory qualities or phases.

paradoxicalA paradox is a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet isperhaps true.

parallelogramA geometric figure with sides that are parallel and equal. A square and a rectangle are both

parallelograms. A diamond (as in playing cards) is also a parallelogram.Parian

Of or relating to the island of Paros noted for its marble used extensively for sculpture in ancienttimes.

ParisianOf or relating to Paris, France.

paroxysmsConvulsions or fits. Sudden violent emotions or actions.

partisanA firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; especially one exhibiting blind, prejudiced,and unreasoning allegiance.

pasquinadedPublicly made fun of, lampooned. Pasquino was the name given to a statue in Rome on whichlampoons were posted.
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passes for AmontilladoA dry sherry noted for its delicate bouquet, resembling the wine of Montilla, Spain, from which itderives its name. A blend of pale, dry sherries of the palma type, it assumes in aging a darkercolor.

patricianAristocrat. A person of breeding and cultivation. A member of one of the original citizen familiesof ancient Rome.

pectoral musclesAny of the muscles which connect the ventral walls of the chest with the bones of the upper armand shoulder.

pendulousPoised without visible support.

penuriousnessStinginess, given to or marked by extreme frugality.

peregrinationsTravels on foot, long walks.

perforationsOpenings or holes.

perniciousHighly injurious or destructive; wicked.

PersepolisThe ancient capital of the Persian empire. It was plundered and burned by Alexander the Great.

pertinacityAdhering resolutely to an opinion, purpose, or design. Perversely persistent.

petulantlyRudely or insolently. Characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor.

phantasmIllusion, ghost, a product of fantasy, a mental representation of a real object.

phantasmagoricA constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined. An exhibition or display ofoptical effects and illusions.

phrenologistA person who studies the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of

mental faculties and character.phthisis

A progressively wasting or consumptive condition; especially pulmonary tuberculosis.physiognomy

Inner character or quality revealed outwardly. The art of discovering temperament and characterfrom outward appearance.

pineAs a verb, to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something unattainable.

placidTranquil, gentle, quiet, or undisturbed.

plebeianOne of the common people; a member of the Roman plebs

Plutarch

Mestrius Plutarch (c.45-c.120) was a Greek historian, biographer and moralist. He was bestknown for his character studies of famous Greeks and Romans. He was a senior priest at theOracle of Delphi. His works greatly influenced Shakespeare, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Milton,and Sir Francis Bacon.Read More >

PlutoThe Roman god of the underworld.

PlutonianRelating to Pluto, the god of the underworld in Roman mythology.

poopA deck raised over the after part of the spar deck. A vessel is pooped when the sea breaks overher stern.

PorphyrogenePoe may have created the form of the word for his poem.
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porphyrogeniteA Byzantine emperor's son born in the purple or porphyry room assigned to empresses, hence aprince born after his father's accession; a person born into the nobility.

posterioriReasoning from observed facts.

praeternaturalSupernatural, or inexplicable by ordinary means.

precocityhaving mature qualities at an unusually early age.

prevaricationTo deviate from the truth.

prima donnaItalian for "first lady." the female star of an opera. In modern usage, it has come to mean a avain and temperamental person.

ProcrusteanMarked by arbitrary often ruthless disregard of individual differences or special circumstances.

prodigiousEnormous, unusually large, causing amazement or wonder.

promulgateTo make known by open declaration.

propitiousBenevolent, being of good omen.

provincialistsA native or inhabitant of a province.

PsycheThe tale of Eros and Psyche first appeared as a digressionary story told by an old woman inLucius Apuleius' novel, The Golden Ass, written in the second century. Apuleius probably used anearlier folk-tale as the basis for his story. Read on its own, it is for the most part a mixture ofstraightforward fairy tale and parody.Read More >

PtolemyClaudius Ptolemaeus (c.100c.178), was an ancient geographer, astronomer, and astrologerwho lived and worked in Egypt.

Read More >Ptolemy HephestionApparently this person does not exist.

"... In brief, Poe invented a geographer from a desert region who mapped a non-existent oceanwhich swept men into darkness, in a work conceived as the illumination of man's understandingof the order of the universe and dedicated to the most distinguished explorer and geographer ofhis own day."

- fromHarriet R. Holman's articlediscussing Poe's work, "Eureka".puncheon

A large cask of varying capacity.punctilious

Concerned about precise accordance with the details of codes or conventions.

purloinedTo take something wrongfully and often by a breach of trust. It is about the same as stealing butnot exactly. In Poe's story, the Queen sees the Minister take the letter but cannot say anythingto stop him due to the nature of the letter itself.

purloinerThief, burglar.

PyrrhonismThe doctrines of a school of ancient extreme skeptics who suspended judgment on everyproposition.

panA joyous song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph.

quaffto drink deeply

quiescenceInactivity, repose, tranquility.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psyche_(mythology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psyche_(mythology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemyhttp://www.eapoe.org/pstudies/ps1960/p1969304.htmhttp://www.eapoe.org/pstudies/ps1960/p1969304.htmhttp://www.eapoe.org/pstudies/ps1960/p1969304.htmhttp://www.eapoe.org/pstudies/ps1960/p1969304.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psyche_(mythology)


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RabelaisFranois Rabelais (1493-1553) was a Renaissance writer, born in France. In his first book of the"Gargantua" series, Rabelais sang the praises of the wines from his hometown through vividdescriptions of the "eat, drink and be merry" lifestyle. Despite the great popularity of his books,they were condemned by academics and the Roman Catholic Church.Read More >

raconteurA person who excels in telling anecdotes.

RadcliffeAnn Radcliffe (1764-1823). English novelist, a most original and distinguished writer of Gothicromances, fond of vivid description, startling events and horrors.Read More >

raptureEcstasy. A state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion. A mysticalexperience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things.

rara avis in terrisLatin for "A rare bird upon the earth".

rechercheExquisite, pretentious, overblown.

recusant

One who refuses to accept or obey established authority. An English Roman Catholic of the timefrom about 1570 to 1791 who refused to attend services of the Church of England and therebycommitted a statutory offense.

reduplicationAn act or instance of doubling or reiterating.

regulus of cobaltPure Cobalt was regulus of cobalt (CoAsS). Named by the copper miners of the Hartz Mountainsafter the evil spirits the "kobolds" which gave a false copper ore.

rencontreA violent meeting. Can also be a contest between forces or individuals, like combat.

revelA wild party or celebration.

reverie

The condition of being lost in thought; daydreaming.rheumA watery discharge from the mucous membranes especially of the eyes or nose.

rheumatismAny of various conditions characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibroustissue; rheumatoid arthritis.

RhineA river in Europe, flowing from Switzerland to the Netherlands, bordering Austria and Germany.

ribandsRibbons used as decorations.

RochefoucauldLa Rochefoucauld, le Prince de Marcillac (1613-1680), was the greatest maxim writer of France.Read More >

roquelaireA knee-length cloak worn especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Also spelled "roquelaure".

rubicundRuddy, having a healthy reddish color.

RueThe french word for "Street". "Rue Morgue" would then be translated as "Morgue Street".

ruminatingTo go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly. To chew repeatedly for anextended period.

runicRunes were characters of several alphabets used by the Germanic peoples until the 13thcentury. They were first used over 1500 years ago by the East Goths, and later appearedthroughout England and Scandinavia. The word "rune" itself comes from an early Anglo-Saxonword meaning "secret" or "mystery", and they remain an enigma to the modern world.

sagaciousHaving or showing keen discernment, sound judgment, and farsightedness. Shrewd.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabelaishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabelaishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Radcliffehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Radcliffehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_La_Rochefoucauldhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_La_Rochefoucauldhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_La_Rochefoucauldhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Radcliffehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabelais


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sagacityShrewdness. Having keen perception of the senses.

salliedLeaped, burst forth.

sanctimonioushaving a "holier-than-thou" attitude; excessively or hypocritically pious.

sanguineConfident and optimistic.

It also means "bloodred" or consisting of or relating to blood. Another interesting word choice byPoe.

SaracenicA member of a nomadic people of the deserts between Syria and Arabia. Arab.

sarcophagusCoffin, particularly ones from ancient Egypt.

sateAn old spelling of "sat", past tense of "sit". "Sate" also means to indulge past the point of beingmerely satisfied. It implies losing interest in something because of doing it too much.

SatyrsDeities in Greek mythology having the torso of a man and the body of a horse or goat (2 legs).

Pan was a Satyr who lived in the woods, played a flute, and was fond of unrestrained revelry.Scarabaeus

Any of a family (Scarabaeidae) of stout-bodied beetles with lamellate or flabellate antennae. Astone or earthenware glazed beetle used in ancient Egypt as a talisman, ornament, and a symbolof resurrection.

ScholiastsCommentators, annotators. People who write marginal remarks.

schooner-rigged smackAn English Fishing Smack was a wooden sailing vessel with two masts, and usually around 60feet in length. The Smack brought home the fish to Market for most of the 19th Century andeven in small numbers up to the Second World War.

scimitarA saber having a curved blade with the edge on the convex side and used chiefly by Arabs and

Turks.scintillatingbrilliantly clever, stimulating, or witty

scruplesMental reservation; an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action.

scytheA farming implement composed of a long curving blade fastened at an angle to a long handle.

The Grim Reaper, the personification of death, is usually pictured as a cloaked skeleton holding ascythe.

sedgeAny of a family of usually tufted marsh plants.

seditionIncitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority.

SenecaAround 50 AD, Lucius Annaeus Seneca wrote, "Nil sapientiae odiosius acumine nimio" (Nothing ismore hateful to wisdom than excessive cleverness). Seneca wrote this about his student, Nero.

Later, when Nero was Emperor of Rome, he ordered Seneca to commit suicide.Read More >

sepulchreA place of burial, usually a tomb.

seraphimAn order of angels;The 6-winged angels standing in the presence of God.

seraphsAn order of angels;

The 6-winged angels standing in the presence of God.sharpersSwindlers, cheating gamblers.
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SimonidesA greek poet from the 7th century B.C.

simoomA hot dry violent dust-laden wind from Asian and African deserts. The name comes from theArabic for poison, since nomads have a lot of trouble with these quick sandstorms.

It is unclear why Poe used this word in "Manuscript Found in a Bottle". He probablymeanttyphoon.

sinciputThe forehead, or the upper half of the skull.

Sir George CayleyAn English inventor who built various flying machines. In 1853, 4 years after Poe's death, Cayleydesigned and built a working, piloted glider, nearly fifty years before the Wright Brothers. Healso invented self-righting life-boats, tension-spoke wheels, automatic signals for railwaycrossings, and seat-belts.Read More >

snuff-boxA small container for holding snuff, a preparation of pulverized tobacco to be inhaled through thenostrils, chewed, or placed against the gums.

sodden

Dull or expressionless especially from continued indulgence in alcoholic beverages.soiree

(swa-ray) A party or reception held in the evening.sojourn

A temporary stay.soliloquy

The act of talking to oneself. A dramatic monologue that gives the illusion of being a series ofunspoken reflection.

Solomon de CausLittle is known about the life of Salomon de Caus (1576-1626). He invented a steam poweredfountain that used a round container of water that was heated by a flame. He described solar-powered steam engines, but it is unclear whether or not he ever attempted to build one.

SomnambulaLa sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) is an opera semiseria in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini to anItalian libretto by Felice Romani.Read More >

spuriousFalse. Forged. Outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuinequalities.

SpurzheimitesFollowers of Spurzheim. Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1823) appears to have firstpopularized the word "phrenology," meaning "the study of the mind." According to Spurzheim'ssystem, the cerebral faculties were either affective (pertaining to emotions and tendencies, suchas combativeness, cautioness, and hope) or intellectual (perceptive and reflective, such as size,weight, calculation, time, and comparison).

StamboulIstanbul, historically Byzantium and later Constantinople, is Turkey's most populous city, and its

cultural and financial center. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian(Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which issituated on two continents.

stereotomyStonecutting. The science or art of cutting stones into certain figures or sections, as arches, andthe like.

stertorouscharacterized by a harsh snoring or gasping sound

stockinetA soft elastic usually cotton fabric used especially for bandages and infants' wear.

studding-sailLight sails set outside the square sails, on booms rigged out for that purpose. They are onlycarried with a fair wind and in moderate weather.

suavity

Being smooth though often superficially gracious and sophisticated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_George_Cayleyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_George_Cayleyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_sonnambulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_sonnambulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_sonnambulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_George_Cayley


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Sullivan's IslandSullivan's Island is located at 3245'48" North, 7950'16" West (32.763456, -79.837911)

Edgar Allen Poe was stationed there in Fort Moultrie from 1827 to 1828. As of the year 2000,there are 1911 people residing in the town.

SullyThomas Sully (June 19, 1783 - November 5, 1872) was a well-known U.S. (English-born)painter, mostly of portraits.Read More >

sulphureousAn older spelling of "sulfurous". Relating to, or containing sulphur. Also relating to, or dealingwith the fires of hell.

Sunda islandsThe Lesser Sunda Islands are a number of smaller islands between 800 and 1200 miles east ofJakarta (formerly Batavia), Indonesia.

sunderTo sever. To separate by or as if by violence.

superciliousProud, coolly and patronizingly haughty.

supererogation

The act of performing more than is required by duty, obligation, or need.superinduced

To introduce as an addition over or above something already existing.surcease

To put an end to; discontinue.surcingle

A belt, band, or girth passing around the body of a horse to bind a saddle or pack fast to thehorse's back.

SwammerdammJohann Jacob Swammerdamm, wrote "Historia Insectorum generalis" (1669), which was latertranslated into English as "The Book of Nature" or, "The History of Insects" (1758).

SwedenborgEmmanual Swedenborg was Swedish mystic and philosopher. He published works the mystery of

soul-body interaction during the early 1740s.sybilsWomen regarded as oracles or prophets by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

syllabificationThe act, process, or method of forming or dividing words into syllables. Also "syllabication".

SylphAn immortal yet soulless (elemental) being that inhabits the air. They are mentioned by themedieval physician Paracelsus.

symposiumA social gathering at which there is free interchange of ideas. A formal meeting at which severalspecialists deliver short addresses on a topic or on related topics.

syncopeLoss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain.

TadmorAn ancient desert city mentioned in the Bible as being fortified by Solomon.

taffrailThe railing around a ship's stern.

tapersAs a noun, a taperis a slender candle.

tarnA bog or marsh. Can also be a mountain lake.

teetotumA small spinning top usually inscribed with letters.

tenorThe drift of something spoken or written. The concept, object, or person meant in a metaphor.

The voice part next to the lowest in a 4-part chorus. Also, the melodic line usually forming the

cantus firmus in medieval music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sullyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sullyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sully


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TertullianTertullian is a controversial figure in the history of Christianity. On one hand, he was thetheologian who introduced the term trinity (L. trinitas) to the Christian vocabulary. On the otherhand, he left the orthodox Catholic Church late in his life and joined a cult, and was thus neverdeclared a saint by the Church.

ThebesThe capital of Egypt during part of the Eleventh Dynasty. Its archaeological remains offer astriking testimony to Egyptian civilization at its height.

ThuleThule, pronounced "thoo-lee", was the northernmost part of the ancient world, usually an island,and often Iceland.

Ultima Thulein medieval geographies may also denote any distant place located beyond the"borders of the known world."

thunderstrickenAstonished. Overwhelmed, as if struck by lightning.

tincturedAffected. Infused or instilled with an idea or property. Also to tint or stain with a color.

tintinnabulationThe ringing or sounding of bells. A jingling or tinkling sound as if of bells.

[This word is frequently misspelled as "tintinabulation". In an 1849 printing of Poe's poem, it wasspelled correctly. In an 1850 printing, it was misspelled. Poe was dead before either printing.]

ToledoA city in Spain where many of the Inquisitorial trials of the Spanish Inquisition were held.

tons burthenThe cargo capacity of the ship.

torpidNumb. Having lost motion or the power of exertion or feeling. Sluggish in functioning or acting.

tournureA woman's shape or figure; Any device used by women to expand the skirt of a dress below thewaist; French bustle used to replace petticoats.

transcendentalismPhilosophy that advocates that there is an ideal spiritual state that 'transcends' the physical andempirical and is only realized through a knowledgeable intuitive awareness that is conditionalupon the individual. The concept emerged in New England in the early-to mid-nineteenth century(during Poe's lifetime).

trebledAs a verb, treblemeans to grow to three times the size, amount, or number.

TrepanningA form of surgery in which a hole is drilled or scraped into the skull, while leaving the membranearound the brain intact. It was performed to reduce abnormal intracranial pressure. Trepanationis generally no longer practiced and is now illegal in most parts of the world.

trepidationFear, apprehension.

trumperyA trivial or worthless article. A piece of junk. Complete nonsense.

trysailA small fore-and-aft sail hoisted abaft the foremast and mainmast in a storm to keep a ship'sbow to the wind.

tuberclessmall, abnormal discrete lumps in the substance of an organ or in the skin; especially thespecific lesions of tuberculosis.

tunica albugineaThe tough fibrous covering of the testicles or the dense, white fibrous tissue of the eye.

twins of LedaIn Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were twins born of Leda and fathered by Zeus, whodisguised himself as a swan and seduced her. The twins are also the two brightest stars in theGemini constellation.


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typhusA name given to several similar diseases caused by Rickettsiae bacteria. Symptoms areheadache, fever, chills, exhaustion, and rash. Also known as "prison fever" and as "ship fever",because it becomes prevalent in crowded conditions in prisons and aboard ships.

Typhoid fever is a completely different disease caused by various strains of Salmonella, andshould not be confused with typhus.

Ultima ThuleThe farthest and northernmost part of the habitable ancient world. The extreme limits of humansurvival.

unequivocalUnquestionable. Leaving no doubt.

unfeignedSincere, honest.

unruffledPoised and serene especially in the face of setbacks or confusion. Smooth.

vacillatingHesitating. Going back and forth between two opinions or courses of action.

vaudevilleA light often comic theatrical piece frequently combining pantomime, dialogue, dancing, and

song. Stage entertainment consisting of various acts (as performing animals, acrobats,comedians, dancers, or singers).

velouteA white sauce made of chicken, veal, or fish stock and cream and thickened with butter andflour.

venerableCalling forth respect through age, character, and attainments. Made sacred especially byreligious or historical association.

verdantGreen in tint or color. Also, unripe in experience or judgment.

veriestA typical example. Properly entitled to the name or designation.

Ververt et Chartreuse

Two poems by Jean Baptiste Gresset (1709-1777), best known for "Ververt" or "Vert-Vert". Thepoem is about a parrot, owned by a convent of nuns, that mistakenly learns swear words.vestige

A trace, mark, or visible sign left by something. A bodily part or organ that is small anddegenerate or imperfectly developed.

viandAn item of food.

vicissitudesNatural changes or mutations visible in nature or in human affairs. Favorable or unfavorableevents or situations that occurs by chance.

vielle cour"Old Yard"

vignetteA picture where the image fades off gradually into the surrounding paper, a short descriptive

literary sketch, a brief incident or scene.virtuoso

One skilled in the fine arts, in antiquities, and the like; a collector or ardent admirer ofcuriosities, etc. In music, a virtuosois a performer on some instrument who excels in thetechnical part of his art.

vis inertiaeThe force of inertia. Newton's first law is the law of inertia: When no force acts on an object (orwhen the forces acting on it cancel), it moves in a straight line at constant speed.Read More >

vituperateBerate, scold, to use harsh condemnatory language.

vociferatedTo cry out loudly, shout.

volitionThe act of making a choice. The capability of conscious choice and decision and intention.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_laws_of_motionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_laws_of_motionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_laws_of_motion


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VoltaireFranois-Marie Arouet (16941778), better known by the pen name Voltaire, was a FrenchEnlightenment writer, deist and philosopher. One of Voltaire's stories is about a character namedZadig.

voluminouslyHaving or marked by great volume or bulk. Consisting of many folds, coils, or convolutions.

vouchsafedTo grant or furnish often in a gracious or condescending manner. To grant as a privilege orspecial favor.

waistcoatAnother name for a vest. Once a virtually mandatory piece of men's clothing, it is rarely seen intoday's world of casual dress. It is still worn as part of a formal, three piece suit.

wanDim, faint, pallid, suggesting poor health.

waylaidAmbushed. Attacked by surprise.

well of DemocritusAccording to legend, the well of Democritus was bottomless. It should also be noted thatDemocritus, a contemporary of Socrates and Plato, is known for laying the foundation for themodern atomic theory, declaring that matter cannot be destroyed but merely changes from one

form to another.Welsh rabbit

Melted and often seasoned cheese poured over toast or crackers.William Henson

William Samuel Henson was an engineer and inventor who was familiar with the aeronauticalwork of George Cayley. In 1843, he received a patent on his design for a steam engine poweredairplane. None of his attempts to build it were successful.

wontAs a noun, a wontis a habitual way of doing something. Pronounced like "want".

wore motleyTo wear the costume of a "motley fool" or a court jester. This was a multi-colored outfit andfunny hat with bells hanging from it. On most decks of playing cards, the Joker is pictured in thisoutfit.

XerxesThe king of Persia (486-465), invaded Greece by bridging Hellespont. The invasion ultimatelyfailed, signaling beginning of decline of Achaemenid Empire.

yawlA ship's small boat.

ZaffreZaffre is a crude oxide of cobalt obtained by heating cobalt ore in a current of air. It was used toprepare smalt and to stain glass blue during Victorian times.

zealEnthusiasm for a person, cause, or object.

Source: http://poestories.com/wordlist.php

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Edgar Allan Poe's Wordlist