The Raven

The Raven The Raven The Raven The Raven

Vocabulary You need to Vocabulary You need to know...know...

Vocabulary You need to Vocabulary You need to know...know...

Things to RememberThings to RememberThings to RememberThings to Remember

Edgar Allen Poe likes to use multiple definitions of a word at one time. So, be looking for how each meaning can fit into the poem.

Edgar Allen Poe likes to use multiple definitions of a word at one time. So, be looking for how each meaning can fit into the poem.

Lore: stanza oneLore: stanza oneLore: stanza oneLore: stanza one

lore 1 |lôr|

noun

a body of traditions and knowledge on a subject or held by a particular group, typically passed from person to person by word of mouth : the jinns of Arabian lore | baseball lore.

ORIGIN Old English lār [instruction,] of Germanic origin: related to Dutch leer, German Lehre, also to learn .

• lore 2 |lɔ(ə)r| |lɔː|

noun Zoology

the surface on each side of a bird's head between the eye and the upper base of the beak, or between the eye and nostril in snakes.

ORIGIN early 19th cent.: from Latin lorum ‘strap.’

lore 1 |lôr|

noun

a body of traditions and knowledge on a subject or held by a particular group, typically passed from person to person by word of mouth : the jinns of Arabian lore | baseball lore.

ORIGIN Old English lār [instruction,] of Germanic origin: related to Dutch leer, German Lehre, also to learn .

• lore 2 |lɔ(ə)r| |lɔː|

noun Zoology

the surface on each side of a bird's head between the eye and the upper base of the beak, or between the eye and nostril in snakes.

ORIGIN early 19th cent.: from Latin lorum ‘strap.’

So...So...So...So...

Notice how it means a story, because he is reading a book. Also, notice how it relates to a bird. FORESHADOWING!!!

Notice how it means a story, because he is reading a book. Also, notice how it relates to a bird. FORESHADOWING!!!

Surcease: stanza twoSurcease: stanza twoSurcease: stanza twoSurcease: stanza two

surcease |sərˈsēs|

noun

cessation : he teased us without surcease.

• relief or consolation : drugs are taken to provide surcease from intolerable psychic pain.

verb [ intrans. ] archaic

cease.

surcease |sərˈsēs|

noun

cessation : he teased us without surcease.

• relief or consolation : drugs are taken to provide surcease from intolerable psychic pain.

verb [ intrans. ] archaic

cease.


In this context it means he uses the books to escape from the pain of loosing Lenore.

In this context it means he uses the books to escape from the pain of loosing Lenore.

Entreat: stanza threeEntreat: stanza threeEntreat: stanza threeEntreat: stanza three

entreat |enˈtrēt|

verb

1 [ reporting verb ] ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something : [ trans. ] his friends entreated him not to go. See note at beg .

• [ trans. ] ask earnestly or anxiously for (something) : a message had been sent, entreating aid for the Navajos.

2 [ trans. ] archaic treat (someone) in a specified manner : the King, I fear, hath ill entreated her.

entreat |enˈtrēt|

verb

1 [ reporting verb ] ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something : [ trans. ] his friends entreated him not to go. See note at beg .

• [ trans. ] ask earnestly or anxiously for (something) : a message had been sent, entreating aid for the Navajos.

2 [ trans. ] archaic treat (someone) in a specified manner : the King, I fear, hath ill entreated her.


Notice how he uses entreat instead of ask for, he uses this to express the anxious and persistent manner of the rapping at his door.

Notice how he uses entreat instead of ask for, he uses this to express the anxious and persistent manner of the rapping at his door.

Token: stanza fiveToken: stanza fiveToken: stanza fiveToken: stanza five

token |ˈtōkən|

noun

1 a thing serving as a visible or tangible representation of something abstract : mistletoe was cut from an oak tree as a token of good fortune. See notes at emblem, sign .

token |ˈtōkən|

noun

1 a thing serving as a visible or tangible representation of something abstract : mistletoe was cut from an oak tree as a token of good fortune. See notes at emblem, sign .


This word usage is tricky. Its the tangible representation for something abstract. Is this meant to imply that this is in his head? Knowing Poe we have to take that into consideration, because he choses his words VERY carefully.

This word usage is tricky. Its the tangible representation for something abstract. Is this meant to imply that this is in his head? Knowing Poe we have to take that into consideration, because he choses his words VERY carefully.

Lattice: stanza sixLattice: stanza sixLattice: stanza sixLattice: stanza six

lattice |ˈlatis|

noun

a structure consisting of strips of wood or metal crossed and fastened together with square or diamond-shaped spaces left between, used typically as a screen or fence or as a support for climbing plants.

lattice |ˈlatis|

noun

a structure consisting of strips of wood or metal crossed and fastened together with square or diamond-shaped spaces left between, used typically as a screen or fence or as a support for climbing plants.


This might have been meant to scare us into thinking someone climbed the window lattice and is at the window.

This might have been meant to scare us into thinking someone climbed the window lattice and is at the window.

Thereat: stanza sixThereat: stanza sixThereat: stanza sixThereat: stanza six

thereat |ðe(ə)rˈat|

adverb archaic or formal

1 at that place.

thereat |ðe(ə)rˈat|

adverb archaic or formal

1 at that place.

Flirt: Stanza sevenFlirt: Stanza sevenFlirt: Stanza sevenFlirt: Stanza seven

flirt |flərt|

• ( flirt with) deliberately expose oneself to (danger or difficulty) : the need of some individuals to flirt with death.

2 [ trans. ] (of a bird) wave or open and shut (its wings or tail) with a quick flicking motion.• [ intrans. ] move back and forth with a flicking or fluttering motion : the lark was flirting around the site.

flirt |flərt|

• ( flirt with) deliberately expose oneself to (danger or difficulty) : the need of some individuals to flirt with death.

2 [ trans. ] (of a bird) wave or open and shut (its wings or tail) with a quick flicking motion.• [ intrans. ] move back and forth with a flicking or fluttering motion : the lark was flirting around the site.

Yore: stanza sevenYore: stanza sevenYore: stanza sevenYore: stanza seven

yore |yôr|

noun (in phrase of yore) poetic/literary

of long ago or former times (used in nostalgic or mock-nostalgic recollection) : a great empire in days of yore.

yore |yôr|

noun (in phrase of yore) poetic/literary

of long ago or former times (used in nostalgic or mock-nostalgic recollection) : a great empire in days of yore.

Obeisance: stanza sevenObeisance: stanza sevenObeisance: stanza sevenObeisance: stanza seven

obeisance |ōˈbāsəns; ōˈbē-|

noun

deferential respect : they paid obeisance to the prince. See note at honor .

• a gesture expressing deferential respect, such as a bow or curtsy : she made a deep obeisance.

obeisance |ōˈbāsəns; ōˈbē-|

noun

deferential respect : they paid obeisance to the prince. See note at honor .

• a gesture expressing deferential respect, such as a bow or curtsy : she made a deep obeisance.

Mien: stanza sevenMien: stanza sevenMien: stanza sevenMien: stanza seven

mien |mēn|

noun poetic/literary

a person's look or manner, esp. one of a particular kind indicating their character or mood : he has a cautious, academic mien.

mien |mēn|

noun poetic/literary

a person's look or manner, esp. one of a particular kind indicating their character or mood : he has a cautious, academic mien.

Beguiling: stanza eightBeguiling: stanza eightBeguiling: stanza eightBeguiling: stanza eight

beguile |biˈgīl|

verb [ trans. ]

1 charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way : every prominent American artist has been beguiled by Maine | [as adj. ] ( beguiling) a beguiling smile. See note at tempt .

• trick (someone) into doing something : they were beguiled into signing a peace treaty.

beguile |biˈgīl|

verb [ trans. ]

1 charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way : every prominent American artist has been beguiled by Maine | [as adj. ] ( beguiling) a beguiling smile. See note at tempt .

• trick (someone) into doing something : they were beguiled into signing a peace treaty.

Decorum: stanza eightDecorum: stanza eightDecorum: stanza eightDecorum: stanza eight

decorum |diˈkôrəm|

noun behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety : you exhibit remarkable modesty and decorum.• etiquette : he had no idea of funeral decorum.• (usu. decorums) archaic a particular requirement of good taste and propriety.• archaic suitability to the requirements of a person, rank, or occasion.ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (as a literary term, denoting suitability of style): from Latin, neuter of the adjective decorus ‘seemly.’

decorum |diˈkôrəm|

noun behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety : you exhibit remarkable modesty and decorum.• etiquette : he had no idea of funeral decorum.• (usu. decorums) archaic a particular requirement of good taste and propriety.• archaic suitability to the requirements of a person, rank, or occasion.ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (as a literary term, denoting suitability of style): from Latin, neuter of the adjective decorus ‘seemly.’

Discourse: Stanza eightDiscourse: Stanza eightDiscourse: Stanza eightDiscourse: Stanza eight

discoursenoun |ˈdisˌkôrs|

written or spoken communication or debate : the language of political discourse | an imagined discourse between two people traveling in France.• a formal discussion of a topic in speech or writing : a discourse on critical theory.• Linguistics a connected series of utterances; a text or conversation.verb |disˈkôrs| |dɪsˈkɔrs| |dɪsˈkɔːs| [ intrans. ]speak or write authoritatively about a topic : she could discourse at greatlength on the history of Europe.• engage in conversation : he spent an hour discoursing with his supporters in the courtroom.ORIGIN late Middle English (denoting the process of reasoning, also in the phrase discourse of reason): from Old French discours, from Latindiscursus ‘running to and fro’ (in medieval Latin ‘argument’ ), from the verb discurrere, from dis- ‘away’ + currere ‘to run’ ; the verb influenced by French discourir.

discoursenoun |ˈdisˌkôrs|

written or spoken communication or debate : the language of political discourse | an imagined discourse between two people traveling in France.• a formal discussion of a topic in speech or writing : a discourse on critical theory.• Linguistics a connected series of utterances; a text or conversation.verb |disˈkôrs| |dɪsˈkɔrs| |dɪsˈkɔːs| [ intrans. ]speak or write authoritatively about a topic : she could discourse at greatlength on the history of Europe.• engage in conversation : he spent an hour discoursing with his supporters in the courtroom.ORIGIN late Middle English (denoting the process of reasoning, also in the phrase discourse of reason): from Old French discours, from Latindiscursus ‘running to and fro’ (in medieval Latin ‘argument’ ), from the verb discurrere, from dis- ‘away’ + currere ‘to run’ ; the verb influenced by French discourir.

Placid: stanza ninePlacid: stanza ninePlacid: stanza ninePlacid: stanza nine

placid |ˈplasid|

adjective(of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited : this horse has a placidnature.• (esp. of a place or stretch of water) calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity : the placid waters of a small lake.See note at calm .DERIVATIVESplacidity |pləˈsiditē| |pløˈsɪdədi| |pləˈsɪdədi| |pləˈsɪdɪti|nounplacidly |ˈpløsədli| adverbORIGIN early 17th cent.: from French placide, from Latin placidus, from placere ‘to please.’

placid |ˈplasid|

adjective(of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited : this horse has a placidnature.• (esp. of a place or stretch of water) calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity : the placid waters of a small lake.See note at calm .DERIVATIVESplacidity |pləˈsiditē| |pløˈsɪdədi| |pləˈsɪdədi| |pləˈsɪdɪti|nounplacidly |ˈpløsədli| adverbORIGIN early 17th cent.: from French placide, from Latin placidus, from placere ‘to please.’

Outpour: stanza nineOutpour: stanza nineOutpour: stanza nineOutpour: stanza nine

outpouring |ˈoutˌpôri ng |

nounsomething that streams out rapidly : a massive outpouring of high-energy gamma rays.• (often outpourings) an outburst of strong emotion : spontaneous outpourings of affection and support | the unprecedented outpouring of tearfulgrief.

outpouring |ˈoutˌpôri ng |

nounsomething that streams out rapidly : a massive outpouring of high-energy gamma rays.• (often outpourings) an outburst of strong emotion : spontaneous outpourings of affection and support | the unprecedented outpouring of tearfulgrief.

Seraphim: stanza fourteenSeraphim: stanza fourteenSeraphim: stanza fourteenSeraphim: stanza fourteen

seraph |ˈserəf|

noun ( pl. seraphim |ˈserəˌfim| or seraphs )an angelic being, regarded in traditional Christian angelology as belonging to the highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy, associated with light, ardor, and purity.

seraph |ˈserəf|

noun ( pl. seraphim |ˈserəˌfim| or seraphs )an angelic being, regarded in traditional Christian angelology as belonging to the highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy, associated with light, ardor, and purity.

Respite: stanza fifteenRespite: stanza fifteenRespite: stanza fifteenRespite: stanza fifteen

respite |ˈrespət; riˈspīt|

noun short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant : the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering | [in sing.] a brief respite from a dire food shortage.• a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out.

respite |ˈrespət; riˈspīt|

noun short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant : the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering | [in sing.] a brief respite from a dire food shortage.• a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out.

Nepenthe: stanza fifteenNepenthe: stanza fifteenNepenthe: stanza fifteenNepenthe: stanza fifteen

nepenthes |nəˈpenθēz|

noun 1 (also nepenthe) |-θē| poetic/literary a drug described in Homer'sOdyssey as banishing grief or trouble from a person's mind.• any drug or potion bringing welcome forgetfulness. [ORIGIN: viaLatin from Greek nēpenthēs ‘dispelling pain,’ from nē- ‘not’ +penthos ‘grief.’ ]

nepenthes |nəˈpenθēz|

noun 1 (also nepenthe) |-θē| poetic/literary a drug described in Homer'sOdyssey as banishing grief or trouble from a person's mind.• any drug or potion bringing welcome forgetfulness. [ORIGIN: viaLatin from Greek nēpenthēs ‘dispelling pain,’ from nē- ‘not’ +penthos ‘grief.’ ]

Plume: stanza seventeenPlume: stanza seventeenPlume: stanza seventeenPlume: stanza seventeen

plume |ploōm|

noun a long, soft feather or arrangement of feathers used by a bird for display or worn by a person for ornament : a hat with a jaunty ostrich plume.• Zoology a part of an animal's body that resembles a feather : the antennae are divided into large feathery plumes.• a long cloud of smoke or vapor resembling a feather as it spreads from its point of origin : as he spoke, the word was accompanied by a white plume of breath.• a mass of material, typically a pollutant, spreading from a source : a radioactive plume.• (also mantle plume) Geology a localized column of hot magma rising by convection in the mantle, believed to cause volcanic activity in hot spots, such as the Hawaiian Islands, away from plate margins.verb1 [ intrans. ] spread out in a shape resembling a feather : smoke plumed from the chimneys.• [ trans. ] decorate with or as if with feathers : [as adj. ] ( plumed) a plumed cap.2 ( plume oneself) chiefly archaic (of a bird) preen itself.• figurative feel a great sense of self-satisfaction about something : sheplumed herself on being cosmopolitan.

plume |ploōm|

noun a long, soft feather or arrangement of feathers used by a bird for display or worn by a person for ornament : a hat with a jaunty ostrich plume.• Zoology a part of an animal's body that resembles a feather : the antennae are divided into large feathery plumes.• a long cloud of smoke or vapor resembling a feather as it spreads from its point of origin : as he spoke, the word was accompanied by a white plume of breath.• a mass of material, typically a pollutant, spreading from a source : a radioactive plume.• (also mantle plume) Geology a localized column of hot magma rising by convection in the mantle, believed to cause volcanic activity in hot spots, such as the Hawaiian Islands, away from plate margins.verb1 [ intrans. ] spread out in a shape resembling a feather : smoke plumed from the chimneys.• [ trans. ] decorate with or as if with feathers : [as adj. ] ( plumed) a plumed cap.2 ( plume oneself) chiefly archaic (of a bird) preen itself.• figurative feel a great sense of self-satisfaction about something : sheplumed herself on being cosmopolitan.

Tempest: stanza sixteenTempest: stanza sixteenTempest: stanza sixteenTempest: stanza sixteen

empest |ˈtempist|

noun violent windy storm.

empest |ˈtempist|

noun violent windy storm.

Laden: stanza sixteenLaden: stanza sixteenLaden: stanza sixteenLaden: stanza sixteen

lade |lād|

verb ( past part. laden |ˈlādn|) [ trans. ] archaicload (a ship or other vessel).• ship (goods) as cargo.• [ intrans. ] (of a ship) take on cargo.ORIGIN Old English hladan, of West Germanic origin;

related to Dutchand German laden ‘to load,’ also to ladle and perhaps to lathe .laden |ˈlādn| |ˈleɪdn| |ˈleɪd(ə)n|adjectiveheavily loaded or weighed down : a tree laden with apples | [incombination ] the moisture-laden air.

lade |lād|

verb ( past part. laden |ˈlādn|) [ trans. ] archaicload (a ship or other vessel).• ship (goods) as cargo.• [ intrans. ] (of a ship) take on cargo.ORIGIN Old English hladan, of West Germanic origin;

related to Dutchand German laden ‘to load,’ also to ladle and perhaps to lathe .laden |ˈlādn| |ˈleɪdn| |ˈleɪd(ə)n|adjectiveheavily loaded or weighed down : a tree laden with apples | [incombination ] the moisture-laden air.

Aptly: stanza tenAptly: stanza tenAptly: stanza tenAptly: stanza ten

apt |apt|

adjective1 appropriate or suitable in the circumstances : an apt description of her nature.2 [ predic. ] ( apt to do something) having a tendency to do something : she was apt to confuse the past with the present.3 quick to learn : he proved an apt scholar.DERIVATIVESaptly |ˈøp(t)li| adverbaptness |ˈøp(t)nəs| nounORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [suited, appropriate] ): fromLatin aptus ‘fitted,’ past participle of apere ‘fasten.’

apt |apt|

adjective1 appropriate or suitable in the circumstances : an apt description of her nature.2 [ predic. ] ( apt to do something) having a tendency to do something : she was apt to confuse the past with the present.3 quick to learn : he proved an apt scholar.DERIVATIVESaptly |ˈøp(t)li| adverbaptness |ˈøp(t)nəs| nounORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [suited, appropriate] ): fromLatin aptus ‘fitted,’ past participle of apere ‘fasten.’

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The Raven