English I List 6 (“The Cask of Amontillado”) – Pre-AP
1. aperture NOUNAn opening, such as a hole, gap, or slitThreading a needle with a narrow aperture is a challenging task for my grandma.
CoA: I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and let it fall within.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” aperture means…
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2. circumscribe VERB1. To draw a line around; encircle 2. To limit narrowly; restrict 3. To determine the limits of; defineMimi’s social life is circumscribed by her heavy academic load.
CoA: Within the wall thus exposed by the displacing of the bones, we perceived a still interior crypt or recess, in depth about four feet, in width three, in height six or seven. It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use within itself, but formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” circumscribe means…
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3. connoisseur NOUN1. A person with expert knowledge or training, especially in the fine arts.2. A person of informed and discriminating tasteMimi is such a connoisseur of fashion that she dresses Angelina Jolie for all of the award shows.
CoA: He had a weak point --this Fortunato --although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” connoisseur means…
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4. crypt NOUN1. An underground vault or chamber, especially one beneath a church that is used as a burial placeEven though Aunt Gladys is no longer with us, I honor her memory with my visits to her crypt.
CoA: We continued our route in search of the Amontillado. We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” crypt means…
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5. distill VERB To separate or extract the essential elements of; To increase the concentration of, separate, or purify by or as if by distillation This wine has been distilled from the most delicious grapes in France. Distilled to its essence, “The Most Dangerous Game” is a very action-packed story.
CoA: He turned towards me, and looked into my eves with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of intoxication.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” distill means…
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6. gesticulate VERBTo make gestures especially while speaking, as for emphasis; To say or express by gestures Waving his hands around wildly, Rocko gesticulated as he spoke in favor of the proposed “No Homework” policy.
His eyes flashed with a fierce light. He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation I did not understand.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” gesticulate means…
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7. ignoramus NOUNAn ignorant personRocko is such an ignoramus in math that he claimed that 2+2 = 5.
CoA: "Proceed," I said; "herein is the Amontillado. As for Luchresi --"
"He is an ignoramus," interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed immediately at his heels.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” ignoramus means…
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8. implore VERB1. To beg for urgently; 2. To appeal to in supplication; to beseech Rockoimplored the police to arrest Mimi for the murder of his brother, Zocko, but the police refused to pursue the case.
CoA: "Pass your hand," I said, "over the wall; you cannot help feeling the nitre. Indeed, it is very damp. Once more let me implore you to return. No? Then I must positively leave you.”
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” implore means…
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9. impunity NOUNExemption from punishment, penalty, or harmBecause the police are afraid of Mimi, she continues to enjoy impunity for the premeditated murder she committed.
CoA: I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado”, impunity means…
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10. insufferable ADJDifficult or impossible to endure; intolerableMimi’s incessant bragging about her excellent grades has become insufferable.
CoA: The vaults are insufferably damp.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” insufferable means…
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11. motley ADJHaving elements of great variety or incongruity; Having many colors; NOUN The parti-colored attire of a court jesterThe motley group was comprised of short men, tall women, loud boys, and quiet girls from all around the globe.
CoA: The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” motley means…
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12. perceive VERB1. To become aware of directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing 2. To achieve understanding ofInnocent Teddy is perceived as a threat because of his menacing grimace and filthy clothes, even though Mimi is an actual murderer.
CoA: I continued, as was my in to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my to smile now was at the thought of his immolation.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” perceive means…
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13. preclude VERB1. To make impossible, as by action taken in advance; prevent. 2. To exclude or prevent (someone) from a given condition or activityRocko precluded his chances of earning an “A” by refusing to study for the test.
CoA: At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely, settled --but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” preclude means…
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14. recess NOUN1. a. A temporary cessation of the customary activities of an engagement, occupation, or pursuit.2. A remote, secret, or secluded place. Often used in the plural.3. a. An indentation or small hollow.b. An alcove.VERB1. To place in a recess. 2. To create or fashion a recess in;3. To suspend for a recess: To take a recessThe recess in the wall was just large enough to hold Mimi’s purse.
CoA: We had passed through long walls of piled skeletons, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” recess means…
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15. redress VERB1. To set right; remedy or rectify.2. To make amends to.
3. To make amends forNOUN 1. Satisfaction for wrong or injury; reparationAs a way of redress for the trouble Rocko had caused, he offered to wash Mimi’s car.
CoA: A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” redress means…
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16. repose NOUN1. The act of resting or the state of being at rest.2. Freedom from worry; peace of mind.3. Calmness; tranquilityVERB To lay (oneself) down.2. To rest or relax (oneself).1. To lie dead:2. To lie while being supported by somethingIt’s healthy to take a nap and enjoy a moment of repose.
CoA: "I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us."
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” repose means…
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17. termination NOUN1. The act of terminating or the condition of being terminated.2. a. The end of something in time; the conclusion.b. An end of something in space; a limit or edge.3. A result; an outcomeWhen Rocko’s father discovered Rocko’s “P” in conduct, the result was the termination of Rocko’s Xbox privileges.
CoA: It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavoured to pry into the depth of the recess. Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” termination means…
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18. vault NOUN1. An arched structure, usually of masonry or concrete, serving to cover a space.2. A room or space, such as a cellar or storeroom, with arched walls and ceiling, especially when underground.3. A room or compartment, often built of steel, for the safekeeping of valuables: 4. A burial chamber, especially when underground.Mimi’s vault contained diamonds, rubies, and hurricane rations of Diet Coke and Doritos.
CoA: I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato, bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” vault means…
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19. vintage ADJCharacterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic.3. Old or outmoded.4.Of the best or most distinctiveThe ’68 Camaro is a car with a vintage attractive to baby boomers pining to relive their youth.
CoA: In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In this respect I did not differ from him materially; --I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” vintage means…
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20. virtuoso NOUN1. A musician with masterly ability, technique, or personal style.2. A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.3. A person with a strong interest in the fine arts, especially in antiquitiesKobe Bryant is a basketball virtuoso.
CoA: He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity, to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” virtuoso means…
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21. immolate VERB 1: to sacrifice 2: to kill as a sacrificial victim, as by fire; offer in sacrifice 3 to destroy by fire Tibetan Buddhist monks sometimes protest China’s occupation of their lands by staging self-immolations – they know that the photographs of a man lighting himself on fire will appeal to sympathizers in the West.
CoA: I continued, as was my in to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” immolation means…
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22. surmount VERB 1: to mount upon; get on the top of; mount upon and cross over: to surmount a hill 2: to get over or across (barriers, obstacles, etc.) 3: to prevail over: to surmount tremendous difficulties 4: to be on top of or above: a statue surmounting a pillar 5: to furnish with something placed on top or above: to surmount a tower with a spire We brainstormed ways to surmount seemingly impossible challenges.
CoA: He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” surmounted means…
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23. palazzo NOUN an impressive public building or private residence; palace If I win the lottery, I hope to take a vacation to see the pallazos in Italy where the famous Medici family lived.
CoA: Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm; and putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” palazzo means…
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24. niter NOUN potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, otherwise known as “saltpeter” – it grows on the walls of caves and is used to make fertilizer and gunpowder
CoA: "The nitre!" I said; "see, it increases. It hangs like moss upon the vaults. We are below the river's bed. The drops of moisture trickle among the bones. Come, we will go back ere it is too late. Your cough --"
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” nitre means…
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25. azure ADJ 1: of or having a light, purplish shade of blue, like that of a clear and unclouded sky 2: Heraldry (dealing with coats of arms): of the tincture or color blue The ocean was a beautiful azure.
CoA: "The Montresors," I replied, "were a great and numerous family."
"I forget your arms."
"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel."
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” azure means…
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26. rampant ADJ 1: violent in action or spirit; raging; furious <a rampant leopard> 2: growing luxuriantly, as weeds 3 in full sway; prevailing or unchecked <a rampant rumor> 4 (of an animal) standing on the hind legs; ramping 5: Heraldry (of a beast used as a charge) represented in profile facing the dexter (right) side, with the body upraised and resting on the left hind leg, the tail and other legs elevated, the right foreleg highest, and the head in profile unless otherwise specified <a lion rampant> Corruption became rampant when the Mafia controlled the city.
CoA: "The Montresors," I replied, "were a great and numerous family."
"I forget your arms."
"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel."
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” rampant means…
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27. trowel NOUN 1: any of various tools having a flat blade with a handle, used for depositing and working mortar, plaster, etc. 2: a similar tool with a curved, scooplike blade, used in gardening for taking up plants, turning up earth, etc.Turn the compost pile every few days, using a small shovel or large trowel.
CoA: As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones of which I have before spoken. Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar. With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” trowel means…
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28. niche NOUN 1: an ornamental recess in a wall or the like, usually semicircular in plan and arched, as for a statue or other decorative object 2: a place or position suitable or appropriate for a person or thing: to find one's niche in the business world 3: a distinct segment of a market 4: (Ecology) the position or function of an organism in a community of plants and animals As a photographer, you want to have a niche – will you specialize in weddings, journalism, wildlife, etc.?
CoA: But now there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected the hairs upon my head.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” niche means…
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29. obstinate ADJ 1: firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty 2: characterized by inflexible persistence or an unyielding attitude; inflexibly persisted in or carried out: obstinate advocacy of high tariffs 3: not easily controlled or overcome: the obstinate growth of weeds 4: not yielding readily to treatment, as a disease He's obstinate and cantankerous, drinks too much and gets too loud when he does.
CoA: There was then a long and obstinate silence.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” obstinate means…
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30. rapier NOUN 1: a small sword, especially of the 18th century, having a narrow blade and used for thrusting 2: a longer, heavier sword, especially of the 16th and 17th centuries, having a double-edged blade and used for slashing and thrusting We must not suppose that the rapier fight of the sixteenth century resembled modern fencing.
CoA: Unsheathing my rapier, I began to grope with it about the recess; but the thought of an instant reassured me.
In the context of “The Cask of Amontillado,” rapier means…
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