Vocabulary for The Black Cat, by Edgar Allan Poe

1.Solicit:(V)-to seek for (something) by earnest or respectful request, formal application, etc.
-Synonym: look Antonym: refuse
-the sign on the door said no soliciting
-The prostitute solicited both males and females a Wal-Mart.

2.Mad:(Adj)-mentally disturbed; deranged; insane; demented.
-Synonym: handicapped Antonym: chill
-The mad teacher began yelling at the students because they weren't concentrating enough in their lab work.
-The kid was mad, he was going crazy and no one believed in what he discovered.

3.Succinct:(Adj)-expressed in few words; concise; terse.
-Synonym:fragment Antonym:essay
-I wondered why Rachel was so succinct with me on the phone last night.
-There was a succinct explanation of the book on the back cover.


4.Phantasm:(N)-an illusory likeness of something.
-Synonym: love Antonym: hatred
-I phantasized about Taylor Lautner all class period.
-I hear so many good things about the restaurant across the street I had a phantasm of it.

5.Docile:(Adj)-easily managed or handled.
-Synonym: organized Antonym: disarranged
-Edward’s dog is docile and well trained.
-The boss makes sure everything at work is docile and well organized.

6.Disposition:(N)-the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude.
-Synonym: nature Antonym: temper
-Jakes disposition in church was unacceptable.
-Jill’s feeling of disposition for Eric, were out of control.

7.Sagacious:(Adj)-having or showing keen discernment, and sound judgment.
-Synonym: intelligent Antonym: lazy
-Einstein was sagacious in science.
-John’s sagacious attitude in math was finally starting to pay off.

8.Paltry:(Adj)-lacking in importance or worth; trivial.
-Synonym: poor Antonym: significant
-All around the world there are paltry people, living on the ground.
-The paltry book had no ones attention.

9.Gossamer:(N)-something delicate, light, or flimsy.
Synonym: fragile Antonym: hefty
-My mom warned me not to play inside so the gossamer vase wouldn’t break.
-Some people have no calcium in the bones and have a gossamer body.

10.Fidelity:(N)-faithfulness to obligations, duties, or observances.
-Synonym: dedicated Antonym: cheater
-Every marriage has fidelity to keep or follow.
-Ryan’s fidelity to his parents was strong.

11.Procure:(V)-to get by special effort; obtain or acquire.
-Synonym: privilege Antonym: ignore
-The coaches son had a procure treatment tat was unfair.
-Sally, being the youngest daughter has a procure and spoiled life.

12.Allusion:(N)-the act of alluding; indirect reference:
-Synonym: imagining Antonym: real
-In the hot desert I saw an allusion of food.
-In the picture there were allusions of objects shooting out.

13.Intemperance:(N)-excessive use of alcoholic beverages.
-synonym: drunk Antonym: sober
-Austin had an intemperance amount of alcohol at the party last night.
-My teacher got fired for having intemperance.

14.Maltreat:(V)-to treat in a rough or cruel way; abuse.
-Synonym: neglect Antonym: care
-Dave maltreats his poor dog badly.
-The c.d. player was maltreated, therefore it did not work.

15.Scruple:(N)-a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions.
-Synonym: anxiety Antonym: ignorance
-The security guard had a scruple job to protect the office.
-Native Indians have a scruple society.

16.Malevolence:(N)-ill will; malice; hatred.
-Synonym: despise Antonym: love
-I had a malevolence feeling about Chelsea’s new friend.
-I felt a malevolence vibe in the room.

17.Atrocity:(N)-the quality of being extremely or shockingly wicked, cruel, or brutal.
-Synonym: mean Antonym: nice
-Kayla always had an atrocity plan to be bad and funny.
-The terrorists planned an atrocity on 9/11

18.Debauch:(N)-a period of wanton self-indulgence, an excessive party which includes consumption of alcohol.
-Synonym: abuse, alcoholic Antonym: clean
-Everyone at the party was out of their minds from a debauch.
-There was a debauch club that got closed down because it was getting too dangerous.

19.Sentiment:(N)-a mental feeling; emotion.
-Synonym: passion Antonym: despise
-The couple had such a sentiment feeling for each other they decided to get married.
-Everyone seems so sentimental on Valentine’s Day.

20.Remorse:(N)-deep and painful regret for wrongdoing.
-Synonym: regret Antonym: satisfaction
-I had a remorse feeling for being mean to my grandmother.
-When Travis was fooling around he got in a car crash, and he felt remorse for killing the other driver.