The Castle of Otranto

The Castle of Otranto Glossary

melancholy

deep sadness

whence

from which

whither

to what place

bombast

pretentious writing or speech

digression

a temporary departure from a topic of conversation

prejudiced

the quality of being narrow-minded about people and therefore biased

impartial

the quality of being unbiased

disposition

demeanor; behavior

lamentable

very sad and unfortunate

amiable

friendly

obeisance

a state of paying homage; bowing to another

poignarded

stabbed with a poignard, a slender thrusting knife

ejaculations

loud protestations

necromancer

a person who raises the dead

assuaging

lessening the intensity of something; pacifying

impetuosity

characterized by thoughtless or rash action

perdition

damnation

trifle

play with; toy with

dotards

old, near-senile people

caprice

a whim

disculpate

exonerate from blame