uncanny
Unexplainable with the most likely suggestions being those connected to the supernatural, magical or occult.
vouch
The affirmation or assurance of the positive attributes of one person by another.
unconscious
The part of the mind capable of stimulating behavior and thought which the conscious part of the mind cannot adequately explain.
Gothic
A horror genre characterized by the appearance of the uncanny, gloomy setting, grotesque characters and an overall spooky mood.
rationalist
A cynical disbeliever in any explanation that does follow the rules of logic; a skeptic.
framing device
A literary technique in which the actual meat of the narrative is introduced by a narrator as story-within-a-story though usually the story at play in the framing device lacks the depth of character, plot and theme of the story that is to be told.
bewitched
Enchanted or entranced; seduced by mystery.
vassal
A peasant laborer to the owner of a manor estate.
literati
Literature snobs who look down on more popular genres.
cathartic
The effect of coming to an emotional understanding or release as the result of the climax of a story.
coign
The perfect spot for observing others while remaining undetected.
languid
Slow-moving; unhurried; not terribly concerned with getting things done in a hurry.
typhoid
An infectious fever highly feared before the arrival of modern medicine capable of creating epidemics.
oppressive
Heavy and overbearing.
convalescence
A period of recovery after a prolonged bout of ill health.
spectral
Phantom-like; ghostly; ethereal and shadowy.
coutenance
The expression upon a face.
obdurate
Stiff opposition to changing one’s mind or course of action.
portico
Porch or large entryway.
