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New Words from Edgar Allan Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"

1. "Dissemble", to hide under a false appearance (merriam-webster).

Poe uses "dissemble" to show how troubled the narrator is, as he believes that the officers can hear his victim's heartbeat and are acting like they don't simply to mock him. 

2. "Death watches", any of various small beetles that bore in seasoned or dead wood (as of old buildings) and make a tapping noise as a mating call (merriam-webster).

The narrator tells the reader that he listen to the death watches which creates an uneasy ambiance as they are believed to be omens of death.


3. "Suavity", smoothly though often superficially gracious and sophisticated (merriam-webster).


Poe uses "suavity" to indicate to the reader that the narrator's confident attitude is merely superficial and will not last.


4. "Derision", the use of ridicule or scorn to show contempt (merriam-webster).


Poe uses "derision" to emphasize the narrator's warped perception of the situation, in which he believes that the officers are mocking him.

5. "Hearken", to listen.

The narrator is saying "hearken" with an exclamation mark to grab the readers' attention and show the importance of what he is about to say.

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