WRHS "The Cask of Amontillado"

A cask is a barrel that holds large quantities of liquid, in this case an expensive wine.

If doing something usually results in punishment, but you do it with impunity, you will not be punished for the deed.

Retribution comes from the Latin for giving back what's due, either reward or punishment. But when Montresor talks about retribution, he is talking only about punishment. He wants revenge. In his head, Montresor believes that Fortunato deserves what he gets.

This word comes from the Latin word meaning "sprinkle with sacrificial meal." The word often invokes burning, a common method of sacrifice. In "The Cask of Amontillado," immolate means to destroy or defeat utterly.

To accost is to approach someone aggressively or confront them in an inappropriate way. Accost describes a confrontation.

Abscond means to escape, usually used to describe someone who is running from the law.

Preclude means prevented.

A recoil is a movement backward, usually from some force or impact, but sometimes from fear or surprise. In this story, Fortunato recoils because he is startled.

Subside comes from the Latin prefix sub- (which means "down" or "under") and the Latin verb sidere (which means "to settle"). Subside is often used when a negative situation has improved

Use grotesque to describe things that are very strange and oddly shaped in an unnatural way. It's not necessarily disgusting or gross; this word describes the shape of something.

To endeavor is to strive for something; when you endeavor, you are trying your best to finish a task. Endeavor can also be the task itself, but Poe uses it as a verb in "The Cask of Amontillado."