Gothic Literature Vocabulary

verb to cut off the head of; behead

• The executioner decapitated the criminal with a single swift stroke of the sword.
• I can't believe they decapitated the main character in that show!
• If you mess with him, he'll decapitate you, no questions asked.
• The new policy effectively decapitated the power of the board members.

verb to completely cover or surround something

adjective having been completely covered or surrounded

• The building was enveloped in a thick fog, making it difficult to see from a distance.
• I was enveloped in a warm hug from my friend when I saw them after a long time.
• The party was so wild, I felt like I was enveloped in a cloud of smoke the whole time.
• Her heart was enveloped in sadness after hearing the news of her friend's passing.

noun a structure typically used for executions by hanging, consisting of a wooden frame with a crossbeam at the top

• The criminal was sentenced to hang on the gallows for his heinous crimes.
• They say the old gallows in town is haunted by the ghost of a condemned prisoner.
• I heard they used to hang out at the gallows back in the day.
• Facing the gallows of public opinion, the politician knew his career was over.

noun a state of darkness, sadness, or melancholy

verb None

adjective gloomy (related to or characterized by gloom)

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The gloom of the economic downturn has cast a shadow over the entire industry.
• The gloom of the rainy weather put a damper on our plans for a picnic.
• The gloom of the breakup really got me down.
• The gloom of uncertainty hung heavy in the air as we awaited the election results.

adjective causing horror or disgust; gruesome

• The detective described the crime scene as grisly, with blood spattered everywhere.
• I couldn't watch that grisly movie, it was too scary for me.
• That horror game is so grisly, it gave me nightmares.
• The grisly truth of the matter is that we are running out of time.

adjective suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome; having a grim or ghastly atmosphere

• The play had a macabre theme, with dark and unsettling scenes throughout.
• The horror movie was so macabre, I couldn't sleep for days after watching it.
• That haunted house was totally macabre, it gave me the creeps.
• The artist's use of macabre imagery in their paintings added a haunting quality to their work.

noun a loop with a running knot, tightening as the rope or wire is pulled

• The detective carefully examined the noose found at the crime scene.
• I can't believe they tried to prank me with a fake noose hanging from the ceiling!
• That guy is always hanging around like a loose noose, never leaving us alone.
• The debt felt like a tightening noose around his neck, suffocating him with each passing day.

adjective of or relating to a tomb or sepulcher; funereal or gloomy

• The sepulchral atmosphere of the ancient tomb was filled with a sense of solemnity.
• The old cemetery had a really creepy, sepulchral vibe to it.
• I ain't going near that sepulchral place, it gives me the heebie-jeebies.
• The sepulchral silence in the room indicated that something was terribly wrong.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'strange' describes something that is unusual or not familiar

• The scientist made note of the strange behavior exhibited by the new species of insects.
• It's kind of strange how she always wears mismatched socks.
• Did you see that strange dude at the party last night?
• The sudden change in weather was a strange twist of fate.

adjective weird, eerie, or sinister in a supernatural or mysterious way

• The ancient tome was filled with eldritch incantations and mysterious symbols.
• I stumbled upon an eldritch-looking object in the attic.
• That movie was so eldritch, it gave me the creeps.
• The eldritch glow of the moon cast an eerie light on the deserted town.