The Canterville Ghost — Vocabulary Study

in a factual, exact sense; not figuratively or exaggerated

"The Canterville ghost has a long history of scaring people to death---literally."

a high-pitched, thin sound, like that made by rusty metal or a small animal

"And then came the sound of clanking and squeaking."

moving one surface back and forth against another with pressure

"Mr. Otis knew that sound; it was the sound of metal rubbing against metal."

metal that has become reddish-brown and rough from corrosion, usually from moisture

"It was the sound of metal rubbing against metal... rusty metal."

connected metal rings or links, often used for binding or restraint

"Heavy, rusty chains hung from his arms and legs."

stopped someone from continuing what they were saying or doing

"The ghost opened his mouth wide as if he were about to scream, but he was interrupted by Mr. Otis."

with great force or intensity

"Then he suddenly knocked the bottle of oil violently onto the floor."

left quickly, in a rush

"He screamed loudly, and hurried away."

treated with disrespect; offended

"He had never been so insulted in all his 300 years of haunting."

recalled or remembered something from the past

"He thought back to some of his finest performances."

acts or feats carried out to impress or entertain an audience

"He thought back to some of his finest performances."

the chief male servant of a household, responsible for managing other staff

"There was the butler who ran away and never came back after he saw a green hand knocking on the window."

died by suffocating under water

"Lady Stutfield finally drowned herself in the backyard pond."

the area of land behind a house

"She finally drowned herself in the backyard pond."