Shakespeare Vocabulary

Flashcards

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Abdicate1 : to cast off : discard 2 : to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally
Aloofremoved or distant either physically or emotionally
Audaciousintrepidly daring : adventurous; recklessly bold
Capitala store of useful assets or advantages
Capitalizeto gain by turning something to advantage : profit
Capitulateto surrender often after negotiation of terms
Decapitateto cut off the head of : behead
Decisivehaving the power or quality of deciding: resolute, determined
Illicitnot permitted : unlawful
Fortuitousoccurring by chance OR fortunate, lucky
Malignto utter injuriously misleading or false reports about : speak evil of
Odiousarousing or deserving hatred or repugnance : hateful
Pretensea claim made or implied ; especially : one not supported by fact OR
professed rather than real intention or purpose : pretext
Rancorbitter deep-seated ill will
Rebuffto reject or criticize sharply : snub
Wieldto handle (as a tool) especially effectively OR to exert one's authority by means of
Anathemaone that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority OR (more likely) someone or
something intensely disliked or loathed
Bombastpretentious inflated speech or writing
Capricea sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action b: a sudden
usually unpredictable condition
Egregiousconspicuous; especially : conspicuously bad : flagrant
Enigmaan obscure speech or writing OR something hard to understand or explain
Eschewto avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds : shun
Exigentrequiring immediate aid or action; urgent
Fecundfruitful in offspring or vegetation : prolific
Industriousconstantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied
Malaisean indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or
accompanying the onset of an illness
Maledictiona curse
Malevolentwanting harm to befall others
Malignanttending to produce death or deterioration
Perspicacityshrewdness, perceptiveness
Zeniththe culminating or highest point : acme
Anachronisman error in chronology ; especially : a chronological misplacing of items
Circuitoushaving a circular or winding course
Crypticsecret, occult OR having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous
meaning : mysterious
Eruditionextensive knowledge acquired chiefly from books
Hamperto restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles : impede
Meticulousmarked by extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment
of details
Obfuscateto make obscure OR to be evasive, unclear, or confusing
Relishto be pleased or gratified by: enjoy
Repudiateto refuse to have anything to do with : disown: to reject as untrue or unjust
Salaciousarousing or appealing to sexual desire or imagination
Surmiseto form a notion of from scanty evidence
Transientpassing especially quickly into and out of existence
Ubiquitousexisting or being everywhere at the same time: widespread
Validateto make legally valid : ratify OR to support or corroborate on a sound or authoritative basis
Vilifyto lower in estimation or importance
Vindicateto free from allegation or blame OR to provide justification or defense