Shakespeare Vocabulary

Flashcards

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1 : to cast off : discard 2 : to relinquish (as sovereign power) formallyAbdicate
removed or distant either physically or emotionallyAloof
intrepidly daring : adventurous; recklessly boldAudacious
a store of useful assets or advantagesCapital
to gain by turning something to advantage : profitCapitalize
to surrender often after negotiation of termsCapitulate
to cut off the head of : beheadDecapitate
having the power or quality of deciding: resolute, determinedDecisive
not permitted : unlawfulIllicit
occurring by chance OR fortunate, luckyFortuitous
to utter injuriously misleading or false reports about : speak evil ofMalign
arousing or deserving hatred or repugnance : hatefulOdious
a claim made or implied ; especially : one not supported by fact OR
professed rather than real intention or purpose : pretext
Pretense
bitter deep-seated ill willRancor
to reject or criticize sharply : snubRebuff
to handle (as a tool) especially effectively OR to exert one's authority by means ofWield
one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority OR (more likely) someone or
something intensely disliked or loathed
Anathema
pretentious inflated speech or writingBombast
a sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action b: a sudden
usually unpredictable condition
Caprice
conspicuous; especially : conspicuously bad : flagrantEgregious
an obscure speech or writing OR something hard to understand or explainEnigma
to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds : shunEschew
requiring immediate aid or action; urgentExigent
fruitful in offspring or vegetation : prolificFecund
constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupiedIndustrious
an indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or
accompanying the onset of an illness
Malaise
a curseMalediction
wanting harm to befall othersMalevolent
tending to produce death or deteriorationMalignant
shrewdness, perceptivenessPerspicacity
the culminating or highest point : acmeZenith
an error in chronology ; especially : a chronological misplacing of itemsAnachronism
having a circular or winding courseCircuitous
secret, occult OR having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous
meaning : mysterious
Cryptic
extensive knowledge acquired chiefly from booksErudition
to restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles : impedeHamper
marked by extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment
of details
Meticulous
to make obscure OR to be evasive, unclear, or confusingObfuscate
to be pleased or gratified by: enjoyRelish
to refuse to have anything to do with : disown: to reject as untrue or unjustRepudiate
arousing or appealing to sexual desire or imaginationSalacious
to form a notion of from scanty evidenceSurmise
passing especially quickly into and out of existenceTransient
existing or being everywhere at the same time: widespreadUbiquitous
to make legally valid : ratify OR to support or corroborate on a sound or authoritative basisValidate
to lower in estimation or importanceVilify
to free from allegation or blame OR to provide justification or defenseVindicate