Shakespeare Vocabulary List
Terms
undefined, object
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- anachronism
- an error in chronology; a chronological misplacing of persons or events
- abstruse
- difficult to understand, recondite, concealed
- aggrandizement
- increase, enlargement, enhancement
- abyss
- bottomless hole, a vast expanse or depth
- abrasive
- harsh, causes irritation, rough
- acclaim
- praise, salute, hail
- abdicate
- to renounce or give up a power
- ambivalent
- undecided, having contrary feelings or attitudes, uncertain as to course of action
- abscond
- to leave secretly and hide
- ambulatory
- able to walk or move around
- abase
- to degrade, humiliate
- allusion
- implied or indirect reference, hinting at
- abate
- to reduce in intensity or amount
- adulterate
- to make impure by adding lesser substances, to corrupt
- abridge
- to shorten, diminish
- align
- to arrange in a line
- abode
- a home
- analgesic
- causing insensitivity to pain while remaining away
- abeyance
- suspension of action
- acrophobia
- fear of heights
- abrogate
- to abolish, to do away with
- addendum
- something added, usually to a book
- abstemious
- sparing (usually in eating or drinking); temperate
- anachist
- one who believes in the absence of government or law and a state of disorder
- a cappella
- without accompaniment by an instrument
- ambiguous
- having more than one meaning, not a clear meaning
- abet
- to encourage or assist (usually an offense against justice or the law)
- adjunct
- something joined or added to a thing but not necessarily a part of it
- abbreviate
- to shorten
- altruistic
- unselfish concern for the welfare of others, generous
- abstracted
- removed in thought from the immediate situation, pleasantly lost in one's own mind
- acquiesce
- to give in, comply
- abolish
- to do away with
- acrimonious
- caustic
- abandon (noun)
- act of unrestrained behavior disregarding consequences
- alchemist
- one who practices medieval chemistry, attempting to change metals into gold
- amorphous
- shapeless, having no definite form
- ameliorate
- to make better, to relieve, to improve
- amiable
- friendly, sociable, and congenial: civil and urbane
- adulation
- extreme praise or admiration
- afoot
- something that is developing, or is in the process of happening
- analogous
- showing an analogy or a likeness permitting one to draw an analogy
- alcove
- a partly enclosed extension of a room or part of a room
- accolade
- praise, an award
- adroit
- skillful, adept
- advent
- a coming or arrival
- adamant
- inflexible, immovable, obstinate
- aggregate
- sum total, whole amount
- accord
- agreement, state of harmony
- adage
- a wise saying
- amalgam
- combination of different elements
- advocacy
- supporting an idea or cause
- air
- to make a public utterance
- adherent
- a follower of something such as a leader, party, philosophy, or profession
- acument
- having mental sharpness
- amulet
- a charm or ornament of some form worn to protect against evil
- amenable
- open to or willing to follow advice or suggestion, tractable, malleable
- alacrity
- prompt and cheerful response
- agile
- characterized by ready ability to move quickly and easily with suppleness and grace
- allure
- to influence, sway, or entice with some tempting appeal
- amity
- friendhip (the name of the town in "Jaws")
- acuity
- sharpness of perception
- aesthetic
- relating or pertaining to a sense of beauty or art
- accent
- to stress, to give prominence
- amass
- to collect, gather, accumulate
- adaptable
- willing to conform or adjust
- aloof
- apart, indifferent
- alloy
- a substance that is a mixture of metals
- affable
- friendly, courteous, amiable
- affinity
- likeness, a natural relationship, kinship
- ambience
- a surrounding or pervading atmosphere
- acerbic
- sour or bitter in mood or tone
- adversity
- misfortune, unfavorable happening
- acrid
- caustic, bitter, harsh (relates sometimes to taste and smell)