Vocabulary and Roots for A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Hobbit

Comprehensive list of vocabulary words and Latin roots from A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Hobbit lecture notes.

ENAMORED (adjective)

Filled with a deep love for.

VEXATION (noun)

Irritation, annoyance.

BESEECH (verb)

To beg, plead, implore.

CLAMOROUS (adjective)

Loud, noisy, or demanding attention in an insistent way.

CONDOLENCES (noun)

Expression of sympathy to someone experiencing grief.

ENTICE (verb)

To attract by offering reward or pleasure.

AMIABLE (adjective)

Friendly, pleasant, and good natured.

BEGUILE (verb)

To deceive, charm, or enchant.

MIRTH (noun)

Gladness or happiness, especially when expressed with laughter or joy.

SHREWD (adjective)

Having sharp judgment; clever.

Latin Root: am

Meaning LOVE.

Prefix: con

Meaning WITH, TOGETHER.

amore (n)

Italian word for "love."

amour (n)

French word for "love."

congregate (v)

Flock with others.

consensus (n)

Feeling with others.

BEWILDERED (adjective)

Baffled, confused, or uncertain.

bewuthered

A word Tolkien made up, possibly connected to the British word "wuther" meaning to blow with a dull roaring sound; suggested to be synonymous with bewildered.

DISCREET (adjective)

1. Respectful of privacy or secrecy. 2. Not drawing attention to; quiet.

DISCERN (Transitive Verb)

1. To detect with the senses, especially the eyes. 2. To perceive, recognize with the mind.

Latin prefix: dis-

Generally means "apart," "away," or "not."

Latin root: creet / cretus

Means "to separate/sift" or "to distinguish."

AUDACIOUS (adjective)

Showing a willingness to take bold risks; recklessly daring.

REQUISITE (noun or adjective)

1. (adj.) Required, necessary, indispensable. 2. (n) An indispensable item; requirement.

INQUISITIVE (adjective)

Showing curiosity.

Latin root: quisit

Means "to seek" or "to search."

VENERABLE (adjective)

Someone who commands respect due to their age, dignity, wisdom, or character.

UNCANNY (adjective)

1. Surpassing the ordinary or normal. 2. Suggesting the operation of supernatural influences.

OBSTINATE (adjective)

1. Marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield. 2. Stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing.

PRUDENT (adjective)

Marked by sound judgement.

inquisitor (n)

A questioner who is excessively harsh.

prerequisite (n)

Required as a prior condition or course of study.

acquisition (n)

The act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something.

Latin Root: CRET

Means SIFT, DISCERN, or SEPARATE.

discretionary (adj)

Means it's up to you to decide.

secret (n)

Something that should remain hidden from others.

indiscreet (adj)

An indiscreet person is loud, inappropriate, and thoughtless; wild and careless compared to the caution of being discreet.

UNIMPEACHABLE (adjective)

Describes someone or something that is totally, completely, without any doubt, innocent and good.

MENACING (adjective)

Threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments.

PINNACLE (noun)

1. A lofty peak. 2. The highest stage of development.

TUMULT (noun)

A state of commotion and noise and confusion.

LAMENT (noun/verb)

1. (n) A cry of sorrow and grief; a song, poem, or hymn of mourning. 2. (v) Regret strongly.

NIMBLE (adjective)

Moving quickly and lightly.

ILLUMINATE (verb)

Make lighter or brighter.

ABOMINABLE (adjective)

Exceptionally bad or displeasing.

PRECIPICE (noun)

1. A very steep cliff. 2. The brink of a dangerous or potentially disastrous situation.

FALTER (verb)

1. Move hesitatingly, as if about to give way. 2. Walk unsteadily.

Latin Root: lumin

Means LIGHT or GLOW.

luminary (n)

Someone who is much admired in a particular profession because they are an accomplished expert.

luminescent (adj)

Emitting light not caused by heat.

luminous (adj)

When something is bright and glowing.

Latin Prefix: ab-

Means FROM, AWAY, or AWAY FROM.

abolishment (n)

The act of putting an end to something.

abnormal (adj)

Away from being normal.

absent (adj)

Being away from a place.

AMEND (verb)

To change for the better.

WIELD (transitive verb)

To handle skillfully.

FORBEAR (verb)

To refrain from; to abstain; to be patient.

CLAMBER (verb)

To climb awkwardly or with difficulty, scramble.

DESOLATE (adjective/verb)

(adj) Deserted, without inhabitants, barren. (v) To devastate or make lonely.

REMNANTS (noun)

What is left over; remaining parts.

SENTINEL (noun)

A guard.

PRESUMPTION (noun)

Assumed knowledge in advance of proof.

PARLEY (noun/verb)

(n) A discussion, usually between enemies. (v) To engage in a discussion usually between enemies.

HEIRLOOM (noun)

A family possession handed down from generation to generation.

Latin Root: sens/sent

Means TO FEEL.

sentiment (v)

A feeling or opinion.

sensitive (adj)

Quick to perceive or respond to stimuli, often emotionally.

resent (v)

To feel bitterness.

Latin Root: herit

Means PASS DOWN.

heritage (n)

Something passed down through generations, typically cultural traditions or valuable items.

heir (n)

A person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

hereditary (adj)

Passed down through genes or time, referring to traits, conditions, or positions.

OBSCURE (adjective/verb)

(adj) Not well-known; difficult to understand. (v) To make something unclear or difficult to see or understand.

FOREBODING (noun/adjective)

(n) A warning or feeling that something bad will happen. (adj) Marked by fear, ominous.

SURPASS (verb)

To exceed or go beyond.

RECOMPENSE (verb/noun)

(v) To pay back; to give a reward. (n) To pay back; to give a reward.

BESIEGE (verb)

To overwhelm; to surround and attack.

DECREPIT (adjective)

Old and feeble; worn-out, ruined.

DOMINION (noun)

Control; rule; area of influence.

Prefix: fore

Means BEFORE, IN FRONT.

forecast (v)

To predict.

forefathers (n)

A member of the past generations of one's family or people; an ancestor.

foreshadow (v)

A narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader.

Prefix: sur

Means OVER, ABOVE.

survive (v)

Outlive; remain alive after.

surmount (v)

To get the better of a problem or difficulty by conquering or overcoming it.

surcharge (n)

An additional charge or extra fee.

UNQUENCHABLE (adjective)

Unstoppable; cannot be satisfied.

FORTITUDE (noun)

Courage in facing difficulties, pain, or adversity.

FURTIVE (adjective)

Secretive, sneaky.

INUNDATE (verb)

To flood, overflow; to overwhelm by numbers or size.

DISCORD (noun)

Lack of agreement or harmony.

PARAGON (noun)

A model of excellence or perfection.

EXPOUND (verb)

To explain in detail.

NUPTIAL (adjective)

Relating to marriage or weddings.

DISCOURSE (noun)

Conversation.

DERISION (noun)

Ridicule or mockery; laughing at or making fun of someone.

LANGUISH (verb)

To become weak or feeble; to lose strength.

PRODIGIOUS (adjective)

Enormous.