The Theban Plays of Sophocles - Oedipus Rex Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms appearing on pages 23-30 of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex.

Elegy / Elegiac / Elegies

Song or poem that expresses deep sorrow or mourning

Throng

Large number of persons crowded together

Beseech

Beg or request urgently

Fledgling

One that is new or inexperienced

Essaying

Making a tentative (uncertain, hesitant), experimental effort

Presbyter

Worshiper

Striplings

Youth

Decimate

Cause great destruction or harm

Omnipotent

All powerful; Unlimited authority or influence

Suppliant / Supplicate

Person making an humble appeal

Consummate

Highest degree; Extremely skilled & accomplished; Perfect

Disenthralled / Disenthrall

Liberated; Freed from bondage

Prowess

Extraordinary ability; Distinguished bravery

Buoyancy

Resilience; To rise when submerged

Anguish

Extreme pain, distress or anxiety

Haunt

Visit or inhabit often; Linger; A place habitually frequented

Covenant

Written agreement; Pledge

Redeem

Free from distress; Win or buy back; Repair; Restore; Atone

Effulgent

Extremely radiant or brilliant, as if by a brightly shinning light

Piety / Pious

Respect for/to a deity or religion; Devout

Avenge

Vengeance on behalf of another

Tremulous

Trembling; Nervous shakiness

Affliction

Great suffering, pain or distress (often caused by disease)

Cipher

Compute arithmetically; Code or decode (depending on context)

Dirge

Slow, solemn and mournful song of grief or lamentation often accompanying funeral rites