Shakespeare’s Macbeth Vocabulary Acts 2 & 3

Vocabulary terms and definitions from Acts One through Five of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, as listed in the lecture notes.

Entreat

to ask (a person) earnestly; beseech; implore; beg

Repose

being at rest; sleeping.

Cleave

to stick together/enjoin OR to split apart

Palpable

readily or plainly seen, heard, perceived

Stealthy

behaving or done in a cautious and surreptitious manner, so as not to be seen or heard.

Quench

to put out; extinguish.

Balm

a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin.

Equivocate

misleading use of words, vague, using words that have two or more meanings

Provoke

to anger, enrage, exasperate

Unruly

disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control.

Lament

to feel or express sorrow or regret for

Obscure

not clear to the understanding; hard to perceive

Clamor

a loud uproar, as from a crowd of people

Malice

desire to inflict harm or suffering on another; the intention or desire to do evil; ill will.

Posterity

succeeding or future generations collectively

Prosperous

having or characterized by financial success or good fortune; flourishing

Dauntless

not to be daunted or intimidated; fearless

Rebuke(d)

to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand.

Rancor

bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice.

Predominant

having ascendancy, power, authority, or influence over others; preeminent.

Incensed

very angry; enraged.

Jovial

endowed with or characterized by a hearty, joyous humor or a spirit of good-fellowship.

Assailed

to attack vigorously or violently; assault.

Jocund

cheerful; merry; blithe; glad.

Mirth

amusement or laughter.

Infirmity

a physical weakness or ailment:

Blanch(ed)

to whiten by removing color.

Tedious

marked by tedium; long and tiresome.

Wrathful

full of or characterized by intense anger.

Malevolence

a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.