Hamlet Vocab

avouch

v. to cite as authority

martial

adj. related to or suited for war

portentous

adj. eliciting amazement or wonder; shadowy or ominous

harbingers

n. foreshadows what is to come

dirge

n. a song of grief/ mournful piece of music

impious

adj. lacking in reverence or proper respect

jocund

adj. marked by suggestive of high spirits/ mirth

circumscribed

v/adj. to surround by a boundary

dalliance

n. frivolous action or act of delay/ flirtation

precepts

v. to take beforehand/instruct

perusal

n. act of examining or considering with attention and in great detail

discretion

n. ability to make responsible decisions

firmament

n. the heavens/ the arch of the sky

paragon

n. a model of excellence or perfection

gratis

adj. free/ without charge/ nothing

savory

adj/n. tasty, flavorful, delicious

chronicles

n. a historical account of events

cleave

v. to split or to separate

malefunction

n. evil deeds or crimes

arras

n. tapestry of Flemish origin used for wall hangings and curtains.

visage

n. the appearance of a person

consummation

n. the completion or ultimate end

orisons

n. prayers

paradox

n. a statement that is seemingly contradictory but true

calumny

n. false accusation/ false charges

temperance

n. moderate in action

buffets

n. blows of force or striking with the hand

purging

v. to clear of guilt; to free or cleanse

bulwark

n. a strong support or structure for defense

mandate

n. an authoritative command or order

importunate

adj. persistent; urgent

conjectures

n. a conclusion deduced by guesswork

inter

v. to deposit a dead body in the earth, bury

pestilent

adj. deadly; destructive; disease-causing

superfluous

adj. exceeding what is sufficient or necessary

impetuous

adj. marked by reckless or impulsive action

incensed

v. aroused extreme anger

mortal

adj. subject to death

obscure

v. to hide or conceal

requite

v. to repay; to make return for

cudgel

v. to beat or strike as with a heavy stick

pate

n. the human head, especially the top of the head

abhorred

v/adj. to regard with horror or loathing; despise

prate

v. to babble on and on

amities

peaceful relations between nations

diligence

n. steady effort

dearth

n. a scarce supply

germane

adj. relevant and pertinent

potent

adj. of great strength

felicity

n. great happiness, bliss