Antigone Vocabulary Words

Vocabulary practice cards covering the key literary and thematic terms from the play Antigone, complete with their parts of speech and definitions as presented in the study notes.

lateral

To the side, side-by-side

decree

An official government order

to mourn

To grieve for the death of someone close

carrion

A dead animal body (outdoors)

to meddle

To interfere

eddy

A whirlpool

headlong

Recklessly

helm

Helmet

famished

Starving (literal or figurative)

to sate

To satisfy a hunger (literal or figurative)

garland

A wreath of flowers

to bray

To sound like a donkey (or a "jackass")

chorus

In ancient Greek drama, a group of 12 masked actors who speak for the community

auspicious

Describes something that looks promising

to reign

To rule a kingdom / the era of a king's or queen's rule

reverence

Deep respect

comprehensive

Covering all aspects

senile

Describes an old person who has lost memory or mental function

pious

Describes someone very religious

anarchist

A person who believes there should be zero government

prow

The front end of a ship or boat

furrow

A long narrow trench for planting seeds

lithe

Describes a person who is flexible and in-shape (like a dancer)

yoke

A wooden harness worn by a horse or ox (literal or figurative)

sultry

Describes something hot and humid (or sexy)

folly

Foolishness, stupidity

edict

An official government order

headstrong

Describes someone stubborn

insolence

Rudeness

brazen

Describes someone arrogant and mouthy

license

(not a license) permission, what society allows

to discharge

To perform, to release, to shoot off

to waver

(not waiver -- a permission slip) to move back and forth (as in a decision)

woe

Sadness

deference

Deep respect for the views of another

to subordinate

To put something under something else

malicious

Describes something or someone harmful and wicked

indecent

Describes something inappropriate (usually sexual)

to pervert

To change the proper course of something

bridegroom

The man in the wedding, the groom

to absolve

To forgive or to clear of guilt