macbeth act i vocab

plight

a situation from which extrication is difficult

minion

a servile or fawning dependent

thane

a feudal lord or baron

flout

treat with contemptuous disregard

deign

do something that one considers to be below one's dignity

disburse

expend, as from a fund

weird

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

rapt

feeling great delight and interest

heath

uncultivated land with sandy soil and scrubby vegetation

contend

compete for something

stout

having rugged physical strength

trifle

something of small importance

surmise

to draw a conclusion or infer

cleave

stick or hold together and resist separation

interim

the time between one event, process, or period and another

liege

a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service

recompense

payment or reward, as for service rendered

harbinger

something indicating the approach of something or someone

peerless

eminent beyond or above comparison

missive

a written message addressed to a person or organization

chastise

scold or criticize severely

impede

be a hindrance or obstacle to

metaphysical

without material form or substance

tidings

information about recent and important events

gall

a digestive juice secreted by the liver

pall

cover with a burial garment

beguile

influence by slyness

sovereign

greatest in status or authority or power

frieze

an ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band

buttress

a support usually of stone or brick

purveyor

someone who supplies provisions, especially food

audit

a methodical examination or review of a situation

surcease

a stopping

shoal

a sandbank in a stretch of water that is visible at low tide

adage

a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact

quell

suppress or crush completely

mettle

the courage to carry on