A Midsummer Night’s Dream Vocabulary

filched snitched; stole
abjure to give up; abstain from
persuasion a strongly held opinion, a conviction
revenue income; wealth
visage face; appearance
base the lowest or bottom part
perjured testified falsely under oath; falsified; untrue
lamentable worthy of grief, mourning, or regret
extempore spoken, carried out, or composed with little or no preparation or forethought
discretion ability or power to decide responsibly
perforce by necessity; by force of circumstance
amorous strongly attracted or disposed to love
undistinguishable having no unique markings; can’t be clearly seen
rheumatic of, relation to, or suffering from aches in the muscles, joints or bones
chaplet a wreath or garland for the head
promontory a high ridge of land or rock jutting out into a body of water
dulcet pleasing to the ear; melodious
spurn to kick at or tread on disdainfully
clamorous noisy
flout to show contempt for
chink a narrow opening, such as a crack or fissur
brake a thicket
knavery unprincipled; crafty
enamored inspired with love; captivated
purge to remove (impurities) by or as if by cleansing
kindred relatives
bower a woman’s private chamber
lamenting regretting deeply; mourning, expressly sorrow
consecrated sacred
rebuke to criticize or reprove sharply; reprimand
amiable friendly and agreeable in disposition; good-natured and likable
fret worry
loath be unwilling or reluctant; disinclined
entwist twist together
dotage a deterioration of mental faculties; senility
upbraid to reprove sharply; reproach
conjunction a joint or simultaneous occurrence; concurrence
enmity deep-seated, often mutual hatred
recount to narrate the facts or particulars of
discourse verbal expression in speech or writing
mirth gladness and gaiety, especially when expressed by laughter
audacious bold, insolent, spirited or original
broached pierced in order to draw off liquid
tarrying remaining or staying temporarily
valor courage and boldness, as in battle; bravery
wane a period of decline or decrease
beguiled deluded; cheated; diverted
shroud a cloth used to wrap a body for burial
sprite a specter or ghost; a soul