Argosies”There, where your argosies, with portly sail,-like signiors and rich burghers on the flood, or, as it were, the pageants of the sea,- do overpeer the petty traffickers, that curt’sy to them, do them reverence, as they fly by them with their woven wings.” (1.1.9-14) | Definition: a large merchant ship, especially one with a rich cargoSentence: The foreign merchant sailed ashore on his heavily filled argosies. |
Enrobe”…Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks, and, in a word, but even now worth this, and now worth nothing?” (1.1.35-37) | Definition: to dress; attireSentence: Enrobed with an exquisite dress, she was finally ready for the gala. |
Signiors”Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? say, when?” (1.1.68-69) | Definition: an Italian courtesy titleSentence: Excuse me, signior, can I have directions to the Vatican? |
Mirth”With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come;” (1.1.84) | Definition: an expressed laughterSentence: I have provided much mirth, and your uncontrollable laughter proves me right. |
Grandsire”Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?”(1.1.88) | Definition: a grandfather or aged manSentence: The pictures of her grandsire portrayed him as a feared man. |
Alabaster”Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?”(1.1.88) | Definition: a finely granular variety of gypsum, often white and translucent, used for ornamental objects or work, such as lamp bases, figurines, etc.Sentence: He had a collection of alabaster coins, tools and lamps. |
Exhortation”I’ll end my exhortation after dinner.” (1.1.108) | Definition: to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgentlySentence: I gave a close exhortation to the society, which seemed to sink into every heart. |
Vendible”In a neat’s tongue dried, and a maid not vendible.” (1.1.116) | Definition: capable of being soldSentence: During a hot day, ice cold water would be the most vendible. |
Abridged”Nor do I now make moan to be abridg’d from such a noble rate; but my chief care is to come fairly off from the great debts wherein my time, something too prodigal, hath left me gag’d.” (1.1.130-135) | Definition: to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contentsSentence: The teacher abridged the homework; she only included the necessities needed for the test. |
Prodigal”Nor do I now make moan to be abridg’d from such a noble rate; but my chief care is to come fairly off from the great debts wherein my time, something too prodigal, hath left me gag’d.” (1.1.130-135) | Definition: wastefully or recklessly extravagantSentence: Many thought her wedding was prodigal since it was way over the top and cost over a hundred thousand dollars. |
Herein”You know me well, and herein spend but time, to wind about my love with circumstance;” (1.1.158-159) | Definition: in or into this placeSentence: Sign at the foot of this contract to confirm that you agree with the terms herein. |
Surfeit”You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were for aught I see, they are as sick that surfeit with too much, as they starve with nothing.” (1.2.3-6) | Definition: an excessive amountSentence: He had a surfeit supply of food that would last him through the month. |
Superfluity”Superfluity comes sooner by white hair, but competency lives longer.” | Definition: a superabundant or excessive amount.Sentence: He could do without such superfluities as a second car. |
Imputation”Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?” (1.3.13) | Definition: an attribution, as of fault or crime; accusationSentence: He made a serious imputation by saying that John had committed the crime. |
Congregate”Even there where merchants most do congregate, on me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift, which he calls interest.” (1.3.44-46) | Definition: gather into a crowd or massSentence: Congregate on the streets to excitedly discuss the victory. |
Pied”That all the eanlings which were streak’d and pied should fall, as Jacob’s hire; the ewes, being rank…” (1.3.77-78) | Definition: patchy in colorSentence: The shirt in the thrift store was pied; it looked like it had be ripped and sewn many times. |
Borne”Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, for sufferance is the badge of all our tribe…” (1.3.8-9) | Definition: past tense of bearSentence: The weight was more than could be borne by a lone man. |
Ducats”A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or shall I bend low, and in a bondman’s key with ‘bated breath, and whispering humbleness..” (1.3.121-123) | Definition: a gold coin formerly current in most European countriesSentence: By now her armies in the field were costing 13 million ducats a year. |
Forfeiture”By the exaction of the forfeiture?”(1.3.165) | Definition: something that is lost or surrendered as a penaltySentence: Forfeiture by re-entry is to issue proceedings at court seeking possession on the ground that the tenant is in arrears. |
Usance”He lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice.” (1.3.39-40) | Definition: interestSentence: You can tell he had an usance with her by the way he looked at her. |
The Merchant of Venice Act I
July 27, 2019