Notice: This vocabulary word list for A Midsummer Night’s Dream is for personal use only.
The study of the word list will improve reading comprehension. Any commercial use of the vocabulary word lists at MyVocabulary.com is expressly prohibited unless requested and permission granted.
Email comments or questions to: email Jan Cook or use the Contact Us in the footer below.
An 43 word vocabulary list with definitions for A Midsummer Night’s Dream is arranged by Act.
Act II: 10 words
pensioners = retainers; bodyguards of the court
wrath = ire; anger
wanton = unrestrained, headstrong and bawdy woman
Perigenia, Aegles, Ariade = women who were conquests of Theseus
rheumatic = inflammations or pain in muscles, joints or fibrous tissues
dulcet = sweet to the ear: melodious
leviathan = large, giant sea monster; whale
impeach = charge formally with misconduct in office; cast doubt
griffin = animal with the head and wings of an eagle, the body of a lion
troth = loyal or pledged faithfulness; betrothal
Act III: 12 words
juvenal = youthful; child-like
mote = speck, small particle
preposterously = contrary to nature, reason or common sense: absurd
extort = to obtain by force or threats
sojourn = stay or visit with
incorporate = of one body
entreat = beg; succeed by asking urgently: plead
spurn = a disdainful rejection; to kick aside
jowl = the lower jaw; cheek
derision = scornful or contemptuous ridicule
recreant = crying for mercy: cowardly, a traitor
abate = to reduce in degree, amount or intensity: moderate
Act IV: 4 words
amiable = generally agreeable with a friendly and sociable disposition
peck = measurement; a great deal
bay = bark or call in long deep tones
sixpence = British coin no longer used and worth half a shilling
Act V: 7 words
recorder = instrument like a flute
crescent = waxing moon
quell= pit down; suppress; pacify
palpable = what can be touched or felt: tangible; obvious
prodigious = extraordinary in bulk, quantity or degree: monstrous
consecrate= make sacred; to make venerable
amends = something done or given to make up for a loss or injury
Links to vocabulary words lists and puzzles for other Shakespeare plays:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – you are here
Thank you, Jan Cook, a former teacher at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton, California, for being the teacher contributor at www.myVocabulary.com for a vocabulary word list for A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by William Shakespeare