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An 73 word vocabulary list with definitions for The Winter’s Tale is arranged by Act.
- Act 1:
gallant-splendid or brave
jar-shake
limber-supple and flexible
wanton-playful or unrestrained
unbreeched-without long pants
graver-more solemn
bawdy-morally objectionable: obscene
penitent-sorrowful for sins or faults
troth-plight and promise to marry
maliciously-meanly
vexation-distress
affliction-pain or unhappiness
warp-turn or twist out of shape
waft-a slight breeze
- Act 2:
sprites-elf or supernatural beings
geld-spay
instigation-provocation
overture-a proposal or opening offer
conjecture-opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence
approbation-approval or confirmation
treachery-violation of faith or act of treason
lusty-vigorous and full of vitality
enfranchised-to give legal right to vote
harlot-prostitute
dam-female parent of a domestic animal
heretic-someone teaching a religious doctrine opposed to accepted beliefs
lewd-indecent and overly concerned with sex
- Act 3:
grave-dignified, respected
purgation-acquittal
impudence-shameless effrontery or insolence
commodity-benefit
mere-sheer or absolute
blemished-stained the reputation of
tincture-color
woe-lamentation
sanctity-holiness
chafe-fret or fume
lewd-vulgar, wicked, foolish
- Act 4:
reconciled-restored to friendliness
peer-peep out or appear
doxy-a woman of low morals
in the stocks-in jail or imprisoned
Mercury-classical mythology-the winged messenger god
gallows-structure where hangings occurred
wakes-watches held over dead bodies before burials
swain-a male admirer or country youth
lamentably-sorrowfully
coifs-close-fitting caps
enthralled-captivated
kiln-oven or furnace
anon-soon
gambole-leap
imperial-fine enough for an emperor or supreme
rheum-cold inflammation of the nose
posterity-descendants
opportune-suitable or timely
sap-life or vitality
pomander-ball of spices
lethargy-abnormal tiredness
cap-a-pied-from head to tow
fantastical-odd or imaginative
germane-related or akin to
prognostication-forecast,
- Act 5:
redeemed-made up for
rift-split
affront-a deliberate or disrespectful insult
shrewdly-cleverly or astutely
beguile-draw notice or interest by charm or cunning
singularities-peculiarities
conjure-magically invoke
wrought-excited or agitated
fancy-to have a liking for
bequeath-assign or hand over
Links to vocabulary words lists and puzzles for other Shakespeare plays:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Antony and Cleopatra
As You Like It
Julius Caesar
Hamlet
King Lear
Macbeth
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Romeo and Juliet
The Merchant of Venice
The Taming of the Shrew
The Winter’s Tale
Twelfth Night
The Winter’s Tale – 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 The Winter’s Tale written by William Shakespeare
