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An 51 word vocabulary list with definitions for Twelfth Night is arranged by Act.
Act I: 15 words
cloistress = a nun in religious seclusion or in a convent
brine = water with salt as in tears
Elysium = location where people go after death in Greek mythology
eunuch = castrated male employed by the court
shrew = small mammal like a mole; a scold, argumentative woman
accost = approach
galliard = a popular dance
aloof = at a distance; reserved
Diana= goddess of beauty, youth
dexterously = skillfully, easily manipulated
Mercury = god of trickery
draught = draft of drink
usurp = seize without right
recompense = to return something; to make up for; to pay back
blazon = coat of arms
Act II: 8 words
malignancy = evil in effect or influence; likely to produce death
cozier = shoemaker; cobbler
mitigation = lessening of violence or disease
physic = a purgative medicine
doublet = jacket
contemplation = anticipation, thinking, expectation
fustian = pompous, pretentious
inure = to make less sensitive: harden; to become advantageous
Act III: 16 words
wanton = frolicsome; lewd and immoral; unrestrained
feign = pretend
extort = obtain by force
fetter = to hamper; restrain by chain or shackle
beguile = captivate; enchant
bestow = give
rave = to talk irrationally or incoherently; to praise
dram = tiny bit; small measured amount
scruple = ethical doubt that inhibits action
incredulous = tending to disbelieve; skeptical
saucy = impudent; insolent; irrepressible; smart, trim
approbation = approval; commendation; praise
cockatrice = mythical serpent with head, wings and feet of a cock
whose looks could kill
incensement = anger
meddle = to interfere when it is not your concern; intrude
Act IV: 4 words
ungirt = unfasten as if with a belt; not to encircle
curate = parish priest
dissemble = fool, pretend
clerestories = an outside wall containing high windows
Act V: 8 words
Vulcan = Roman god of war and blacksmith
minion = a servile dependent; a favorite; subordinate official
jocund = merry; happy
tainting = spoiling; contaminating morally: corrupting
beguiled = deceived by cunning means; to draw notice by charm
pavin = dance
cohere = agree
mettle = temperament or disposition; stamina
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 – 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 Twelfth Night written by William Shakespeare
