English Macbeth Vocab

cloister

A cloister is an enclosed garden, usually surrounded by covered walkways. Because such spaces are often featured in buildings that house religious orders, cloister can be used to mean "monastery" or "convent." 1. noun residence that is a place of religious seclusion (such as a monastery) synonyms: religious residence 2. verb seclude from the world in or as if in a cloister "She cloistered herself in the office" 3. noun a courtyard with covered walks (as in religious institutions) 4. verb surround with a cloister "cloister the garden" 5. verb surround with a cloister, as of a garden Synonyms: border, environ, ring, skirt, surroundextend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle

detraction

A detraction is the opposite of an attraction--it is something bad about someone or something. If you love peace and quiet and you're thinking about buying a house, a location on a major road would be a detraction. 1. noun a petty disparagement synonyms: petty criticism, disparagement, dispraise the act of speaking contemptuously of 2. noun the act of discrediting or detracting from someone's reputation (especially by slander) "let it be no detraction from his merits to say he is plainspoken"

Harbinger

A harbinger is something that comes before and that shows what will follow in the future. The robin is a harbinger of spring — its presence means spring is coming soon. 1.noun something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone synonyms: forerunner, herald, precursor, predecessor 2.verb foreshadow or presage synonyms: announce, annunciate, foretell, herald

Mar

A mar is a flaw, mark, or blemish, like a deep scratch on a wooden table. As a verb, to mar is to make such an imperfection — like the pen mark that mars your crisp, white shirt. 1. verb make imperfect "nothing marred her beauty" synonyms: deflower, impair, spoil, vitiate 2.verb destroy or injure severely synonyms: mutilate 3. noun a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body) synonyms: blemish, defect, visual aspect outward

Plight

A plight is a situation that's hard to get out of. Learning about the plight of people trying to rebuild their homes after a devastating earthquake might inspire you to send money to a charity. 1.noun a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one synonyms: morass, predicament, quagmire, quandary 2.verb promise solemnly and formally synonyms: pledge 3.verb give to in marriage synonyms: affiance, betroth, engage 4.noun a solemn pledge of fidelity synonyms: troth

Sundry

A teenager emptying out his backpack at the end of the school year might find sundry items at the bottom, meaning that the backpack was filled with a random collection of unrelated things — an old stick of gum, a broken pair of sunglasses, crumpled pieces of paper, and so forth. 1. adjective consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds "" sundry sciences commonly known as social"- I.A.Richards" synonyms: assorted, miscellaneous, mixed, motley heterogeneous, heterogenous, hybrid

abjure

Abjure means to swear off, and it applies to something you once believed. You can abjure a religious faith, you can abjure your love of another person, and you can abjure the practice of using excessive force in interrogation. 1. verb formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure "She abjured her beliefs" synonyms: recant, resile, retract, disown, renounce, repudiate, cast off

exploit

An exploit is a heroic act or notable deed. The King Arthur legends are full of stories of the exploits of the Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Lancelot and King Arthur himself. 1. verb use or manipulate to one's advantage synonyms: work, provoke or excite 2. verb work excessively hard "he is exploiting the students" synonyms: overwork 3. verb draw from; make good use of "we must exploit the resources we are given wisely" synonyms: tap, apply, employ, use, utilise, put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

assailiable

Anything vulnerable to attack is assailable. If your castle is assailable to attack by enemy marauders, you may need to dig a deeper moat! 1. adjective not defended or capable of being defended synonyms: open, undefendable, undefended vulnerable, able to be attacked

clamorous

Clamorous means super loud and obnoxiously crying out. If you find yourself in the midst of a pack of clamorous groupies going nuts over a celebrity sighting, you'll need to put your ear plugs in. 1. adjective conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry "a clamorous uproar" synonyms: blatant, clamant, strident, vociferous noisy, full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

eminent

Eminence is superior status. If you become a world famous actor, the folks in your home town might treat you as an eminence when you come home for Thanksgiving. Just don't expect your family to do the same. 1. noun high status importance owing to marked superiority "a scholar of great eminence" synonyms: distinction, note, preeminence 2. noun a raised or elevated geological formation synonyms: elevation, natural elevation 3. noun a protuberance on a bone especially for attachment of a muscle or ligament synonyms: tubercle, tuberosity

Frailty

Frailty describes a quality that's shared by a sick kitten, an elderly man, and a shoddily built go cart. They all have a delicate weakness or vulnerability and seem to require some kind of care. 1.noun the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age) synonyms: debility, feebleness, frailness, infirmity, valetudinarianism 2.noun moral weakness synonyms: vice

homage

Homage means great respect and honor, or something done to honor a person or thing. We pay homage to our ancestors and say prayers in homage to their memory. 1. noun respectful deference synonyms: court, deference, respect a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard

industrious

If someone comments that you are very industrious, they are complimenting you for working hard and tirelessly. You can have the evening to yourself if you're industrious enough during the afternoon to get your homework and chores done. 1. adjective characterized by hard work and perseverance synonyms: hardworking, tireless, untiring diligent characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks 2. adjective working hard to promote an enterprise synonyms: energetic, gumptious, up-and-coming enterprising marked by imagination, initiative, and readiness to undertake new projects

pious

If someone is deeply religious and visibly follows all the moral and ethical codes of his religion, he is pious. Don't become a priest if you're not prepared to live a pious life. 1. adjective having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity "pious readings" Synonyms: devotional relating to worship only, reverent, worshipful showing great reverence for godlier-than-thou, pharisaic, pharisaical, pietistic, pietistical, sanctimonious, self-righteous excessively or hypocritically pious prayerful disposed to pray or appearing to pray religious having or showing belief in and reverence with religion or religious not concerned with the temporal world or swayed by mundane considerations

abhor

If you abhor something, it gives you a feeling of complete hatred. Chances are you abhor that kid who used to torture the frogs in biology class. 1. verb find repugnant "She abhors cats" synonyms: abominate, execrate, loathe, detest, hate, dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards

covet

If you covet something, you eagerly desire something that someone else has. If it's 95 degrees out and humid, you may find yourself coveting your neighbor's air conditioner. 1. verb wish, long, or crave for (something, especially the property of another person) "She covets her sister's house" Synonyms: drool, salivate, desirous, eager for, or extremely happy about something of: begrudge, envy; set one's heart on

Consort

If you keep company with someone, you are consorting with them. "The students tended to consort only with other students from similar backgrounds. The staff wanted to break them out of their comfort zone, so they organized games to force them to mingle and meet new people." 1.verb keep company with; hang out with synonyms: affiliate, associate, assort 2.verb keep company synonyms: run 3.verb go together synonyms: accord, agree, comport, concord, fit in, harmonise, harmonize agree, check, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally, blend in be compatible, similar, or consistent; coincide in their characteristics 1.noun a family of similar musical instruments playing together synonyms: choir 2.noun the husband or wife of a reigning monarch

braggart

If you know someone who is a real show off and is always bragging about how great they are, then you might call this boaster a braggart. 1. noun a very boastful and talkative person synonyms: blowhard, boaster, bragger, line-shooter, vaunter 2. adjective exhibiting self-importance synonyms: big, boastful, bragging, braggy, cock-a-hoop, crowing, self-aggrandizing, feeling proud or self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

spurn

If you reject your mother's offer to buy you a pair of lederhosen with a snort and eye roll, you are spurning her generosity. To spurn means to reject with disdain. 1. verb reject with contempt "She spurned his advances" synonyms: disdain, freeze off, pooh-pooh, reject, scorn, turn down, decline, pass up, refuse, reject, turn down, refuse to accept, reject, turn away, turn down, refuse entrance or membership, rebuff, repel, snub, balk, decline, refuse, show unwillingness towards

Surmise

If you see empty ice cream containers on the table, sprinkles littering the ground, and a can of whipped cream in the trash, you can surmise what happened: someone made sundaes. To surmise is to form an opinion or make a guess about something. 1.verb infer from incomplete evidence 2.verb imagine to be the case or true or probable synonyms: suspect noun a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence synonyms: conjecture, guess, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmisal

Verity

If your friend tells you she saw a UFO yesterday afternoon, you might be inclined to question the verity, or truthfulness, of her statement. Everyone knows UFOs are only visible at night. Verity can also be used to mean "a true idea, belief, or statement." Abstract concepts like love and goodness are often referred to as verities, conveying the idea that they are universal truths. 1. noun conformity to reality or actuality "he turned to religion in his search for eternal verities" synonyms:the true, trueness, truth 2. noun an enduring or necessary ethical or religious or aesthetic truth

Indissoluble

Indissoluble describes things that are really hard to destroy or dissolve and that last a long time, like steel and hard plastic or strong friendships. At five syllables, the word in-dis-sol-u-ble itself even lasts a long time in your mouth. it has survived hundreds of years. 1. adjective (of a substance) incapable of being dissolved synonyms: insoluble non-water-soluble, water-insoluble not soluble in water 2. adjective used of decisions and contracts Synonyms: lasting, permanent, continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

malevolence

Malevolence is a nasty, wicked, evil quality. When you're full of malevolence, you wish harm on others. 1. noun wishing evil to others synonyms: malignity 2. noun the quality of threatening evil synonyms: malevolency, malice, evil, evilness

Malice

Malice is the intention to cause harm. If someone feels malice toward you, look out! They've got bad intentions. 1.noun feeling a need to see others suffer synonyms: maliciousness, spite, spitefulness, venom 2.noun the quality of threatening evil synonyms: malevolence, malevolency

Quell

Meaning to suppress or overcome, quell is what you have to do with nerves before a big test and fears before going skydiving. 1.verb suppress or crush completely synonyms: quench, squelch 2.verb overcome or allay "quell my hunger" synonyms: appease, stay

nigh

Nigh is an old-fashioned word that can be used as an adjective or adverb to mean near or nearly. Something that is nigh impossible — like knitting a sweater in one night — will be very difficult to accomplish. 1. adverb near in time or place or relationship "The end draws nigh" synonyms: close, near 2. adverb (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but "talked for nigh onto 2 hours" "the recording is well- nigh perfect" 3. adjective being on the left side synonyms: near, about, almost, most, near, nearly, virtually, well-nigh, not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances, close, near, adjacent

credulous

People who believe things easily without having to be convinced are credulous. Sales people are always hoping that someone credulous picks up the phone during a sales call. 1. adjective showing a lack of judgment or experience "so credulous he believes everything he reads" Synonyms: naif, naive marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience 2. adjective disposed to believe on little evidence "the gimmick would convince none but the most credulous" Synonyms: credible, showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience, trustful

pernicious

Pernicious means harmful and subtle, such as a poison gas that causes illness in those exposed to it over the course of years. 1. adjective exceedingly harmful synonyms: baneful, deadly, pestilent noxious injurious to physical or mental health 2. adjective working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way synonyms: insidious, subtle, harmful causing or capable of causing harm

prowess

Prowess means exceptional skill or ability. Your sailing prowess might save your life in a storm, while someone with less experience might make mistakes. 1. noun a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation synonyms: art, artistry, superior skill, more than ordinary ability

raze

Raze means to tear an object down to the ground. Before a real estate developer can raze a family's home to build another skyscraper, he's going to have to cut them a big check. 1. verb tear down so as to make flat with the ground synonyms: dismantle, level, pull down, rase, take down, tear down

speculate

Speculative describes very risky and unproven ideas or chances. You might have great ideas about starting your own business but your plans are speculative until you earn money from them. 1. adjective not based on fact or investigation "speculative knowledge" synonyms: notional, theoretic, concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations 2. adjective showing curiosity "raised a speculative eyebrow" synonyms: inquisitive, questioning, wondering curious, eager to investigate and learn or learn more 3. adjective not financially safe or secure "speculative business enterprises" synonyms: bad, high-risk, risky, not sound financially

Temperate

Temperate means mild, moderate. If you're a temperate person, you are calm, reasonable. If you live in a temperate climate, it's warm and sunny, but not too hot. 1.adjective not extreme synonyms: moderate mild moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme 2.adjective (of weather or climate) free from extremes; mild; or characteristic of such weather or climate Synonyms: clement (of weather or climate) physically mild cold-temperate the colder parts of temperate waters equable not varying 3.adjective not extreme in behavior "temperate in his habits" "a temperate response to an insult" "temperate in his eating and drinking" Synonyms: mild, moderate; far from extreme moderate, reasonable, restrained, marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes

Bounteous

Things that are bounteous are plentiful and generously given. Your friends might celebrate your birthday by bringing you a bounteous armful of flowers. 1. adjective given or giving freely "the bounteous goodness of God" synonyms: big, bighearted, bountiful, freehanded, giving, handsome, liberal, openhanded, generous

Beguile

To beguile is to entertain and convince by flattery. Someone who beguiles is tricky and often charming, like when a smooth-talking friend tries to beguile you into giving them your allowance. 1.verb attract; cause to be enamored synonyms: becharm, bewitch, captivate, capture, catch, charm, enamor, enamour, enchant, entrance, fascinate, trance 2.verb influence by slyness synonyms: hoodwink, juggle

brandish

To brandish something is to wave it about aggressively, as one might brandish a sword or tennis racket (if it's a particularly intense game). 1. verb move or swing back and forth synonyms: flourish, wave 2. verb exhibit aggressively "brandish a sword" 3. noun the act of waving synonyms: flourish, wafture, wave, waving, the act of signaling by a movement of the hand

Chide

To chide someone is to ride them or get on their case, without really getting in their face. 1. verb censure severely or angrily synonyms: bawl out, berate, call down, call on the carpet, chew out, chew up, dress down, have words, jaw, lambast, lambaste, lecture, rag, rebuke, remonstrate, reprimand, reproof, scathe, scold, take to task, trounce, vituperate

Flout

To flout is to scorn or show contempt for. "I flout the law and the concept of civilian safety by making a concerted effort to jaywalk every time I cross a street." 1.verb treat with contemptuous disregard "flout the rules" synonyms: scoff 2.verb laugh at with contempt and derision synonyms: barrack, gibe, jeer, scoff

Gild

To gild something is to cover it with gold. You gild an object in order to decorate it — or just to show off your wealth. 1.noun a formal association of people with similar interests synonyms: club, guild, lodge, order, social club, society 2.verb decorate with, or as if with, gold leaf or liquid gold synonyms: begild, engild

palter

To palter is to beat around the bush by speaking or writing in an unclear way. People palter to confuse others. 1. verb be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information synonyms: beat around the bush, equivocate, prevaricate, tergiversate, misinform, mislead, give false or misleading information to

Prate

To prate means to talk on and on about something. While it may be interesting to hear about other people's vacations, when they prate about them until the wee hours, it becomes intolerable. 1.verb speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly synonyms: blab, blabber, chatter, clack, gabble, gibber, maunder, palaver, piffle, prattle, tattle, tittle-tattle, twaddle, yammer 2.noun idle or foolish and irrelevant talk synonyms: blether, chin music, idle talk, prattle

prattle

To prattle is to go on and on about something unimportant. Some people don't like your constant prattling about your collection of Lego figurines — but you're convinced it's the most fascinating topic on the planet! 1. verb speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly synonyms: blab, blabber, chatter, clack, gabble, gibber, maunder, palaver, piffle, prate, tattle, tittle-tattle, twaddle, yammer 2. noun idle or foolish and irrelevant talk synonyms: blether, chin music, idle talk, prate, cackle, chatter, yack, yak, yakety-yak, noisy talk

tarry

To tarry is to linger and take your time leaving. If you really like going to Sally's Diner for dessert, you might tarry over coffee and end up leaving after they've closed the kitchen. 1. verb leave slowly and hesitantly synonyms: linger 2. verb stay longer than you should synonyms: footle, hang around, lallygag, linger, loaf, loiter, lollygag, lounge, lurk, mess about, mill about, mill around, lurch, prowl loiter about, with no apparent, behave the quality of being 3. adjective having the characteristics of pitch or tar synonyms: pitchy, resinous, resiny adhesive tending to adhere

laudable

Use the word laudable to describe something that deserves praise or admiration, like your laudable efforts to start a recycling program at your school. 1. adjective worthy of high praise "laudable motives of improving housing conditions" synonyms: applaudable, commendable, praiseworthy worth having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable

deftly

When something's done deftly, it's accomplished with style and skill. You'd be sure to impress your friends if you grabbed three grapefruits, juggled them deftly, and returned them to their bowl, all while carrying on a conversation. 1. adverb in a deft manner "Lois deftly removed her scarf" 2. adverb with dexterity; in a dexterous manner synonyms: dexterously, dextrously

Amiss

When things are out of their proper places or not happening the way they should, we say they are amiss. Sherlock Holmes, like many sharp detectives, would quickly notice when something was amiss at a crime scene. 1.adverb in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner 2.adverb in an imperfect or faulty way synonyms: imperfectly 3.adverb away from the correct or expected course 4.adjective not functioning properly synonyms: awry, haywire, wrong malfunctioning, nonfunctional not performing or able to perform its regular function

contrive

When you contrive, you make a plan or a plot. It may take you longer to contrive your way out of doing your homework than would to actually do it. 1. verb make or work out a plan for; devise "They contrived to murder their boss" synonyms: design, plan, project 2. verb come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort synonyms:devise, excogitate, forge, formulate, invent 3. verb put or send forth synonyms: cast, project, throw, shoot, direct, send

perturbation

When you're on an airplane with your friend who's terrified of flying, you'll be able to sense her perturbation, even if she doesn't say a word about how scared she is. The noun perturbation means "anxiety or uneasiness." 1. noun the act of causing disorder synonyms:disruption 2. noun an unhappy and worried mental state synonyms:disturbance, upset 3. noun a disposition that is confused or nervous and upset synonyms: fluster 4.noun activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption "the term `distress' connotes some degree of perturbation and emotional upset" synonyms: disturbance 5. noun (physics) a secondary influence on a system that causes it to deviate slightly synonyms: variation (astronomy) any influence of the effect of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite

Minion

Your minions are those people who are devoted to you and entirely dependent on you. If you borrow money from a bully and don't pay it back, he might send one of his minions after you. noun a servile or fawning dependent

Scruple

Your scruples are what keep you from doing things you consider to be morally or ethically wrong. Your scruples won't allow you to cheat on a test, or steal from your brother's Halloween candy stash. 1.noun an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action 2.noun uneasiness about the fitness of an action synonyms: misgiving, qualm 3.noun a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains 4.verb hesitate on moral grounds 5.verb have doubts about