Name ___________________________________________ Period __________
Act One
Assessment Preparation: Vocabulary Development
Complete the following chart for the Act One vocabulary words. Keep the following in mind as you
complete the chart:
 Denotative Meaning: the literal (dictionary) definition of a word. 

 Contextual Meaning: how the word is used within the play 

 Origin and Meaning: the original root of the word, and the meaning of the root 

 Original Sentence: an original sentence using the vocabulary word in the form it
appears within the text 

 Synonyms: words that have the same or similar meaning to the vocabulary word
Use a dictionary for help if needed. An example has been done for you. 
nuptial
Denotative
Meaning
adj. 1. Of or relating to marriage of the wedding ceremony. 2. Of, relating to,
or occurring during the mating season. n. a wedding ceremony.
Contextual
Meaning
In the play, the word carries its literal meaning, but also all the pomp and
ceremony that comes with a wedding.
Origin and
Meaning
Derived from the Latin word nuptualis, which means wedding.
Original
Sentence
They had spent so much time preparing for their nuptial that the day was
upon them before they realized it.
Synonyms
marriage, wedding, bridal, matrimonial, marital
Denotative
Meaning
Contextual
Meaning
revenue
Origin and
Meaning
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
Denotative
Meaning
abjure
Contextual
Meaning
Origin and
Meaning
2008 Secondary Solutions
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream Literature Guide
Name ___________________________________________ Period __________
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
Denotative
Meaning
Contextual
Meaning
estate
(unto)
Origin and
Meaning
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
Denotative
Meaning
Contextual
Meaning
extenuate
Origin and
Meaning
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
Denotative
Meaning
Contextual
Meaning
dowager
Origin and
Meaning
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
Denotative
Meaning
lodestars
Contextual
Meaning
2008 Secondary Solutions
©
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream Literature Guide
Name ________________________________________ Period __________
Origin and
Meaning
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
Denotative
Meaning
Contextual
Meaning
transpose
Origin and
Meaning
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
Denotative
Meaning
Contextual
Meaning
extempore
Origin and
Meaning
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
Denotative
Meaning
Contextual
Meaning
properties
Origin and
Meaning
Original
Sentence
Synonyms
2008 Secondary Solutions
©
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream Literature Guide