Hamlet Vocabulary
Act I
1. avouch- v. to cite as authority
2. martial- adj. related to or suited for war
3. portentous- adj. eliciting amazement or wonder; shadowy or
ominous
4. harbingers- n. foreshadows what is to come
5. dirge- n. a song of grief/ mournful piece of music
6. impious- adj. lacking in reverence or proper respect
7. jocund- adj. marked by or suggestive of high spirits/mirth
8. circumscribed- v/adj. to surround by a boundary
9. dalliance- n. frivolous action or act of delay/ flirtation
10.precepts- v. to take beforehand/instruct
Act II
1. perusal- n. act of examining or considering with attention and in
great detail
2. discretion- n. ability to make responsible decisions
3. firmament- n. the heavens/ the arch of the sky
4. paragon- n. A model of excellence or perfection
5. gratis- adj. free/ without charge/ nothing
6. savory- adj/n. tasty, flavorful dish
7. chronicles- n. historical account of events
8. cleave- v. to split or separate
9. malefactions- n. evil deeds or crimes
10.arras- n. tapestry of Flemish origin used for wall hangings and
curtains.
Act III
1. visage- n. the appearance of a person
2. consummation- n. the completion or ultimate end
3. orisons- n. prayers
4. paradox- n. a statement that is seemingly contradictory but true
5. calumny- n. false accustion/ false charges
6. temperance- n. moderate in action
7. buffets- n. blows of force or striking with the hand
8. purging- v. to clear of guilt; to free or cleanse
9. bulwark- n. a strong support or structure for defense
10.mandate- n. an authoritative command or order
Act IV
1. importunate- adj. persistent; urgent
2. conjectures- n. a conclusion deduced by guesswork
3. inter- v. to deposit a dead body in the earth; bury
4. pestilent- adj. deadly; destructive; disease-causing
5. superfluous- adj. exceeding what is sufficient or necessary
6. impetuous- adj. marked by reckless or impulsive action
7. incensed- v. aroused extreme anger
8. mortal- adj. subject to death
9. obscure-v. to hide or conceal
10.requite- v. to repay; to make return for
Act V
1. cudgel- v. to beat or strike as with a heavy stick
2. pate- n. the human head, especially the top of the head
3. abhorred- v/adj. to regard with horror or loathing; despise
4. prate- v. babble on and on
5. amities- n. peaceful relations between nations
6. diligence – n. steady effort
7. dearth – n. a scarce supply
8. germane- adj. relevant and pertinent
9. potent- adj. of great strength
10. 10.felicity- n. great happiness; bliss