10 Honors English/Kephart
Unit 4: Classical Drama
Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Period: _________
Julius Caesar Act III-V Vocabulary Assignment
Total: 25 points (formative assessment)
Due date: _______________________________
Prompt: Use each of the 25 words from this unit in a well-written and complete sentence regarding the plot of
Julius Caesar. You can write about the characters, setting, theme, or anything about the play in your sentences
as long as you stay true to the story. In addition, be sure to follow the basic guidelines below.
Your assignment must be/contain:
 MLA heading AND header
 Typed in 12-pt Times New Roman font
 Formatted with 1-inch margins and double-spacing
 All 25 vocabulary words used CORRECTLY in a complete sentence that clearly demonstrates the
word’s meaning and correct part of speech
 All 25 words numbered AND underlined
 Well-written and free of grammatical/spelling errors
Note: You CAN include more than one word in a sentence as long as it does not take away from its usage.
Grading:
 Each vocabulary word in the assignment is worth ONE point and will be graded on definition, spelling
and part of speech. If any of these three are incorrect, the point for the word is lost.
 Grading Symbols:
D- definition incorrect or not shown clearly
PS- part of speech incorrect
SP- spelling incorrect
10 Honors English/Kephart
Unit 4: Classical Drama
Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Period: _________
Julius Caesar Act III-V
Vocabulary Words
For word pronunciation go to: http://www.merriam-webster.com/
1. puissant (Act III, Sc. 1, line 33)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): having great power of influence
synonyms: heavy, influential, mighty, potent, powerful
antonyms: helpless, impotent, insignificant, powerless, weak
sample sentence: Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the nation's most respected and puissant advocates
for the rights of African Americans.
2. confounded (Act III, Sc. 1, line 86)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): made to feel confused
synonyms: perplexed, baffled, non-plussed, hard-pressed, bewildered
antonyms: clearheaded, unconfused, undaunted
sample sentence: The sudden burden of familial responsibility left him anxious and confounded.
3. mutiny (Act III, Sc. 1, line 86)
part of speech: noun, verb
definition(s): (n.) open fighting against authority; (v.) to rise up against established authority
synonyms: (n.) uprising, insurrection, revolt; (v.) defy, disobey, resist
antonyms: (v.) comply, follow, obey
sample sentence: There was a mutiny led by the ship’s cook.
4. vouchsafe (Act III, Sc. 1, line 130)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to promise, give, or allow something
synonyms: give, grant, offer, bestow, promise
sample sentence: He vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples.
5. shrewd (Act III, Sc. 1, line 146)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
synonyms: astute, canny, clear-eyed, savvy, sharp
antonyms: unknowing, naïve, unperceptive, dull, slow
sample sentence: He was known to be a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best
possible deal.
6. prophesy (Act III, Sc. 1, line 259)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to predict what will happen
synonyms: augur, forecast, predict, presage, prognosticate
sample sentence: The holy men prophesied the coming of a new messiah.
7. oration (Act III, Sc. 1, line 293)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): an elaborate discourse delivered in a formal and dignified manner
synonyms: address, declamation, talk, harangue, diatribe
sample sentence: She made an oration on the value of art in society.
8. interred (Act III, Sc. 2, line 77)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
synonyms: entomb, hearse, inhume, inurn, enshrine
sample sentence: The soldier was interred with great honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
9. bequeath (Act III, Sc. 2, line 136)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to give or leave by will – used especially of personal property; to hand down
synonyms: leave, will, hand down, pass (down)
sample sentence: Lessons of the past are bequeathed to future generations.
10. gallant (Act IV, Sc. 2, line 24)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): showing bravery
synonyms: brave, spirited, noble-minded, chivalrous, courageous
sample sentence: The Civil War soldiers were often heralded for their gallant nature.
11. deceitful (Act IV, Sc. 2, line 26)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods
synonyms: crooked, dishonest, double-dealing, deceptive, misleading
antonyms: honest, aboveboard, truthful, forthright, straightforward
sample sentence: The store owner was charged with such deceitful practices as inflating the list prices
for items only so he could put them on sale at drastically reduced prices
12. condemn (Act IV, Sc. 3, line 2)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to declare to be wrong; to pronounce guilty; to declare to be unfit for use or consumption
synonyms: blame, denounce, rebuke; charge, indict
antonyms: laud, praise; absolve, acquit, exonerate
sample sentence: The accused man was condemned by the news media even before the trial began.
13. choleric (Act IV, Sc. 3, line 43)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): easily moved to often unreasonable or excessive anger
synonyms: angry, irate, hot-tempered, cranky, petulant
antonyms: affable, cordial, delighted, pleased, friendly
sample sentence: I get absolutely choleric when a telemarketer calls during the dinner hour.
14. mirth (Act IV, Sc. 3, line 49)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement
synonyms: cheerfulness, gayness, glee, merriment, jocundity
antonyms: sadness, depression, dejection, forlornness, unhappiness
sample sentence: As charming as your mutual mirth is, could you refrain from nudging each other and
giggling during class?
15. apparition (Act IV, Sc. 3, line 275)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): an unusual or unexpected sight; a ghostly figure
synonyms: spirit, haunt, phantom, specter, vision
sample sentence: The old woman claimed to have photographed an apparition in her house.
16. parley (Act V, Sc. 1, line 21)
part of speech: verb (intransitive); noun
definition(s): (v.) to speak with another; to discuss terms with an enemy; (n.) a meeting featuring a
group discussion
synonyms: (v.) consult, counsel, powwow, deliberate, discuss
sample sentence: (v.) In an effort to win the goodwill of the locals, the developers parleyed with them
before finalizing plans for the massive mall.
17. avenge (Act V, Sc. 1, line 54)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to take vengeance for or on behalf of; to exact satisfaction for (a wrong) by punishing the
wrongdoer
synonyms: redress, requite, retaliate, revenge, punish
antonyms: absolve, excuse, forgive, pardon, remit
sample sentence: The brothers vowed to avenge the death of their father.
18. peevish (Act V, Sc. 1, line 61)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): easily irritated or annoyed
synonyms: choleric, cranky, crotchety, grouchy, snappy
antonyms: affable, cordial, friendly, agreeable, easygoing
sample sentence: I would rather figure things out on my own than ask that peevish librarian for help.
19. demeanor (Act V, Sc. 2, line 4)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): the way or manner in which one conducts oneself
synonyms: actions, conduct, behavior, presence, attitude
sample sentence: The director of the opera company has a haughty demeanor.
20. disconsolate (Act V, Sc. 3, line 55)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer; feeling unhappiness
synonyms: bleak, cheerless, depressing, dark, miserable
antonyms: bright, cheerful, comforting, festive, sunshiny
sample sentence: She was utterly disconsolate when her best friend moved away.
21. tiding (Act V, Sc. 3, line 78)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): a piece of news – usually used in plural
synonyms: news, notification, intelligence, information, report
sample sentence: The messenger’s good tidings uplifted us all.
22. proclaim (Act V, Sc. 4, line 3)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to make known openly or publicly
synonyms: advertise, blazon, broadcast, declare, herald
antonyms: conceal, silence, suppress, withhold, suppress
sample sentence: The magazine proclaimed him to be the best player in baseball.
23. foe (Act V, Sc. 4, line 5)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): one that is hostile toward another; one that takes a position opposite another in a
competition or conflict
synonyms: adversary, antagonist, hostile, enemy, opponent
antonyms: friend, ally, accomplice, partner, proponent
sample sentence: This Saturday our team will go up against our longtime foes in a game that will
determine the champion.
24. conquest (Act V, Sc. 5, line 38)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): the act or process of bringing someone or something under one’s control; something
conquered
synonyms: domination, overpowering, subduing, subjection, subjugation
sample sentence: There was a conquest of much of North and South America by the Spanish during the
16th century.
25. virtue (Act V, Sc. 5, line 76)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): a quality that gives something special worth; conduct that conforms to an accepted
standard of right and wrong; strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
synonyms: excellency, grace, merit, value, character
antonyms: deficiency, demerit, disvalue, immorality, cowardice
sample sentence: She was a lady of honor and virtue.