Name: ________________________________________
Period: _____
Brit. Lit. Vocab., Part 1
From History…, Beowulf, and the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales
Directions: Below, you’ll find a list of ten words from readings we’ve either done or are about to do along with
line(s) of text from said readings that include each word. Using the space provided, define each word in the
context of the line, which you’ll find on the pages before each story. Then, create an original sentence that
uses each word according to its definition. Here’s the catch: each sentence must include reference to an
exotic animal—one not from ‘round here (an odd requirement, but one that will exist each time we do this, with
a changed topic each time). In any case, you’ll complete this today and hand it in; I’ll have a look at your
sentences to make sure you’re using each word correctly, and you’ll be quizzed over these words after
completion of the last reading above (which will likely be later next week). You dig? It’s go time…
1. innumerable (adj.) “In old times, the country had twenty-eight noble cities, and innumerable castles…”
definition:
example:
2. reparation (n.) “No one waited for reparation from his plundering claws.”
definition:
example:
3. solace (n.) “Beware, those who are thrust into danger, clutched at by trouble, yet can carry no solace
in their hearts…”
definition:
example:
4. purge (v.) “I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall.”
definition:
example:
5. writhing (adj.) “That trip to Herot was a miserable journey for the writhing monster!”
definition:
example:
6. loathsome (adj.) “…running to his loathsome moor with another such sickening meal waiting…”
definition:
example:
7. solicitous (adj.) “She was so charitably solicitous she used to weep if she … saw a mouse caught…”
definition:
example:
8. garnished (adj.) “…his sleeves were garnished at the hand with fine gray fur…”
definition:
example:
9. sanguine (adj.) “A sanguine man, high-colored and benign…”
definition:
example:
10. prevarication (n.) “And by his flatteries and prevarication made monkeys of the priest and
congregation.”
definition:
example: