Julius Caesar
Vocabulary for Each Act
Act I
 Abridged: (v) to reduce or lessen in duration
 Affable: (adj.) easy to talk to
 Ascend: (v) to move, climb, or go upward
 Augmented: (v) to make greater in size
 Confounded: (adj.) confused
 Hideous: (adj.) horrible to the senses
 Impertinent:
 Kindle: (v) to start a fire or to excite
Act I continued
 Malice: (v) desire to inflict injury or harm
 Mutiny: (n) rebellion against authority (especially
against officers)
 Prostrate: (v) to lay flat on the ground
 Rhetoric: (n) language that is persuasive in nature
 Spurn: (v) to reject with dislike
Act II Vocabulary
 Bequeathing: (v) to pass (something) on to another
 Clamor: (n) a loud uproar
 Contaminate: (v) to make impure or unsuitable by contact
or mixture with something
 Covert: (adj.) secret; disguised
 Emulation: (n) jealous rivalry OR to equal or excel
compared to another
 Entreat: (v) to ask earnestly; implore; beg
 Fray: (n) fight, battle
 Grievous: (adj) causing great sorrow
Act II continued
 Indignant: (adj) feeling, characterized by, or expressing
strong displeasure at something; offensive
 Legacy: (n) anything handed down from the past, as from
an ancestor or predecessor
 Lest: (conj) to avoid the risk of
 Rabblement: (n) disturbance
 Reverence: (n) a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged
with awe
 Taper: (n) a slender candle
 Tyranny: (n) cruel and oppressive government rule
 Vanquished: (v) to defeat or conquer in battle
Act III Vocabulary
 Coffers: (n) box or chest for valuables
 Conspiracy: (n) evil, unlawful plan put together in secret by
two or more people
 Cumber: (v. or n.) to hinder or burden; a hindrance or
burden
 Enfranchisement: (n) to set free, liberate, give rights
(enfranchise – verb)
 Engendered: (v) to produce, cause, or bring into existence
 Foe: (n) enemy
 Melancholy: (n) gloomy state of mind
 Mettle: (n) courage
Act III continued
 Obscure: (adj.) unclear, vague, obscured
 Oration: (n) a formal public speech, especially one
delivered on a special occasion, as on an anniversary, at a
funeral, or at academic exercises.
 Portentous: (adj) of the nature of an omen; marvelous
 Prodigy: (n) a young person having extraordinary skill or
talent
 Repute: (n or v) favorable reputation; to consider to believe
a person with high regard
 Tarry: (v) to delay or be tardy
 Vexed: (adj) irritated or annoyed
Act IV Vocabulary
 Carrion: (n. or adj.) putrefying flesh; rottenness
 Chastisement: (n) severe criticism
 Extenuate: (v) to make a fault or offense seem less
serious
 Exigent: (adj) requiring immediate action; urgent
 Exploit: (n) notable deed or heroic act
 Kites: (n) bird of prey
Act IV continued
 Mirth: (n) amusement or laughter
 Nimbleness: (n) quick and light in movement
 Provender: (n) food, provisions (usually hay for
livestock)
 Throng: (n) a crowd
 Vaunting: (adj) marked by boastful pride
 Waspish: (adj) spiteful OR having a slender build
Act V Vocabulary
 Cur: (n) dog; coward
 Ensign: (n) flag, banner, token, sign, badge, or emblem
indicating nationality or authority
 Parley: (n) a discussion OR conference between enemies
under a truce, often to discuss terms of surrender
 Peevish: (adj.) cross, annoyed, fretful
 Reveler: (v) to take great pleasure or delight
 Spoils: (n) loot
 Stoic: (adj. or n.) no emotion – unmoved by joy or grief