affectation
1 use
no ... phrase that might indite the author of affectation;
affectation = trying to show off (in this case by writing in an artificial way)
(editor's note: Today indite is spelled indict.)
(editor's note: Today indite is spelled indict.)
Definition
Generally affectation means:behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
beckon
3 uses
It beckons you to go away with it,
As if it some impartment did desire
To you alone.
As if it some impartment did desire
To you alone.
beckons = calls (to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
conjecture
1 use
Twere good she were spoken with; for she may strew
Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.
Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.
conjectures = conclusions or opinions
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.5 |
Denmark
23 uses
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Denmark = Today, officially known as "The Kingdom of Denmark"; a constitutional monarchy in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe which was at one time the home of Viking raiding parties and is today a member of the EU and NATO
Definition
Generally Denmark means:officially The Kingdom of Denmark; a constitutional monarchy in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe which was at one time the home of Viking raiding parties and is today a member of the EU and NATO
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
diligent
1 use
I will receive it with all diligence of spirit.
diligence = hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 5.2 |
exeunt
36 uses
[Exeunt all but Hamlet.]
exeunt = stage direction: characters exit from stage
Word Statistics
| Book | 36 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
fetter
1 use
Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage;
For we will fetters put upon this fear,
Which now goes too free-footed.
For we will fetters put upon this fear,
Which now goes too free-footed.
fetters = shackles (chains to bind the ankles)
Definition
Generally fetter means:to restrain or hinder
or more archaically:
a shackle for the ankles
or more archaically:
a shackle for the ankles
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.3 |
impetuous
1 use
impetuous haste
impetuous = impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.5 |
indifferent
4 uses
I am myself indifferent honest
indifferent = neutral (without interest in other than the truth)
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
ingenious
1 use
thy most ingenious sense
ingenious = showing cleverness and originality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |
insolent
1 use
The insolence of office,
insolence = rudeness
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "the rudeness of people in office".)
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "the rudeness of people in office".)
Definition
Generally insolent means:rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
His means of death, his obscure burial,—
No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones,
No noble rite nor formal ostentation,—
No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones,
No noble rite nor formal ostentation,—
obscure = undistinguished
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 4.5 |
obstinate
1 use
To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.
obstinate = stubbornly unyielding to other's wishes
(editor's notes: Obsequious is a synonym for servile or overly subservient. Condolement is a synonym for grief.)
(editor's notes: Obsequious is a synonym for servile or overly subservient. Condolement is a synonym for grief.)
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
ostentatious
1 use
No noble rite nor formal ostentation
ostentation = actions intended to attract notice and impress others
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.5 |
pernicious
1 use
O most pernicious woman!
pernicious = harmful (evil)
Definition
Generally pernicious means:harmful or something spreading harm — especially in a gradual or subtle way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.5 |
perturb
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she was perturbed
Rest, rest, perturbed spirit!
perturbed = disturbed (unhappy)
Definition
Generally this sense of perturb means:to disturb in mind or make uneasy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.5 |
prodigal
2 uses
I do know, When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul Lends the tongue vows:
prodigal = recklessly and extravagantly
Definition
Generally prodigal means:recklessly wasteful
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.3 |
provincial
1 use
with two Provincial roses on my razed shoes
provincial = unsophisticated
Definition
Generally this sense of provincial means:unsophisticated (meant disapprovingly to refer to old-fashioned or narrow-minded attitudes and ideas)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
superfluous
1 use
Give, me superfluous death.
superfluous = more than is needed (in this case, like saying "murdered over and over again")
Definition
Generally superfluous means:more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.5 |
temperate
1 use
My pulse, as yours, doth temperately keep time,
And makes as healthful music:
And makes as healthful music:
temperately = evenly (without extremes)
Definition
Generally temperate means:lacking extremes — especially of weather, climate, or behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.4 |