As You Like It — Vocabulary
William Shakespeare
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book Now go we in content To liberty, and not to banishment.12 more banish → banishment:being forced to leave a community and not return Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	9	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book They say you are a melancholy fellow.8 more sad Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	7	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Sweet Phebe, do not scorn me;6 more reject Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	6	top 500
dispositionnormal mood or typical way of behaving She has a cheerful disposition.more Show sample from book My father's rough and envious disposition5 more normal mood Show general definition for disposition (as in: a kind disposition) someone's personality, nature, or typical way of behaving
	8	top 2000
chidechide → chides:corrects or criticizes She constantly chides me for my grammar.more Show sample from book I had rather hear you chide than this man woo.7 more criticize Show general definition to tell someone they have done wrong -- sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
	7
entreatentreat → entreated:asked She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.more Show sample from book he will not be entreated.6 more entreat → entreated:persuaded Show general definition to ask -- especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
	4	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book From henceforth I will, coz, and devise sports: let me see; what think you of falling in love?†3 more Show general definition for devise (as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
	3	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book If this uncouth forest yield anything savage, I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee.†2 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	4	top 1000
feignedpretended to She feigned sleep.more Show sample from book unto the green holly: Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly: Then, heigh-ho, the holly!†3 more feigned → feigning:pretending (making a pretense of) Show general definition pretended -- usually pretending to feel something
	4	top 1000
usurpusurp → usurping:taking without authority The lawsuit claims that the Federal Government is usurping rights reserved by the Constitution for state governments.more Show sample from book detain'd by her usurping uncle3 more usurp → usurping:who seizes power without authority Show general definition seize or take control without authority
	5
epilogueending section The novel’s epilogue revealed what happened to the characters ten years later.more Show sample from book Yet to good wine they do use good bushes; and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues.†4 more epilogue → epilogues:concluding passages Show general definition a short section at the end of a book, play, or movie that provides additional information or wraps up the story Show editor's word notes In a play, an epilogue can be a short speech addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the play's end.
	3	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book 'Tis true; for those that she makes fair she scarce makes honest; and those that she makes honest she makes very ill-favouredly.†2 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	2	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book proud disdain1 more a lack of respect for others Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	4	top 2000
countenancefacial expression; or face She has a pleasant countenance.more Show sample from book And therefore put I on the countenance Of stern commandment.3 more facial expression Show general definition for countenance (as in: a pleasant countenance) facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
	5
forswearforswear → forsworn:renounced or disavowed The group has forsworn terrorism in favor of negotiating an end to the conflict.more Show sample from book to swear and to forswear; according as marriage binds and blood breaks:4 more renounce or disavow something Show general definition for forswear (as in: forswear my country of birth) to decide to stop doing something; or to renounce or disavow something
	2	top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more Show sample from book therefore beware my censure, and keep your promise.1 more criticism Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
	4
adieugoodbye She whispered a quiet adieu as she turned to leave.more Show sample from book I am glad of your departure: adieu, good Monsieur Melancholy.†3 more Show general definition a farewell remark (an alternative to goodbye) Show editor's word notes Adieu is typically more formal than bye. It comes from the French, à Dieu which literally means "to God" — as in I entrust you to God's care.
	3	top 2000
bequeathpass down It is our duty to bequeath a better world to our grandchildren.more Show sample from book His crown bequeathing to his banish'd brother2 more bequeath → bequeathing:being left or given to another after one's death Show general definition give or pass down -- often upon death in a will
	3	top 2000
forbearancetolerance She won the children over with patience and forbearance.more Show sample from book Forbear, and eat no more.2 more forbearance → forbear:stop (refrain or hold back from acting) Show general definition patient tolerance or self-control; or holding back from taking action or enforcing a right Show editor's word notes Today, the word, forbearance, is most commonly seen in the field of law to indicate that a legal right, claim or privilege is not being enforced.
	2	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book The first, the Retort courteous; the second, the Quip modest; the third, the Reply churlish; the fourth, the Reproof valiant; the fifth, the Countercheck quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with circumstance; the seventh, the Lie direct.1 more reprove → reproof:criticism Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner