adverse
1 use
To admit no traffic to our adverse towns;
adverse = working against the interest of (in this case, Syracusians visiting the towns)
Definition
Generally adverse means:working against one's interests
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
adversity
2 uses
A wretched soul, bruis'd with adversity,
adversity = hardship (an unfortunate state)
Definition
Generally adversity means:an unfortunate state or event
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
choleric
2 uses
you were so choleric
choleric = angry
Definition
Generally choleric means:easily moved to anger; or characterized by anger
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
covet
1 use
she, more covetous
covetous = to strongly want (something, especially the property of another person)
Definition
Generally covet means:to strongly want (something—especially something that belongs to another)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.3 |
exeunt
14 uses
[Exeunt OFFICER, ADRIANA, and LUCIANA.]
exeunt = stage direction: characters exit from stage
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
forsake
1 use
and bid you forsake your liberty.
forsake = abandon or give up on
Definition
Generally forsake means:to abandon or give up on — such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.3 |
hapless
1 use
Hapless Aegeon, whom the fates have mark'd
To bear the extremity of dire mishap!
To bear the extremity of dire mishap!
hapless = unlucky or unfortunate
Definition
Generally hapless means:unlucky or unfortunate — often making others feel pity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
impeach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
impeach my courage
Thou art a villain to impeach me thus; I'll prove mine honour and mine honesty Against thee presently, if thou dar'st stand.
impeach = criticize someone's character
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |
importune
1 use
You hear how he importunes me:
importunes = begs persistently and urgently
Definition
Generally importune means:beg insistently or urge repeatedly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
incessant
1 use
the incessant weepings of my wife
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
notorious
1 use
Sir, sir, I shall have law in Ephesus, To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.
notorious = well known for something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
patron
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a patron of the arts
I tell thee, Syracusan, twenty years
Have I been patron to Antipholus,
Have I been patron to Antipholus,
patron = supporter
Definition
Generally this sense of patron means:someone who contributes money to an organization
or:
a supporter of an organization or person
or:
a supporter of an organization or person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |
pernicious
1 use
this pernicious slave
pernicious = harmful
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 5.1 |
peruse
1 use
Within this hour it will be dinner-time;
Till that, I'll view the manners of the town,
Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings,
And then return and sleep within mine inn;
For with long travel I am stiff and weary.
Till that, I'll view the manners of the town,
Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings,
And then return and sleep within mine inn;
For with long travel I am stiff and weary.
peruse = examine or consider with attention and in detail
Definition
Generally peruse means:to read or examine
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
prodigal
1 use
...he that goes in the calf's skin that was killed for the Prodigal;
prodigal = the person, in the commonly referenced Christian parable, The Prodigal Son
Editor's notes:
Editor's notes:
- A parable is a story told to teach a moral lesson.
- The Prodigal Son is a parable about extreme forgiveness.
- In the parable, a "fatted calf" is killed and served at a feast.
- This is a common usage of prodigal; though it more generally refers to anyone (not just The Prodigal Son) who is recklessly wasteful; or perhaps long absent.
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.3 |
rancor
1 use
Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke
rancorous = showing deep and bitter anger or hatred
Definition
Generally rancor means:deep and bitter anger or hatred — especially when long-standing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
rigorous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
rigorous enforcement
Have seal'd his rigorous statutes with their bloods,
rigorous = strict
Definition
Generally this sense of rigorous means:strict when enforcing rules
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
succession
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a succession of events
If by strong hand you offer to break in, Now in the stirring passage of the day, A vulgar comment will be made of it; And that supposed by the common rout Against your yet ungalled estimation That may with foul intrusion enter in, And dwell upon your grave when you are dead: For slander lives upon succession, For ever hous'd where it gets possession.
succession = recurrence (being repeated)
Definition
Generally this sense of succession means:series or sequence (one after another)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
usurp
1 use
Usurping ivy, brier, or idle moss
usurping = seizing or taking without permission
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
yield
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
yield to pressure
It is no shame; the fellow finds his vein, And, yielding to him, humours well his frenzy.†
yielding = giving in, giving up, or giving way (easily moved or soft)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.4 |