King Lear — Vocabulary
William Shakespeare
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 1000
endureendure → endured:suffered through I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show sample from book I'll not endure it8 more suffer through Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain) to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
	1	top 1000
endure#2continue to exist She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more Show sample from book The wonder is, he hath endur'd so long:8 more endure → endur'd:lasted (continued to survive) Show context notes This is more commonly spelled endured. Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	11	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book Fare thee well, king: sith thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.†10 more banish → banishment:to expel or get rid of 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
	7	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book I am scarce in breath, my lord.6 more scarcity → scarce:barely (an amount that is less than desired) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	7	top 500
dispositionnormal mood or typical way of behaving She has a cheerful disposition.more Show sample from book I now perceive it was not altogether your brother's evil disposition made him seek his death;6 more normal mood, personality, or inclination Show general definition for disposition (as in: a kind disposition) someone's personality, nature, or typical way of behaving
	8
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book I beseech you, sir, pardon me.7 more ask strongly or beg Show general definition to ask strongly or beg for something Show editor's word notes Beseech is common in classic literature. Though its usage has doubled in recent decades, it remains a rare word in modern writing. Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.
	7
entreatentreat → entreated:asked She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.more Show sample from book neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor any way sustain him.6 more ask earnestly Show general definition to ask -- especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
	7	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book that this treason were not—or not I the detector!†6 more an act of betrayal Show general definition betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country (in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
	5	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book It was not brought me, my lord, there's the cunning of it; I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet.†4 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	4	top 500
sustainsustain → sustained:supported We sustained ourselves on bread and water.more Show sample from book When I desired their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house; charged me on pain of perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor any way sustain him.3 more provide support Show general definition for sustain (as in: sustained by her faith) provide support or necessities
	6
heraldofficial who announces important news The herald loudly proclaimed, "The King is dead. Long live the King."more Show sample from book Enter a herald.5 more a person whose job is to announce important news Show general definition for herald (as in: announced by herald & trumpet) a person who announces important news -- especially a king's representative
	3	top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more Show sample from book to censure them2 more criticize Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
	3	top 500
diligentcareful and hardworking She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.more Show sample from book If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore you.2 more diligent → diligence:hard work and care Show general definition for diligent (as in: she is diligent) working carefully and steadily with effort and attention to detail
	5
infirmweak from old age or disease She is too infirm to walk unassisted.more Show sample from book 'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself.†4 more infirm → infirmity:weakness from old age or disease
	4	top 2000
forbearancetolerance She won the children over with patience and forbearance.more Show sample from book Dear sir, forbear!3 more forbearance → forbear:refrain (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 500
superfluousmore than is needed, desired, or required Eliminate superfluous words.more Show sample from book Our basest beggars are in the poorest thing superfluous.1 more (having) more than is needed
	3
ingratitudelack of gratefulness Despite their tireless efforts, they were greeted with ingratitude, leaving them disheartened by the lack of appreciation.more Show sample from book —Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child Than the sea-monster!†2 more lack of gratefulness -- typically inappropriately so Show general definition lack of gratefulness -- typically inappropriately so
	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 he's full of alteration And self-reproving:1 more reprove → reproving:criticism Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	2
amitya state of friendly relations If we cannot be close friends, we can at least live in amity.more Show sample from book How in one house Should many people, under two commands, Hold amity?†1 more
	2
tithetithe → tithes:donates 10% of income to a church Although she no longer attends services, she still tithes.more Show sample from book Poor Tom; that eats the swimming frog, the toad, the todpole, the wall-newt and the water; that in the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend rages, eats cow-dung for sallets; swallows the old rat and the ditch-dog; drinks the green mantle of the standing pool; who is whipped from tithing to tithing, and stocked, punished, and imprisoned; who hath had three suits to his back, six shirts to his body, horse to ride, and weapons to wear;— But mice and rats, and such small deer, Have been Tom's food for seven long year.† tithe → tithing:donating a potion of one's income to a church Show general definition to donate a portion of one's income -- especially a tenth of income to a church; or the amount given