discern
1 use
You should be ruled and led by some discretion, that discerns your state better than you yourself.
discerns = understands — notices things that are not obvious (in this case, "not obvious to you")
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.4 |
discerning
1 use
Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning
Thine honour from thy suffering;
Thine honour from thy suffering;
discerning = capable of seeing things many people might miss
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "you can't even see the difference between being honored and being taken advantage of!")
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "you can't even see the difference between being honored and being taken advantage of!")
Definition
Generally discerning means:showing good judgment or good taste and/or the perception of things not easily perceived by most people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.2 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason;
discord = conflict and disagreement
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form "discordant"):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form "discordant"):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
endure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
endured the pain
I'll not endure it
endure = suffer through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
The wonder is, he hath endur'd so long:
endur'd = lasted (continued to survive)
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.2 |
exeunt
34 uses
[Exeunt Lear and Kent.]
exeunt = stage direction: characters exit from stage
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
heresy
1 use
heretics burn'd
heretics = people with opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
impetuous
1 use
the impetuous blasts
impetuous = rapid, forceful, and/or violent
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 3.1 |
importune
1 use
Importune him once more to go, my lord;
importune = urge
Definition
Generally importune means:beg insistently or urge repeatedly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.4 |
insolent
1 use
Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool,
But other of your insolent retinue
Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth
In rank and not-to-be-endured riots.
But other of your insolent retinue
Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth
In rank and not-to-be-endured riots.
insolent = rude
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "It's not just your fool here who can say whatever he wants, but your whole obnoxious entourage keeps whining and arguing, bursting out in intolerably vicious riots.")
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "It's not just your fool here who can say whatever he wants, but your whole obnoxious entourage keeps whining and arguing, bursting out in intolerably vicious riots.")
Definition
Generally insolent means:rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
malediction
1 use
menaces and maledictions against king and nobles
maledictions = curses or insults
Definition
Generally malediction means:the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it obscured my view
Approach, thou beacon to this under globe,
That by thy comfortable beams I may
Peruse this letter.—Nothing almost sees miracles
But misery:—I know 'tis from Cordelia,
Who hath most fortunately been inform'd
Of my obscured course;
That by thy comfortable beams I may
Peruse this letter.—Nothing almost sees miracles
But misery:—I know 'tis from Cordelia,
Who hath most fortunately been inform'd
Of my obscured course;
obscured = hidden
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
penury
1 use
and am bethought
To take the basest and most poorest shape
That ever penury, in contempt of man
To take the basest and most poorest shape
That ever penury, in contempt of man
penury = a state of extreme poverty or destitution
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "I've decided to disguise myself as the lowliest and rattiest beggar that mankind has ever seen.")
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "I've decided to disguise myself as the lowliest and rattiest beggar that mankind has ever seen.")
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
pernicious
1 use
That will with two pernicious daughters join
Your high-engender'd battles 'gainst a head
So old and white as this!
Your high-engender'd battles 'gainst a head
So old and white as this!
pernicious = harm-spreading
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 3.2 |
peruse
1 use
peruse this letter
peruse = examine or consider with attention and in detail
Definition
Generally peruse means:to read or examine
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
reprove
1 use
he's full of alteration And self-reproving:
reproving = criticism
Definition
Generally reprove means:to express disapproval of one's actions to them
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |
revere
5 uses
You beastly knave, know you no reverence?
reverence = respect
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
rigorous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a rigorous math class
the rigour of our state
rigour = difficulties and demands
Definition
Generally this sense of rigorous means:difficult and demanding
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |
servile
1 use
I call you servile ministers
servile = submissive
Definition
Generally servile means:submissive — typically excessively so (so submissive or eager to serve and please that one seems to have no self-respect)
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
wanton
2 uses
As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods,— They kill us for their sport.
wanton = considered bad (in this case, excessively violent)
Definition
Generally wanton means:of something considered bad: excessive, thoughtless indulgence — such as waste, cruelty, violence, and (especially in the past) sexual promiscuity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.4 |