antipathy
1 use
No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave.
antipathy = strong dislike
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "I couldn't hate that jerk over there any more than I do.")
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "I couldn't hate that jerk over there any more than I do.")
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Scene 2.2 |
auspicious
1 use
Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,
Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon
To stand auspicious mistress,
Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon
To stand auspicious mistress,
auspicious = favorable; or suggestive of good things to come
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "He was standing here in the dark with his sword pointing at me. He was mumbling some black magic spells, appealing to the moon to help him in his evil plans.")
(editor's note: No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as: "He was standing here in the dark with his sword pointing at me. He was mumbling some black magic spells, appealing to the moon to help him in his evil plans.")
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 2.1 |
contentious
1 use
this contentious storm
contentious = argumentative or likely to cause disagreement
Definition
Generally contentious means:causing or likely to cause disagreement; or argumentative
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 3.4 |
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 | 6 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 |
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 |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
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)
(editor's note: This is more commonly spelled endured.)
(editor's note: This is more commonly spelled endured.)
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Scene 5.2 |
exasperated
1 use
Exasperates, makes mad her sister
exasperates = greatly annoys
Definition
Generally exasperated means:greatly annoyed
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 5.1 |
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 | 3 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 | 4 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 | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.2 |
negligent
2 uses
Put on what weary negligence you please,
You and your fellow servants. I'll have it come to question.
You and your fellow servants. I'll have it come to question.
negligence = insufficient care or attention
Definition
Generally negligent means:insufficient care or attention (not being careful enough or not trying hard enough to fulfill a responsibility)
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Scene 1.3 |
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 |
reprove
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use 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 | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Scene 1.2 |
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 |