Macbeth — Vocabulary
William Shakespeare
(Edited)

Play sample Uses ACT/SAT
4 top 2000
mortalhuman
  The spirits that know
  All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus,—
  "Fear not, Macbeth; no man that's born of woman
  Shall e'er have power upon thee."p.190.36 more
Show context notes "The spirits that know all mortal consequences," could be paraphrased as: "The spirits that know all things that happen to mankind."
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Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.more
Show general definition for mortal (as in: mortal body) human (especially merely human); or subject to death
3
mortal#2deadly
  the time has been,
  That, when the brains were out, the man would die,
  And there an end; but now they rise again,
  With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,p.114.46 more
Show context notes This could be paraphrased as: Time was when a man's brains were knocked out, he died, and that was the end of it. But now, they rise again even with deadly blows to their heads.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Have the detectives determined who struck the mortal blow?more
causing death
Show general definition for mortal (as in: a mortal wound) causing death
5
valorcourage
  Art thou afeard
  To be the same in thine own act and valor
  As thou art in desire?p.42.64 more
Show context notes Lady Macbeth's words to Macbeth could be paraphrased as: "Are you afraid to be as bold in your actions as you are in your desires?"
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She received a medal for valor.more
courage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle)
Show general definition exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle
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tyrannyoppression (something harsh and controlling)
  Boundless intemperance
  In nature is a tyranny.p.160.72 more
Show context notes This could be paraphrased as: "Uncontrolled excess in one's desires or actions is a form of oppression."
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The U.S. constitution was designed with checks and balances and limited government to protect Americans from tyranny.more
a form of government where some people control others in a harsh, unfair manner
Show general definition harsh and unjust rule
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clamorloud noise
  As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar
  Upon his death?p.46.32 more
Show context notes This could be paraphrased as: "We will grieve loudly when he dies."
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She ignored the clamor of the crowd.more
loud noise and/or persistent demands
Show general definition loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice
2 top 1000
predominantpredominant → predominance:power and influence
  By the clock 'tis day,
  And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.
  Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
  That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
  When living light should kiss it?p.78.41 more
Show context notes This could be paraphrased as: "It’s daytime by the clock, yet the dark night smothers the sun. Is it night's overpowering strength, or the disgrace of the day, that causes darkness to cover the earth when the light of life should be shining upon it?"

In this scene, darkness is a reaction to evil as the natural world reacts to Duncan's murder.
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In the summer, our afternoon breezes come predominantly from the southwest.more
predominant → predominantly:most commonly
Show general definition most frequent, common, or important; or having more power and influence
3
trifletrifle → trifles:things of little importance
  And oftentimes to win us to our harm,
  The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
  Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
  In deepest consequence.p.20.42 more
Show context notes This could be paraphrased as: "Often, to lead us to our downfall, the forces of evil tell us the truth. They lure us with honesty about things of little importance only to betray us in matters of great importance."
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We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more
trifle → trifling:unimportant
Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
2
infirminfirm → infirmity:illness
  I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing
  To those that know me.p.114.71 more
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She is too infirm to walk unassisted.more
weak from old age or disease
Show general definition weak from old age or disease
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dispositionnormal mood and personality
  You make me strange
  Even to the disposition that I owe,
  When now I think you can behold such sights,
  And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,
  When mine is blanched with fear.p.116.9
Show context notes Macbeth's words to Lady Macbeth could be paraphrased as: "You're making me feel like a stranger to my own nature, because I can’t believe you can see these horrifying things and still stay calm, with your face looking normal, while my face has turned pale with fear."
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She has a cheerful disposition.more
normal mood or typical way of behaving
Show general definition for disposition (as in: a kind disposition) someone's personality, nature, or typical way of behaving
1 top 2000
vanquishvanquish → vanquished:defeated
  Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until
  Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill
  Shall come against him.p.138.5
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The team vanquished all competition.more
vanquish → vanquished:completely defeated
Show general definition to defeat completely
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contendcontend → contending:struggling
  And Duncan's horses (a thing most strange and certain),
  Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
  Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
  Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make
  War with mankind.p.78.83 more
Show context notes This description of Duncan's horses as he was murdered, could be paraphrased as: "And Duncan's horses (a thing both strange and true), beautiful and fast, the favorites of their breed, turned wild, broke free from their stalls, struggling against their natural obedience, as if they were ready to wage war against mankind."
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She contends with headaches.more
contend → contends:struggles
Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended with it) to struggle or argue
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contend#2compete
  I have drugged their possets
  That death and nature do contend about them,
  Whether they live or die.p.54.43 more
Show context notes This could be paraphrased as: "I have put so much sleeping potion in their drinks that death and life are fighting over them."
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Militant groups are contending for control of the countrymore
contend → contending:competing
Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended for the gold medal) to compete
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scruplesmoral concerns or doubts
Fears and scruples shake us.p.76.11 more
Show context notes Upon learning of Duncan's murder, Banquo recalls the witches' prophecies: that Macbeth would become king and that Banquo's descendants would inherit the throne. This leaves him with moral reservations, as he questions what is right and struggles to reconcile his loyalty with the unsettling events around him.
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She doesn't share my scruples on the subject.more
principles that discourage certain kinds of action
Show general definition principles that discourage certain kinds of action
1 top 2000
salutationgreeting
  I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl
  That speak my salutation in their minds,
  Whose voices I desire aloud with mine.
  Hail, King of Scotland!p.216.9
Show context notes Macduff's statement to Malcolm could be paraphrased as: "I see you surrounded by the nobles of your kingdom, who silently offer the same greeting I give, and I wish for their voices to join mine out loud. Hail, King of Scotland!"
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She began the letter with a formal salutation, addressing the recipient as "Dear Sir."more
Show general definition a greeting -- such as "Hi",  "Dear John:", or "Ladies and Gentlemen"

or:

the act of greeting
1
beguiledeceive
  To beguile the time,
  Look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye,
  Your hand, your tongue. Look like the innocent flower,
  But be the serpent under't.p.34.5
Show context notes This could be paraphrased as: "To deceive in the current situation, act appropriate for the moment. Look welcoming and innocent like a flower, while really being lethal and deceitful like a snake."
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Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.more
beguile → beguiling:enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive
Show general definition to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive -- especially through charm
3
knellthe sound of a bell rung slowly to announce death or a funeral
  Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell
  That summons thee to heaven or to hell.p.52.92 more
Show context notes This could be paraphrased as: "Don't listen Duncan, for it is a bell that calls you to heaven or to hell."
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The poll should be interpreted as the death knell of her campaign.more
knell → death knell:sign of the end
Show general definition a slow, solemn bell sound -- especially announcing death

or:

a sign that something is ending
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thusin that way
It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands. I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.p.180.312 more
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She read my diary and mocked my most private thoughts in public. My worst fears realized thus; I avoided friends between classes.more
Show general definition for thus (as in: betrayed her thus) in the way mentioned or shown
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mockmake ridiculous
  The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms
  Do mock their charge with snores.p.54.32 more
Show context notes "Mock their charge," could be paraphrased as: "are ridiculous in fulfilling their responsibility."
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She was upset when he mocked her.more
mock → mocked:made fun of
Show general definition for mock (as in: don't mock me) make fun of (ridicule--sometimes by imitating in an exaggerated manner)

or (more rarely): just to make fun or to be ridiculous without targeting anyone as a victim
Show editor's word notes These senses of mockery come together when a comedian pokes fun at a politician by pretending to be the politician and saying ridiculous things.
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mock#2pretend
  Away, and mock the time with fairest show.
  False face must hide what the false heart doth know.p.46.72 more
Show context notes " Away, and mock the time with fairest show," could be paraphrased as: "Go, and pretend to be friendly."
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Law students compete in a pretend court in a mock trial competition.more
not real
Show general definition for mock (as in: a mock trial) not real
2 top 100
accompanygo together with
  And that which should accompany old age,
  As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
  I must not look to have, but in their stead,
  Curses, ...p.192.21 more
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The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more
accompany → accompanying:provided together
Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better