The Merchant of Venice — Vocabulary
William Shakespeare
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 2000
forfeitlose We had to forfeit the deposit.more Show sample from book Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh:11 more loses by not paying Show general definition to lose or surrender something -- often as a penalty
	7
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book I beseech you, sir, go:6 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
commendpraise I commend you for a good job.more Show sample from book This letter from Bellario doth commend a young and learned doctor to our court.6 more express a favorable opinion Show general definition for commend (as in: I commend her work) praise or recommend
	3	top 500
notwithstandingin spite of Notwithstanding my fear, I want to try parachuting from an airplane.more Show sample from book ANTONIO: I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels. PORTIA: Sir, grieve not you; you are welcome notwithstanding.2 more despite what was just said Show general definition used to show that something remains true even though something else seems to go against it Show editor's word notes Most commonly, you can substitute "in spite of" for notwithstanding. But see the first exemplary sample sentences for other common word substitutions.
	3	top 500
reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book do them reverence2 more revere → reverence:respect and admiration Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
	5
entreatentreat → entreated:asked She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.more Show sample from book Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.4 more ask Show general definition to ask -- especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
	3	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book His master and he, saving your worship's reverence, are scarce cater-cousins— LAUNCELOT.†2 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	4	top 2000
bestowgive (as an honor) They gave her the highest honor they can bestow.more Show sample from book Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.†3 more bestow → bestows:gives Show general definition to give -- typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
	4	top 1000
repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more Show sample from book Then I'll repent, and wish for all that, that I had not kill'd them.3 more feel regret for having done something wrong
	2	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice To the last hour of act; and then, 'tis thought, Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse, more strange Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;1 more wanting to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	2	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book My conscience says 'No; take heed, honest Launcelot, take heed, honest Gobbo' or, as aforesaid, 'honest Launcelot Gobbo, do not run; scorn running with thy heels.'†1 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	2	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree; such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the cripple.†1 more Show general definition for devise (as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
	3	top 1000
dismaydismay → dismayed:sad, disappointed, or worried Don't be dismayed. I have a solution.more Show sample from book Come on; in this there can be no dismay; My ships come home a month before the day.†2 more sadness, disappointment, or worry Show general definition to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry -- typically in response to something surprising
	1	top 500
obscureobscure → obscured:hidden or made less visible The stars are obscured by the clouds.more Show sample from book In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt But, being season'd with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil?1 more obscure → obscures:hides Show general definition for obscure (as in: it obscured my view) to block from view or make less visible or understandable Show editor's word notes Although this meaning of obscure typically refers to seeing or understanding, it can also refer to situation where something makes something else harder to detect or as when a noise makes another noise difficult to hear. Similarly it can reference something overshadowing something else, as in "Her memory of her dog's death was obscured by her brother's death the next day."
	1
obscure#2dark or dingy The once shiny silver was now tarnished and obscure.more Show sample from book ...in the obscure grave.1 more dark Show general definition for obscure (as in: was obscure, but now bright) dark or dingy; or inconspicuous (not very noticeable) Show editor's word notes This meaning of obscure is more commonly seen in classic literature than in modern writing.
	6
adieugoodbye She whispered a quiet adieu as she turned to leave.more Show sample from book I say, To buy his favour, I extend this friendship; If he will take it, so; if not, adieu; And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not.†5 more Show general definition a farewell remark (an alternative to goodbye) Show editor's word notes Adieu is typically more formal than bye. It comes from the French, à Dieu which literally means "to God" — as in I entrust you to God's care.
	2	top 500
rendergive We're waiting for the jury to render a verdict.more Show sample from book we do pray for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy.1 more Show general definition for render (as in: rendered service or a verdict) to give or supply something
	3	top 2000
spurnspurn → spurned:rejected She spurned his advances.more Show sample from book You say so: You that did void your rheum upon my beard, And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur Over your threshold; moneys is your suit.†2 more reject as not good enough Show general definition reject as not good enough
	2	top 1000
allayreduce the intensity of They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.more Show sample from book be moderate; allay thy ecstasy; In measure rain thy joy; scant this excess; I feel too much thy blessing; make it less, For fear I surfeit!†1 more reduce the intensity of; OR calm Show general definition reduce the intensity of; or calm
	2
amitya state of friendly relations If we cannot be close friends, we can at least live in amity.more Show sample from book There may as well be amity and life 'Tween snow and fire as treason and my love.1 more friendly relations Show context notes No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as "Treason has nothing at all to do with my love. They're as opposite as hot and cold."