Much Ado About Nothing
Vocabulary

1 use

Grow this to what adverse issue it can, I will put it in practice.†

adverse = working against one's interests

2 uses

Sure my brother is amorous on Hero, and hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it.†

amorous = sexual or romantic

1 use

I did never think to marry: I must not seem proud: happy are they that hear their detractions, and can put them to mending.†

detractions = to diminish (reduce the value of something)

1 use

Marry, thou dost wrong me; thou dissembler, thou.†

dissembler = to deceive (hide or disguise the truth without outright lying)

2 uses

1 use

Your answer, sir, is enigmatical:

enigmatical = mysterious and seemingly unexplainable

1 use

By my soul, nor I: And yet, to satisfy this good old man, I would bend under any heavy weight That he'll enjoin me to.†

enjoin = to command someone to do (or not do) something

2 uses

They did entreat me to acquaint her of it; But I persuaded them, if they lov'd Benedick, To wish him wrestle with affection, And never to let Beatrice know of it.†

entreat = ask or attempt to persuade

2 uses

Your daughter here the princes left for dead; Let her awhile be secretly kept in, And publish it that she is dead indeed: Maintain a mourning ostentation; nd on your family's old monument Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites That appertain unto a burial.†

epitaphs = short texts in memory of dead people

30 uses

[Exeunt HERO and URSULA.]

exeunt = stage direction:  characters exit from stage

1 use

therefore is it most expedient for the wise ... to be the trumpet of his own virtues,

expedient = practical

2 uses

I tell him we shall stay here at the least a month, and he heartly prays some occasion may detain us longer: I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart.†

hypocrite = someone who violates claimed moral standards

2 uses

Why had I not with charitable hand Took up a beggar's issue at my gates, Who smirched thus, and mir'd with infamy, I might have said, 'No part of it is mine; This shame derives itself from unknown loins?'†

infamy = famous for something that is bad; or an extremely bad event

3 uses

True, and they are to meddle with none but the prince's subjects.†

meddle = interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)

1 use

Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic...

obstinate = stubborn

1 use

And publish it that she is dead indeed.
Maintain a mourning ostentation,
And on your family's old monument
Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites
That appertain unto a burial.

ostentation = actions intended to attract notice

2 uses

Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left Is that she will not add to her damnation A sin of perjury: she not denies it.†

perjury = the criminal offense of telling lies after formally promising to tell the truth

1 use

1 use

1 use

Intend a kind of zeal both to the Prince and Claudio,

zeal = active interest and enthusiasm

(editor's note:  today, this use of intend, would be better replaced by pretend)