The Tempest — Vocabulary
William Shakespeare
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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subtleunderstated (so as not to draw attention to itself)
Her warning was subtle, but unmistakable.more
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It must needs be of subtle, tender, and delicate temperance.2 more
mild (understated)
Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle shade of blue) understated so as not to draw excess attention
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subtle#2making use of slight distinctions
She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.more
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You do yet taste
Some subtleties o' the isle, that will not let you
Believe things certain.2 more
subtle → subtleties:things that are not obvious, but can be appreciated by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge
Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle difference or thinker) not obvious, but noticeable with enough insight and knowledge

or:

able to notice or understand things that require insight and sensitivity
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ebbebb → ebbed:gradually declined
The patient's strength ebbed away.more
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His mother was a witch; and one so strong
That could control the moon, make flows and ebbs,4 more
ebb → ebbs:a gradual decline -- such as the height of the tide
Show general definition decline -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
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beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs
She beseeches her students to think about their future.more
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I do beseech thy greatness, give him blows, and take his bottle from him.5 more
ask strongly or beg for something
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.
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perishbe destroyed or cease to exist
...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln  —  Gettysburg Addressmore
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Poor souls, they perish'd.†2 more
perish → perish'd:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist
Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way

or:

to be destroyed or cease to exist
Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought."  It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
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diligentcareful and hardworking
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.more
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go, hence with diligence!2 more
diligent → diligence:hard work and care
Show general definition for diligent (as in: she is diligent) working carefully and steadily with effort and attention to detail
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omitomit → omitted:left out
She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more
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Please you, sir, Do not omit the heavy offer of it: It seldom visits sorrow; when it doth, It is a comforter.†1 more
to exclude or neglect something
Show general definition to exclude or neglect something
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prosperprosper → prospering:doing well
She is prospering at school.more
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'Twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well in our return.†3 more
do well
Show general definition to do well or to grow stronger
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tempestviolent storm
The ship struggled to navigate through the raging tempest.more
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When first I rais'd the tempest3 more
Show general definition a violent commotion or disturbance -- especially a violent storm or emotional outburst
Show editor's word notes The expression tempest in a teapot describes people as being upset over an unimportant matter.
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scarcityshortage
There is a scarcity of work in the region.more
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Scarcity and want shall shun you; Ceres' blessing so is on you.†1 more
shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
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cunningclever and deceitful
She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more
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As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island.†1 more
good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception
Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
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heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to
Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more
Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness.
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I am more serious than my custom; you Must be so too, if heed me: which to do Trebles thee o'er.†1 more
pay close attention to; or do what is suggested
Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
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loathreluctant or unwilling
She is loath to admit a mistake.more
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You were kneel'd to, and importun'd otherwise By all of us; and the fair soul herself Weigh'd between loathness and obedience at Which end o' th' beam should bow.†1 more
loath → loathness:the quality of being highly reluctant or unwilling
Show general definition reluctant or unwilling to do something
Show editor's word notes Word Confusion:  Do not confuse loath with loathe which sounds very similar or the same. Loath is typically used as an adjective while loathe is a verb that means "to dislike greatly".
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banishbanish → banished:forced to leave
He was banished from his own country.more
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This damn'd witch Sycorax, For mischiefs manifold, and sorceries terrible To enter human hearing, from Argier, Thou know'st, was banish'd: for one thing she did They would not take her life.†1 more
banish → banish'd:expelled or gotten rid of
Show context notes This is more commonly spelled banished.
Show general definition to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
  • to force someone to leave a country as punishment
  • to push an idea from the mind
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exeuntstage direction: characters exit from stage
Exeunt all except Hamlet.more
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[Exeunt SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO] GONZALO†11 more
stage direction:  characters exit from stage
Show general definition stage direction:  characters exit from stage
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allayreduce the intensity of
They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.more
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If by your art, my dearest father, you have Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them.†1 more
reduce the intensity of; OR  calm
Show general definition reduce the intensity of; or calm
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auspiciousfavorable
With good weather and no traffic, we had an auspicious start on our journey.more
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I find my zenith doth depend upon a most auspicious star1 more
favorable; or suggestive of good things to come
Show general definition favorable; or suggestive of good things to come
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discordconflict
There is too much discord in the team.more
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disdain, and discord, shall bestrew the union of your bed
conflict and disagreement
Show general definition for discord (as in: discord amongst the group) conflict or disagreement -- especially among those expected to cooperate

or (especially in the form discordant):

seeming different or wrong in context
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contentiouslikely to cause disagreement
We started with the most contentious item on the agenda.more
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the contentious waves
causing difficulty
Show general definition causing or likely to cause disagreement; or argumentative
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paragonmodel of excellence
She is viewed as a paragon of integrity.more
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Tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to their queen.
an ideal instance
Show general definition an ideal instance; or model of excellence