Twelfth Night — Vocabulary
William Shakespeare
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8
valorcourage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle) She received a medal for valor.more Show sample from book I have heard of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others to taste their valour.p.127.17 more valor → valour:courage when facing danger -- especially in battle Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use valor. Show general definition exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle
	7	top 2000
accostaccost → accosted:approached aggressively or inappropriately As she walked down the street, a stranger suddenly accosted her, asking for money.more Show sample from book Accost, Sir Andrew, accost.†p.17.66 more approach and speak in a demanding or challenging manner Show general definition to approach aggressively or inappropriately
	7
roguedishonest or untrustworthy The website turned out to be run by a rogue company scamming users with fake downloads.more Show sample from book Thou kill'st me like a rogue and a villain.p.121.56 more a deceitful, unprincipled person Show general definition someone or something that behaves in a dishonest, unpredictable, or independent way -- often breaking rules or acting outside the norm
	5	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book his false cunningp.167.14 more cleverness 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)
	4	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book He is very well-favoured, and he speaks very shrewishly; one would think his mother's milk were scarce out of him.†p.35.73 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)
	6	top 2000
tainttaint → tainted:spoiled or contaminated Three people died from eating the tainted ice cream.more Show sample from book No, madam, he does nothing but smile: your ladyship were best to have some guard about you if he come; For, sure, the man is tainted in his wits.†p.111.95 more Show general definition to spoil something so it is not desirable -- as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
	4	top 500
notoriouswell known for something bad He was a notorious drug dealer.more Show sample from book Madam, you have done me wrong, Notorious wrong.p.183.93 more well known and bad
	5	top 2000
bestowgive (as an honor) They gave her the highest honor they can bestow.more Show sample from book I saw your niece do more favours to the count's servingman than ever she bestowed upon me;p.103.24 more bestow → bestowed:gave (as a gift) Show general definition to give -- typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
	4	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book he will smile upon her, which will now be so unsuitable to her disposition, being addicted to a melancholy as she isp.87.83 more sadness Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	2	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book Troth, sir, I can yield you none without words; and words are grown so false I am loath to prove reason with them.p.93.11 more provide or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	2	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book They that add, moreover, he's drunk nightly in your company.†p.17.21 more
	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 and yet, by the very fangs of malice I swear, I am not that I play.p.37.51 more the desire to hurt others or see them suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	3	top 1000
feignedpretended to She feigned sleep.more Show sample from book It is the more like to be feigned; I pray you keep it in.†p.37.82 more pretended (made a pretense of) Show general definition pretended -- usually pretending to feel something
	2	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Good beauties, let me sustain no scorn; I am very comptible, even to the least sinister usage.†p.37.21 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	4	top 2000
scruplesprinciples that discourage certain kinds of action She doesn't share my scruples on the subject.more Show sample from book Nay, I'll come; if I lose a scruple of this sport let me be boiled to death with melancholy.†p.75.73 more scruples → scruple:an ethical or moral principle that discourages certain kinds of action
	4
recompensecompensation for loss As recompense for the damage caused by the storm, the insurance company paid the family a large sum of money.more Show sample from book I am no fee'd post, lady; keep your purse; My master, not myself, lacks recompense.†p.43.63 more compensate for a loss; or pay a reward Show general definition compensation for loss; or payment or reward Show editor's word notes Recompense is seldom used in modern literature.
	3	top 2000
dissemblebe deceptive about After the primaries, she will dissemble her past statements to appear more moderate in her beliefs.more Show sample from book Well, I'll put it on, and I will dissemble myself in it;p.145.92 more disguise Show general definition hide or disguise the truth without outright lying
	3	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book There's something in me that reproves my fault;p.123.72 more Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	2	top 2000
constrainedrestricted The standard of living is ultimately constrained by worker productivity.more Show sample from book I shall be constrain'd in't to call thee knave, knight.†p.59.21 more constrained → constrain'd:restricted; or lacking spontaneity Show general definition restricted or inhibited
	2
beguilebeguile → beguiling:enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.more Show sample from book Hold, sir, here's my purse; In the south suburbs, at the Elephant, Is best to lodge: I will bespeak our diet Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge With viewing of the town; there shall you have me.†p.111.11 more to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; OR to deceive Show general definition to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive -- especially through charm