The Life and Death of King Richard III — Vocabulary
William Shakespeare
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	5	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book Ah, that thou wouldst as soon afford a grave As thou canst yield a melancholy seat!†8 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	4	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book I am unfit for state and majesty:—I do beseech you, take it not amiss: I cannot nor I will not yield to you.†8 more give in, give way, or give up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	14	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book I had rather be a country servant-maid Than a great queen with this condition,—To be so baited, scorn'd, and stormed at.†13 more scorn → scorn'd:disrespected or rejected Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	9	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book I am your sorrow's nurse, And I will pamper it with lamentation.8 more lament → lamentation:passionate expression of grief or sorrow Show general definition to express grief or regret
	12
entreatentreat → entreated:asked She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.more Show sample from book Do, good my lord; your citizens entreat you.11 more ask Show general definition to ask -- especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
	9	top 1000
usurpusurp → usurping:taking without authority The lawsuit claims that the Federal Government is usurping rights reserved by the Constitution for state governments.more Show sample from book Thou didst usurp my place,8 more seize or take control without authority Show general definition seize or take control without authority
	6	top 500
adversaryopponent She is his greatest adversary.more Show sample from book Ere you were queen, ay, or your husband king, I was a pack-horse in his great affairs; A weeder-out of his proud adversaries, A liberal rewarder of his friends; To royalize his blood I spilt mine own.†5 more adversary → adversaries:opponents Show general definition an opponent
	9
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book I do beseech your grace to pardon me; and, withal, Forbear your conference with the noble duke.†8 more to 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.
	9	top 2000
wretchedmiserable The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more Show sample from book Thyself a queen, for me that was a queen, Outlive thy glory, like my wretched self!†8 more miserable or very bad Show general definition very bad in various senses, including: unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor" of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads" morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
	8	top 2000
grievousvery serious; or very bad She suffered grievous bodily harm.more Show sample from book O, he hath kept an evil diet long, And overmuch consum'd his royal person: 'Tis very grievous to be thought upon.†7 more Show general definition very serious; or very bad; or causing grief
	8	top 2000
kindredsimilar in quality or character We are kindred spirits.more Show sample from book By heaven, I think there is no man is secure But the queen's kindred, and night-walking heralds That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore.†7 more similar in quality or character; OR closely related Show general definition similar in quality or character or: closely related -- such as family or things with shared origin
	5	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book —Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing while, But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.†4 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)
	3	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book Infer fair England's peace by this alliance.†2 more conclude or guess by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	3	top 1000
divinewonderful Her pies are divine.more Show sample from book By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust Ensuing danger; as, by proof, we see The water swell before a boisterous storm.3 more coming from God Show general definition for divine (as in: to forgive is divine) wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
	1	top 2000
divine#2figure out He tried to divine her true feelings from the way she avoided eye contact.more Show sample from book And with all speed post with him toward the north, To shun the danger that his soul divines.3 more divine → divines:to discover something through intuition or reflection Show general definition for divine (as in: divined through intuition) to discover or guess something -- usually through intuition or reflection
	5	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 Think you my uncle did dissemble, grandam?4 more hide or disguise the truth Show general definition hide or disguise the truth without outright lying
	4
peevisheasily annoyed The peevish child refused to eat his vegetables and threw a tantrum at the dinner table.more Show sample from book Did York's dread curse prevail so much with heaven That Henry's death, my lovely Edward's death, Their kingdom's loss, my woeful banishment, Should all but answer for that peevish brat?†3 more annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things Show general definition annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things
	4
adieugoodbye She whispered a quiet adieu as she turned to leave.more Show sample from book Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator As if the golden fee for which I plead Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu.†3 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.
	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 Madam, I have a touch of your condition That cannot brook the accent of reproof.2 more reprove → reproof:criticism Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	2	top 1000
adversedifficult She did an impressive job given the adverse circumstances.more Show sample from book Why, our battalia trebles that account: Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength, Which they upon the adverse faction want.†1 more working against one's interests Show general definition working against one's interests