The Canterbury Tales — Vocabulary
Geoffrey Chaucer
edited by Purves
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	58	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book Y-clothed was she fresh for to devise; Her yellow hair was braided in a tress, Behind her back, a yarde long I guess.†57 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
	37	top 1000
endureendure → endured:suffered through I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show sample from book We must endure; this is the short and plain.37 more suffer through Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain) to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
	1	top 1000
endure#2continue to exist She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more Show sample from book But worldly joy may not always endure37 more Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	40	top 2000
wroughtworked or crafted The windows have decorative wrought iron bars for security.more Show sample from book with silver wrought full clean and well42 more worked Show general definition for wrought (as in: wrought iron) worked -- as when iron is shaped to fit by bending or beating
	3
wrought#2caused (made to happen) The town still hasn't recovered from the damage wrought by the hurricane.more Show sample from book Together met and wrought each other woe:42 more brought (caused to happen) Show general definition for wrought (as in: the damage she has wrought) caused to happen or occurred as a consequence Show editor's word notes This is most typically seen in classic literature. Less commonly, the present tense, wreak, is also seen.
	47	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book he was a man of high prudence,46 more prudent → prudence:good sense and caution
	41	top 500
dwelldwell → dwells:lives in The creature dwells in the forest.more Show sample from book dwelling in a poor cottage40 more dwell → dwelling:living Show general definition for dwell (as in: It dwells in the forest.) make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
	41	top 1000
assentconsent or agreement The patient gave her assent to the surgery, even though she was nervous about it.more Show sample from book * denied Mahomet our belief But, lordes, will ye maken assurance, As I shall say, assenting to my lore?†40 more assent* → assenting:to express agreement -- especially with a statement or proposal to do something Show general definition to express agreement -- especially with a statement or proposal to do something
	29	top 1000
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. Show sample from book Of study took he most care and heed.28 more paid attention to Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	30	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book * lodging Well saide Solomon in his language, Bring thou not every man into thine house, For harbouring by night is perilous.†29 more peril* → perilous:dangerous Show general definition danger
	24	top 500
diligentcareful and hardworking She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.more Show sample from book Meliboeus should proceed with great diligence and deliberation,23 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
	31	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 the man was repentant.30 more repent → repentant:felt regret for having done something wrong
	34	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book Meliboeus answers, that he should do vengeance on his enemies, who had done him wrong.33 more take revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	29	top 2000
countenancefacial expression; or face She has a pleasant countenance.more Show sample from book And eke when I say Yea, ye say not Nay, Neither by word, nor frowning countenance?28 more facial expression Show general definition for countenance (as in: a pleasant countenance) facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
	34
ireanger Her unjust accusation sparked his ire, and he responded with a sharp retort.more Show sample from book Beware from ire that in thy bosom sleeps,33 more strong anger
	31
sundryof various kinds We sell many and sundry items.more Show sample from book After the sundry seasons of the year, So changed he his meat and his soupere.†30 more various Show general definition various; or of various kinds
	25	top 2000
penitentsorry for having done wrong When her anger passed, she was penitent.more Show sample from book Penitence is described ... as the bewailing of sin that has been wrought, with the purpose never again to do that thing, or any other thing which a man should bewail;24 more penitent → penitence:feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong Show general definition feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such
	16
beguilebeguile → beguiling:enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.more Show sample from book secret "Nay, thereof care thee nought," quoth Nicholas: "A clerk had litherly beset his while, ill spent his time* But if he could a carpenter beguile."†15 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
	13	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book Great swearing is a thing abominable, And false swearing is more reprovable.12 more reprove → reprovable:worthy of criticism Show context notes The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	14
ordinancelaw The city passed an ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.more Show sample from book '"Dame," quoth Meliboeus, '"do your will and your liking, for I put me wholly in your disposition and ordinance."†13 more a rule or law -- typically enacted by city government Show general definition for ordinance (as in: passed the ordinance) a rule or law -- typically enacted by city government