Le Morte D'Arthur, Volume II — Vocabulary
Thomas Malory
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	20	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book And when King Mark wist that it was Sir Launcelot, and came so fast upon him with a spear, he cried then aloud: I yield me to thee, Sir Launcelot, honourable knight.30 more give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	11	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book And that was not to the worldward, for anon he yielded him to a place of religion of white monks, and was a full holy man.30 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	80	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book And the falsest king and knight is your husband, and the most coward and full of treason, is your lord, King Mark.†79 more an act of betrayal Show general definition betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country (in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
	53	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 And when Alisander was whole, then he repented him of his oath, for he might not be revenged upon King Mark.†52 more repent → repented:expressed regret for having done something wrong
	47	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 And then he made the Siege Perilous, in the which Galahad sat in at his meat on Whitsunday last past.†46 more peril → perilous:dangerous Show general definition danger
	38	top 1000
loathreluctant or unwilling She is loath to admit a mistake.more Show sample from book Sir, said Sir Tristram, that is me loath to tell any man my name.†37 more reluctant or unwilling to do something 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".
	47	top 2000
siegethe surrounding and prolonged attack The Siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days.more Show sample from book Then went Arthur unto the sieges about the Round Table, and looked in every siege the which were void that lacked knights.†46 more siege → sieges:a military tactic in which a fortified place is surrounded and isolated while it… Show general definition a military tactic in which a fortified place is surrounded and isolated while it is attacked over time or: any prolonged attack, effort, or period of trouble
	45	top 2000
deemedbelieved or judged The producer deemed her too old to play the role.more Show sample from book And when he had read them, and understood them, he was wroth with Sir Tristram, for he deemed that he had sent the damosel unto King Arthur.†44 more Show general definition believed or judged
	34	top 2000
pavilionfreestanding structure without walls We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more Show sample from book And then were they ware of four hundred tents and pavilions, and marvellous great ordinance.†33 more pavilion → pavilions:a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or desig… Show general definition a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or design -- often used for gatherings, exhibitions, or specialized purposes
	32
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book Then came Sir Palomides, and besought him that he might help him to joust.†31 more beseech → besought:asked strongly or begged 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.
	25	top 2000
visageface The visage of the old woman was weathered and wrinkled, but her eyes sparkled with a youthful energy.more Show sample from book I dare well, said Alisander, show my visage.†24 more someone's face or facial expression Show general definition someone's face or facial expression
	18	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book So when his council was come they devised and cast many perils of the strength of their enemies.†17 more devise → devised:came up with (invented or created) 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
	25
abbeya building where monks or nuns live The monks at the abbey followed a strict schedule of prayer, work, and study.more Show sample from book Of the adventure that Melias had, and how Galahad revenged him, and how Melias was carried into an abbey.†24 more a building where monks or nuns live or lived… Show general definition a building where monks or nuns live or lived; or a church associated with such a building
	21	top 2000
serpentsnake There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more Show sample from book Of the great danger that Sir Percivale was in by his horse, and how he saw a serpent and a lion fight.†20 more Show general definition a snake
	236
jousta contest in which mounted knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances In the medieval festival, the highlight was the joust, where knights on horseback charged at each other with lances.more Show sample from book And if ye think that I be weary, and ye have an appetite to joust with me, I shall find you jousting enough.†235 more joust → jousting:competing in a contest to knock each other off horses with blunted lances OR competing in any kind of contest Show general definition a contest in which knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances or: any kind of contest
	9	top 1000
reclusesomeone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact with others) He became a recluse after his wife passed away.more Show sample from book This jousts was done to-fore the hermitage where a recluse dwelled.†8 more someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact) Show general definition someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)
	7	top 2000
forbearancetolerance She won the children over with patience and forbearance.more Show sample from book And because ye shall have ado with him we will forbear you as at this time, and else ye should not escape us lightly.†6 more forbearance → forbear:refrain (hold back) from acting Show general definition patient tolerance or self-control; or holding back from taking action or enforcing a right Show editor's word notes Today, the word, forbearance, is most commonly seen in the field of law to indicate that a legal right, claim or privilege is not being enforced.
	7
garnishgarnish → garnished:decorated She garnished the plate with parsley.more Show sample from book Then they ordained their battle in four parties, wonderly well apparelled and garnished with men of arms.†6 more garnish → garnished:decorated or adorned Show general definition for garnish (as in: garnished with parsley) to decorate something (most typically food with another food); or the item added for decoration
	7
ordinancelaw The city passed an ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.more Show sample from book Sir, said Palomides, meseemeth that there was as great an ordinance at the Castle of Maidens upon the rock, where ye won the prize, for I saw myself where ye forjousted thirty knights.†6 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
	6
beguilebeguile → beguiling:enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.more Show sample from book Then they all looked upon Sir Launcelot and said: Ye have beguiled us with your covered shield.†5 more beguile → beguiled:deceived through charm or enchantment Show general definition to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive -- especially through charm