Le Morte D'Arthur — Vocabulary
Thomas Malory
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	402
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 I will well, said Arthur, and rode fast after the sword, and when he came home, the lady and all were out to see the jousting.†401 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
	76	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book I will rather yield me to you than die for that is more for the might of your men than of your hands.114 more give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	39	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book And there they yielded them unto Sir Kay, and Sir Kay forsook them and said he fought never with them.114 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
	125	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book How Ulfius impeached Queen Igraine, Arthur's mother, of treason; and how a knight came and desired to have the death of his master revenged.†124 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)
	117	top 2000
pavilionfreestanding structure without walls We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more Show sample from book And there he pight many pavilions, and there was great war made on both parties, and much people slain.†116 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
	87	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.†86 more peril → perilous:dangerous Show general definition danger
	88	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 It shall be soon revenged, said King Ban, for I trust in God mine ure is not such but some of them may sore repent this.†87 more to express or feel regret for having done wrong
	72	top 1000
loathreluctant or unwilling She is loath to admit a mistake.more Show sample from book That is me loath, said the knight, but sith I must needs, I will dress me thereto.†71 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".
	82	top 2000
siegethe surrounding and prolonged attack The Siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days.more Show sample from book How the Knights of the Round Table were ordained and their sieges blessed by the Bishop of Canterbury.†81 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
	70	top 2000
deemedbelieved or judged The producer deemed her too old to play the role.more Show sample from book By my faith, said Arthur, here are good knights, as I deem, as any be in the world, but their grace is not to help you, wherefore I am displeased.†69 more deemed → deem:believe or judge
	58
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book When this false damosel understood this, she went to the Lady Lile of Avelion, and besought her of help, to be avenged on her own brother.†57 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.
	36	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book So like as Merlin devised it was done.†35 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
	40	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 And anon, like a lusty knight, he assented thereto with good will, and so in all haste they were married in a morning with great mirth and joy.†39 more assent → assented: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
	46
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.†45 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
	20
assailassail → assailed:attacked Critics assailed the author’s latest work, questioning its originality and depth.more Show sample from book Well, said the knights, make you ready, and we shall assail you with all our power.†19 more to attack or cause trouble Show general definition to attack or cause trouble
	14
garnishgarnish → garnished:decorated She garnished the plate with parsley.more Show sample from book But Gracian and Placidas were left to furnish and garnish the castles, for dread of King Claudas.†13 more to decorate or adorn something; or the item added for decoration 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
	10	top 2000
forbearancetolerance She won the children over with patience and forbearance.more Show sample from book But I understand by the besieging of this castle she may forbear thy fellowship.†9 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.
	11
medleymix of songs For her audition, she performed a medley that blended three Broadway hits.more Show sample from book All this while Lucas, and Gwinas, and Briant, and Bellias of Flanders, held strong medley against six kings, that was King Lot, King Nentres, King Brandegoris, King Idres, King Uriens, and King Agwisance.†10 more a mixture of things Show general definition a mixture of different things or elements -- especially a musical composition made from parts of other songs
	11
ordinancelaw The city passed an ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.more Show sample from book And when we horsemen be together, look every each of you kings let make such ordinance that none break upon pain of death.†10 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
	9
beguilebeguile → beguiling:enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.more Show sample from book Now by my faith I know well that he will grieve some of the court of King Arthur; for on him knights will be bold, and deem that it is I, and that will beguile them.†8 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