Book X — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Book X

prevenient (adjective)

Coming before; anticipating or preceding, especially referring to divine grace that precedes human action

propitiation (noun)

An atoning sacrifice; something that appeases or conciliates, especially an offering to satisfy divine justice

distemper (noun)

A disordered or abnormal condition; disease or illness; also, a disturbed state of mind or body

sovran (adjective)

An archaic spelling of 'sovereign'; supreme in authority, paramount, royal

denounce (verb)

In Milton's usage: to announce formally or declare solemnly, especially a sentence or decree (not the modern sense of condemnation)

amarantin (adjective)

Relating to amaranth, a legendary flower that never fades; undying, immortal, eternally beautiful

orison (noun)

A prayer; a formal or devotional petition to God

rapacious (adjective)

Aggressively greedy or grasping; seizing by force; predatory

dimentionless (adjective)

Without physical dimensions; incorporeal, not limited by space or matter

volant (adjective)

Flying or capable of flight; moving with light rapidity; nimble

ensanguind (adjective)

Stained or covered with blood; made bloody

intemperance (noun)

Lack of moderation or self-restraint, especially in eating and drinking; excessive indulgence

pravitie (noun)

Moral corruption; depravity; wickedness of character or nature

euphrasy (noun)

The herb eyebright (Euphrasia), traditionally believed to cure or improve eyesight

puissant (adjective)

Having great power or influence; mighty, powerful, potent

conflagrant (adjective)

Burning or on fire; consumed by flame; relating to a great destructive fire

obdurat (adjective)

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action; hardened against persuasion or feeling

servitude (noun)

The state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful; bondage

peccant (adjective)

Having committed a sin or fault; guilty of a moral offense; sinning

meteorous (adjective)

Resembling a meteor; luminous and swiftly moving through the atmosphere