ACT I - Scene III — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from ACT I - Scene III

maidenhead (noun)

Virginity; used here as a casual oath by the Nurse.

Lammastide (noun)

The feast of Lammas on August 1, a harvest festival in the Christian calendar marking the beginning of the wheat harvest.

wormwood (noun)

A bitter-tasting plant (Artemisia absinthium) applied to the nipple to discourage an infant from nursing during weaning.

tetchy (adjective)

Irritable, peevish, or fretful; easily annoyed.

dug (noun)

A breast or nipple, especially used when referring to nursing.

rood (noun)

A crucifix or the cross of Christ; used in oaths such as "by th' rood" meaning "by the cross."

holidam (noun)

A sacred relic or holy thing; used as a mild oath meaning "by my holy relic" or "by all that is holy."

lineament (noun)

A distinctive feature or characteristic of the face or body.

margent (noun)

An archaic or poetic form of "margin," referring to the margin of a page in Lady Capulet's book metaphor.

endart (verb)

To shoot or send forth like a dart; to direct one's gaze or affection with the force and precision of an arrow.

disposition (noun)

One's inherent qualities of mind and character; here, Juliet's inclination or attitude toward marriage.

stinted (verb)

Stopped or ceased, particularly to stop crying or complaining.

valiant (adjective)

Possessing or showing courage, determination, and noble qualities; brave and worthy.