Act III - Scene II The Forum — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Act III - Scene II The Forum

censure (verb)

To judge or evaluate; in Elizabethan usage, to form an opinion (not necessarily negative as in modern English).

lovers (noun)

Dear friends or close companions; in Shakespeare's time, this term did not carry romantic connotations.

extenuated (verb)

Diminished or made less of; to reduce the seriousness or magnitude of something.

bondman (noun)

A slave or serf; a person bound in servitude to another.

rude (adjective)

Uncivilized or barbarous; lacking in culture or refinement (not merely impolite, as in modern usage).

beholding (adjective)

An archaic form of 'beholden,' meaning indebted or obligated to someone.

interred (verb)

Buried; placed in a grave or tomb.

grievous (adjective)

Causing great sorrow or suffering; extremely serious or severe.

coffers (noun)

Treasure chests or strong boxes used to store money; by extension, a treasury or financial reserves.

Lupercal (noun)

The ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated on February 15th, associated with fertility rites and purification.

testament (noun)

A will; a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the distribution of their property after death.

napkins (noun)

Handkerchiefs or cloths; in Elizabethan English, a general term for small pieces of cloth, not specifically table napkins.

mantle (noun)

A loose cloak or outer garment; here, Caesar's toga or robe.

rent (noun)

A tear or rip in fabric (past tense of 'rend,' to tear violently). Not related to the modern meaning of payment for lodging.

envious (adjective)

Malicious or spiteful; acting out of ill will. In Shakespeare's usage, stronger than modern 'jealous.'

dint (noun)

Force, power, or impression; the impact or effect of something.

vesture (noun)

Clothing or garments; an outer covering.

drachmas (noun)

Ancient Greek and Roman silver coins; here used as a unit of currency bequeathed in Caesar's will.

severally (adverb)

Separately or individually; each in their own way or place.

corse (noun)

An archaic or poetic form of 'corpse'; a dead body.