Macbeth

Macbeth Glossary

Acheron

Hell; one of the rivers in Hades.

apparition

A ghost or ghostlike image of a person or animal.

augur

To foresee or predict the future.

berate

To scold or criticize angrily.

bodements

Omens; a herald.

compunction

Feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows a crime or sin.

dichotomy

A division or contrast between two things that have polar or opposite qualities (e.g. good and bad, fair and foul).

dramatic irony

A type of irony, in which the significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience but unknown to the character.

dudgeon

Ill humor; a deep resentment; a state of intense indignation.

effect

As a verb: to bring about or cause something to happen. (Compare with affect: to have an influence on or to make a difference to someone or something.)

equivocation

To say one thing while meaning something different; to use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or to avoid categorical statements.

extemporize

To improvise; to perform or produce something such as a speech or piece of music on the spot.

foison

Strength or power; resource(s).

Golgotha

The site outside Jerusalem at which Jesus was crucified.

gumption

Resourcefulness; shrewd and spirited initiative.

husbandry

Thriftiness of the conservation of resources. Also the cultivation and breeding of crops and animals.

Hyrcan

Of or pertaining to Hyrcania, an ancient provice of Asia southeast of the Caspian Sea.

incarnadine

Crimson or pinkish-red color.

minion

Underling or servant of an important person.

multitudinous

Very numerous.

parricide

The killing of a parent or near relative.

precocious

Showing intelligence or abilities at a younger age than usual (said of children, such as Macduff's son).

rancour

Bitter, especially longstanding resentfulness.

recompense

Compensation for loss or harm done; also a reward for efforts or work performed.

regicide

The killing of a king.

scansion

The rhythm of a line of verse; the act of scanning a line to determine its rhythm.

shoal

A shallow area in a body of water, often posing a navigational hazard. Also a large number of fish.

sundry

Of various kinds, usually not important enough to be enumerated.

syncopate

To displace the beats in music or speech, so as to reverse the order of strong and weak beats.

tragic flaw

A fatal flaw in one's character, usually leading to the downfall of the hero or heroine. Also known by the Greek term hamartia.

warder

A guard; usually a prison guard.

yoke

A crossbar or crosspiece that joins two animals in farming; often used as a symbol of oppression or bonding.

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