The Poetry of John Dryden

The Poetry of John Dryden Glossary

sanguine

optimistic; nonchalant

ally'd

similar

diapason

outburst of musical harmony

brethren

members of a religious order

providence

fate; divine will

sovereign

monarch; ruler

counterfeit

imitation of a usually valuable object

exalted

highly praised; worshiped

satire

a work of art using exaggeration or humor to mock a person or situation

heroic couplet

rhyming two-line stanza of iambic pentameter

humors

bodily materials and fluids, thought at points in history to determine individuals' moods and temperaments; often used to refer to individual temperaments

covetous

envious

lucre

money, with a connotation of unsavoriness or suspiciousness

dunce

unintelligent person

seraphims

angels

profligate

carelessly extravagant

celestial

heavenly

mettle

toughness or bravery

propitious

promising; auspicious

perdition

hell; damnation

succor

mercy or assistance

sublime

extremely impressive or awe-inspiring

weltering

writhing; twisting

rueful

regretful

perchance

perhaps

sagacious

wise

impenitence

lack of remorse or apology

Buy Study Guide Cite this page