The Prelude

The Prelude Glossary

prelude

an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important

timorous

nervous; lacking confidence

hitherto

prior to or until the time under discussion

sovereign

a monarch or someone who rules others

pinnace

a small boat with oars or sails

succedaneum

substitute (often for medicine)

insensible

unaware; ignorant

catacombs

an underground cemetery

ghastly

inducing horror

jocund

lighthearted

vassalage

the state of subordination or enslavement

liveried

wearing a servant's uniform

erewhile

at a time before

sequestered

isolated

multifarious

of many types

arduous

difficult

effulgence

radiance

begirt

to surround

essay

try

incumbence

the state of occupying an office or position

palfrey

type of horse valued in the Middle Ages

hawkers

vendors who advertise through chanting and yelling

fulgent

shining

convoke

summon together

emanation

something that issues out of a source

abstruse

hard to understand

syllogistic

relating to a form of argument in which two separate statements combine to support a third

adroit

clever

gratulant

congratulatory

sylvan

relating to trees and forests

Buy Study Guide Cite this page