The Winter's Tale

The Winter's Tale Glossary

beseech

ask someone urgently to do something

imposition

an unfair or unwelcome demand or burden

cogitation

contemplation

gentry

people of good social position

abhor

regard with disgust and hatred

incur

become subject to

languish

losing or lacking vitality

arraign

call or bring someone before a court to answer a charge

sovereign

a supreme ruler

surmise

suppose that something is true without evidence to confirm it

cleave

split or sever something

bodkin

a blunt thick needle

impute

assign a value to something

perdition

a state of eternal punishment and damnation for the sinful and unrepentant

hallowed

made holy

iniquity

immoral or grossly unfair behavior

zeal

great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause

paragon

a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality

bequeath

leave to a person or beneficiary through a will

dissever

divide or sever something

Buy Study Guide Cite this page