Twelfth Night Vocabulary List #2

1. Twelfth Night Vocabulary List #2 1. peevishly (adv.) with bad temper Example: Malvolio peevishly instructed Toby and Andrew to cease their late-night noisy drinking. 2. churlish (adj.) rude Example: The churlish man tried to cut in front of us in line. 3. frailty (n) the condition of being weak or breakable. Example: The woman’s frailty was obvious by the way she leaned on her cane and shuffled slowly across the room. 4. scholar (n) a learned person; a specialist of knowledge. Example: We consulted with a scholar who was knowledgeable about the ancient religious texts.

2. 5. rouse (v) to awaken or become active. Example: My mother tried to rouse my brother from sleep so that he would get to school on time. 6. knave (n) a crafty, unprincipled fellow Example: The crafty knave, Toby, incited his friend Andrew to pick a fight. 7. mitigation (n) the quality of being milder or less intense Example: Her many character witnesses and recent charity work served as mitigation when the judge considered punishment for her crime. 8. indignation (n) anger at something unjust or mean Example: He felt great indignation for having been assigned detention when his friend had copied his answers.

3. 9. wench (n) a woman servant Example: The wench brought in the feast for the party. 10. giddy (adj.) light-headed; dizzy Example: We felt giddy after leaving the rollercoaster. 11. spinster (n) an older unmarried woman (unflattering term) Her mother kidded that if she didn’t find a boyfriend soon she would end up a spinster. 12. melancholy (n) or (adj.) sadness or depression of spirits. Example: The anniversary of the tragic accident was marked by melancholy.

4. palate (n) • sense of taste. • Example: The double chocolate cake with mint ice cream was very pleasing to the palate. • sinews (n) • a tendon; muscular strength • Example: The gymnast’s sinews were on display as he held his pose on the still rings. • abhors (v) • hates • Example: Jonathon abhors writing essays for English class.