Eng. 4 Midterm Vocabulary

Grendel Vocabulary

sycophantish (adj.) acting like a self-serving flatterer (p. 7)

stench (n.) an offensive smell (p. 9)

luminous (adj.) shining, bright (p. 9)

mere (n.) a lake or pond (p. 9)

teeming (adj.) swarming with something (p. 33)

tribute (n.) a sum or valuable paid in exchange for peace or protection (p. 39)

moors (n.) open wasteland (p. 44)

apocalyptic (adj.) predicting the destruction of the universe (p. 45)

petulant (adj.) childishly sulky, irritable, or bad-tempered

ludicrous (adj.) so foolish as to be ridiculous

heirs (n.) persons legally entitled to property or title on a person’s death

pound (n.) British monetary unit ($1.21 today)

shilling (n.) old British monetary unit, 1/20^th pound

ward (n.) a minor who has a guardian

feudal (adj.) antiquated system where nobles held land and had vassals for tenants

prudent (adj.) showing care for the future

guardian (n.) a defender, protector, keeper

dower (n.) widow’s share of her husband’s estate

sureties (n.) money given as a guarantee

distrained (adj.) seized property to pay a debt

perpetuity (n.) forever

The Canterbury Tales Vocabulary

Zephyrus n. the Greek god of the west wind

chivalry n. the code of behavior of the medieval knights

courtliness n. refined behavior; elegant manners

sanguine adj. cheerful and good-natured

avarice n. greed

privy adj. hidden; secretive

publican n. innkeeper; tavern owner

hoary adj. white with age

parley n. a discussion or conference

miscreants n. evildoers; villains

perdition n. hell; damnation

pallor n. paleness