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
Magna Carta Vocabulary
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, 1/20th 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
husbandry (n.) care of crops and animals
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