Shakespeare Dictionary - A


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Generate random Shakespearean insults

Shakespeare's word

Meaning (in the sample usage)

#

Reference(s)

Sample usage

addition

title; epithet;


Anything added; increase; augmentation; an improvement

28

Lear 2.2;


Oth 3.4

if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition


And think it no addition, nor my wish, To have him see me woman'd.

advocation

plea; advocacy

1

Oth 3.4

My advocation is not now in tune

affect

choose, show fondness for

23

Oth 3.3

Two 3.1

Not to affect many proposed matches

There is a lady in Verona here / Whom I affect; but she is nice and coy

affined

joined in affinity or by any tie

3

Oth 1.1

Whether I in any just term am affined / To love the Moor.

affy

betroth

1

2 HVI 4.1

daring to affy a mighty lord unto the dau

aglet-baby

small figure forming the tag of a lace, frequently a death's head

 

Shrew

 

alarum

call to arms with trumpets etc.

16

Rich III 1.1

2 HVI 2.3

... stern alarums changed to merry meetings

Sound, trumpets, alarum to the combatants

anatomize

dissect

6

Lear 3.6

Then let them anatomize Regan

appeal

accuse, charge with a crime,

(also in the modern sense)

20

Rich II 1.1

make good the boisterous late appeal

approve

prove, confirm

52

Lear 2.4;

Lear 3.5;

Oth 2.3

this approves her letter

which approves him an intelligent party . . .

If consequence do but approve my dream

aroint

stand off, or begone

3

Lear 3.4

And, aroint thee, witch, aroint thee!

attempt

attack, military venture

47

Lear 2.2

 

2 HIV 4.2

 

MWW 4.2

For him attempting who was self-subdued

We have supplies to second our attempt

Mrs Page: [Falstaff] will never, I think, in the way of waste, attempt us again.

attend

await, wait upon

181

Lear 2.1

messengers from hence attend dispatch

Olivier as LearWhen I was in college, struggling through my Signet volume of Shakespeare, I didn't have the time, money, or inclination to buy audio tapes of the plays. I've done so recently, and what a difference.

In part, because Shakespeare was meant to be heard (and seen), and in part, because the English language has changed, listening to King Lear, or any of the plays, while reading the text, adds a whole new dimension.

The humor becomes clearer; anger is better conveyed; the reader/listener at once can absorb so much more of the play. For King Lear this version with Sir Laurence Olivier, is excellent.


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