“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” VOCABULARY Acts 1 and 5

ACT ONE 1.Abjure: to deny oneself something; to formally renounce or give up; reject; avoid 2.Dowager: a woman who inherited a title or property from her deceased husband; a widow 3.Estate (unto): bestow upon; give to; will to 4.Extempore: with little or no preparation; without rehearsal 5.Extenuate: to diminish the seriousness 6.Lodestars: guiding stars; models or principles that guide behavior 7.Nuptial: relating to marriage or weddings 8.Properties: stage props; items used in the course of a performance 9.Revenue: personal income; wealth 10.Transpose: to change places; reverse usual order

ACT 5 1.Audacious: without fear; bold; daring 2.Beguile: to pass time in a pleasant way 3.Discretion: the good judgment and sensitivity needed to avoid embarrassing or upsetting others 4.Eloquence: the ability to speak forcefully, expressively, and persuasively 5.Masque: dramatic entertainment similar to opera, in which masked performers represent mythological or allegorical characters 6.Partition: a structure that divides a space, e.g. a wall built to make two rooms out of one 7.Satire: the use of wit, especially irony, sarcasm, and ridicule, to criticize faults 8.Seething: 1) full of anger; 2) moving in all directions, busily or frantically 9.Throttle: to prevent something from continuing or developing; stop 10.Valor: courage shown in war or battle 11.Tedious: boring, dull, tiresome