1. Romeo and Juliet
Vocabulary

2. Act I
Pernicious
Posterity
Anguish
Profane

3. Pernicious Definition: destructive; deadly Part of speech: adjective
The false rumor had a pernicious effect on our friendship.

4. Posterity Definition: Future generations Part of speech: noun
We must protect the environment for posterity.

5. Anguish Definition: extreme suffering; agony Part of speech: noun
The hurricane victim described the anguish of losing everything he owned.

6. Profane
Definition: to degrade or disrespect something holy or important
Part of speech: noun
Do not profane the sanctuary with loud noise.

7. Act II
Adjacent
Retain
Perverse
Rancor

8. Adjacent Definition: next to or close to; neighboring
Part of speech: adjective
His office is adjacent to mine, so I know who visits him.

9. Retain Definition: to keep possession of Part of speech: verb
The children retain good memories of the holidays.

10. Perverse Definition: deliberately unreasonable or wrong
Part of speech: adjective
She seems to take a perverse delight in teasing me.

11. Rancor Definition: bitter resentment against someone
Part of speech: noun
There was rancor between the feuding families.

12. Act III
Eloquence
Adversity
Predicament
Fickle

13. Eloquence Definition: the quality of persuasive, inspirational speech
Part of speech: noun
The defense lawyer’s eloquence brought tears to the juror’s eyes.

14. Adversity Definition: hardship Part of speech: noun
She remains upbeat despite adversity.

15. Predicament Definition: a difficult or tricky situation
Part of speech: noun
When a skunk started a family in our basement, we were in quite a predicament.

16. Fickle
Definition: given to frequent changes of thought or mood; unreliable
Part of speech: adjective
The ups and downs of life prove that fate is fickle.

17. Act IV
Lurk
Stifle
Revive
Lament

18. Lurk Definition: to conceal oneself; to move about in a sneaky manner
Part of speech: verb
Foxes lurk in the woods, waiting for their prey.

19. Stifle
Definition: to smother for lack of air; too prevent from developing properly
Part of speech: verb
We felt stifled by the obstacles in our path.

20. Revive Definition: to bring back to life; to give new strength
Part of speech: verb
The fresh air will revive me.

21. Lament Definition: to express deep sorrow Part of speech: Verb
Many old friends gathered at the funeral to lament his passing.

22. Act V
Misadventure
Haughty
Unsavory
Tedious

23. Misadventure Definition: a mishap; an unfortunate event
Part of speech: noun
Mark had a misadventure with a flat tire.

24. Haughty Definition: very proud and scornful of others
Part of speech: adjective
Maria talked down to people and acted rudely; I thought she was haughty.

25. Unsavory Definition: unpleasant in character, disagreeable to taste
Part of speech: adjective
Because of his dishonest dealings, Greg has an unsavory reputation.

26. Tedious Definition: tiresome; boring Part of speech: adjective
I found the long bus ride tedious and uncomfortable.