Shakespearean Glossary

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Words commonly used in Shakespeare's plays and their meanings. Might be nice to have an example from the plays so students can see it in context.

Anew

Again.

  • "I will make him tell the tale anew" (Othello IV.i)

Anon

Soon.

  • "Get you away; I'll send for you anon" (Othello IV.i)

Art

Are

Coz

Cousin. "

Doth

Does

Dost

Does

Ere

Before

Filch

Steal

Hadst

Had

Hark

Look, pay attention to

Hast

Have

Hath

Have

Hereafter

Afterwards

Ho

Oi! Hey!

Is’t

Is it?

Lewd

Promiscuous

Mark

Take note of

Marry

By Mary (a mild oath)

Minx

Seductive woman

Moor

An African

Morrow

Morning

Ne’er

Never

O’er

Over

Oft

Often

Prithee

I pray thee (I wish you to)

Sirrah

Sir

Suit

Case or attempt at persuading

Ta’en

Taken

Thee

You

Thine

Your

Thou

You

Thy

Your

‘tis

It is

Shalt

Shall

Strumpet

Whore

Wert

Were it

Whence

Where

Wherefore

Why?

Wilt

Will it

Wit

Understanding, intelligence

Wrath

Anger, vengeance

Woo

Attempt to court

Worthy

Honest, true, good

Wouldst

Would

Zounds

God’s Wounds (an oath, pronounced zwounds.)