The English language has been constantly developing
and evolving over the centuries, and here Richard, a member of the Shakespeare Club of WA, seeks to give the
modern reader a clue to the meaning then extant of some of the words the Bard used — or in some cases, invented!
William Shakespeare’s extensive vocabulary would have been generally understood
and appreciated by those of the play-going upper-class, some of whom nevertheless
might have blushed at the earthier expressions relished by those of the hoi
polloi audience. Yet the latter, ignorant of many of the high-falutin’ terms,
would still have given each play a rousing reception, at times interacting
vociferously with the players.
bastinado
|
(n)
|
punishment/torture by caning of the soles of the bare feet
|
beldam
|
(n)
|
hag, virago
|
beslubber
|
(v)
|
flatter fulsomely
|
chaunt
|
(n)
|
birdsong
|
chine
|
(n)
|
backbone
|
cozen
|
(v)
|
cheat, defraud, act deceitfully
|
draft
|
(n)
|
dregs, refuse
|
enow
|
(a,adv)
|
enough
|
faggot
|
(n)
|
bunch of twigs for burning at the
stake
|
falchion
|
(n)
|
broad, curved sword
|
fie
|
(int)
|
express disgust, or pretence of outraged propriety
|
fire-drake
|
(n)
|
fiery dragon
|
forfend
|
(v t)
|
avert, keep off
|
forsooth
|
(adv)
|
no doubt, truly,
|
gull
|
(n)
|
dupe, fool
|
maidenhead
|
(n)
|
virginity
|
marry
|
(int)
|
express indignation, surprise
|
massy
|
(a)
|
solid, weighty
|
maugre
|
(prep)
|
in spite of
|
meed
|
(n)
|
reward
|
pell mell
|
(a, adv)
|
in disorder, recklessly
|
poniard
|
(n)
|
dagger
|
porringer
|
(n)
|
small basin/bowl for soup, etc
|
puissant
|
(a)
|
having great power or influence,
mighty
|
quean
|
(n)
|
impudent/ill-behaved girl or woman
|
sectary
|
(n)
|
member of a sect
|
sessa
|
(n)
|
tax rate
|
slough
|
(n)
|
abandoned habit
|
tapster
|
(n)
|
bar person who draws & serves
liquor
|
vouchsafe
|
(v t)
|
condescend to do
|
Abbreviations
a = adjective adv = adverb int =
interjection n = noun
prep
= preposition v = verb v t = transitive verb