Getting a handle on the Bard's language

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