Glossary of Terms
adroit: skillful
ambiguous: neither here nor there; uncertain
annuls: nullifies; makes void
assiduous: diligent; persistent
atonement: an action or actions performed in the hope of forgiveness
audacious: fearless; insolent
augur: prophet; one who foretells events
augury: divination; omen
auspices: omens; individuals who make predictions about future events
auspicious: likely to succeed; lucky
austere: unornamented; strict and severe
azure: a light shade of blue
bacchic: relating to the god Bacchus, the god of wine and celebration; drunken
begrudge: envy
beguiled: deceived; confused
belligerence: angry defiance; hostility
beseeching: begging; earnestly asking for aid
betrothed: engaged to be wed
bier: a platform on which a coffin or corpse is placed prior to burial
blazon: to adorn or embellish (e.g. with a coat of arms)
brazen: insolent; audacious
bucklers: small shields worn on the arm
bulwarks: defensive fortifications
cadence: rhythmic flow
calamity: tragic event
calumny: false statements
catastrophe: disastrous event
chide: reprimand
cisterns: receptacles used to hold liquid, usually water
citadel: a fortress, usually in a city
clamorous: excessively loud
clangorous: a loud racket
cleave: to split apart, usually by force
combers: long waves that have reached their peak
conflagration: a large, destructive fire
consecrate: perform ceremonies to make something sacred
corselet: undergarment; body armor surrounding the torso
counterfeits: fakes; impostors
covenant: contract; binding agreement
cuirass: breastplate
defiled: dirtied; polluted
deign: condescend to do something unappealing
dexterous: skillful (usually with one's hands)
diadem: crown
ebbing: declining; diminishing
eddies: water currents
edict: a formal pronouncement or decree
edicts: declarations; decrees
emissary: messenger
entrails: internal organs, such as the intestines
entreaties: requests
envoys: messengers
excavate: to dig out; expose by uncovering
execrable: disgusting; reprehensible
exile: (n) someone who has had to leave their hometown or home country; (v) to force someone to do so
eyrie: residence located at great height
fervent: impassioned; sincerely felt
fracas: conflict; fight
fugitive: someone who is fleeing; a refugee
galleys: large ships
gilded: decorated gaudily
girding: preparing for battle; donning clothing (usually for battle)
goaded: encouraged, usually through taunting or force
greaves: leg armor; the residue from animal fat
guile: cunning; deviousness
hewn: made or shaped (usually with an axe or blunt instrument)
homage: ceremonial honors
idle: lazy; unmoving
ilex: a type of tree or shrub
impieties: actions that reveal disrespect for the gods
implacable: impossible to please
implore: beg
indignation: irritation following an unjust event
indolent: lazy; slow and inactive
insidious: treacherous; subtly attempting to spread harm
intractable: difficult to manage
invoke: to call upon a god or other higher power for support or assistance
laggards: stragglers
lamentable: arousing sadness
lamentation: a (usually verbal) expression of grief
libation: a liquid poured in a religious offering
limpid: clear; serene
lithe: supple; graceful
magistrate: a minor official with judicial power
mantle: a long cloak
matrons: women of mature age
melee: a disorderly brawl
mime: fake or pretend; imitate
mongrel: a mixed-breed animal
motley: incongruous; made up of dissimilar parts
myrtle: an aromatic shrub
obscene: disgusting; offensive
obstinate: insolent; unwilling to obey direction
orichalcum: an ancient mixed metal resembling brass
outstripped: left behind; surpassed
paeans: expressions of joy or praise
pallid: pale; lacking vitality
perjury: false testimony under oath
pestilence: fatal disease or plague
pinions: small cogwheels
pious: respectful towards the gods
pomp: ostentatious display
portcullis: a grating that can be lowered to guard the entrance to a fortress
presentiments: premonitions; feelings that something is going to occur
pretexts: expressed purposes; excuses
profaned: dirtied; sullied
putrefaction: decay; decomposition
pyre: objects that have been piled up with the intention of setting them on fire
quench: satisfy (as in thirst); put out (as in a fire)
raucous: loud and rowdy
rebukes: chastises
renowned: famous; publicly respected for positive deeds
reverential: showing awe or veneration
rites: formal religious ceremonies
rudiments: basic elements
rustic: coarse; unsophisticated
sack: loot and pillage a town or city
saffron: a rich yellow color; a spice
sanctifies: makes holy; purifies
sanctity: purity (usually religious)
scabbard: the sheath for a dagger or sword
sentry: lookout; guardian
shade: the physical form of a deceased person; a ghost
shoals: shallow areas in a body of water
shun: reject
sinuous: supple; winding
skirt: pass close by the edge of something (e.g. an island)
sovereignty: royal power; authority
squalid: dirty from lack of care
staunch: to stop the flow (of blood, tears, etc.)
stratagems: military maneuvers
stupefying: amazing, astonishing; dulling
sullen: downcast; depressed
superfluous: unnecessary
tallow: animal fat
tawny: pale goldish-brown
teats: an animal's nipples
tedious: time-consuming and boring
tempests: storms
tenacious: determined
terebinth: a small tree, common to the Mediterranean
timbrel: ancient percussion instrument, similar to a tambourine
tranquil: peaceful
treachery: deception; betrayal of trust
tumult: disorderly event
unbridled: free from restraint
unfettered: unrestrained; free
valor: bravery
vanguard: the foremost position in an army entering into battle
vortex: center
votaries: individuals wholly devoted to religious service
wanton: immoral or lewd; excessively playful
ClassicNote on The Aeneid
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