Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet Glossary

bauble

a small, showy trinket or decoration; something of no importance or worth

bedeck

to decorate

by rote

by habit or memorized behavior, without any thought or consideration

fie

an exclamation used to express disgust or outrage

forsworn

having agreed to give up or do without something

maidenhead

virginity

nought

nothing

Phoebus

another name for the Greek sun god Apollo

portentous

suggesting that something momentous or calamitous is likely to happen.

profaner

a person who desecrates or defiles

purged

rid of an unwanted feeling, memory, or condition, typically giving a sense of cathartic release

rancour

resentment: a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

rank

often means something offensive or unpleasant

sirrah

a phrase used as a term of address for a man or boy, esp. one younger or of lower status than the speaker

unattainted

unbiased

usurer

one who practices usury, the art of money-lending, which was considered shameful and exploitative

wherefore

in the context of this play, an interrogative meaning "why"

whither

an interrogative meaning "where"

withal

in addition to; with

zounds

an interjection expressing surprise or indignation