Something Wicked This Way Comes Study Guide

Glossary of Terms

Allegory

the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence

Assay

to appraise a state of affairs

Audacious

intrepidly daring; recklessly bold

Beatify

to make supremely happy; to declare to have attained the blessedness of heaven and authorize the title "Blessed" and limited public religious honor

Calligraphy

artistic, stylized, or elegant handwriting or lettering

Calliope

a keyboard musical instrument resembling an organ and consisting of a series of whistles sounded by steam or compressed air

Centrifuge

a machine using centrifugal force for separating substances of different densities, for removing moisture, or for simulating gravitational effects

Croupier

inflammation, edema, and subsequent obstruction of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi especially of infants and young children that is typically caused by a virus and is marked by episodes of difficult breathing and hoarse metallic cough

Cumulus

a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain

Cuneiform

having the shape of a wedge; composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters

Dirge

a slow, solemn, and mournful piece of music

Effulgence

radiant splendor

Epilepsy

any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions

Facsimile

an exact copy

Faustus, Doctor

A character in a popular German story who makes a pact with the devil, first published in the 16th century.

Ferment

to be in a state of agitation or intense activity; to undergo fermentation, a chemical change with effervescence

Foible

a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior

Gesticulation

the act of making gestures

Harlequin

a variegated pattern; character in comedy and pantomime with a shaved head, masked face, variegated tights, and wooden sword

Incongruous

incompatible, disagreeing

Indelible

that cannot be removed, washed away, or erased

Interminable

having or seeming to have no end

Leprous

of, relating to, or resembling leprosy or a leper

Libidinous

having or marked by lustful desires

Machiavelli

A political philosopher of the Italian Renaissance. He is best know for The Prince, in which he describes the ways - often evil - by which a ruler can maintain his thone.

Moriarty, Professor

A fictional supervillain in Sherlock Holmes stories

Narcissism

love of or sexual desire for one's own body

Pantomime

conveyance of a story by bodily or facial movements especially in drama or dance

Phrenology

the study of the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of mental faculties and character

Propound

to offer for discussion or consideration

Semaphore

an apparatus for visual signaling

Sibilant

having, containing, or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that of the s or the sh in sash

Vainglorious

marked by excessive or ostentatious pride especially in one's achievements