Mr. VogelsingerName______
Academic and Advanced English 9
Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary List
1. star-crossed(adj) / Synonyms: doomed, unfortunateDefinition: thwarted by bad luck; destined to misfortune
RJ: The prologue informs us that Romeo and Juliet are star-crossed lovers.
The Titanic set out on its star-crossed voyage across the Atlantic.
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2. mutiny (noun) / Synonyms: rebellion
Definition: revolt or rebellion against constituted authority; esp. the captain of a ship
RJ: The Prince fears mutiny if he can’t get the street fights in Verona between the Montagues and the Capulets under control.
The sailors plotted a mutiny to overthrow their captain.
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3. pernicious(adj) / Synonyms: destructive
Definition: causing insidious harm or ruin; hurtful, harmful; sometimes means deadly or fatal
RJ: Pernicious words lead to frequent brawls in Verona.
Invasive species are pernicious because they overwhelm indigenous species.
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4. adversary (noun) / Synonyms: enemy
Definition: a group or force that opposes or attacks; opponent, contestant, foe (the name “Satan” means
“adversary” in Hebrew
RJ: The Montague family considers the Capulet family their greatest adversary in life.
The boxer met his adversary in the middle of the ring with an imposing scowl.
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5. fray(noun) / Synonyms: fracas, dispute, clash
Definition: a fight, battle, or skirmish
RJ: Instead of watching the fights, most residents of Verona drop what they’re doing and run into the fray.
What started as an argument in the cafeteria quickly turned into a fray as French fries flew through the air.
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6. rapier(noun) / Synonyms: sword, blade
Definition: a sword having a double-edged blade, designed for slashing and thrusting
RJ: Romeo and his two friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, all carry rapiers with them through Verona.
Mr. Kelly is known for his quick, clever sarcasm, or what some would call his “rapier wit.”
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7. gall(noun) / Synonyms: bitterness, nerve
Definition: impudence, vexation, audacity, as in “You’ve got some gall telling me I need to dress better!”
RJ: Romeo is in love with Rosalinde at the beginning of the play, then quickly forgets her. What gall!
After slacking on every assignment for weeks, the student had the gall to ask, “What am I doing wrong?”
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8. prodigious(adjective) / Synonyms: abnormal
Definition: extraordinary in size and/or degree; can be positive as in “miraculous” or negative, as in “monstrous.” The root word is “prodigy.”
RJ: It takes either prodigious courage or prodigious stupidity for Romeo to think he can crash the Capulet’s masquerade without anyone catching him.
One of the most prodigious achievements of the late twentieth century was the advent of the Internet.
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9. conjure (verb) / Synonyms:
Definition: to cause or influence as if by a magical spell
RJ: Shakespeare is able to conjure the rhythm of his words so that every line is iambic pentameter.
The novel was so excellent, I felt like I could conjure up every scene in my imagination!
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10. enmity(noun) / Synonyms: hatred, ill will
Definition: a feeling or condition of hostility
RJ: The enmity between the Montagues and Capulets goes back years!
The longstanding enmity between cultures in the Middle East often flares into violence.
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