The Canterbury Tales Vocabulary List # 2

1. discernment (noun) – keenness of insight or judgment

2. dispensation (noun) – an exemption or release from an obligation or rule, granted by an authority

3. diurnal (adj.) – related to or occurring in a 24-hour period; daily

4. divest (verb) – to deprive, as of rights or property

5. ecclesiastic (noun) – a minister or priest; a cleric

6. emolument (noun) – payment for an office or appointment; compensation

7. engender (verb) – to bring into existence; to give rise to

8. enmity (noun) – deep-seated, often mutual hatred

9. execrate (verb) – to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce

10. exiguous (adj.) – extremely scanty; meager

11. fatuity (noun) – smug stupidity; utter foolishness

12. filched (verb) – to take in a furtive manner; snitch

13. florid (adj.) – very ornate; flowery

14. garrulous (adj.) – given to excessive and often trivial and rambling talk

15. grandiloquent (adj.) – pompous or bombastic in speech or expression; lofty in style

16. herald (verb) – to proclaim or announce

17. impediment (noun) – something that impedes; a hindrance or obstruction

18. importuned (verb) – to best with insistent or repeated requests; entreat pressingly

19. incalescent (adj.) – growing hotter or more ardent

20. indecorum (noun) – lack of propriety or good taste