Glossary
If you are looking for a word and it doesn't appear in the Glossary, this will be because it has the same sense in Modern English, and can be found in any general dictionary. We only include words that no longer exist in Modern English, have changed their meaning since Shakespeare's day, or have an encyclopedic or specialized sense that would make them unfamiliar to many modern readers. Under this last heading, we include all the proper names (such as figures in classical mythology and local place-names) listed in our Themes and Topics (see Starting Points above).

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quaff (v.) Old form(s): quaffe , quafft
drink down, take a long draught of Headword location(s)
quaff off (v.) Old form(s): quaft
drain a cup in a long draught Headword location(s)
Qu'ai-je...
what have I forgotten? see also French Headword location(s)
quail (n.) Old form(s): Quailes
courtesan, prostitute Headword location(s)
quail (v.) Old form(s): quaile
fail, slacken, flag Headword location(s)
quail (v.) Old form(s): quaile
daunt, dishearten, intimidate Headword location(s)
quail (v.) Old form(s): Quaile
overpower, destroy, make an end Headword location(s)
quaint (adj.) Old form(s): queint
pretty, attractive, lovely Headword location(s)
quaint (adj.) Old form(s): queint
artful, cunning Headword location(s)
quaint (adj.) Old form(s): queint
intricate, elaborate Headword location(s)
quaint (adj.) Old form(s): queint
ingenious, clever, skilful Headword location(s)
quaint (adj.)
nice, prim, fastidious Headword location(s)
quaint (adv.)
elaborately, elegantly, finely Headword location(s)
quaintly (adv.) Old form(s): queintly
subtly, skilfully, ingeniously Headword location(s)
quaintly (adv.) Old form(s): queintly
elaborately, artistically, with skill Headword location(s)
quake (v.) Old form(s): quak'd
cause to quake, make tremble, agitate Headword location(s)
qualification (n.)
true condition, character, nature Headword location(s)
qualified (adj.)
endowed with good qualities, accomplished Headword location(s)
qualified (adj.)
of such quality, of such a nature, fitting Headword location(s)
qualify (v.) Old form(s): qualifie , quallifie
moderate, weaken, diminish Headword location(s)
qualify (v.) Old form(s): qualifie
appease, pacify, calm down Headword location(s)
qualify (v.)
dilute, weaken, mix with water Headword location(s)
qualifying (adj.)
moderating, diluting, weakening Headword location(s)
quality (n.)
profession, occupation, business Headword location(s)
quality (n.) Old form(s): qualitie, quallitie, quallity
nature, disposition, character Headword location(s)
quality (n.) Old form(s): qualitie
party, company, side Headword location(s)
quality (n.) Old form(s): Qualitie
companions, associates, fraternity Headword location(s)
quality (n.)
characteristic, feature, property Headword location(s)
quality (n.) Old form(s): qualitie
importance, special significance Headword location(s)
quality (n.) Old form(s): qualitie, Quallities
accomplishment, capacity, ability Headword location(s)
quality (n.) Old form(s): qualitie
rank, standing, position Headword location(s)
quality (n.)
occasion, cause Headword location(s)
qualm (n.) Old form(s): qualme
sickening fear, sinking feeling Headword location(s)
qualm (n.) Old form(s): Qualme
sudden sickness, feeling of nausea, fainting attack Headword location(s)
quantity (n.) Old form(s): quantitie
equal amount, same proportion Headword location(s)
quantity (n.) Old form(s): quantitie
fragment, little piece, tiny amount Headword location(s)
quarrel (n.) Old form(s): quarell , Quarrell
cause of complaint, reason for hostility, difference, claim Headword location(s)
quarrel (v.) Old form(s): quarrellng
quibble, dispute, equivocate Headword location(s)
quarrel at (v.) Old form(s): quarrell
object to; or: start quarrelling at Headword location(s)
quarrel with (v.) Old form(s): quarrell
object to, take exception to, refuse to practise Headword location(s)
quarrelous (adj.) Old form(s): quarrellous
quarrelsome, argumentative, cantankerous Headword location(s)
quarry (n.) Old form(s): Quarrie
[in hunting] heap of dead, pile of bodies Headword location(s)
quarter (n.) Old form(s): quartred
divide into quarters [on a flag or shield] Headword location(s)
quarter (n.)
army division, unit of soldiers Headword location(s)
quarter (n.)
quarters, lodging, residence Headword location(s)
quarter (n.)
[in expressions] see also keep fair quarter with Headword location(s)
quarter (n.)
direction, bearing, point [of the compass] Headword location(s)
quarter (n.)
relationships, relations, mutual conduct Headword location(s)
quarter (n.)
period of watch Headword location(s)
quarter (v.)
add a coat-of-arms to a [quarter of] a shield Headword location(s)
quarter (v.)
cut to pieces, hack, mutilate Headword location(s)
quarter day Old form(s): daie
[day marking a quarter of the year, when house tenancies would change] removal day Headword location(s)
quartered (adj.) Old form(s): quarter'd
cut into four pieces Headword location(s)
quartered (adj.) Old form(s): quarter'd
belonging to quarters, of an encampment Headword location(s)
quartering (adj.)
for cutting into quarters, dismembering Headword location(s)
quasi (conj.)
as if Headword location(s)
quat (n.)
pimple, small boil Headword location(s)
quatch (adj.)
[unclear meaning] squat, fat, plump Headword location(s)
quean (n.) Old form(s): Queane
bawd, jade, hussy Headword location(s)
queasy (adj.) Old form(s): queazie
uncertain, hazardous; or: delicate, ticklish Headword location(s)
queasy (adj.) Old form(s): queazie
disgusted, nauseated, upset Headword location(s)
queasy (adj.) Old form(s): queasie
easily upset, delicate, fastidious Headword location(s)
queen (v.) Old form(s): Queene
act as a queen, aspire to being a queen Headword location(s)
quell (n.)
murder, slaying, slaughter Headword location(s)
quell (v.)
destroy, overcome, vanquish Headword location(s)
quell (v.)
kill, destroy, slay Headword location(s)
queller (n.)
destroyer, killer Headword location(s)
quench (v.)
cool down, settle down Headword location(s)
quench (v.) Old form(s): quench'd
extinguish, put out, knock out Headword location(s)
quern (n.) Old form(s): querne
hand-mill for grinding corn Headword location(s)
quest (n.)
inquest Headword location(s)
quest (n.)
judicial inquiry, official investigation Headword location(s)
quest (n.)
inquiry, pursuit, investigation Headword location(s)
quest (n.)
jury, body of persons appointed to hold an inquiry Headword location(s)
questant (n.)
seeker, searcher, someone engaged in a quest Headword location(s)
question (n.)
source [of strife], cause, issue Headword location(s)
question (n.)
argument, contention, dispute Headword location(s)
question (n.)
conversation, discourse, piece of talk Headword location(s)
question (n.)
questioning, interrogation, examination Headword location(s)
question (n.)
debating, discussion, investigation Headword location(s)
question (n.)
point at issue, problem, business Headword location(s)
question (n.)
fighting, conflict, altercation Headword location(s)
question (n.)
consideration, contention Headword location(s)
question (v.)
enquire about, discuss, deliberate Headword location(s)
question (v.)
discuss the matter, talk things over Headword location(s)
question (v.) Old form(s): question'd
dispute, quarrel [over], call into question Headword location(s)
question (v.) Old form(s): question'd
converse with, talk away [at / with] Headword location(s)
question, call in
discuss, deliberate upon Headword location(s)
question, in
on trial, under examination Headword location(s)
question, in contempt of
without the shadow of a doubt Headword location(s)
question, out of
undoubtedly, beyond question, certainly Headword location(s)
questionable (adj.)
inviting interrogation, of whom questions may be asked Headword location(s)
questionless (adv.) Old form(s): questionlesse
unquestionably, undoubtedly, most certainly Headword location(s)
questrist (n.)
one who goes in quest of another, seeker Headword location(s)
Queubus (n.)
pron: kway'oobus] mock-astrology jargon see also Cosmos Headword location(s)
qui (pron.)
who [Click on this word for a link to a translation of the French in this scene.] see also French Headword location(s)
qui...
who feeds me extinguishes me see also Latin Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
lively, animated, vivacious Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
living, vital, full of life Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
sharp, keen, alert Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
running, flowing, gushing Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
quick-witted, inventive, lively Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke, quick'st
vigorous, quick-acting, energetic Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
hasty, hurried Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
alive to possibilities, lively, impatient Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
fresh, invigorating, sharp Headword location(s)
quick (adj.) Old form(s): quicke
pregnant, with child Headword location(s)
quick (adv.) Old form(s): quicke
alive Headword location(s)
quick (n.) Old form(s): quicke
living, those alive Headword location(s)
quick (n.) Old form(s): quicke
sensitive parts [of the body], tender flesh Headword location(s)
quick-answered (adj.) Old form(s): quicke-answer'd
ready with sharp answers Headword location(s)
quick-conceiving (adj.) Old form(s): quicke conceyuing
perceptive, astute, ready to understand Headword location(s)
quicken (v.)
receive life, be conceived Headword location(s)
quicken (v.) Old form(s): Quicken'd , quickned
revive, rejuvenate, give life [to] Headword location(s)
quickening (adj.) Old form(s): quickning
life-giving, animating Headword location(s)
quickening (n.) Old form(s): quickning
fresh animation, reviving, return of life Headword location(s)
quicksilver (n.) Old form(s): Quick-siluer
liquid mercury Headword location(s)
quid for quo
[Latin: quid pro quo] tit for tat Headword location(s)
quiddity (n.) Old form(s): Quiddits
subtlety, nicety, quibble Headword location(s)
quiet (adj.)
calm, peaceful, relaxed Headword location(s)
quiet (n.)
calmness, peace of mind, serenity Headword location(s)
quietly (adv.)
in peace, undisturbed Headword location(s)
quietness (n.) Old form(s): quietnesse
peace, amity, reconciliation Headword location(s)
quietus (n.)
discharge, clearing of accounts, release Headword location(s)
quill (n.)
musical pipe, voice, note Headword location(s)
quill, in the
in a body, all together Headword location(s)
quillet (n.)
quibble, equivocation, hair-splitting distinction Headword location(s)
quilt (n.)
quilted furnishing, padded covering Headword location(s)
Quinapalus (n.)
[pron: kwi'napalus] imaginary name for a learned authority see also Contemporary figures, factual and fictitious Headword location(s)
quintain (n.) Old form(s): quintine
heavy post used as a mark for tilting practice Headword location(s)
quintessence (n.)
purest form, most perfect manifestation Headword location(s)
Quintus (n.)
supposed ancestor of Caius Martius see also Historical figures Headword location(s)
Quintus (n.)
supposed ancestor of Caius Martius see also Coriolanus (n.) 1 Headword location(s)
quip (n.)
retort, taunt, gibe Headword location(s)
quire (n./v.)
variant spelling of ‘choir’ see also choir (n./v.) Headword location(s)
quire (n./v.)
variant spelling of ‘choir’ see also choir (n./v.) Headword location(s)
quirk (n.) Old form(s): quirkes
extravagant turn of phrase, verbal flourish Headword location(s)
quirk (n.) Old form(s): quirkes
quip, wisecrack, witticism Headword location(s)
quirk (n.) Old form(s): quirke
trick, turn, peculiarity Headword location(s)
quit (adj.)
away from, out of Headword location(s)
quit (adj.)
freed [from], relieved [of] Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
acquit, absolve, clear Headword location(s)
quit (v.) Old form(s): quite
pay back, repay, reward Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
draw level, be quits Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
rid, free, relieve see also acquit (adj.) Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
acquit, do one's part, bear [oneself] Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
avenge, requite, take vengeance [on] Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
make compensation for, requite Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
answer, respond to, requite Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
release from service, let go Headword location(s)
quit (v.)
remit, release from Headword location(s)
quite (adv.)
totally, completely, entirely Headword location(s)
quite (v.) Old form(s): quight , quit
[= requite] reward, repay, recompense Headword location(s)
quittal (n.) Old form(s): quittall
requital, recompense, payment Headword location(s)
quittance (n.)
document certifying a release from debt, receipt of discharge Headword location(s)
quittance (n.)
due recompense, repayment, requital Headword location(s)
quittance (n.)
resistance, retaliation, counterblow Headword location(s)
quittance (v.)
repay, requite, reciprocate Headword location(s)
quiver (adj.) Old form(s): quiuer
nimble, quick, active Headword location(s)
quoif (n.)
close-fitting cap, nightcap see also coif (n.) Headword location(s)
quoit (v.) Old form(s): quait
throw, pitch, chuck [like a quoit] Headword location(s)
quondam (adj.)
former, erstwhile, previous Headword location(s)
quote (v.) Old form(s): cote , quoat
closely observe, note, examine Headword location(s)
quote (v.)
note, jot, write Headword location(s)
quote (v.) Old form(s): coat
regard, consider, interpret Headword location(s)
quote (v.) Old form(s): coate
display, indicate, show Headword location(s)
quote (v.) Old form(s): coted
refer to, cite Headword location(s)
quote for (v.)
regard as, consider to be, mention as Headword location(s)
quoth (v.) Old form(s): quatha, quothe
said see also Frequently Encountered Words (FEW) Headword location(s)
quoth a, quotha (int.) Old form(s): ke-tha, quoth-a
did he say?, indeed! Headword location(s)
quotidian (n.)
type of fever with attacks every day Headword location(s)
quousque...
how much longer see also Latin Headword location(s)
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