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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kam (adj.) Old form(s): kamme
crooked, misleading, perverse Headword location(s)
kecksie (n.) Old form(s): Keksyes
variety of hollow-stalked plant see also Plants Headword location(s)
keech (n.)
lump of congealed fat Headword location(s)
keel (v.) Old form(s): keele
cool Headword location(s)
keen (adj.) Old form(s): keene
sharp, cutting, severe Headword location(s)
keen (adj.) Old form(s): keene
perceptive, sensitive, shrewd Headword location(s)
keep (n.) Old form(s): keepe
keeping, custody, care Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe
stay on, remain on Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): Keepe , keep'st
look after, watch over, maintain Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe
detain, hold in custody, be guarded Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe
protect, defend, preserve see also Farewells Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe , keepes
continue, carry on, remain Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe , keepes , keepst
lodge, live, dwell Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe
celebrate, solemnize Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe , keepes
stay within, remain inside Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe, keepes
keep up, maintain, carry on Headword location(s)
keep (v.)
look to, attend to, follow Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe
restrain, control, discipline Headword location(s)
keep (v.) Old form(s): keepe
guard, watch, tend Headword location(s)
keep back (v.) Old form(s): keepe
prevent, restrain, forcibly hold back Headword location(s)
keep below stairs Old form(s): keepe, staires
remain a servant Headword location(s)
keep down (v.) Old form(s): downe
prevent from growing, keep small Headword location(s)
keep fair quarter with Old form(s): keepe faire
play fair over, behave honourably over, have a proper regard to Headword location(s)
keep on (v.) Old form(s): keepe
go ahead, go on, carry on Headword location(s)
keep touch (v.) Old form(s): keepe
keep [one's] promise, prove reliable Headword location(s)
keep your way Old form(s): keepe
keep going, don't stop Headword location(s)
keeper (n.)
protecting spirit, guardian angel Headword location(s)
keeper (n.)
gaoler, warden, custodian Headword location(s)
keeper (n.)
nurse, carer Headword location(s)
keisar (n.) Old form(s): Keiser
kaiser, emperor Headword location(s)
ken (n.) Old form(s): kenne
range of sight, view, visible distance Headword location(s)
ken (v.) Old form(s): kend
know, understand, be aware of Headword location(s)
ken (v.) Old form(s): ken'st
see, make out, espy Headword location(s)
ken (v.)
know, be acquainted with Headword location(s)
kennel (n.) Old form(s): kennell
pack, mob Headword location(s)
kennel (n.) Old form(s): kennell
street drain, gutter Headword location(s)
kennel (v.) Old form(s): kennell
go outside to the dog-house Headword location(s)
kerchief (n.) Old form(s): Kerchiefe
cloth head-covering, scarf Headword location(s)
kern (n.) Old form(s): Kerne, Kernes
lightly armed Irish foot-soldier Headword location(s)
kernel (n.)
seed, pip Headword location(s)
kersey (adj.) Old form(s): kersie
plain, simple, ordinary Headword location(s)
kersey (n./adj.)
coarsely woven plain woollen cloth Headword location(s)
kettle (n.)
kettledrum Headword location(s)
key (n.)
tone, voice, manner of expression Headword location(s)
key (n.)
accord, rapport, mind Headword location(s)
key-cold (adj.)
cold as a metal key Headword location(s)
kibe (n.) Old form(s): kybe, kybes
chilblain, inflamed heel Headword location(s)
kick at (v.)
spurn, scorn, reject with contempt Headword location(s)
kickshaw (n.) Old form(s): kicke-chawses
trifle, triviality, worthless distraction Headword location(s)
kickshaw (n.) Old form(s): Kickshawes
fancy dish Headword location(s)
kicky-wicky (n.) Old form(s): kickie wickie
[jocular] girl-friend, wife Headword location(s)
kid-fox (n.) Old form(s): kid-foxe
crafty young cub Headword location(s)
kidney (n.)
constitution, nature, type Headword location(s)
kill (v.) Old form(s): kils
break, distress, grieve Headword location(s)
kill (v.)
satisfy, allay, subdue, put an end to Headword location(s)
kill (v.)
put down, outdo, master Headword location(s)
Killingworth (n.)
Kenilworth Castle, near Warwick see also Britain [outside London] Headword location(s)
kiln-hole (n.) Old form(s): kill-hole
fire-hole of a kiln, oven Headword location(s)
Kimbolton, Kymmalton (n.)
manor house in Cambridgshire, where Katherine of Aragon was imprisoned see also Britain [outside London] Headword location(s)
kind (adj.) Old form(s): kinde
friendly, agreeable, pleasant Headword location(s)
kind (adj.) Old form(s): kinde
happy, good, favourable Headword location(s)
kind (adj.) Old form(s): kinde
showing natural feeling, acting by nature Headword location(s)
kind (adj.) Old form(s): kinde
loving, affectionate, fond Headword location(s)
kind (adj.) Old form(s): kinde
generous, liberal, benevolent Headword location(s)
kind (adj.) Old form(s): kinde
gracious, full of courtesy Headword location(s)
kind (adv.) Old form(s): kinde
kindly, lovingly, with affection Headword location(s)
kind (n.) Old form(s): kinde
breed, lineage, stock, family Headword location(s)
kind (n.) Old form(s): kinde
respect, regard, particular Headword location(s)
kind (n.) Old form(s): kinde
nature, close natural relationship Headword location(s)
kind (n.) Old form(s): kinde, kindes
nature, reality, character, disposition Headword location(s)
kind (n.) Old form(s): kinde
mode of action, business, matter Headword location(s)
kind (n.) Old form(s): kinde
manner, way, state Headword location(s)
kind (n.) Old form(s): kinde, kindes
role, part Headword location(s)
kindle (v.)
stir up, incite, provoke Headword location(s)
kindle (v.)
[of a female animal] be born, deliver Headword location(s)
kindless (adj.) Old form(s): kindles
inhuman, unnatural, monstrous Headword location(s)
kindly (adj.)
fitting, suitable Headword location(s)
kindly (adj.) Old form(s): kindely
friendly, good-natured, well-disposed Headword location(s)
kindly (adj.)
natural, proper Headword location(s)
kindly (adv.) Old form(s): kindely
in accordance with human nature, expressing normal humanity Headword location(s)
kindly (adv.)
with natural affection, with compassion Headword location(s)
kindly (adv.)
naturally, spontaneously, convincingly Headword location(s)
kindly (adv.) Old form(s): kindely
lovingly, gently, affectionately Headword location(s)
kindly, and
by all means, in any case Headword location(s)
kindness (n.) Old form(s): kindnesse
feeling of kinship Headword location(s)
kindness (n.) Old form(s): kindnesse
kind nature, natural courtesy, natural affection Headword location(s)
kindness (n.) Old form(s): kindnesse
friendship, affection, good will Headword location(s)
kindness (n.) Old form(s): kindenesse
kind act, fond display Headword location(s)
kindred (n.)
matching character, resemblance [to one another] Headword location(s)
kine (n.)
cattle, cows Headword location(s)
kingdomed (adj.) Old form(s): Kingdom'd
constituted as a kingdom Headword location(s)
kirtle (n.)
dress, gown see also Clothing Headword location(s)
kirtle (n.)
dress, gown see also half-kirtle (n.) Headword location(s)
kiss (v.)
fraternize, associate, consort Headword location(s)
kissing-comfit (n.)
perfumed sweetmeat for sweetening the breath Headword location(s)
kitchen (v.) Old form(s): kitchin'd
entertain in the kitchen Headword location(s)
kitchen-trull Old form(s): Kitchin-Trulles
kitchen-maid, serving-girl Headword location(s)
kite (n.) Old form(s): Kytes
bird of prey; thieving bird [of ill omen; also, strong term of abuse] Headword location(s)
knack (n.) Old form(s): knacke , knackes
trifle, knick-knack, ornament Headword location(s)
knap (v.) Old form(s): knapt
hit, knock, rap Headword location(s)
knap (v.) Old form(s): knapt
bite into, nibble at, peck at Headword location(s)
knave (n.) Old form(s): Knaue , knaues
boy, lad, fellow Headword location(s)
knave (n.) Old form(s): knaue , Knaues
scoundrel, rascal, rogue see also Frequently Encountered Words (FEW) Headword location(s)
knave (n.) Old form(s): Knaue, knaues
servant, menial, lackey Headword location(s)
knavery (n.) Old form(s): Knauery
treachery, trap, trickery Headword location(s)
knavery (n.) Old form(s): knauerie, knaueries , knauery
roguish trick, rouguery, trickery Headword location(s)
knavery (n.) Old form(s): knau'ry
showy adornment, trumpery, ornamentation Headword location(s)
knavish (adj.) Old form(s): knauish
rascally, mischievous, roguish Headword location(s)
kneaded (adj.)
compressed, compacted, moulded Headword location(s)
knee (n.)
bending of a knee, right to be knelt before see also cap and knee, with Headword location(s)
knee (v.)
kneel before, beg, supplicate Headword location(s)
knee (v.)
go on one's knees, kneel Headword location(s)
knee-crooking (adj.)
bowing, kneeling, genuflecting Headword location(s)
knell (n.)
death-knell, omen of death Headword location(s)
knell (n.)
death-knell, mourning song Headword location(s)
knight (n.)
devotee, servant, follower [male or female] Headword location(s)
knight of the battle Old form(s): Battell
one whose knighthood was conferred after prowess on the battlefield Headword location(s)
knight-errant (n.) Old form(s): Knight-arrant
adventurer; night-sinner Headword location(s)
knit (adj.)
built, constructed see also well-knit (adj.) Headword location(s)
knit (n.)
style, pattern, type Headword location(s)
knit (v.)
relate, join in blood Headword location(s)
knit (v.)
unite, join, make one Headword location(s)
knit, knit up (v.) Old form(s): vp
tie, fasten [by means of a knot] Headword location(s)
knit, knit up (v.) Old form(s): vp
entangle, tie up, catch up Headword location(s)
knock (n.) Old form(s): Knocke, knockes
hard blow, harsh stroke, buffet Headword location(s)
knock (v.) Old form(s): knockt
strike, beat, hit Headword location(s)
knock it
strike up Headword location(s)
knog (v.)
Welsh pronunciation of 'knock' see also Welsh Headword location(s)
knoll (v.) Old form(s): knoll'd , knowld , Knowles
toll, ring, peal Headword location(s)
knot (n.) Old form(s): knotte
company, band, assembly Headword location(s)
knot (n.)
intricately designed flower-bed Headword location(s)
knot (n.)
marriage tie, bond of wedlock Headword location(s)
knot (n.)
intertwining of arms Headword location(s)
knot (v.)
gather together, assemble, congregate Headword location(s)
knot-grass (n.) Old form(s): knot-grasse
species of creeping weed Headword location(s)
knotty-pated (adj.)
block-headed, dull-witted Headword location(s)
know (v.) Old form(s): knowne
be acquainted, meet before Headword location(s)
know (v.)
acknowledge, remember, think [of] see also Discourse markers Headword location(s)
know (v.)
recognize Headword location(s)
know (v.)
unravel, get to understand Headword location(s)
know (v.) Old form(s): knowne
have sexual knowledge of, have intercourse with Headword location(s)
know (v.) Old form(s): knowne
see through, find out about Headword location(s)
know (v.)
find out, ascertain, learn [from] Headword location(s)
knowing (adj.)
knowledgeable, intelligent, perceptive Headword location(s)
knowing (n.)
knowledge of the world, experience, savoir-faire Headword location(s)
knowing (n.)
knowledge, awareness, understanding Headword location(s)
knowingly (adv.)
with knowledge, with worldly experience Headword location(s)
knowledge (n.)
carnal knowledge, intimate acquaintance Headword location(s)
knowledge (n.)
familiar territory, world of acquaintance Headword location(s)
known (adj.) Old form(s): knowne
well-acquainted, familiar to each other Headword location(s)
Kymmalton (n.)
manor house in Kimbolton, Cambridgshire, where Catherine of Aragon was imprisoned see also Britain [outside London] Headword location(s)
kyth (n.)
Q2 alternative to 'tithe' see also tithe (n.) Headword location(s)
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