Macbeth Act IV Vocabulary

Full credit

Vocabulary Word	Definition	Part of Speech	Sentence in Context	Own Sentence
1. Abjure	to give up a previously held belief, especially formally or solemnly	T. verb	“…Unspeak mine own detraction, here abjure / The taints and blames I laid upon myself, / For strangers to my nature.” IV.iii.121–125	During the Spanish Inquisition, Jewish and Muslims were forced to abjure their religions and convert to Christianity.
2. Cistern	a tank for storing water, especially one connected to a toilet	Noun	“…your wives, your daughters, / Your matrons and your maids, could not fill up / The cistern of my lust…” IV.iii.61–63	When I flushed the toilet, the cistern let loose the water.
3. Diminutive	very small or much smaller than is usual; a word or name that indicates small size, youth, familiarity, or fondness	Adjective	“…for the poor wren, / The most diminutive of birds, will fight, / Her young ones in her nest, against the owl.” IV.ii.9–11	Due to the financial crisis, his bank amount is now diminutive and he may have to sell his house.
4. Laudable	admirable and worthy of praise	Adjective	“But I remember now / I am in this earthly world, where to do harm / Is often laudable, to do good sometime / Accounted dangerous folly.” IV.ii.72–75	Abraham Lincoln is usually considered the best president because he is very laudable.
5. Sanctity	the condition of being considered sacred or holy, and therefore entitled to respect and reverence	Noun	“…but at his touch, / Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand, / They presently amend.” IV.iii.143–145	After Thomas Becket was martyred, his tomb was sanctified after miracles were done there.