Canterbury Tales Vocabulary

Question 1

Prologue

Answer 1

an introductory section

Question 2

Grove

Answer 2

small woods

Question 3

Heath

Answer 3

open meadow/brush

Question 4

Strands

Answer 4

foreign lands

Question 5

Hallowed

Answer 5

honored; revered

Question 6

Sundry

Answer 6

various

Question 7

Boorish

Answer 7

Rude; unrefined; ill-mannered

Question 8

Grace

Answer 8

approval

Question 9

Joust

Answer 9

A combat on horseback between two knights

Question 10

Sheathed

Answer 10

enclosed in a protective covering

Question 11

Sedately

Answer 11

in a composed, dignified manner; calmly

Question 12

Solicitous

Answer 12

concerned and attentive; eager

Question 13

Bridle

Answer 13

the headgear used to control a horse

Question 14

Prior

Answer 14

position of status in a monastery

Question 15

Cloister

Answer 15

place of religious seclusion

Question 16

Garnished

Answer 16

decorated; trimmed

Question 17

Wanton

Answer 17

Undisciplined, lewd, lustful

Question 18

Penitents

Answer 18

People who repent their sins or wrongdoings

Question 19

Shrift

Answer 19

confession

Question 20

Absolution

Answer 20

forgiveness; pardon; release

Question 21

Accure

Answer 21

to accumulate

Question 22

Arbitrate

Answer 22

to settle a dispute or a fight between two parties

Question 23

Motley

Answer 23

many-colored; composed of diverse parts

Question 24

Estimable

Answer 24

Worthy of esteem, admirable

Question 25

Secular

Answer 25

Not religious or holy; pertaining to worldly things

Question 26

Conveyance

Answer 26

The transfer of title to land from one party to another

Question 27

Rote

Answer 27

to learn by memory

Question 28

Sanguine

Answer 28

optimistic; cheerful

Question 29

Benign

Answer 29

Harmless; favorable; kindle, gentle, or beneficial

Question 30

Gentry

Answer 30

Wealthy landowning class; upper middle class

Question 31

Guild

Answer 31

A medieval organization of crafts workers or trades people.

Question 32

Wrought

Answer 32

shaped; made; formed

Question 33

Avouches

Answer 33

affirms, vouches for; proves

Question 34

Alderman

Answer 34

a member of the municipal legislative body

Question 35

Reckoning

Answer 35

calculation; judgement

Question 36

Prudent

Answer 36

cautious; wise

Question 37

Apothecaries

Answer 37

Medieval pharmicist

Question 38

Guile

Answer 38

Clever deceit, cunning, craftiness

Question 39

Superfluities

Answer 39

excessive amounts

Question 40

Pestilences

Answer 40

a fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague.

Question 41

Ambling

Answer 41

walk or move at a slow, relaxed pace

Question 42

Buckler

Answer 42

small wooden shield

Question 43

Extort

Answer 43

to obtain something by threats

Question 44

Asunder

Answer 44

apart

Question 45

Contemptuous

Answer 45

Scornful, disrespectful

Question 46

Rebuke

Answer 46

To criticize, scold or reprimand.

Question 47

Scrupulosity

Answer 47

Imagining sin where none exists

Question 48

Repined

Answer 48

to be fretfully discontented; fret, complain

Question 49

Tithes

Answer 49

Church taxes, 10% of a family's yearly income

Question 50

Wrangler

Answer 50

A quarrelsome person

Question 51

Buffoon

Answer 51

a clown, a silly or stupid person

Question 52

Victuals

Answer 52

food, provisions

Question 53

Peer

Answer 53

a noble

Question 54

Frugal

Answer 54

Thrifty; economical in money matters

Question 55

Garners

Answer 55

place to store grain

Question 56

Arrears

Answer 56

unpaid or overdue debts

Question 57

Cavalcade

Answer 57

procession of horses

Question 58

Carbuncles

Answer 58

inflammation of the skin tissues, like a boil or severe acne

Question 59

Concubine

Answer 59

a mistress

Question 60

Duress

Answer 60

Hardship, restraint

Question 61

Garland

Answer 61

a wreath of flowers

Question 62

Gelding

Answer 62

a castrated male horse

Question 63

Mare

Answer 63

a female horse

Question 64

Prevarication

Answer 64

a false or deliberate misstatement; a lie

Question 65

Offertory

Answer 65

collection of money at religious ceremony; part of the Mass during which offerings are made