The Poetaster eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 208 pages of information about The Poetaster.

The Poetaster eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 208 pages of information about The Poetaster.

Vall.  See Vail.

VALLIES (Fr. valise), portmanteau, bag.

Vapour(S) (n. and v.), used affectedly, like “humour,” in many senses, often very vaguely and freely ridiculed by Jonson; humour, disposition, whims, brag(ging), hector(ing), etc.

Varlet, bailiff, or serjeant-at-mace.

VAUT, vault.

Veer (naut.), pay out.

Vegetal, vegetable; person full of life and vigour.

VELLUTE, velvet.

Velvet custard.  Cf.  “Taming of the Shrew,” iv. 3, 82, “custard coffin,” coffin being the raised crust over a pie.

Vent, vend, sell; give outlet to; scent, snuff up.

Venue, bout (fencing term).

Verdugo (Span.), hangman, executioner.

Verge, “in the—­,” within a certain distance of the court.

Vex, agitate, torment.

Vice, the buffoon of old moralities; some kind of
machinery for moving a puppet (Gifford).

Vie and REVIE, to hazard a certain sum, and to cover
it with a larger one.

Vincent against York, two heralds-at-arms.

Vindicate, avenge.

VIRGE, wand, rod.

Virginal, old form of piano.

Virtue, valour.

VIVELY, in lifelike manner, livelily.

Vizard, mask.

Vogue, rumour, gossip.

Voice, vote.

Void, leave, quit.

VOLARY, cage, aviary.

Volley, “at—­,” “o’ the volee,” at random (from a
term of tennis).

VORLOFFE, furlough.

WADLOE, keeper of the Devil Tavern, where Jonson and his friends met in the ‘Apollo’ room (Whalley).

WAIGHTS, waits, night musicians, “band of musical
watchmen” (Webster), or old form of “hautboys.”

WANNION, “vengeance,” “plague” (Nares).

Ward, a famous pirate.

Ward, guard in fencing.

WATCHET, pale, sky blue.

Weal, welfare.

Weed, garment.

Weft, waif.

Weights, “to the gold—­,” to every minute particular.

Welkin, sky.

Well-spoken, of fair speech.

Well-TORNED, turned and polished, as on a wheel.

Welt, hem, border of fur.

WHER, whether.

Whetstone, George, an author who lived 1544(?) to 1587(?).

Whiff, a smoke, or drink; “taking the—­,” inhaling the tobacco smoke or some such accomplishment.

WHIGH-HIES, neighings, whinnyings.

Whimsy, whim, “humour.”

WHINILING, (?) whining, weakly.

Whit, (?) a mere jot.

WHITEMEAT, food made of milk or eggs.

Wicked, bad, clumsy.

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The Poetaster from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.