"The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer, Chaucer's Tale of Melibee

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dialectical
    relating to reasoning by the exchange of logical arguments
    It is a dialectical homily or moral debate, exhibiting a learned store of ethical precept culled from many ancient authorities.
  2. homily
    a sermon on a moral or religious topic
    It is a dialectical homily or moral debate, exhibiting a learned store of ethical precept culled from many ancient authorities.
  3. precept
    a doctrine that is taught
    It is a dialectical homily or moral debate, exhibiting a learned store of ethical precept culled from many ancient authorities.
  4. miscreant
    a person without moral scruples
    The principal subject of the debate is whether we should avenge a violent injury by violence, and the subject arises because during his absence from home Melibee’s daughter, Sophia, has been assaulted and wounded by three miscreants who have made a burglarious entry.
  5. covetous
    immoderately desirous of acquiring something
    ...how to purify one’s heart of anger, covetousness, and impetuosity...
  6. impetuous
    marked by violent force
    ...how to purify one’s heart of anger, covetousness, and impetuosity...
  7. distinguish
    mark as different
    ...how to keep one’s opinions to oneself and distinguish true friends from false ones, fools, and flatterers...
  8. expedient
    appropriate to a purpose
    ...whether to take a private revenge is (a) dangerous, (b) justifiable morally, (c) in this case expedient...
  9. rebuke
    censure severely or angrily
    His enemies then return before Melibee, who forgives them utterly, but not before he has rebuked them severely and pointed out his own magnanimity.
  10. magnanimity
    nobility and generosity of spirit
    His enemies then return before Melibee, who forgives them utterly, but not before he has rebuked them severely and pointed out his own magnanimity.
Created on Thu Mar 31 13:06:48 EDT 2022 (updated Thu Mar 31 13:19:55 EDT 2022)

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