Shakespeare Words

Shakespearean, not stirred.

If Shakespeare wrote it, we've Shmooped it.

Gnarled

Invented in Measure for Measure

Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt
Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak


Shakespeare used this word to mean twisted and bent—like, say, an oak. We're guessing he wasn't expecting it to turn into a surfer mantra.


Tag: Measure for Measure

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