"Paradise Lost" by John Milton, Book III

Learn these words from the original ten-book version of Milton's epic poem, which retells the Biblical story of humanity's fall from divine favor. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the poem: Book I, Book II, Book III, Book IV, Book V,
Book VI, Book VII, Book VIII, Book IX, Book X

Here is a link to our lists for the twelve-book version of Paradise Lost.
20 words 197 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. beatitude
    a state of supreme happiness
    About him all the Sanctities of Heaven
    Stood thick as Stars,
    and from his sight receiv'd
    Beatitude past utterance
  2. fealty
    the loyalty that one owes to a country, sovereign, or lord
    Man disobeying,
    Disloyal breaks his fealty, and sins
    Against the high Supremacy of Heav'n
  3. posterity
    all future generations
    He with his whole posterity must die,
    Die he or Justice must; unless for him
    Some other able, and as willing, pay
    The rigid satisfaction, death for death.
  4. intercessor
    a negotiator who acts as a link between parties
    He ask'd, but all the Heav'nly Choir stood mute,
    And silence was in Heav'n: on man's behalf
    Patron or Intercessor none appear'd,
    Much less that durst upon his own head draw
    The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set.
  5. filial
    relating to or characteristic of or befitting an offspring
    His words here ended, but his meek aspect
    Silent yet spake, and breath'd immortal love
    To mortal men, above which only shone
    Filial obedience
  6. fruition
    enjoyment derived from use or possession
    Because thou hast, though Thron'd in highest bliss
    Equal to God, and equally enjoying
    God-like fruition, quitted all to save
    A World from utter loss
  7. incarnate
    possessing or existing in bodily form
    Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt Reign
    Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man,
    Anointed universal King
  8. effulgence
    the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
    Begotten Son, Divine Similitude,
    In whose conspicuous count'nance, without cloud
    Made visible, th' Almighty Father shines,
    Whom else no Creature can behold; on thee
    Impresst the effulgence of his Glory abides
  9. appease
    overcome or allay
    He to appease thy wrath, and end the strife
    Of Mercy and Justice in thy face discern'd,
    Regardless of the Bliss wherein he sat
    Second to thee, offer'd himself to die
    For man's offence.
  10. copious
    large in number or quantity
    Hail Son of God, Saviour of Men, thy Name
    Shall be the copious matter of my Song
    Henceforth, and never shall my Harp thy praise
    Forget, nor from thy Father's praise disjoin.
  11. inclement
    severe, of weather
    a Globe far off
    It seem'd, now seems a boundless Continent
    Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night
    Starless expos'd, and ever-threat'ning storms
    Of CHAOS blust'ring round, inclement sky
  12. retribution
    a justly deserved penalty
    All who have their reward on Earth, the fruits
    Of painful Superstition and blind Zeal,
    Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find
    Fit retribution, empty as their deeds
  13. descry
    catch sight of
    far distant he descries
    Ascending by degrees magnificent
    Up to the wall of Heaven a Structure high
  14. oblique
    slanting or inclined in direction or course or position
    He views in breadth, and without longer pause
    Down right into the World's first Region throws
    His flight precipitant, and winds with ease
    Through the pure marble Air his oblique way
    Amongst innumerable Stars.
  15. culminate
    reach the highest altitude, of a celestial body
    Here matter new to gaze the Devil met
    Undazzl'd, far and wide his eye commands,
    For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade,
    But all Sun-shine, as when his Beams at Noon
    Culminate from th' EQUATOR
  16. cogitation
    attentive consideration and thought
    on some great charge employ'd
    He seem'd, or fixt in cogitation deep.
  17. admonish
    warn strongly; put on guard
    He drew not nigh unheard, the Angel bright,
    Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turn'd,
    Admonish'd by his ear, and straight was known
    Th' Arch-Angel URIEL, one of the sev'n
    Who in God's presence, nearest to his Throne
    Stand ready at command
  18. dissembler
    a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives
    So spake the false dissembler unperceiv'd;
    For neither Man nor Angel can discern
    Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks
    Invisible, except to God alone
  19. cumbrous
    difficult to handle or use, especially because of size or weight
    Swift to their several Quarters hasted then
    The cumbrous Elements, Earth, Flood, Air, Fire,
    And this Ethereal quintessence of Heav'n
    Flew upward
  20. wont
    an established custom
    Thus said, he turn'd, and SATAN bowing low,
    As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven,
    Where honour due and reverence none neglects,
    Took leave
Created on Wed Aug 07 13:14:32 EDT 2013 (updated Tue Mar 26 11:00:17 EDT 2019)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.