partisans broad-bladed weapons with a long shaft, used especially in the 16th century.
parts attractive qualities.
passado a forward thrust.
pastry place where pastry is made.
pate the head, esp. the top of the head.
pennyworths small portions.
pensive sad; melancholy.
Pentecost a religious festival, the seventh Sunday after Easter.
penury extreme poverty.
perjuries the breaking of promises.
pitch falconry term used to describe the height from which a bird of prey swoops to seize its prey.
piteous overthrows their end or death, which arouses or deserves pity or compassion.
pitiful case pitiful state of affairs.
plantain leaf the leaf was used to heal cuts and bruises. Romeo replies sarcastically that Benvolio's suggestion of a cure for Romeo's love melancholy would be as effective as applying a plantain leaf.
poised balanced, weighed.
poperin pear Mercutio compares the pear with the shape of the male genitals and puns on the name: pop-her-in.
portly dignified or well-mannered.
posterity Rosaline's celibacy will prevent her passing on her beauty to her children or descendants.
post-horses horses kept at a post house, or inn, for couriers and post chaises or for hire to travelers.
pouts upon treats with contempt.
prates talks much and foolishly; chatters.
presage predict; forecast.
princox a coxcomb; fop. Capulet is keen to belittle Tybalt and force him to submit to his will as head of the household.
prodigious both wonderful and portentous.
promotion advancement in rank.
prorogue postpone; delay.
prorogued delayed; postponed.
provision food and other supplies.
puling fool whimpering child.
punto reverso a backhanded thrust.
purple fountains jets of blood.
Queen Mab a fairy queen who controlspeople's dreams.
quit reward you for.
quote note or observe.
rage insanity, madness.
rail'st complain.
rancour a continuing and bitter hate or ill will.
rate to scold severely; chide.
rebeck a three stringed fiddle.
receptacle repository or sepulcher.
reeky emitting a strong, unpleasant smell.
remnants of packthread remains of strong, thick thread or twine for tying bundles, packages, and so on.
residence the place in which a person or thing resides.
riddling puzzling or enigmatic.
roe fish eggs.
ropery roguery.
rosemary evergreen herb which was used as a symbol of remembrance.
runagate fugitive (runaway).
rust corruption, decay.
