| a | variant form of 'at' |
| abroad | in the outside world, freely at large, elsewhere, everywhere |
| accent | attempt at speaking, inarticulate sound |
| addition | attribute, mark of honour, distinction [as if added to a coat--of-arms] |
| admire | marvel, wonder, be astonished [at] |
| admire | revere, marvel at, respect |
| admired | regarded with admiration, wondered at |
| affect | cultivate, aim at, seek out |
| after | at the rate of |
| Agamemnon | [pron: aga'memnon] commander of the Greek forces at Troy, married to Clytemnestra |
| alarm, alarum | call to arms, call to battle, signal to begin fighting |
| along | at full length, stretched out, prostrate |
| amain | in all haste, at full speed |
| ames-ace | double ace [the lowest throw at dice] |
| anchoring | riding at anchor |
| Andrew | the Saint Andrew; name of a Spanish galleon captured at Cadiz in 1596 |
| a-night | at night |
| anon | [after ‘now’] at another time, presently |
| anon, ever and | every now and then, at regular intervals |
| answer | retaliation, armed response |
| apace | quickly, speedily, at a great rate |
| appoint | arm, equip, furnish |
| apprehend | seize upon, snatch at, lay hold of |
| Arabian bird | phoenix [mythical bird, of which only one existed at any time] |
| Ariadne | [ari'adnee] daughter of Minos who helped Theseus find his way through the labyrinth, and then fled with him; Theseus abandoned her while she slept at Naxos |
| arm | prepare, get ready |
| arm | give your arm to |
| arm | strong arm [in attack]; or: might, power |
| arm | take into one's arms, lift up |
| arm | prepare for action, put armour on |
| armed | with arms |
| armed | armoured, mail-clad, furnished with defences |
| armed | provided, ready, prepared [for] |
| arm-gaunt | [unclear meaning] in fine condition; with gaunt limbs; with armoured trappings |
| armigero | esquire [entitled to bear heraldic arms] |
| arming | establishment, confirmation, substantiation |
| armipotent | mighty in arms, powerful in arms |
| arms | weapons, armaments |
| arms | coat-of-arms |
| arms | armour, mail, protective covering |
| arms' end, at | at the point of a sword |
| arrive | reach, arrive at |
| at | in |
| at | to |
| attend | serve at court, wait on royalty |
| attend | be present [at], be found [at] |
| a-work | at work, in action |
| Barrabas | in the Bible, a robber released instead of Christ at the Passover |
| Bartholomew boar-pig | pig sold at the annual London fair held on St Bartholomew's day |
| bat-fowling | catching birds roosting at night, by hitting them with a club |
| bay | bark at, howl at |
| beforehand | in advance, at an earlier point |
| behowl | howl at, bay, cry out to |
| bemock | mock at, taunt, flout |
| bemocked-at | mocked, scorned, derided |
| best | at the highest point, in the best state |
| best | even at best |
| betime | early, at an early hour |
| betime | at once, immediately |
| betimes | early in the morning, at an early hour |
| betimes | at once, forthwith, right now |
| bite | erode, wear down, eat away at |
| blazon | armorial bearing, banner showing a coat-of-arms |
| blazon | proclaim, display [as in a coat-of-arms] |
| blurt at | treat with contempt, scorn, look down on |
| brace | armoured covering for the arms; or: coat of armour |
| brawn | muscular arm, sturdy limb |
| Briareus | [bri'arius] son of Uranus and Gaea; legendary monster with 100 arms and 50 heads who fought and defeated the Titans for Zeus |
| brother | companion-in-arms, devoted friend |
| browse | feed upon, nibble at, eat [as animals] |
| buckle | grapple, engage, fight at close quarters |
| bulk | projecting part of a building, structure for displaying goods at the front of a shop |
| button | knob at the top of a cap or hat |
| by | near by, close at hand |
| by | at the house of |
| candle-waster | burner of midnight oil, someone who wastes candles by reading late at night |
| carouse | drink at length, imbibe long draughts |
| carve | cut up meat at table |
| catch | snatch at, pluck at, lay hold of |
| charge | prepared for action, at the ready |
| Chartreux | [pron: shah'truh] Carthusian abbey at Chartreuse, E France; also, the name of the order of monks |
| check | [falconry] swerve to pounce on, turn towards, swoop at |
| chivalry | knights, men-at-arms |
| chivalry | knightly rank [as displayed on a coat-of-arms: a twisted band encircling a helmet] |
| clap | at one stroke, at once |
| client | suitor at law |
| clout | [archery] pin fixing a target, cloth patch at the centre of a target; mark, bull |
| coat | coat-of-arms |
| codpiece | cloth case or pocket worn by a man at the front of breeches or hose; also: what it contains |
| Colbrand | medieval Danish champion giant, killed by Sir Guy of Warwick at Winchester |
| Colchos | Colchis, ancient region at the eastern end of the Black Sea; in mythology, home of the Golden Fleece |
| combine | unite in harmony, be at one |
| come | achieve, attain, arrive at |
| command | have at one's disposal, be entrusted with |
| command | at one's disposal, at one's pleasure |
| comparative | good at making comparisons; insulting, abusive |
| connive at | look indulgently on, cooperate with |
| contrary | different, at a distance apart |
| crest | heraldic device placed above the shield and helmet in a coat-of-arms |
| cuckoo-flower | variety of wild flower growing at the time of year when cuckoos call |
| current | accepted, genuine, taken at face value |
| danger, (with)in one's | within one's power, at one's mercy |
| dearly | grievously, at great cost |
| defence | arms, armour, means of defence |
| difference | [heraldry] variation, distinguishing mark [on a coat-of-arms] |
| dilate | relate in full, narrate at length |
| diluculo | to rise at dawn |
| directly | immediately, at once |
| Dives | [pron: 'deevez] in the Bible, a rich man who feasted while the beggar Lazarus starved at his gate |
| dog | be adept at, be experienced in |
| drive | shoot, strike at, aim blows at |
| duty | at one's service, to command |
| ear | at odds, fighting like beasts |
| early | at the outset, at first hearing |
| easily | in comfort, at ease |
| elvish-marked | marked out at birth by evil fairies, displaying spite |
| emblaze | proclaim publicly, set forth [as on a coat-of-arms] |
| enlarge | release, set at large, discharge |
| ever | constantly, continually, at all times |
| ever and anon | every now and then, at regular intervals |
| evermore | always, constantly, at all times |
| exclaim | decry, cry out against, rail at |
| expostulate | remonstrate, plead, argue at length |
| eye | look at, stare at, regard |
| eye-strings | muscles of the eye [thought to break at the point when a dear sight is lost] |
| farthingale | long skirt extended at the back by a framework of hoops |
| fe, fe | Fie, fie, fie, fie, faith, it's very hot. I'm going to watch the great business at court' |
| feast-finding | searching out feasts [at which to entertain the company] |
| fence | fencing ability, skill at swordplay |
| first | at first |
| first | at once, immediately, from the start |
| fitly | at the right time, at a suitable moment |
| flirt | scorn, jeer at, scoff at |
| flood | at its height, in its prime |
| follow | aim at, relate to, pertain to |
| forgetive | good at forging thoughts, inventive, creative |
| Fortune | Roman goddess, shown as a woman at a spinning-wheel, or controlling a rudder, and as blind |
| forward | prepared, at an advanced stage of readiness |
| forward | forelock, hair at the front of the head |
| full | in detail, at full length |
| gather | infer, work out [for oneself], guess at |
| Gaul | [unclear usage by the Host] someone from Wales; usually at the time, someone from France |
| gentleman in arms | gentleman bearing a coat-of-arms |
| giddy-paced | whirling, moving at a bewildering pace |
| gird | mock, taunt, laugh [at] |
| give | display, show, bear arms of |
| glance | pick on, snipe at, cast aspersions on |
| go | haggle at length, carry out a piece of bargaining |
| going | walking, going at one's usual pace |
| grasp | embrace, clasp in the arms |
| gratulate | gratifying, pleasing, to be rejoiced at |
| gravelled | perplexed, at a loss, stumped |
| halberd | person armed with a halberd |
| half-sword, at | at the length of a small-sized sword, at close quarters |
| hammer | puzzle out, work hard at, work out |
| hand | at once, immediately, straight away |
| hand | in any case, at any rate |
| hand | at the start of a race |
| happy | coming just at the right time |
| harness | armed men, men-at-arms, armament |
| harness | dress in armour, arm, equip |
| harnessed | armoured, armed |
| Harry ten shillings | coin (from the reign of Henry VII) valued at five shillings |
| hatchment | [heraldry] tablet displaying a person's coat-of-arms |
| have | [said at the start of a fencing attack or other confrontation] I come at, let me at [a person] |
| have | let's try it, let's have a go at it |
| have | let's go at it, let's renew the fight |
| have | [said at the start of a confrontation or attack; more usually: have at] I come |
| hazard | expose to danger, put at risk |
| hazard | in peril, at risk |
| hent | reach, arrive at, occupy |
| hereafter | at some time in the future |
| hip | [wrestling] at a disadvantage, in an unfavourable position |
| hit | hit the mark with, get at, reach |
| host | army, armed multitude |
| hour | at the same time |
| housekeeper | stay-at-home |
| how | how much?, at what rate? |
| Iceland | country known at the time for its long-haired dogs |
| ill-seeming | of ugly appearance, unpleasant to look at |
| in | at |
| in | into the dressing-room at the back of the stage |
| incontinent | immediately, forthwith, at once |
| incontinently | immediately, at once, forthwith |
| instant | immediately, instantly, at once |
| instant | at the same time, simultaneously |
| instant | imminent, impending, close at hand |
| instantly | at once, simultaneously, in a moment |
| interim | at intervals, from time to time |
| Janus | [pron: 'jaynus] Roman god who guards gates and doors; shown with two faces, one at the back of his head |
| jest | mock, scoff at, trifle with |
| kern | lightly armed Irish foot-soldier |
| knap | bite into, nibble at, peck at |
| knot | intertwining of arms |
| lance | lancer, horse soldier armed with a lance [a metal-ended shaft] |
| Lapland | province of N Finland, known at the time for sorcery and witchcraft |
| large | at length, in full, thoroughly |
| largely | fully, at length |
| last | at last |
| late-walking | going out with whores late at night |
| lay | attack at close quarters, lay alongside |
| least | at the lowest estimate, at any rate |
| list | (usually plural) combat arena at a tournament |
| look | look at directly |
| man at arms | fully equipped soldier, heavily armed warrior |
| manage | gallop at full speed |
| man-of-arms | soldier, fighting man |
| mark | shot at a target |
| master | own, possess, have at one's disposal |
| Milo | [pron: 'miyloh] Greek athlete, 6th-c BC, who carried an ox around the stadium at Olympia then ate it all in a single day |
| missing | absence, disappearance, non-attendance [at court] |
| mistress | (bowls) the jack - the smaller bowl at which the players aim |
| monarcho | [pron: 'monahrkoh] vain hanger-on at court, pretentious absurdity |
| muddy | at a loss, confused, all at sea |
| muse | wonder at, marvel at |
| muster | assemble, gather together [at], rush |
| nativity | conjunction of stars at birth, horoscope |
| need | if necessary, if need be, at a pinch |
| night | at nightfall, this evening |
| night-bird | nightingale, bird that sings at night |
| nightly | at night, during the night |
| nightly | of the night, active at night |
| nothing | not at all, in any / no way |
| odd | at odds, at variance |
| on | at |
| once | ever, at any time |
| once | some time, at a convenient point |
| open | [hunting] bark at finding a scent |
| otherwhiles | at various times, on occasion |
| out | in error, at fault, wrong |
| out | in arms, in rebellion |
| out | at an end, finished |
| out | out at heels, with worn shoes |
| out | at a loss, put out, nonplussed; unable to remember one's lines |
| overeaten | eaten away all over, gnawed at on all sides |
| overeye | watch, observe; or: look too much at |
| overspent | spent, finished, at an end |
| partisan | weapon with a long handle and a broad head, sometimes with a projection at the side |
| partner | co-sponsor at a christening |
| pass | [unclear meaning] jest at; impose on; pass judgement upon |
| passage | combat, contest, fight [= passage of arms] |
| Pelops | [pron: 'pelops] son of Tantalus, served to the gods at a banquet; Demeter ate his shoulder, which the gods replaced by one of ivory |
| Penthesilea | [pron: penthesi'laya] Amazonian queen, who helped Priam at Troy |
| peril, at | at risk of punishment |
| Perseus | son of Zeus and Danae; advised by Athene to look at the reflection in his shield when cutting off Medusa's head, thereby avoiding being turned to stone; associated with the winged horse released by her death |
| persever | persevere, persist, keep at it |
| Pie Corner | at the corner of Smithfield, London, noted for its cook shops |
| piece | cannon, piece of artillery, fire-arm |
| pinioned | with arms bound, with wings clipped |
| place | present, attending, at hand |
| play | play guns on, aim at; also: torment |
| plum-broth | rich soup made of meat, fruit, and spices, especially eaten at Christmas |
| ply | keep on at, press, urge |
| ply | study, work at, apply oneself to |
| point | in readiness, prepared, armed |
| pointing-stock | object to be pointed at, laughing-stock, butt |
| poop | highest deck at the stern of a ship |
| post | in haste, at top speed |
| post-haste | at full speed |
| power | armed force, troops, host, army |
| present | occurring at this time, taking place now |
| presently | immediately, instantly, at once |
| primy | in its prime, at its most active |
| purpose | point at issue, matter in hand |
| pursuivant-at-arms | junior officer attending a herald |
| Pyramus | lover of Thisbe; kept apart by their parents, they talked through a crack in their dividing wall; arriving at a rendezvous, Pyramus found Thisbe’s cloak stained with blood from a lion’s prey; thinking she had been killed by a lion |
| quarrel | object to; or: start quarrelling at |
| quarter | add a coat-of-arms to a [quarter of] a shield |
| question | point at issue, problem, business |
| question | converse with, talk away [at / with] |
| raise | rouse, stir up, call to arms |
| random, at | untended, neglected, uncared for |
| reckoning | bill [at an inn], settling of account |
| redime | free yourself from captivity at the lowest ransom |
| reflection | return, turning back, retrogression [at the spring equinox] |
| removed | at a remove, not closely involved |
| review | survey again, look once more at |
| Rhesus | [pron: 'reesus] Thracian hero, famed for his horses; after fighting for one day in the Trojan War, Ulysses and Diomedes killed him in his tent at night, and stole the horses |
| ride | lie at anchor |
| round hose | breeches puffed out at the hips |
| rowel | small sharp wheel at the end of a spur |
| Sackerson | famous bear from the bear-baiting ring at Paris Garden, London |
| sacring | [in the Mass] rung at the moment of consecration |
| scorn | mock, jeer, express disdain [at] |
| seal | seal bearing a coat-of-arms |
| sea-room | space at sea to manoeuvre a ship |
| season | in season, at the appropriate time |
| sergeant | sheriff's officer, enforcer, arresting officer |
| sergeant | officer [in an army] |
| share | receive at the expense of |
| shilling | coin valued at twelve old pence or one twentieth of a pound |
| shot | armed soldier, gunner, marksman |
| skipping | runaway, fugitive; or: lightly armed |
| smile | laugh at, mock, sneer at |
| sometime | formerly, at one time, once |
| sometimes | formerly, once, at one time, previously |
| sometimes | sometime, former, at one time |
| spare | be free [at court], not needed |
| spinster | domestic woman, one who stays at home spinning |
| spur | at a gallop |
| spurn | kick out at, treat with contempt |
| staff | make oneself at home, take up abode |
| stake | [bear-baiting] under attack; or [gambling]: at risk |
| stand | stay close, be near at hand |
| steeled | steel-clad, armed with steel |
| sticking place | place on a device at which something is held fast [such as a stringed instrument or crossbow] |
| still | at rest, in repose |
| stomach | resent, take offence at |
| straight | straightaway, immediately, at once |
| straited | at a loss, nonplussed, hard put |
| sudden | soon, at an early date |
| suddenly | immediately, at once, without delay |
| suppose | guess at, speculate about |
| swits and spurs | [switches] at full speed, in hot haste |
| swoopstake | indiscriminately [taking all stakes at once] |
| sworn | companion-in-arms, devoted friend |
| Thersites | [pron: ther'siyteez] cowardly Greek, killed by Achilles after jeering at him |
| three farthings | coin valued at three-quarters of a penny |
| thrust | make a thrust, lunge, stab [at] |
| time | at the right moment |
| time | for the time being, at present |
| together | all at once, at the same time |
| token | emblem, badge, coat-of-arms |
| top | platform at the top of a mast |
| top | at the highest level of, at the peak of, in the forefront of |
| touch | land at, arrive at, visit |
| towards | at hand, approaching, imminent |
| try | try for, aim at, aspire to |
| twain | of separate minds, at variance |
| underborne | trimmed at the bottom |
| understand | come to an understanding, arrive at agreement |
| untimely | inopportunely, at a bad time |
| up | up in arms, in rebellion, in revolt |
| use | frequent, hang out at, visit regularly |
| utterance | to the uttermost, to the very last, at any cost |
| vambrace | armour to protect the fore-arm |
| vantbrace | armour to protect the fore-arm |
| waft | beckon, wave [at], signal |
| well met | expression pf pleasure at meeting |
| when | at the time when |
| whenas | when, at the time when |
| whereat | at which |
| whiffler | armed processional attendant |
| whit | not at all, not in the least |
| white | [archery] white ring at the centre of a target |
| wilful-blame | wilfully blameworthy, at fault for being too obstinate |
| wilful-negligent | deliberately negligent, at fault for being too negligent |
| wilful-opposite | stubbornly hostile, at fault for being too antagonistic |
| wing | flank, force at the side of the main body of troops |
| witty | with all one's wits at the ready |
| wonder | marvel [at], be astonished [at] |
| wonder | wonder at, be curious about, guess at |
| wondered | to be wondered at, performing such wonders |
| word | without more ado, at once, forthwith |
| wrack | wreck, shipwreck, lose at sea |