Literary or poetic words

A certain class of words is mainly found in old-fashioned English or poetry. However, it is worth paying attention to them because they are still used in jokes and ironic language.

You might hear, ‘You’ve been imbibing’ (drinking) or ‘He’s my deadly foe’ (enemy).

Here is a short list.

toil work

behold see

swift fast

demise death

attire clothes

tidings news

fare food

peruse read

scribe writer

hale healthy

betwixt between

penurious poor

slumber sleep

thoroughfare street

converse talk