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avaunt

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Go away! Begone!—an imperative command to depart, typically used in dramatic or poetic invocations for emphasis or dismissal.

Detailed Definition
“Avaunt” is an imperative derived from French “avant” (forward), used to dismiss or banish. In drama and poetry, it signals rejection of evil, folly, or unwelcome presence—often directed at devils, ghosts, or suitors. Its dramatic flair suits soliloquies or exorcisms, where moral boundaries are enforced. Though rare, its theatricality and archaic force make it memorable in moments of spiritual or emotional cleansing.
Example
Example in poetry:
"Avaunt, foul fiend!" cries the saint in medieval hagiography; In Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus: "Avaunt, and come not near me!" ; Shakespeare’s King Lear: "Avaunt, and quit my sight!"; Romantic poets used "avaunt" to banish despair or doubt; "Avaunt, ye dreams of vanity!" declaims the penitent; The knight commands, "Avaunt, treacherous shadow!"
Additional Notes
“Avaunt” is an imperative command meaning “begone!” derived from French “avant” (forward); in drama and narrative poetry, it’s used by heroes or magicians to banish foes or spirits, signaling authority and moral boundary-setting.
Also Known As
begone depart be off aroint
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