The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Vocabulary

15 uses

My son accompanied me on this journey.

accompanied = traveled along with

42 uses

1 use

I proceeded in my electrical experiments with great alacrity;

alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness

5 uses

The libraries were augmented by donations

augmented = enlarged or increased

4 uses

yet men primarily considered that their own and their country's interest was united, and did not act from a principle of benevolence.

benevolence = generosity

5 uses

his censures proceeded from good-will

censures = criticisms

5 uses

While I liv'd in Boston most of my hours of leisure for conversation were spent with him, and he continu'd a sober as well as an industrious lad; was much respected for his learning by several of the clergy and other gentlemen, and seemed to promise making a good figure in life.

clergy = formal religious leaders (typically in Christianity)

3 uses

...the habit of expressing myself in terms of modest diffidence; never using, when I advanced any thing that may possibly be disputed, the words certainly, undoubtedly, or any others that give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather say, I conceive or apprehend a thing to be so and so; it appears to me, or...

diffidence = hesitancy and unassertiveness due to a lack of self-confidence

1 use

By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old. I us'd to write more methodically.

digressions = wanderings from a direct or straight course — especially verbally

1 use

10 uses

1 use

...all appearances to the contrary, such as ... being to his certain knowledge fallacious;

fallacious = mistaken (based on incorrect information or belief)

3 uses

I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the sentiments of others

forbear = refrain (hold back)

1 use

The settlement of that province had lately been begun, but, instead of being made with hardy, industrious husbandmen, accustomed to labor, the only people fit for such an enterprise, it was with families of broken shop-keepers and other insolvent debtors, many of indolent and idle habits ... who, being set down in the woods, unqualified for clearing land, and unable to endure the hardships of a new settlement, perished in numbers, leaving many helpless children unprovided for.

indolent = lazy

3 uses

obstinately persisted in manacling their deputies with...

obstinately = stubbornly unyielding to other's wishes

2 uses

my friend M. le Roy, of the Royal Academy of Sciences, took up my cause and refuted him;

refuted = argued that something is false

1 use

...they had plundered and stripped the inhabitants, totally ruining some poor families, besides insulting, abusing, and confining the people if they remonstrated.

remonstrated = argued in protest or opposition

1 use

I did not, however, aim at gaining his favour by paying any servile respect to him, but, after some time, took this other method.

servile = excessively submissive

17 uses

A wager ensu'd between the two captains, to be decided when there should be sufficient wind.

sufficient = adequate without being more than is needed

3 uses

This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation, and continued Protestants through the reign of Queen Mary, when they were sometimes in danger of trouble on account of their zeal against popery.

zeal = active interest and enthusiasm