The Iliad — Vocabulary
Homer
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	127	top 2000
bronzea brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.more Show sample from book It struck the shield of the son of Tydeus; the bronze point pierced it and passed on till it reached the breastplate.126 more made of a type of high-quality metal Show general definition for bronze (as in: bronze won't corrode in salt water) a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin Show editor's word notes Bronze metals in the Olympics and many other contests are awarded for third place. With the discovery of bronze (about 3,000 BC), people could make tools and weapons that were harder and more durable than those made of copper and stone that preceded bronze.
	57	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book Moreover I have been the familiar friend of men even greater than you are, and they did not disregard my counsels.†56 more
	76	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book Now after twelve days the immortal gods came back in a body to Olympus, and Jove led the way.†75 more living or existing forever; OR someone famous throughout history… Show general definition living or existing forever or: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
	12	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another.18 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	7	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book I was blinded with passion and yielded to my worser mind; therefore I will make amends, and will give him great gifts by way of atonement.18 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	37	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book We know how great your power is, nevertheless we have compassion upon the Danaan warriors who are perishing and coming to a bad end.†36 more perish → perishing:dying or being destroyed; or extremely cold Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	26	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book The serpent ate the poor cheeping things, while the old bird flew about lamenting her little ones; but the serpent threw his coils about her and caught her by the wing as she was screaming.†25 more lament → lamenting:expressing grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	28	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book Thus did he speak, and Agamemnon heeded his words.†27 more heed → heeded:paid close attention to; or did what was suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	24	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book With these words he moved the hearts of the multitude, so many of them as knew not the cunning counsel of Agamemnon.†23 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	29	top 2000
deemedbelieved or judged The producer deemed her too old to play the role.more Show sample from book Even thus was Menelaus glad when his eyes caught sight of Alexandrus, for he deemed that now he should be revenged.†28 more Show general definition believed or judged
	21	top 1000
aloofsocially distant or uninterested People who don't know her, think she is aloof from the rest of the team, but she is just focused on the game.more Show sample from book I should hold aloof from battle on any day rather than this, for my mother bore me with nothing of the coward about me.†20 more Show general definition socially distant or uninterested in something that interests others -- often thinking oneself superior to others
	25
valorcourage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle) She received a medal for valor.more Show sample from book Therefore let us acquit ourselves with valour.†24 more valor → valour:exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use valor. Show general definition exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle
	24
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book Keep this before your mind night and day, and beseech the captains of your allies to hold on without flinching, and thus put away their reproaches from you.†23 more to ask strongly or beg for something Show general definition to ask strongly or beg for something Show editor's word notes Beseech is common in classic literature. Though its usage has doubled in recent decades, it remains a rare word in modern writing. Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.
	20	top 2000
vanquishvanquish → vanquished:completely defeated The team vanquished all competition.more Show sample from book Menelaus has just vanquished Alexandrus, and is to take my hateful self back with him.†19 more Show general definition to defeat completely
	40
forthwithimmediately The judge ordered her release "forthwith."more Show sample from book Seeing, then, that such a fearful portent had broken in upon our hecatombs, Calchas forthwith declared to us the oracles of heaven.†39 more Show general definition immediately -- (most typically seen in legal documents, formal use, or classic literature)
	7
beguilebeguile → beguiling:enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.more Show sample from book I have sent him into a sweet slumber, and Juno has beguiled him into going to bed with her.†6 more beguile → beguiled:deceived through charm or enchantment Show general definition to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive -- especially through charm
	7
envoyrepresentative sent on a mission The State Department's new envoy to North Korea has a good understanding of the region.more Show sample from book Ulysses once came here as envoy about yourself, and Menelaus with him.†6 more Show general definition a representative sent on a mission -- often representing a government
	7
portentportent → portents:signs She believes ominous dreams are often portents of significant events about to unfold in life.more Show sample from book Seeing, then, that such a fearful portent had broken in upon our hecatombs, Calchas forthwith declared to us the oracles of heaven.†6 more a sign of something about to happen Show general definition a sign of something about to happen
	5	top 1000
discordconflict There is too much discord in the team.more Show sample from book ...the Trojans held a council, angry and full of discord,4 more conflict or disagreement -- especially among those expected to cooperate Show general definition for discord (as in: discord amongst the group) conflict or disagreement -- especially among those expected to cooperate or (especially in the form discordant): seeming different or wrong in context
	3	top 500
satiatesatiate → satiated:satisfied The candy satiated my craving for sugar.more Show sample from book All things pall after a while—sleep, love, sweet song, and stately dance—still these are things of which a man would surely have his fill rather than of battle, whereas it is of battle that the Trojans are insatiate.†2 more satiate → insatiate:not possible to satisfy Show context notes The prefix "in-" in insatiate means not and reverses the meaning of satiate. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired--such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)