Oedipus the King — Vocabulary
Sophocles
translated by: Storr
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book CREON Banishment, or the shedding blood for blood.†8 more banish → banishment:to expel or get rid of Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	6	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 If in the days of old when we nigh had perished, ye drave From our land the fiery plague, be near us now and defend us!†5 more perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist 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.
	6	top 2000
abhorabhor → abhors:hates She abhors violence.more Show sample from book Thee too I call with golden-snooded hair, Whose name our land doth bear, Bacchus to whom thy Maenads Evoe shout; Come with thy bright torch, rout, Blithe god whom we adore, The god whom gods abhor.†5 more hate or detest Show general definition to hate or detest something Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): As compared to "hate", "despise", or "loathe", "abhor" is often chosen to indicate moral revulsion.
	5	top 1000
zealactive interest and enthusiasm She attacks each challenge with zeal.more Show sample from book My zeal in your behalf ye cannot doubt; Ruthless indeed were I and obdurate If such petitioners as you I spurned.†4 more Show general definition active interest and enthusiasm
	6	top 2000
deemedbelieved or judged The producer deemed her too old to play the role.more Show sample from book Wherefore he fled from what he deemed his father's house and in his flight he encountered and unwillingly slew his father Laius.†5 more Show general definition believed or judged
	5	top 2000
goadgoad → goaded:provoked (angered or annoyed) She goaded him into an argument.more Show sample from book TEIRESIAS Thou, goading me against my will to speak.†4 more goad → goading:provoking or prodding Show general definition to provoke or annoy someone into doing something—often something unwise or: to prod an animal to move, or the stick used to do so
	5	top 2000
grievousvery serious; or very bad She suffered grievous bodily harm.more Show sample from book Children were born to them and Thebes prospered under his rule, but again a grievous plague fell upon the city.†4 more Show general definition very serious; or very bad; or causing grief
	3	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book What means this reek of incense everywhere, And everywhere laments and litanies?†2 more lament → laments:expresses grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	5	top 2000
avengetake revenge for In the story, she wants to avenge the murder of her brother.more Show sample from book CREON So 'twas surmised, but none was found to avenge His murder mid the trouble that ensued.†4 more Show general definition take revenge for a perceived wrong
	4	top 2000
defiledefile → defiled:polluted They defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it.more Show sample from book For this is our defilement, so the god Hath lately shown to me by oracles.†3 more defile → defilement:the act of spoiling the beauty or purity of something Show general definition to spoil the beauty or purity of something in various senses, including: pollute a pristine lake harm a reputation or good name damage or disrespect something sacred take a person's virginity in a disrespectful way
	4	top 2000
insolentrudely disrespectful Even though the officer remained calm, the driver continued to be insolent and uncooperative.more Show sample from book OEDIPUS And who could stay his choler when he heard How insolently thou dost flout the State?†3 more insolent → insolently:with rude disrespect Show general definition rudely disrespectful -- especially toward someone in authority
	4	top 2000
surmisesurmise → surmised:formed an opinion The detective surmised that the suspect had left the country.more Show sample from book CREON So 'twas surmised, but none was found to avenge His murder mid the trouble that ensued.†3 more surmise → surmised:to guess something is true or form an opinion based on incomplete evidence Show general definition to guess something is true or form an opinion based on incomplete evidence
	3	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 O Zeus, reveal thy might, King, if thou'rt named aright Omnipotent, all-seeing, as of old; For Laius is forgot; His weird, men heed it not; Apollo is forsook and faith grows cold.†2 more pay close attention to; or do what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	5
exeuntstage direction: characters exit from stage Exeunt all except Hamlet.more Show sample from book [Exeunt OEDIPUS and CREON] PRIEST Come, children, let us hence; these gracious words Forestall the very purpose of our suit†4 more stage direction: characters exit from stage Show general definition stage direction: characters exit from stage
	2	top 2000
spurnspurn → spurned:rejected She spurned his advances.more Show sample from book My zeal in your behalf ye cannot doubt; Ruthless indeed were I and obdurate If such petitioners as you I spurned.†1 more spurn → spurned:rejected as not good enough Show general definition reject as not good enough
	2
infamyfamous for something bad Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live on in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.Franklin D. Rooseveltmore Show sample from book TEIRESIAS I say thou livest with thy nearest kin In infamy, unwitting in thy shame.†1 more famous for something that is bad; OR an extremely bad event Show general definition famous for something that is bad; or an extremely bad event
	2
felonsomeone convicted of a serious crime Each state determines how long a felon is denied the right to vote.more Show sample from book Thus branded as a felon by myself, How had I dared to look you in the face?†1 more someone legally convicted of a felony (serious crime) Show general definition someone legally convicted of a felony (serious crime)
	2
recompensecompensation for loss As recompense for the damage caused by the storm, the insurance company paid the family a large sum of money.more Show sample from book But if an alien from a foreign land Be known to any as the murderer, Let him who knows speak out, and he shall have Due recompense from me and thanks to boot.†1 more compensate for a loss; or pay a reward Show general definition compensation for loss; or payment or reward Show editor's word notes Recompense is seldom used in modern literature.
	4
consortconsort → consorts:associates with She consorts with criminals.more Show sample from book And as thy consort queen she shares the throne?4 more royal spouse Show general definition for consort (as in: consort together) associate with (spend time with) -- often spending leisure time with people considered undesirable; or one of the people with whom time is spent
	1
consort#2the spouse of a reigning monarch Most queens in history were queens consort.more Show sample from book Good for thy consort and the royal house.4 more royal spouse Show general definition for consort (as in: consort to the queen) a husband, wife, or sexual companion -- especially of a reigning monarch