The Prophet — Vocabulary
Kahlil Gibran
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
6 top 500
ceasestop
According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more
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And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?5 more
stop or discontinue
Show general definition to stop or discontinue
5 top 500
dwelldwell → dwells:lives in
The creature dwells in the forest.more
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...why dwell you among the summits where eagles build their nests?4 more
live (make your home)
Show general definition for dwell (as in: It dwells in the forest.) make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
2 top 100
yieldgive in
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more
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And When his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.†1 more
give in, give way, or give up
Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
3 top 500
abundantpresent in great quantity
Farmers in the region enjoy good soil, moderate temperatures, and an abundant supply of water.more
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It is in exchanging the gifts of the earth that you shall find abundance and be satisfied.2 more
abundant → abundance:a large quantity (of good things)
2 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
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And we will give it unto our children, and they unto their children, and it shall not perish.†1 more
die, be destroyed, or cease 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.
4 top 2000
deemedjudged
The producer deemed her too old to play the role.more
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But you who are strong and swift, see that you do not limp before the lame, deeming it kindness.3 more
deemed → deeming:believing
Show general definition believed or judged
4 top 2000
quiverquiver → quivered:shook or trembled slightly
The puppy's lower lip quivered when it heard the thunder.more
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And thus they too find a treasure though they dig for roots with quivering hands.†3 more
quiver → quivering:to shake or tremble slightly
Show general definition to shake or tremble slightly
3 top 1000
remorseregret for doing something wrong
There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more
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And how shall you punish those whose remorse is already greater than their misdeeds?2 more
regret for doing something that was wrong
Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice):

Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
3 top 1000
infiniteunlimited
There are infinite possibilities.more
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And the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.2 more
unlimited (immeasurable)
Show general definition unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
2 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.
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It is a flame spirit in you ever gathering more of itself, While you, heedless of its expansion, bewail the withering of your days.1 more
heed → heedless:ignorant (not paying attention to)
Show context notes The suffix "-less" in heedless means without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearless, homeless, and endless.
Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
2 top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully
While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more
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when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and meadows1 more
serene → serenity:untroubled calm
Show general definition calm and untroubled
2 top 1000
deceivemislead
The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more
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And how prosecute you him who in action is a deceiver and an oppressor, Yet who also is aggrieved and outraged?†1 more
deceive → deceiver:someone who lies or misleads
Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
3 top 2000
righteousrighteous → righteousness:moral correctness
The extremism is fed by unquestioned belief in the righteousness of their cause.more
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The righteous is not innocent of the deeds of the wicked,2 more
someone behaving in a morally correct manner
Show general definition for righteous (as in: a righteous cause) morally correct; or morally justified

or:

acting or feeling morally superior -- especially when it isn't true (this meaning is more typically seen as a compound word "self-righteous")
1 top 100
sufficientadequate (enough)
We have sufficient supplies.more
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Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love.†
adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed)
Show general definition adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed)
1 top 100
omitomit → omitted:left out
She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more
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Who knows but that which seems omitted to day, waits for to-morrow?†
omit → omitted:to exclude or neglect something
Show general definition to exclude or neglect something
1 top 1000
discordconflict
There is too much discord in the team.more
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...turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody.
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
1 top 1000
dispeldrive away
She tried to dispel the tension in the room with a lighthearted joke.more
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And if it is a fear you would dispel, the seat of that fear is in your heart and not in the hand of the feared.†
to drive away or put an end to something -- especially a feeling, idea, or doubt
Show general definition to drive away or put an end to something -- especially a feeling, idea, or doubt
1 top 2000
defiledefile → defiled:polluted
They defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it.more
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Like the ocean is your god-self; It remains for ever undefiled.†
defile → undefiled:unspoiled (beautiful or pure)
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in undefiled means not and reverses the meaning of defiled. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
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
1 top 2000
prostratelying face downward on the ground
It is their custom to worship five times a day, prostrate and facing toward Mecca.more
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And he answered: At the city gate and by your fireside I have seen you prostrate yourself and worship your own freedom, Even as slaves humble themselves before a tyrant and praise him though he slays them.†
lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission
Show general definition lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission
1 top 2000
abolishabolish → abolishing:eliminating (doing away with)
She is in favor of abolishing the death penalty.more
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If it is an unjust law you would abolish, that law was written with your own hand upon your own forehead.†
eliminate
Show general definition eliminate (end, or do away with)