Ecclesiastes — Vocabulary
The Bible
King James Version
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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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
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3:16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.†3 more
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oppressoppress → oppresses:treats harshly and unfairly
The regime oppresses its people.more
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So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun...4 more
oppress → oppressions:harsh and unfair domination
Show general definition for oppress (as in: oppressive government) to dominate harshly and unfairly; or to make suffer
The meaning of oppress depends upon its context. For example:
  • "The authorities oppress political activists," or "The new nation oppressed Native Americans." -- to dominate harshly and unfairly
  • "She is oppressed by excessive debt." - made to suffer
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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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5:14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.†2 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.
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mirthfun and laughter
The room filled with mirth as the friends shared stories and laughed late into the night.more
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2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.†3 more
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abundantpresent in great quantity
Farmers in the region enjoy good soil, moderate temperatures, and an abundant supply of water.more
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5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.†1 more
abundant → abundance:large amount or quantity
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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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7:21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 7:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.†1 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
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neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
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9:16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.†
Show general definition despite that
Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2.  Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
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serpentsnake
There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more
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10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.†1 more
Show general definition a snake
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discernnotice or see (something that is not obvious)
The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.more
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8:5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.†
discern → discerneth:notices things that are not obvious
Show context notes Today, the suffix "-eth" is replaced by "-s", so that where they said "She discerneth" in older English, today we say "She discerns."
Show general definition to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
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grievousvery serious; or very bad
She suffered grievous bodily harm.more
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2:17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.†
Show general definition very serious; or very bad; or causing grief
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wrathextreme anger
She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more
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5:17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.†
Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
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mischievousplayfully causing minor trouble
The mischievous puppy kept stealing socks and hiding them under the couch.more
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10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.†
playfully causing minor trouble; OR  describing the smile of someone doing so
Show general definition playfully causing minor trouble; or describing the smile of someone doing so
Show editor's word notes Much less commonly, mischievous can reference real harm without any sense of fun. But in modern writing, that usage has largely shifted to other words like malicious, destructive, or damaging.
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refrainrefrain → refrained:held back
She wanted to argue, but refrained from speaking until she calmed down.more
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...a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; (3:5)
avoid or resist
Show general definition for refrain (as in: refrain from laughing) to stop oneself from doing something -- especially something tempting, impulsive, or inappropriate
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acquaintcause to know better
You should acquaint yourself with the new computer program.more
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2:3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.†
acquaint → acquainting:familiarizing with
Show general definition to cause to know; or to cause to be familiar with
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contendcontend → contending:competing
Militant groups are contending for control of the countrymore
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...neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. (16:10)
compete
Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended for the gold medal) to compete
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besiegebesiege → besieged:surrounded with armed forces, cut-off from supplies, and attacked
The Turks besieged Viennamore
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9:13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 9:14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 9:15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.†
besiege → besieged:surrounded and cut-off supplies; or overwhelmed
Show general definition to surround a place with armed forces and cut off supplies or attack; or more generally, to overwhelm someone with many requests, complaints, or attention, as if surrounding them and not letting up
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goadgoad → goaded:provoked (angered or annoyed)
She goaded him into an argument.more
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12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.†
goad → goads:provokes or prods
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
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deferdelay
The weather forced us to defer our departure another day.more
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When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it... (5:4)
Show general definition for defer (as in: deferred the decision) delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
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prosperprosper → prospering:doing well
She is prospering at school.more
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11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.†
do well
Show general definition to do well or to grow stronger
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iniquityimmorality
That was when I realized I had to climb up from the depths of iniquity.more
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3:16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.†
immorality; OR  an immoral act
Show general definition immorality; or an immoral act