The Epic of Gilgamesh — Vocabulary
Author Unknown
translated by: K. Sandars
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| Exemplary sample | Uses | ACT/SAT |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookmy friend who was very dear to me and endured dangers beside me, Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain)to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant) |
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| 2 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookEnkidu cried to Gilgamesh, "My friend, we boasted that we would leave enduring names behind us." Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages)to continue to exist |
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| 11 | top 500 | |
Show sample from bookGilgamesh lamented; seven days and seven nights he wept for Enkidu, Show general definitionto express grief or regret |
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| 10 | top 500 | |
Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair)hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation) |
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| 6 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookGilgamesh saw a well of cool water and he went down and bathed; but deep in the pool there was lying a serpent, and the serpent sensed the sweetness of the flower.†
Show general definitiona snake |
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| 5 | ||
Show sample from bookThe great winds he appointed: the north wind, the whirlwind, the storm and the icy wind, the tempest and the scorching wind.† Show general definitiona violent commotion or disturbance -- especially a violent storm or emotional outburstShow editor's word notesThe expression tempest in a teapot describes people as being upset over an unimportant matter. |
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| 5 | top 2000 | |
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rouse
A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more
Show sample from bookLet your courage be roused by the battle to come; forget death and follow me, a man resolute in action, but one who is not foolhardy.† Show general definitionto awaken, make more active, or excite |
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| 4 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookWhen he roars it is like the torrent of the storm, his breath is like fire, and his jaws are death itself.† Show general definitionan overwhelming amount -- especially of quickly moving water |
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| 2 | top 200 | |
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eminent
She studied under an eminent scientist who had won multiple international awards.more
Show sample from bookGilgamesh is the most glorious of heroes, Gilgamesh is most eminent among men. Show general definitionfamous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession |
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| 2 | top 200 | |
Show general definitiondisrespect or reject as not good enough |
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| 2 | top 500 | |
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perish
...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Show sample from bookHere in the city man dies oppressed at heart:, man perishes with despair in his heart.† Show general definitionto die -- especially in an unnatural wayor: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notesYou 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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| 3 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookGilgamesh shouted, "By the life of Ninsun my mother and divine Lugulbanda my father, ..." Show general definition for divine (as in: to forgive is divine)wonderful; or god-like or coming from God |
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| 3 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookHe dragged off his splendid robes and flung them down as though they were abominations.† Show general definitionexceptionally bad or intensely disliked |
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| 2 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookAnd Gilgamesh lamented, 'Now I will pray to the great gods, for my friend had an ominous dream.' Show general definitionthreatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come) |
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| 2 | top 1000 | |
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transgress
Her actions transgressed the boundaries of acceptable behavior.more
Show sample from bookLay upon the sinner his sin, Lay upon the transgressor his transgression, Punish him a little when he breaks loose, Do not drive him too hard or he perishes; Would that a lion had ravaged mankind Rather than the flood, Would that a wolf had ravaged mankind Rather than the flood, Would that famine had wasted the world Rather than the flood, Would that pestilence had wasted mankind Rather than the flood.† Show general definitionto violate a rule, promise, or social norm |
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| 2 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookFrom the day I go until I return, till I reach the cedar forest and destroy the evil which Shamash abhors, pray for me to Shamash. Show general definitionto hate or detest somethingShow editor's word notesSynonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):As compared to "hate", "despise", or "loathe", "abhor" is often chosen to indicate moral revulsion. |
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| 2 | ||
Show sample from bookGrant, I beseech, your protection, and let the omen be good.† Show general definitionto ask strongly or beg for somethingShow editor's word notesBeseech 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. |
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| 2 | ||
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meteor
Most meteors come from rocks that are about the size of a pebble.more
Show sample from bookI was full of joy, the young heroes were round me and I walked through the night under the stars of the firmament, and one, a meteor of the stuff of Anu, fell down from heaven.† Show general definitiona streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock (a meteoroid) burning up in Earth’s atmosphere |
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| 1 | top 2000 | |
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exult
I was filled with a both exultation and fear.more
Show sample from bookHe became merry, his heart exulted and his face shone.† Show general definitionfeel or express extreme happiness or elation |
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| 1 | ||
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incantation
She believes in the power of magical incantations.more
Show sample from bookIn the house of dust which I entered were high priests and acolytes, priests of the incantation and of ecstasy, there were servers of the temple, and there was Etana, that king of Kish whom the eagle carried to heaven in the days of old.† Show general definitionwords believed to have a magical effect when they are said aloud; or the saying of such words |
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