Letter from a Birmingham Jail — Vocabulary
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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segregationkeeping people of different races separated Martin Luther King, Jr. helped to end institutionalized segregation in the United States.more Show sample from book I can urge them to disobey segregation ordinances, for they are morally wrong.19 more the act of keeping people separated because of their race Show general definition the act of keeping people or things separate -- especially people due to discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, or religion
	8	top 1000
oppressoppress → oppresses:treats harshly and unfairly The regime oppresses its people.more Show sample from book We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor;7 more oppress → oppressor:one who denies equal rights to others 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
	6	top 2000
consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more Show sample from book And John Bunyan: "I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience."†5 more feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner Show general definition feeling or judgment of morally right or wrong personal behavior
	3	top 200
complacentunworried and satisfied She had become complacent after years of success.more Show sample from book I have tried to stand between these two forces, saying that we need emulate neither the "do nothingism" of the complacent nor the hatred and despair of the black nationalist.2 more contented (satisfied and unconcerned) Show general definition contented (unworried and satisfied) -- often to a fault
	2	top 100
irrelevantnot relevant The sentence should be deleted because it introduces information that is irrelevant to the passage.more Show sample from book If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century.†1 more not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider) Show general definition not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
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condemnstrongly criticize We condemn racism wherever it is found.more Show sample from book In your statement you assert that our actions, even though peaceful, must be condemned because they precipitate violence.3 more condemn → condemned:strongly criticized Show general definition for condemn (as in: She condemned their plan) express strong criticism
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optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book Perhaps I was too optimistic; perhaps I expected too much.†1 more expecting the best; OR focusing on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	4	top 2000
postponepostpone → postponed:delayed until a later time Due to her illness, we postponed our vacation for a week.†more Show sample from book Like many others, we waited to see Mr. Connor defeated, and to this end we endured postponement after postponement.†3 more postpone → postponement:the act of delaying until a later time Show general definition delay until a later time
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compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book An unjust law is a code that a numerical or power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself.†2 more compel → compels:forces; or (more rarely) convinces Show general definition to force someone to do something or more rarely: to convince someone to do something Show editor's word notes Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.
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distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality.†1 more distort → distorts:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
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prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood.†1 more bias that prevents objective consideration Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
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democracya system of government in which citizens have power with equal votes The United States has a representative democracy.more Show sample from book Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transform our pending national elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood.†1 more
	2	top 1000
yearnstrongly desire or wish I yearn for her return.more Show sample from book I suppose I should have realized that few members of the oppressor race can understand the deep groans and passionate yearnings of the oppressed race, and still fewer have the vision to see that injustice must be rooted out by strong, persistent and determined action.†1 more yearn → yearnings:strong desires Show general definition have a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have
	6	top 2000
gospelgospel → gospels:books in the New Testament that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings The earliest surviving complete copy of the gospels dates back to the 4th century.more Show sample from book They will be the young high school and college students, the young ministers of the gospel and a host of their elders, courageously and nonviolently sitting in at lunch counters and willingly going to jail for conscience' sake.6 more the religious teachings of Jesus Show general definition for gospel (as in: gospel of the Bible) the religious teachings of Jesus or: one of the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings
	1
gospel#2an unquestionable truth I heard her story, but I don't take it as gospel.more Show sample from book I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town.6 more a set of beliefs firmly held by a group Show general definition for gospel (as in: they consider it gospel) a set of beliefs firmly held by a group or: an unquestionable truth
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advocateadvocate → advocates:publicly supports She advocates stricter gun control.more Show sample from book How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?4 more publicly support Show general definition for advocate (as in: to advocate) to recommend or publicly support (someone or something)
	6
commendpraise I commend you for a good job.more Show sample from book I commend the Catholic leaders of this state for integrating Spring Hill College several years ago.5 more praised Show general definition for commend (as in: I commend her work) praise or recommend
	3
status quoexisting state of affairs Despite the rhetoric, the new agreement largely maintains the status quo.more Show sample from book While Mr. Boutwell is a much more gentle person than Mr. Connor, they are both segregationists, dedicated to maintenance of the status quo.†2 more the existing situation (the way things are now or the way they typically are) Show general definition the existing situation (the way things are now or the way they typically are)
	3
ordinancelaw The city passed an ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.more Show sample from book But such an ordinance becomes unjust when it is used to maintain segregation and to deny citizens the First-Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and protest.†2 more a rule or law -- typically enacted by city government Show general definition for ordinance (as in: passed the ordinance) a rule or law -- typically enacted by city government
	1	top 500
emulateimitate (copy) It wasn't just that she copied her older sister's hairstyle. She tried to emulate her in every way.more Show sample from book I have tried to stand between these two forces, saying that we need emulate neither the "do nothingism" of the complacent nor the hatred and despair of the black nationalist.† imitate (copy or match) Show general definition imitate (copy or match)