The Constitution of the United States — Vocabulary
United States 'Founding Fathers'
with Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	24	top 2000
legislatureelected body that makes laws The state legislature passed a law to increase the minimum wage, but the governor vetoed it while claiming it would reduce the number of entry-level jobs for young people.more Show sample from book The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.†23 more a group, made up of government representatives, that has the power to create laws Show general definition a group made up of government representatives (usually elected) that has the power to create laws
	10	top 2000
respectiverelating separately to the people or things just mentioned Our salespeople are paid in accordance with their respective sales.more Show sample from book The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves.†9 more Show general definition relating separately to the people or things just mentioned
	7	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.†6 more an act of betrayal Show general definition betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country (in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
	5	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.†4 more recommend or require what should be done OR (of a medical doctor) give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	3	top 200
controversydisagreement The film benefited from the controversy.more Show sample from book Amendment VII In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.†2 more Show general definition disagreement -- especially regarding a public issue that arouses strong feelings
	3	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.†2 more attain → attained:gained or reached something with effort Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	5	top 2000
inhabitantinhabitant → inhabitants:people (who live in a particular place) What will traffic be like if the city has twice as many inhabitants?more Show sample from book The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves.†4 more a person (who lives in a particular place) Show general definition a person who lives in a particular place
	4	top 2000
inferiorof lower quality Nazis believed other races were inferior.more Show sample from book The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.†3 more (adjective) of low quality, or of lower quality or rank than something else OR (more rarely as a noun) a person of lower rank or status Show general definition of low quality, or of lower quality or rank than something else -- sometimes used as a noun to refer to a person of lower rank or status
	3	top 1000
deprivedeprive → deprived:left without a basic comfort The storm deprived the town of electricity.more Show sample from book and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.†2 more deprive → deprived:lacking things most people enjoy Show general definition to take away or keep from having
	3	top 2000
obligationduty Although she had no legal obligation, she wanted to help him.more Show sample from book No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.†2 more a duty Show general definition a duty
	2	top 1000
immunenot in danger (from something) People are immune if they've had the virus previously or been vaccinated.more Show sample from book The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.†1 more immune → immunities:not in danger of being affected by something Show general definition not in danger of being affected by something -- especially a disease or: relating to disease resistance
	1	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.† revise → revision:a change; or a changed version Show general definition to change (and hopefully improve) -- most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
	2	top 1000
compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.†1 more force; or (more rarely) convince 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.
	30
ratifyratify → ratifies:approves The President already signed the treaty, but it won't take effect unless the Senate ratifies it.more Show sample from book The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.†29 more ratify → ratifying:approving Show general definition to approve -- typically the formal approval of an agreement by an organization
	8	top 100
appropriatesuitable (fitting) for a particular situation These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more Show sample from book Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.8 more suitable
	1	top 200
appropriate#2appropriate → appropriated:set aside for a particular use The money has been appropriated, but it hasn't yet been spent.more Show sample from book No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.8 more appropriate → appropriations:budget Show general definition for appropriate (as in: Congress will appropriate funds) to set aside for a particular use
	7
abridgeabridge → abridged:shortened The first commercially available audiobook was a 1981 abridged version of the Doctor Who story, State of Decay.more Show sample from book The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.†6 more abridge → abridged:shortened; or reduced in scope while retaining essential elements Show general definition reduce in scope while retaining essential elements -- especially to a book
	5	top 1000
enumerateenumerate → enumerated:listed one after another She enumerated the many obstacles she had encounteredmore Show sample from book No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.†4 more enumerate → enumeration:to name or list things one-by-one Show general definition to name or list things one-by-one
	3	top 1000
concuragree We concur on the action to be taken; though we disagree on the reasons.more Show sample from book All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.†2 more Show general definition for concur (as in: I concur) to agree
	4	top 2000
construeinterpret The executive branch does not construe the provision as requiring it to share additional information with Congress.more Show sample from book Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.†3 more construe → construed:understood something to have a specific meaning Show general definition to interpret (understand) something as have a specific meaning