Dante's Inferno — Vocabulary
Dante Alighieri
translated by H.F. Cary
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book what doth aggrieve them thus, That they lament so loud?10 more express grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	11	top 500
dwelldwell → dwells:lives in The creature dwells in the forest.more Show sample from book I come To take you to the other shore across, Into eternal darkness, there to dwell In fierce heat and in ice.10 more live or make one's home (in a geographic place) 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)
	14	top 2000
chasma large, deep, and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.more Show sample from book On our right hand new misery I saw, New pains, new executioners of wrath, That swarming peopled the first chasm.13 more a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface Show general definition a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap or: a very large difference -- often of opinion
	11	top 1000
dismalterrible The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more Show sample from book Into a lake, the Stygian nam'd, expands The dismal stream, when it hath reach'd the foot Of the grey wither'd cliffs.†10 more depressing or gloomy Show general definition of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
	9	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Fame of them the world hath none, Nor suffers; mercy and justice scorn them both.†8 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	12	top 2000
visageface The visage of the old woman was weathered and wrinkled, but her eyes sparkled with a youthful energy.more Show sample from book Noting the visages of some, who lay Beneath the pelting of that dolorous fire, One of them all I knew not; but perceiv'd, That pendent from his neck each bore a pouch With colours and with emblems various mark'd, On which it seem'd as if their eye did feed.†11 more visage → visages:someone's face or facial expression Show general definition someone's face or facial expression
	13	top 2000
serpentsnake There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more Show sample from book As frogs Before their foe the serpent, through the wave Ply swiftly all, till at the ground each one Lies on a heap; more than a thousand spirits Destroy'd, so saw I fleeing before one Who pass'd with unwet feet the Stygian sound.†12 more Show general definition a snake
	9	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book I follow'd; and small space Had we pass'd onward, when the water's sound Was now so near at hand, that we had scarce Heard one another's speech for the loud din.†8 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	11	top 1000
abyssseemingly bottomless pit At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.more Show sample from book For certain on the brink I found me of the lamentable vale, The dread abyss, that joins a thund'rous sound Of plaints innumerable.†10 more a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit Show general definition a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
	12	top 2000
deemedbelieved or judged The producer deemed her too old to play the role.more Show sample from book Myself I deem not worthy, and none else Will deem me.†11 more deemed → deem:believe or judge
	10	top 1000
discernnotice or see (something that is not obvious) The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.more Show sample from book That ignoble life, Which made them vile before, now makes them dark, And to all knowledge indiscernible.†9 more discern → indiscernible:impossible or difficult to notice or understand Show context notes The prefix "in-" in indiscernible means not and reverses the meaning of discernible. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
	10	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book O foolish wrath!†9 more Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	11	top 2000
talontalon → talons:sharp hooked claws Bald eagle talons can measure as long as two inches.more Show sample from book of thee this also would I learn; This fortune, that thou speak'st of, what it is, Whose talons grasp the blessings of the world?†10 more Show general definition a sharp hooked claw -- especially on a bird of prey
	9	top 2000
hinderhinder → hindered:delayed or made difficult Her efforts to turn the department around were further hindered by budgetary cuts.more Show sample from book My weary frame After short pause recomforted, again I journey'd on over that lonely steep, The hinder foot still firmer.†8 more slowed down or caused problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
	18
forthwithimmediately The judge ordered her release "forthwith."more Show sample from book Forthwith I understood for certain...17 more Show general definition immediately -- (most typically seen in legal documents, formal use, or classic literature)
	15
bardsomeone who composes poems about important events and people Shakespeare is sometimes called the Bard of Avon.more Show sample from book This is that Homer, of all bards supreme: Flaccus the next in satire's vein excelling; The third is Naso; Lucan is the last.†14 more bard → bards:someone who composes and recites or sings poems about important events and peopl… Show general definition for bard (as in: written by the bard) someone who composes and recites or sings poems about important events and people; or (as a proper noun) Shakespeare Show editor's word notes Shakespeare is sometimes called the Bard of Avon or just the Bard.
	9
assailassail → assailed:attacked Critics assailed the author’s latest work, questioning its originality and depth.more Show sample from book That any suff'rance of your misery Touches me not, nor flame of that fierce fire Assails me.†8 more assail → assails:to attack or cause trouble Show general definition to attack or cause trouble
	4	top 1000
adversedifficult She did an impressive job given the adverse circumstances.more Show sample from book The Power Adverse to these shall then in glory come, Each one forthwith to his sad tomb repair, Resume his fleshly vesture and his form, And hear the eternal doom re-echoing rend The vault.†3 more working against one's interests Show general definition working against one's interests
	4
parleydiscussion or negotiation The rival leaders agreed to a brief parley to negotiate a ceasefire.more Show sample from book Till thou returnest, I with him meantime Will parley, that to us he may vouchsafe The aid of his strong shoulders.†3 more a negotiation or discussion -- especially between enemies Show general definition a negotiation or discussion -- especially between enemies
	3
ireanger Her unjust accusation sparked his ire, and he responded with a sharp retort.more Show sample from book With ireful gestures, "Who is this," They cried, "that without death first felt, goes through The regions of the dead?"†2 more