The Divine Comedy - Volume 1 (The Inferno or Hell) — Vocabulary
Dante Alighieri
translated by: C.E. Norton
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by canto of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book Now the woeful notes begin to make themselves heard; now am I come where much lamentation smites me.†17 more lament → lamentation:passionate expression of grief or sorrow Show general definition to express grief or regret
	20	top 1000
frauddeception to get something illegally She was arrested for committing credit card fraud after using someone else’s account to buy expensive electronics.more Show sample from book —Seventh pit: Fraudulent Thieves.†19 more fraud → fraudulent:dishonest Show general definition the act of deceiving someone for personal gain; or a person or thing that is not what it pretends or appears to be
	16	top 1000
dismalterrible The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more Show sample from book Amid this cruel and most dismal store were running people naked and in terror, without hope of hole or heliotrope.†15 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)
	15	top 1000
abyssseemingly bottomless pit At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.more Show sample from book —The cord thrown into the abyss.†14 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
	13	top 1000
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. Show sample from book Two men are just, but there they are not heeded; Pride, Envy, Avarice are the three sparks that have inflamed their hearts.†12 more heed → heeded:paid close attention to; or did what was suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	15	top 2000
serpentsnake There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more Show sample from book Little serpents and cerastes they had for hair, wherewith their savage brows were bound.†14 more serpent → serpents:snakes Show general definition a snake
	13	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 Dark, profound it was, and cloudy, so that though I fixed my sight on the bottom I did not discern anything there.†12 more notice or understand something Show general definition to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
	8	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book Fame of them the world permitteth not to be; mercy and justice disdain them.†7 more a lack of respect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	7	top 100
correspondcorrespond → corresponds:is equivalent The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more Show sample from book [2] These three beasts correspond to the triple division of sins into those of incontinence, of violence, and of fraud†6 more connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched (Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
	12	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book The fall of man had made him a just object of the vengeance of God; but the elect were to be redeemed, and for their redemption the history of the world from the beginning was directed.†11 more the act of taking revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	7	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book And I, who was gazing, saw a banner, that whirling ran so swiftly that it seemed to me to scorn all repose, and behind it came so long a train of folk, that I could never have believed death had undone so many.†6 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	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 Hinder not his fated going; thus is it willed there where is power to do that which is willed; and ask thou no more.†8 more slowed down or caused problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
	6	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book This end was attained through that knowledge of God of which the soul was capable, and through love which was in proportion to knowledge.†5 more attain → attained:gained or reached something with effort Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	8	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book —Prophecies of misfortune to Dante.†7 more prophecy → prophecies:predictions of the future Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	7	top 2000
avariceexcessive desire for wealth We can try both to minimize greed and avarice and to channel them into directions beneficial to society.more Show sample from book The Fourth Circle: the Avaricious and the Prodigal.†6 more avarice → avaricious:having or showing excessive desire for wealth Show general definition excessive desire for wealth Show editor's word notes Like "greed", but implies greed specifically for money. The early Christian Church counted avarice as one of the "seven deadly sins."
	7
purgatorya state of temporary suffering while waiting The months between his surgery and the news that he was cancer-free were emotional purgatory for his whole family.more Show sample from book [1] [1] The boat that bears the souls to Purgatory†6 more a place or state of temporary suffering while waiting… Show general definition a place or state of temporary suffering while waiting or in Roman Catholic theology: the place where those who have died in a state of grace undergo limited suffering to pay for their sins
	5	top 1000
discordconflict There is too much discord in the team.more Show sample from book ...tell me the reason why such great discord has assailed it.4 more Show general definition for discord (as in: discord amongst the group) conflict or disagreement -- especially among those expected to cooperate or (especially in the form discordant): seeming different or wrong in context
	2	top 500
impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book Not otherwise it was than of a wind, impetuous through the opposing heats, that strikes the forest, and without any stay shatters the branches, beats down and carries them away; forward, laden with dust, it goes superb, and makes the wild beasts and the shepherds fly.†1 more impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence
	4
assailassail → assailed:attacked Critics assailed the author’s latest work, questioning its originality and depth.more Show sample from book I am made by God, thanks be to Him, such that your misery toucheth me not, nor doth the flame of this burning assail me.†3 more to attack or cause trouble Show general definition to attack or cause trouble
	4
infamyfamous for something bad Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live on in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.Franklin D. Rooseveltmore Show sample from book And on the edge of the broken chasm lay stretched out the infamy of Crete, that was conceived in the false cow.†3 more famous for something that is bad; OR an extremely bad event Show general definition famous for something that is bad; or an extremely bad event