The Divine Comedy - Volume 2 (Purgatory) — Vocabulary
Dante Alighieri
translated by: C.E. Norton
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	22	top 1000
repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more Show sample from book —The negligent, who postponed repentance to the last hour—Belacqua.†21 more repent → repentance:to feel or express regret for having done wrong
	12	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book [6] This triform love is lamented down below†11 more lament → lamented:expressed grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	10	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book [2] The neglect of Italy by the Emperor Rudolph (see the preceding Canto) was not to be repaired by the vain efforts of Henry VII†9 more precede → preceding:prior (in time or space) Show general definition to go or do before
	10	top 1000
doctrineprinciple She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.more Show sample from book [7] This seems to be a doctrine peculiar to Dante†9 more a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some … Show general definition a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
	11	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 The dawn was vanquishing the matin hour which fled before it, so that from afar I discerned the trembling of the sea.†10 more discern → discerned:noticed something that is not obvious Show general definition to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
	8	top 500
deriveget She likes to win, but she doesn't derive pleasure from watching others lose.more Show sample from book This one who guides my eyes on high is that Virgil from whom thou didst derive the strength to sing of men and of the gods.†7 more Show general definition to get something from something else (If the context doesn't otherwise indicate where something came from, it is generally from reasoning--especially deductive reasoning.)
	11	top 2000
purgerid She thinks fasting once a month helps purge her body of impurities.more Show sample from book I have shown to him all the guilty people; and now I intend to show him those spirits that purge themselves under thy ward.†10 more get rid of Show general definition get rid of things thought undesirable The exact meaning of purge can depend upon its context. For example: "purge the government of our enemies" -- get rid of people for political reasons "purge my closet of everything I haven't worn in a year" -- get rid of undesired things "To purge yourself of crippling sorrow, you'll need to express it." -- get rid of unwanted feelings "I'm doing a 24-hour purge and then starting a new diet." -- emptying the intestinal tract
	7	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book O Lombard soul, how lofty and scornful wast thou; and in the movement of thine eyes grave and slow!†6 more scorn → scornful:full of strong disrespect or rejection Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	9	top 1000
adornadorn → adorned:decorated The women adorned themselves with shell necklaces.more Show sample from book The rays of the four holy stars so adorned his face with light, that I saw him, as if the sun had been in front.†8 more Show general definition to decorate -- especially a person
	7	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 Then that one turned to us and gave heed, moving his look only up along his thigh, and said, "Now go up thou, for thou art valiant."†6 more pay close attention to; or do what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	8	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book —Ascent to the Third Ledge: the Wrathful.†7 more wrath → wrathful:full of extreme anger Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	8	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book The wretched woman among all these seemed to be saying, "Lord, do vengeance for me for my son who is slain, whereat I am broken-hearted."†7 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.)
	6	top 1000
zealactive interest and enthusiasm She attacks each challenge with zeal.more Show sample from book Thus he said, marked in his aspect with the stamp of that upright zeal which in due measure glows in the heart.†5 more Show general definition active interest and enthusiasm
	7	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book —Prophecy of Bonagiunta concerning Gentucca, and of Forese concerning Corso de' Donati.†6 more Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	49
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 The Divine Comedy, Volume 2, Purgatory [Purgatorio] by Dante Aligheri Translated by Charles Eliot Norton PURGATORY CONTENTS CANTO I. Invocation to the Muses.†48 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
	18	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 Fifth Ledge: the Avaricious.†17 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."
	4	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book —Reproof of Dante by Beatrice.†3 more reprove → reproof:criticism Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	4	top 2000
salutationgreeting She began the letter with a formal salutation, addressing the recipient as "Dear Sir."more Show sample from book After the becoming and glad salutations had been repeated three and four times, Sordello drew back and said, "Ye, who are ye?"†3 more salutation → salutations:a greeting Show general definition a greeting -- such as "Hi", "Dear John:", or "Ladies and Gentlemen" or: the act of greeting
	3	top 2000
forbearancetolerance She won the children over with patience and forbearance.more Show sample from book —Examples of Forbearance seen in Vision.†2 more refraining (holding back) from acting OR patience, tolerance, or self-control Show general definition patient tolerance or self-control; or holding back from taking action or enforcing a right Show editor's word notes Today, the word, forbearance, is most commonly seen in the field of law to indicate that a legal right, claim or privilege is not being enforced.
	3	top 2000
penitentsorry for having done wrong When her anger passed, she was penitent.more Show sample from book [2] Three times, in penitence for sins in thought, in word, and in deed†2 more penitent → penitence:feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; OR a person who does such Show general definition feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such