The Birthmark — Vocabulary
Nathanial Hawthorne
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profound
She shared a profound way of thinking about the problem.more
Show sample from bookYet, had Alymer reached a profounder wisdom, he need not thus have flung away the happiness which... |
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profound#2
Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more
Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness)of greatest intensity or emotional depth |
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Show sample from book"It is resolved, then," said Georgiana, faintly smiling.
Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.)to decide -- typically a firm or formal decisionShow editor's word notesIn modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine. |
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resolve#2
She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.more
Show sample from bookHe had fancied himself with his servant Aminadab, attempting an operation for the removal of the birthmark; but the deeper went the knife, the deeper sank the hand, until at length its tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana's heart; whence, however, her husband was inexorably resolved to cut or wrench it away. Show general definition for resolve (as in: Her resolve weakened.)firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something) |
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Show sample from bookIt was a sensation in the fatal birthmark, not painful, but which induced a restlessness throughout her system.
Show general definition for induce (as in: induce symptoms)to cause something to arise or happen |
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Show sample from book"I submit," replied she calmly. "And, Aylmer, I shall quaff whatever draught you bring me; but it will be on the same principle that would induce me to take a dose of poison if offered by your hand." Show general definition for induce (as in: induce her to)to successfully persuade somebody to do something |
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Show sample from bookWere I stronger, it might be endured hopefully.
Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain)to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant) |
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Show sample from bookHe then took his leave with a boyish exuberance of gayety, assuring her that her seclusion would endure but a little longer,
Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages)to continue to exist |
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Show sample from book...whether the liquid which it was distilling should be the draught of immortal happiness or misery. Show general definitionliving or existing foreveror: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god |
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Show sample from bookThe fatal hand had grappled with the mystery of life, and was the bond by which an angelic spirit kept itself in union with a mortal frame. Show general definition for mortal (as in: mortal body)human (especially merely human); or subject to death |
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Show sample from booka philosopher who should go deep enough to acquire the power would attain too lofty a wisdom to stoop to the exercise of it. Show general definitionobtain (come into the possession of something) |
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Show sample from book...he with a smile, though his countenance was uneasy and displeased. Show general definition for countenance (as in: a pleasant countenance)facial expression; or face; or composure or manner |
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Show sample from book"Oh, no," hastily replied her husband; "this is merely superficial." Show general definitionrelating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking) |
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minute
Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.more
Show sample from bookGeorgiana assented; but, on looking at the result, was affrighted to find the features of the portrait blurred and indefinable; while the minute figure of a hand appeared where the cheek should have been. Show general definition for minute (as in: minute size)small, exceptionally small, or insignificant |
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Show sample from bookIn his interviews with Georgiana, Aylmer generally made minute inquiries as to her sensations and whether the confinement of the rooms and the temperature of the atmosphere agreed with her. Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description)detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care) |
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Show sample from bookHe was pale as death, anxious and absorbed, and hung over the furnace as if it depended upon his utmost watchfulness whether the liquid which it was distilling should be the draught of immortal happiness or misery. Show general definition for distill (as in: distill the whisky)to make a more pure or concentrated liquid by boiling it and condensing its vapors (as is done when making whisky or some petroleum products) |
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perceptible
The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.more
Show sample from bookA faint smile flitted over her lips when she recognized how barely perceptible was now that crimson hand which had once blazed forth with such disastrous brilliancy as to scare away all their happiness.†
Show general definitioncapable of being noticed -- typically because it is different enough or large enough |
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materialistic
She thinks Americans are too materialistic.more
Show sample from bookHe handled physical details as if there were nothing beyond them; yet spiritualized them all, and redeemed himself from materialism by his strong and eager aspiration towards the infinite.† Show general definitionoverly concerned with wealth and possessions at the expense of other interests |
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proficiency
After months of practice, her proficiency in Spanish let her hold real conversations.more
Show sample from bookTHE BIRTHMARK In the latter part of the last century there lived a man of science, an eminent proficient in every branch of natural philosophy, who not long before our story opens had made experience of a spiritual affinity more attractive than any chemical one.† Show general definitionskillfulness in something |
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Show sample from bookSome fastidious persons ... affirmed that the bloody hand, as they chose to call it, quite destroyed the effect of Georgiana's beauty, and rendered her countenance even hideous. Show general definitiongiving careful attention to detailor: excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste |
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