The Minister's Black Veil — Vocabulary
Nathanial Hawthorne
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
5 top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
Show sample from book
Each member of the congregation...4 more
Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
7 top 2000
mortalhuman
Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.more
Show sample from book
I, perhaps, like most other mortals, have sorrows dark enough to be typified by a black veil.6 more
mortal → mortals:humans (especially merely humans)
Show general definition for mortal (as in: mortal body) human (especially merely human); or subject to death
4 top 1000
melancholyvery sad
She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more
Show sample from book
Though reckoned a melancholy man, Mr. Hooper had a placid cheerfulness for such occasions,3 more
sad
Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
2 top 100
directstraightforward
I left them with direct instructions.more
Show sample from book
From that time no attempts were made to remove Mr. Hooper's black veil, or, by a direct appeal, to discover the secret which it was supposed to hide.†1 more
clear
Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
3 top 1000
dismalterrible
The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more
Show sample from book
This dismal shade must separate me from the world:2 more
depressing
Show general definition of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
2 top 1000
pioushighly religious
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.more
Show sample from book
There were the deacons, and other eminently pious members of his church.1 more
highly religious and moral
Show general definition for pious (as in: a good, pious woman) religious or highly moral
3 top 2000
affirmstate strongly (that something is true)
I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that these statements are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.more
Show sample from book
...one or two affirmed that there was no mystery at all,2 more
affirm → affirmed:agreed
Show general definition for affirm (as in: I affirm the statement) to firmly state that something is true
2 top 1000
eccentricodd or unusual
Her eccentric outfits always turned heads at school.more
Show sample from book
...it was reckoned merely an eccentric whim,1 more
unconventional or strange
Show general definition unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits -- often in a way that seems interesting or harmless
2 top 1000
bewilderconfuse
Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more
Show sample from book
Strange and bewildered looks repaid him for his courtesy.†1 more
bewilder → bewildered:confused
Show general definition to confuse someone
2 top 2000
countenancefacial expression; or face
She has a pleasant countenance.more
Show sample from book
...the veil lay heavily on his uplifted countenance.1 more
face
Show general definition for countenance (as in: a pleasant countenance) facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
2 top 2000
decorumproper manners and conduct
All decorum was lost in the classroom.more
Show sample from book
But there was the decorously grave, though unmoved physician, seeking only to...1 more
decorum → decorously:with manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
Show general definition manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
1 top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more
Show sample from book
A rumor of some unaccountable phenomenon had preceded Mr. Hooper into the meeting-house, and set all the congregation astir.†
precede → preceded:went or was before
Show general definition to go or do before
1 top 100
sufficientadequate (enough)
We have sufficient supplies.more
Show sample from book
The cause of so much amazement may appear sufficiently slight.†
sufficient → sufficiently:adequately (in a manner that provides enough -- often without being more than is needed)
Show general definition adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed)
1 top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest
It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more
Show sample from book
A rumor of some unaccountable phenomenon had preceded Mr. Hooper into the meeting-house, and set all the congregation astir.†
something that exists or happened -- often of special interest
Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
3 top 500
venerablerespected
They looked to the venerable old woman for advice.more
Show sample from book
I pray you, my venerable brother, let not this thing be!2 more
Show general definition respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position
4 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
So sensible were the audience of some unwonted attribute in their minister, that they longed for a breath of wind to blow aside the veil, almost believing that a stranger's visage would be discovered, though the form, gesture, and voice were those of Mr. Hooper.†3 more
someone's face or facial expression
Show general definition someone's face or facial expression
3
intimationsubtle hint
The CEO’s intimation that the company might be facing financial difficulties caused panic among the shareholders.more
Show sample from book
A few shook their sagacious heads, intimating that they could penetrate the mystery; while one or two affirmed that there was no mystery at all, but only that Mr. Hooper's eyes were so weakened by the midnight lamp, as to require a shade.†2 more
intimation → intimating:hinting or suggesting
Show general definition a subtle hint or something indicated indirectly
2
semblanceoutward appearance
Embarrassed as she was, she tried to maintain some semblance of dignity.more
Show sample from book
All within hearing immediately turned about, and beheld the semblance of Mr. Hooper, pacing slowly his meditative way towards the meetinghouse.†1 more
the outward appearance of something
Show general definition the outward appearance of something -- especially when the reality is different or incomplete
1 top 500
mitigatemitigate → mitigating:serving to make less harmful or unpleasant
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.more
Show sample from book
But there was the decorously grave, though unmoved physician, seeking only to mitigate the last pangs of the patient whom he could not save.†
make less harmful or unpleasant
Show general definition make less harmful or unpleasant
1 top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized
They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more
Show sample from book
even the mildest censure would lead him to...
criticism
Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate