Bless Me, Ultima — Vocabulary
Rudolfo Anaya
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 2000
agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book The agony of pain was more than I could bear.7 more intense feelings of suffering Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
	7	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book We will have our vengeance on you, their voices crackled.6 more 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 2000
forsakeabandon or give up The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.more Show sample from book A painful wrenching in my heart made me cry aloud, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!"5 more forsake → forsaken:abandoned Show general definition to abandon or give up on -- such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
	6	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book Narciso retorted, "and if you seek to do evil to la Grande I will cut your heart out!"5 more retort → retorted:replied quickly Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	5	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book "He does not go to visit," Ultima said solemnly.4 more solemn → solemnly:with seriousness Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	5	top 1000
yearnstrongly desire or wish I yearn for her return.more Show sample from book I yearned for my mother, and at the same time I understood that she had sent me to this place where I was an outcast.†4 more yearn → yearned:strongly desired Show general definition have a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have
	4	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 You are a fool if you do not heed my words.3 more do what is suggested by Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	4	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book One thing that helped to break the monotony of being locked in by the storm was the arrival of Leon and Eugene.3 more monotonous → monotony:lack of variety Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	2	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless we had to kneel for one more prayer.†1 more Show general definition despite that Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	5	top 2000
avengetake revenge for In the story, she wants to avenge the murder of her brother.more Show sample from book This very night I will avenge the death of my two daughters!4 more Show general definition take revenge for a perceived wrong
	5	top 2000
baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book The rest of us were born steeped in sin, the sin of our fathers that Baptism and Confirmation began to wash away.†4 more a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth… Show general definition a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth or: a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all. Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
	3	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book Tellez threw up his arms in exasperation,2 more exasperated → exasperation:great annoyance
	3	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book His voice was harsh and ominous.2 more suggestive of bad things to come Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	4	top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book ...he had tried in every way to keep Jason from the Indian. But Jason persisted.3 more Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
	13
penancean act seeking forgiveness In some traditions, saying a prayer or performing a good deed can serve as penance for a sin.more Show sample from book I shouted, "there will be no punishment, there will be no penance!"12 more self-punishment or other atonement (action to make up for wrong-doing) Show general definition an act that shows sorrow for wrongdoing -- such as expressing regret, asking for forgiveness, or trying to make up for the harm done
	5	top 2000
blasphemydisrespect of something considered sacred The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.more Show sample from book ...his voice thundered, and we fell back in horror at the blasphemy he uttered.4 more something said that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion Show general definition something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion
	2	top 500
replenishreplace what was used up The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.more Show sample from book Without the waters of the moon to replenish the oceans there would be no oceans.†1 more replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition Show general definition replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition
	4
pagannon-mainstream religious The ancient village had pagan rituals that worshipped the sun and the changing seasons.more Show sample from book I knew I had witnessed a miraculous thing, the appearance of a pagan god, a thing as miraculous as the curing of my uncle Lucas.†3 more an offensive term for a person who follows a non-mainstream religion Show general definition an offensive term for a person who follows a non-mainstream religion
	4
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 In front of the dark doors of Purgatory my bleached bones were laid to rest.†3 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
	2	top 1000
tumultconfusion or disorder There was tumult in Tijuana as drug cartels fought for control.more Show sample from book A great cry went up from the people as they saw crashing, tumultuous waters fill the dark hole.1 more tumult → tumultuous:turbulent (confused or disordered)