Angela's Ashes — Vocabulary
Frank McCourt
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
24 top 2000
martyrmartyr → martyrdom:someone who dies upholding religious principles
Many believe that all the Apostles were martyred except John; however, the Bible reports only on the martyrdom of James.more
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He says that, perhaps, in this class there is a future priest or a martyr for the Faith,23 more
someone who suffers for the sake of principle -- especially someone killed for refusing to renounce their religion
Show general definition someone who is killed or made to suffer greatly for their beliefs, often unjustly; or someone who acts as if they suffer a lot; or to make someone into such a person
20
docketofficial schedule (of cases)
The judge reviewed the court docket to see which cases were scheduled for the day.more
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The man in the middle says he's giving Mam a docket to get a week's groceries at McGrath's shop on Parnell Street.†19 more
a list of things
Show general definition a list of things -- especially cases to be tried in court or items to discuss in a meeting

or less commonly: to add something to such a list
19 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.
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Not until late December did they take Male to St. Paul's Church to be baptized18 more
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.
12 top 1000
afflictafflict → afflicted:made to suffer
The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more
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I ask Dad what afflicted means and he says, "Sickness, son, and things that don't fit."11 more
afflict → afflicted:suffering; or made to suffer
Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
10 top 2000
patronpatron → patrons:customers
The café was filled with patrons enjoying coffee and studying for exams.more
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Angela wanted to give him a middle name, Munchin, after the patron saint of Limerick but Malachy said over his dead body.†9 more
patron → patron saint:saint who supports or looks after
Show general definition for patron (as in: a patron of the arts) a regular customer; or someone who gives money or support to an organization, cause, or person
9
ruerue → rue the day:regret
You'll rue the day you betrayed me.more
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I said come down this minute for if I have to climb these stairs I'll warm your behind and you'll rue the day.†8 more
rue → rue the day:feel sadness and regret (about the day something happened)
Show general definition to feel sadness and regret
8 top 2000
begrudgeresent (feel bitter about)
I don't begrudge her making a profit, but this is unreasonable.more
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A man on the dole goes home after a day with the bookie or the newspaper and his wife will not begrudge him a few minutes with the ease and peace of his cigarette and his tea and time to sit in his chair and think of the world.†7 more
resent; or give unwillingly
Show general definition to resent (feel bitterness--usually over unfairness); or to give unwillingly
8
dementedinsane (crazy)
Some demented killer has declared open season on people in nice cars.more
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they carted him off to the City Home, where they keep old people who are helpless or demented.7 more
not of sound mind (insane)
Show general definition for demented (as in: demented lyrics) acting crazy

or:

suffering from cognitive dementia (mental deterioration)
6
penancean act seeking forgiveness
In some traditions, saying a prayer or performing a good deed can serve as penance for a sin.more
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For your penance say three Hail Marys, three Our Fathers, and say a special prayer for me.†5 more
an act that shows sorrow for wrongdoing
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
6 top 2000
immortalto live forever
Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more
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And you, woman, if you go to the Quakers you'll lose your immortal soul and the souls of your children.†5 more
living or existing forever; OR someone famous throughout history…
Show general definition living or existing forever

or:

someone famous throughout history

or:

someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
3 top 500
scarcityshortage
There is a scarcity of work in the region.more
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He tells her times are hard, jobs are scarce, and she says, Is it coddin' me you are?†2 more
scarcity → scarce:in short supply  OR  barely or hardly (by a small margin)
Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
3 top 1000
pioushighly religious
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.more
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The rain drove us into the church.... Limerick gained a reputation for piety, but we knew it was only the rain.2 more
pious → piety:religious belief
Show general definition for pious (as in: a good, pious woman) religious or highly moral
4 top 2000
dotingdemonstrating love and uncritical affection
She has doting parents.more
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Women in cells at the other end tell Malachy he's gorgeous and the twins are dotes.†3 more
doting → dotes:demonstrates love and uncritical affection
Show general definition demonstrating love and uncritical affection
Show editor's word notes Doting may also imply that the doter tends to hover around the person they love to help attend to any needs.
2 top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about
She lamented the loss.more
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He says that this seems to be a poem about England but it is a lament for the poet's native land, our own native land, Ireland.1 more
sad poem
Show general definition to express grief or regret
5
sacrilegedisrespect of something sacred
They consider it sacrilege to depict Muhammad in a drawing.more
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Malachy, fresh from the speakeasy himself, felt insulted and wanted to argue with the priest, one sacrilege on top of another.4 more
an act disrespectful of something others consider sacred
Show general definition disrespect of something others consider important or sacred
3
cavortcavort → cavorted:played in a lively, unrestrained manner
The puppies cavorted in the basket.more
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It has roses on it and maidens cavorting in the glen.†2 more
cavort → cavorting:playing in a lively, unrestrained manner
Show general definition to play in a lively, unrestrained manner -- typically with someone -- sometimes implying sexual play
2 top 2000
spurnspurn → spurned:rejected
She spurned his advances.more
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They resisted the smile and spurned the offer.†1 more
spurn → spurned:rejected as not good enough
Show general definition reject as not good enough
2
resplendentbeautiful or impressive
She looks resplendent in her uniform.more
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He says, "Ah, boys, boys, You can make up your own minds but first stock them. Are you listening to me? Stock your minds and you can move through the world resplendent."1 more
beautiful or splendid
Show general definition beautiful, magnificent, or impressive
2
weanwean → weaned:adapt to the removal of breastmilk
Worldwide, most babies are weaned much later, but in the US, fewer than 20% of babies are still nursing when they are six months old.more
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Barely weaned before you clamor for the whiskey bottle, the pint of stout.†1 more
wean → weaned:adapted
Show general definition to adapt to
in various senses, including:
  • "She was weaned at 3 months." -- a mammal's adaption to the removal of breastmilk (note this is the unqualified sense)
  • "I weaned myself from cigarettes." -- adapted to the gradual removal of
  • "I was weaned on progressive principals" -- raised on or adapted to at a very early age.
1
beatificexpressing a calm joy
She has a beatific smile that makes you feel like all is well in the world.more
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She always looks worried when I'm at the dictionary so I tell her I'm looking for canonize or beatific or any class of a religious word.†
expressing or producing a calm joy
Show general definition expressing or producing a calm joy -- especially from a holy source