Resistance to Civil Government — Vocabulary
Henry David Thoreau
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 2000
legislatureelected body that makes laws The state legislature passed a law to increase the minimum wage, but the governor vetoed it while claiming it would reduce the number of entry-level jobs for young people.more Show sample from book Must the citizen even for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator?9 more legislature → legislator:an elected government representative who (with fellow representatives) has the power to create laws Show general definition a group made up of government representatives (usually elected) that has the power to create laws
	6	top 500
principlebelief I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more Show sample from book His vote is of no more worth than that of any unprincipled foreigner or hireling native, who may have been bought.†5 more principle → unprincipled:lacking or not based on basic beliefs Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unprincipled means not and reverses the meaning of principled. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition a basic rule or belief The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example: "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
	4	top 100
conformconform → conformist:someone who thinks and acts like others in a group Most teenagers are surprisingly conformist within their subgroup.more Show sample from book A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole weight.3 more conform → conforms:complies, fits in, or is similar to what is normal Show general definition to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
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allegianceloyalty At the citizenship ceremony, she pledged allegiance to her new country.more Show sample from book I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the State, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually.6 more Show general definition loyalty to a person, group, or cause
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consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more Show sample from book Must the citizen even for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator?†6 more feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner Show general definition feeling or judgment of morally right or wrong personal behavior
	5	top 1000
prevailwin (prove to be superior) Neither side has the strength to prevail over the other.more Show sample from book I cast my vote, perchance, as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right should prevail.4 more win Show general definition for prevail (as in: reason will prevail) prove superior or win
	4	top 500
contemplatethink deeply about After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more Show sample from book But Paley appears never to have contemplated those cases to which the rule of expediency does not apply, in which a people, as well as an individual, must do justice, cost what it may.†3 more contemplate → contemplated:consider or ponder Show general definition consider or ponder
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endeavorendeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more Show sample from book This American government—what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity?†3 more endeavor → endeavoring:trying or attempting Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
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eloquenteloquent → eloquence:powerful use of language Her eloquence is unquestioned even amongst those who disagree with her.more Show sample from book We love eloquence for its own sake, and not for any truth which it may utter, or any heroism it may inspire.3 more Show general definition powerful use of language
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inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book they are all peaceably inclined.1 more disposed (having a tendency or attitude that favors something) Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
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resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book As they could not reach me, they had resolved to punish my body;1 more Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In 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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indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book When the majority shall at length vote for the abolition of slavery, it will be because they are indifferent to slavery, or because there is but little slavery left to be abolished by their vote.1 more Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
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aloofsocially distant or uninterested People who don't know her, think she is aloof from the rest of the team, but she is just focused on the game.more Show sample from book I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the State, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually.†1 more Show general definition socially distant or uninterested in something that interests others -- often thinking oneself superior to others
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obligationduty Although she had no legal obligation, she wanted to help him.more Show sample from book The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.†2 more a duty Show general definition a duty
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disposesettle something so it no longer requires attention I expect them to dispose of the matter this afternoon.more Show sample from book he is unable to take a fact out of its merely political relations, and behold it as it lies absolutely to be disposed of by the intellect4 more dispose → disposed:settled Show general definition for dispose (as in: dispose of the matter) to settle something so it no longer requires attention
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dispose#2dispose → disposed:inclined (with a tendency to; or in the mood to) I am not disposed to help someone who has been so rude.more Show sample from book I find myself disposed to ... discover a pretext for conformity.4 more dispose → disposed:inclined (having a tendency to) Show general definition for dispose (as in: Is she disposed to help?) inclined (with a tendency to; or in the mood to) Show editor's word notes This is usually seen in the form "disposed to..." or "disposed toward..."
	10	top 2000
expedientpractical but not ideal It was a necessary expedient to get the job done.more Show sample from book Government is at best but an expedient;9 more a practical action that accepts negative tradeoffs from an ideal Show general definition convenient and practical, but sometimes not the best or most moral choice
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inconsistentnot the same at different times Her play is inconsistent. Sometimes she's unbeatable and other times she beats herself.more Show sample from book See what gross inconsistency is tolerated.†1 more inconsistent → inconsistency:not the same in different parts or at different times… Show general definition not the same in different parts or at different times or: not in agreement [with something else]
	4
abolitionending the system or practice The abolition of slavery in the United States was officially achieved with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment.more Show sample from book Only his vote can hasten the abolition of slavery who asserts his own freedom by his vote.†3 more the act of formally ending a system, practice, or institution Show general definition the act of formally ending a system, practice, or institution -- most often used to refer to the movement to end slavery when no specific system is named
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inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book Notwithstanding his special acuteness and ability, he is unable to take a fact out of its merely political relations, and behold it as it lies absolutely to be disposed of by the intellect—what, for instance, it behooves a man to do here in American today with regard to slavery—but ventures, or is driven, to make some such desperate answer to the following, while professing to speak absolutely, and as a private man—from which what new and singular of social duties might be inferred?† infer → inferred:concluded or guessed by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning