The Power and the Glory — Vocabulary
Graham Greene
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	28	top 1000
pioushighly religious The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.more Show sample from book "Young Juan," the mother read, "from his earliest years was noted for his humility and piety."27 more pious → piety:highly religious and moral behavior Show general definition for pious (as in: a good, pious woman) religious or highly moral
	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 Show sample from book He was one of the martyrs of the Church.23 more martyr → martyrs:people who suffer for the sake of principle 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
	14	top 2000
parisha local church community or in some places including Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county Are we talking about a governmental or a religious parish?more Show sample from book We are a big parish and the priest has a position to keep up.13 more a local church community
	12	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book The voice said with contempt, "You believers are all the same."11 more Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	8	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book Three of four faces looked at him with malicious amusement:7 more malice → malicious:wanting to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	11	top 1000
appallingshockingly terrible or horrible The live in appalling conditions.more Show sample from book It was appallingly complicated.10 more appalling → appallingly:terribly
	11	top 1000
repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more Show sample from book He needed a confessor to draw his mind slowly down the drab passages which led to grief and repentance.10 more repent → repentance:to feel regret for having done wrong and to desire to be a better person in the future
	12	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 About a poor woman who took to him her son to be baptized.†11 more baptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony OR initiated or purified by a challenging experience 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 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.
	7	top 200
complacentunworried and satisfied She had become complacent after years of success.more Show sample from book He had done nothing to shake her complacency.6 more complacent → complacency:contentedness (satisfied and unworried) Show general definition contented (unworried and satisfied) -- often to a fault
	9	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book The heavy brown eyes stared sullenly back at him.8 more sullen → sullenly:in a gloomy manner; or showing a bad mood Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	8	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book A few peasants waited on a bench, hands between their knees.†7 more peasant → peasants:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: people of low income, education, and social standing -- especially those who raise crops or livestock Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	6	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book You needed to be shrewd in this country if you were going to retain any ideals at all and he was cunning in the defence of the good life.†5 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	7	top 2000
sentryperson standing guard She successfully bluffed her way past the sentry.more Show sample from book He looked down the carpet of shadow: a sentry sat on an empty crate asleep beside his rifle.†6 more someone who stands guard Show general definition someone who stands guard
	5	top 1000
persecutionvery bad and unfair treatment Everyone knows about the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis.more Show sample from book The mother, compressing her lips, continued: '...the persecution of the early Christians.†4 more Show general definition very bad and unfair treatment of others -- often because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
	12	top 2000
contritesorry She apologized, but she didn't seem genuinely contrite.more Show sample from book I shall feel contrition and be forgiven:11 more contrite → contrition:sorrow or regret for a fault or offense Show general definition feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
	7
seminarya school for training ministers, priests, or rabbis Princeton Theological Seminary has the largest theological library in the United States.more Show sample from book He spent six years at some American seminary.†6 more a school for training clerics -- usually ministers, priests, or rabbis Show general definition a school for training clerics -- usually ministers, priests, or rabbis
	4	top 2000
penitentsorry for having done wrong When her anger passed, she was penitent.more Show sample from book penitence was the fruit of long training and discipline:3 more penitent → penitence:feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong Show general definition feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such
	3	top 2000
inordinateexcessive She has an inordinate fear of spiders.more Show sample from book He had a sharp crooked nose jutting out of a lean dancer's face; his neatness gave an effect of inordinate ambition in the shabby city.†2 more excessive or more than is reasonable or normal Show general definition excessive or more than is reasonable or normal
	3
alloymixture of metals Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.more Show sample from book He put it inside the little oven for gold alloy.†2 more a metal that consists of more than one element Show general definition a metal that consists of more than one element
	3
clergyformal religious leaders She was surprised to hear a member of the clergy talk like that.more Show sample from book He had a sort of contempt for the lower clergy, and right up to the last he was explaining his rank.†2 more formal religious leaders (typically in Christianity) Show general definition formal religious leaders (typically in Christianity) Show editor's word notes Clergy is typically used in reference to Christian churches; however, clerics (members of the clergy) are referred to in different ways for different denominations. A Catholic priest is the equivalent of a Protestant minister. A pastor is any Christian cleric in charge of a congregation or parish. The clergy is distinguished from the laity.