Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death — Vocabulary
Patrick Henry
1775 Speech
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way
She indulges her children more than is good for them.more
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Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.1 more
give into a desire in a manner that is not good
Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
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deceivemislead
The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more
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Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.†1 more
lie or mislead
Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
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adversaryopponent
She is his greatest adversary.more
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They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
Show general definition an opponent
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motivereason (for doing something)
She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more
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Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it?†
Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
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reveredeeply respect and admire
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more
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Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
respect or admire
Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
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formidableintimidating or impressive
She is a formidable opponent.more
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They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.†
Show general definition intimidating or impressive -- arousing fear or admiration due to impressiveness or challenge
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tyrannya form of government where some people control others in a harsh, unfair manner
The U.S. constitution was designed with checks and balances and limited government to protect Americans from tyranny.more
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We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.†
tyranny → tyrannical:harsh and unjust
Show general definition harsh and unjust rule
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solacecomfort
She offered some words of solace and he felt better.more
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And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House?
Show general definition comfort felt or given during a time of disappointment or misery
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parliamentparliament → parliaments:legislative assemblies (that pass laws)
National European parliaments help insure that the European Union's decisions reflect the democratic principles and interests of its member states.more
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We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.†
legislative assembly that passes laws (existing in some countries)
Show general definition for parliament (with a lowercase "p") a legislative assembly in certain countries (that can pass laws)
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anguishpain
I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more
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For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.†
extreme pain, suffering, or distress
Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
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beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs
She beseeches her students to think about their future.more
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Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves.†
to ask strongly or beg for something
Show general definition to ask strongly or beg for something
Show editor's word notes Beseech is common in classic literature. Though its usage has doubled in recent decades, it remains a rare word in modern writing.

Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.
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entreatentreat → entreated:asked
She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.more
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Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?†
entreat → entreaty:an earnest request
Show general definition to ask -- especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
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martialrelating to fighting skills
She signed up for martial arts classes to learn self-defense and discipline.more
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I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?†
relating to war, the military, or fighting
Show general definition relating to war, the military, or fighting
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treasonbetraying one's own country
He was executed for treason in a time of war.more
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Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.†
an act of betrayal
Show general definition betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country

(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
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remonstratecriticize or argue
When she has a complaint with her staff, she will remonstrate quietly and in private.more
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Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.†1 more
remonstrate → remonstrances:arguments in protest or opposition
Show general definition argue, complain, or criticize
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arduousdifficult
At last, they won their long and arduous fight for independence.more
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Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?†
difficult - requiring much energy and effort
Show general definition difficult  -- especially requiring great effort over an extended period of time
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subjugatesubjugate → subjugation:forced submission to another's dominance
The essay discusses that era's subjugation of women in a male-dominated world.more
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These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort.
subjugate → subjugation:the act of forcing others into submission
Show general definition to force into submission
in various senses, including:
  • when a people are defeated in battle and oppressed -- as in "The Romans subjugated most of Europe."
  • when something is treated as less important than something else -- as in "subjugate the desires of the individual to the desires of the state," or "subjugate instinct to reason"
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implementimplement → implements:small tools
They found a skeleton along with a number of implements belonging to the Stone Age.more
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Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort.
implement → implements:tools or other useful objects
Show general definition for implement (as in: a small implement) a small tool or other useful object
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insidiousinsidious → insidiously:in a manner not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time
The debt grew insidiously--just a little at a time and always for a good purpose.Alan Greenspan  —  The Age of Turbulencemore
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Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?†
not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time; OR treacherous
Show general definition not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time

or:

treacherous  (dangerous due to trickery or from hidden or unpredictable risks)
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spurnspurn → spurned:rejected
She spurned his advances.more
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Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.†
spurn → spurned:rejected as not good enough
Show general definition reject as not good enough