Learning to Read and Write — Vocabulary
Frederick Douglass
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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adoptadopt → adopted:took on as its own
The country adopted the metric system.more
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It is due, however, to my mistress to say of her, that she did not adopt this course of treatment immediately.†1 more
take on as one's own
Show general definition to take on as one's own
The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:
  • "adopt a child" -- to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child
  • "adopt a plan" -- to accept or begin to use something
  • "adopt a pet" -- to take in a pet -- especially one from an animal shelter
  • "Congress adopted the resolution." -- had a formal vote and passed
  • "adopted a confident attitude" -- took on or displayed
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ceasestop
According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more
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The first step in her downward course was in her ceasing to instruct me.†1 more
cease → ceasing:stopping or discontinuing
Show general definition to stop or discontinue
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tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering
She enjoys tormenting others.†more
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It was this everlasting thinking of my condition that tormented me.†2 more
torment → tormented:caused great mental or physical suffering
Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
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neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
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I was afraid that these seemingly good men might use me so; but I nevertheless remembered their advice, and from that time I resolved to run away.†
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.
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wretchedmiserable
The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more
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It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy.†1 more
miserable or very bad
Show general definition very bad
in various senses, including:
  • unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
  • of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads"
  • morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
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prudentsensible and careful
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more
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I am strongly tempted to give the names of two or three of those little boys, as a testimonial of the gratitude and affection I bear them; but prudence forbids;—not that it would injure me, but it might embarrass them; for it is almost an unpardonable offence to teach slaves to read in this Christian country.†
prudent → prudence:good sense and caution
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enableenable → enables:makes possible
The test enables earlier identification of autism.more
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The reading of these documents enabled me to utter my thoughts, and to meet the arguments brought forward to sustain slavery; but while they relieved me of one difficulty, they brought on another even more painful than the one of which I was relieved.†
enable → enabled:made possible
Show general definition to make possible
in various senses, including:
  • to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion."
  • to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page."
  • to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
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contemplatethink deeply about
After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more
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As I read and contemplated the subject, behold!†
contemplate → contemplated:consider or ponder
Show general definition consider or ponder
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loathehate
I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more
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I loathed them as being the meanest as well as the most wicked of men.†
loathe → loathed:detested or intensely disliked
Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Show editor's word notes Word Confusion:  Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
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perplexperplex → perplexed:confused
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more
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Here I was perplexed.†
perplex → perplexed:confused or puzzled
Show general definition to confuse
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tediousboring
I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more
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Thus, after a long, tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in learning how to write.†
boring or monotonous
Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
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complykeep (follow or obey)
You must comply with school rules if you want to stay on the team.more
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My mistress, who had kindly commenced to instruct me, had, in compliance with the advice and direction of her husband, not only ceased to instruct, but had set her face against my being instructed by any one else.†
comply → compliance:willingness or ability to follow rules, requests, or expectations
Show general definition to act in agreement with a rule, request, or demand
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writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion
The patient writhed in pain.more
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As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing.†
Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
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compelforce
Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more
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In accomplishing this, I was compelled to resort to various stratagems.†
compel → compelled:forced; or (more rarely) convinced
Show general definition to force someone to do something

or more rarely:

to convince someone to do something
Show editor's word notes Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.
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abolitionending the system or practice
The abolition of slavery in the United States was officially achieved with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment.more
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Every little while, I could hear something about the abolitionists.†4 more
abolition → abolitionists:reformers who favored ending slavery
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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emancipatedreleased from social restraints

(used as a metaphor for the literal sense of being released from slavery)
She was an emancipated 20th century woman pursuing her career.†more
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In the same book, I met with one of Sheridan's mighty speeches on and in behalf of Catholic emancipation.†1 more
emancipated → emancipation:the act of being released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints
Show general definition released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints
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abolishabolish → abolishing:eliminating (doing away with)
She is in favor of abolishing the death penalty.more
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I found it was "the act of abolishing;" but then I did not know what was to be abolished.†1 more
abolish → abolished:eliminated
Show general definition eliminate (end, or do away with)
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abateabate → abated:became less intense
The storm abated.more
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I read them over and over again with unabated interest.†
abate → unabated:without a reduction in amount or intensity
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unabated means not. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
Show general definition to become less in amount or intensity
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abhorabhor → abhors:hates
She abhors violence.more
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The more I read, the more I was led to abhor and detest my enslavers.†
hate or detest
Show general definition to hate or detest something
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

As compared to "hate", "despise", or "loathe", "abhor" is often chosen to indicate moral revulsion.
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depravityimmorality or evilness
It is a terrible story of an innocent who trusted a man who treated her with ruthless depravity.more
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She at first lacked the depravity indispensable to shutting me up in mental darkness.†
complete immorality or evilness
Show general definition complete immorality or evilness