Meditation 17 — Vocabulary
John Donne
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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afflictafflictafflicted:made to suffer
The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more
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Truly it were an excusable covetousness if we did; for affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it.†3 more
afflictaffliction:something that causes ongoing suffering
Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
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scarcityshortage
There is a scarcity of work in the region.more
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Truly it were an excusable covetousness if we did; for affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it.†
scarcityscarce:in short supply  OR  barely or hardly (by a small margin)
Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
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congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
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as therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come;†
Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
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manora large house that belongs to a wealthy person
Bletchley Manor was converted into a home for code breakers during World War II.more
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No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.†
a large house of a wealthy person; OR  historically:…
Show general definition a large house of a wealthy person

or historically:

the main house of a lord and the land around it that was worked by tenant farmers
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baptismbaptismbaptized:"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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When she baptizes a child, that action concerns me; for that child is thereby connected to that head which is my head too, and ingraffed into that body, whereof I am a member.†
baptismbaptizes:"spiritually renews" in a Christian ceremony  OR  initiates or purifies 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.
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catholicuniversal; or inclusive of a wide range of people or interests
When the Apostles' Creed uses the word "catholic", it does not reference the church headed by the Pope, but rather a universal church.more
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The church is catholic, universal, so are all her actions; all that she does, belongs to all.
universal
Show general definition for catholic (when uncapitalized) universal or inclusive of a wide range of people or interests
Show editor's word notes This word is seldom used in modern writing.
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estimateroughly calculate or guess
What do you estimate this will cost?more
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There was a contention as far as a suit (in which, piety and dignity, religion and estimation, were mingled) which of the religious orders should ring to prayers first in the morning; and it was determined, that they should ring first that rose earliest.†
estimateestimation:a judgment, rough calculation or guess of qualities or a value
Show general definition rough calculation or judgment