The Rime of the Ancient Mariner — Vocabulary
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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scarcityshortage
There is a scarcity of work in the region.more
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  this soul hath been
  Alone on a wide wide sea:
  So lonely 'twas, that God himself
  Scarce seemed there to be.†
scarcity → scarce: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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parcheddried out
Nothing will grow in this parched soil.more
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  Each throat
  Was parched, and glazed each eye.†
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
Show general definition dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
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dismalterrible
The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more
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  And through the drifts the snowy clifts
  Did send a dismal sheen:
  Nor shapes of men nor beasts we ken— The ice was all between.†
depressing or gloomy
Show general definition of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
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abateabate → abated:became less intense
The storm abated.more
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  more high, more high
  Or we shall be belated:
  For slow and slow that ship will go,
  When the Mariner's trance is abated.†
abate → abated:became less in amount or intensity
Show general definition to become less in amount or intensity
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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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  And now the STORM-BLAST came, and he
  Was tyrannous and strong:
  He struck with his o'ertaking wings,
  And chased south along.†
tyranny → tyrannous:harsh and unjust rule
Show general definition harsh and unjust rule
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discernnotice or see (something that is not obvious)
The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.more
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  How long in that same fit I lay,
  I have not to declare;
  But ere my living life returned,
  I heard and in my soul discerned
  Two VOICES in the air.†
discern → discerned:noticed something that is not obvious
Show general definition to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
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forlornhopeless
She energized the previously forlorn team.more
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  He went like one that hath been stunned,
  And is of sense forlorn:
  A sadder and a wiser man,
  He rose the morrow morn.†
sad, hopeless, pitiful and/or abandoned
Show general definition sad, hopeless, pitiful and/or abandoned
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specterspecter → specters:a mental image of something frightening or disturbing
It aroused specters from her past.more
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Off shot the spectre-bark.†
specter → spectre:a frightening or disturbing mental image or possibility…
Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use specter.
Show general definition a frightening or disturbing mental image or possibility

or:

a ghostly appearing image
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attireclothing for an occasion
She wore formal attire to the banquet, including a long black dress and heels.more
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  Within the shadow of the ship
  I watched their rich attire:
  Blue, glossy green, and velvet black,
  They coiled and swam; and every track
  Was a flash of golden fire.†
clothing -- especially of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
Show general definition clothing -- especially of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
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penancean act seeking forgiveness
In some traditions, saying a prayer or performing a good deed can serve as penance for a sin.more
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  The other was a softer voice,
  As soft as honey-dew:
  Quoth he, "The man hath penance done,
  And penance more will do."†
an act that shows sorrow for wrongdoing
Show general definition an act that shows sorrow for wrongdoing -- such as expressing regret, asking for forgiveness, or trying to make up for the harm done
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jargonwords or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not elsewhere
The medical jargon used by the doctors was difficult for the patient to understand.more
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  Sometimes a-dropping from the sky
  I heard the sky-lark sing;
  Sometimes all little birds that are,
  How they seemed to fill the sea and air
  With their sweet jargoning!†
jargon → jargoning:words or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not understood by m…
Show general definition words or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not understood by most people
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agapewide open
She was shocked, mouth agape.more
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With throats unslaked, with black lips baked,
Agape they heard me call:
Gramercy! they for joy did grin,
And all at once their breath drew in,
As they were drinking all.
with mouths open
Show general definition for agape (as in: mouth agape) open (usually a mouth open in surprise)
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belatedafter the usual time
She sent a belated birthday card after realizing she had missed the actual day.more
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  more high, more high
  Or we shall be belated:
  For slow and slow that ship will go,
  When the Mariner's trance is abated.†
after the expected or usual time
Show general definition after the expected or usual time
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forthwithimmediately
The judge ordered her release "forthwith."more
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  Forthwith this frame of mine was wrenched
  With a woeful agony,
  Which forced me to begin my tale;
  And then it left me free.†
Show general definition immediately -- (most typically seen in legal documents, formal use, or classic literature)
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leprosyan infectious bacterial disease that affects skin and nerves
Although leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy, it continues to be a significant public health issue in many developing countries.more
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  Her lips were red, her looks were free,
  Her locks were yellow as gold:
  Her skin was as white as leprosy,
  The Night-Mare LIFE-IN-DEATH was she,
  Who thicks man's blood with cold.†
an infectious bacterial disease that affects skin and nerves and if untreated ca…
Show general definition an infectious bacterial disease that affects skin and nerves and if untreated can result in blindness and disfigurement including the falling off of fingers and toes
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agonyintense suffering
She was in agony from a toothache.more
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  And never a saint took pity on
  My soul in agony.†2 more
Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
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ceasestop
According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more
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  It ceased; yet still the sails made on
  A pleasant noise till noon,
  A noise like of a hidden brook
  In the leafy month of June,
  That to the sleeping woods all night
  Singeth a quiet tune.†
cease → ceased:stopped or discontinued
Show general definition to stop or discontinue