A Grace Given in Sorrow — Vocabulary
Homer
translated by: Fitzgerald
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book Why does the great one call me to him now, when I am shy of mingling with immortals, being so heavyhearted?†6 more immortal → immortals:people who live forever OR people famous throughout history Show general definition living or existing forever or: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
	4	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book Then Iris at his bidding ran on the rainy winds to bear the word of Zeus, until she came to Priam's house and heard voices in lamentation.†3 more lament → lamentation:passionate expression of grief or sorrow Show general definition to express grief or regret
	3	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book Soon Iris came on Thetis in a cave, surrounded by a company of Nereids lolling there, while she bewailed the fate of her magnificent son, now soon to perish on Troy's rich earth, far from his fatherland.†2 more die, be destroyed, or cease to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	2	top 200
invokeinvoke → invokes:calls upon Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God. Each invokes God's aid against the other.Abraham Lincoln (Second Inaugural Address)more Show sample from book It is an excellent thing and salutary to lift our hands to Zeus, invoking mercy.1 more invoke → invoking:calling upon Show general definition to call upon The exact meaning of invoke can depend upon its context. For example: "invoking God's help"; or "invoking the spirit of the dead" -- to call upon a great or magical power "I invoke the First Amendment"; or "I invoke the words of Thomas Jefferson" -- to cite or call upon for validation "She invoked his sympathy and family memories." -- to call upon someone's feelings or memories "She invoked his assistance." -- to call earnestly for "The program invokes the subroutine" -- to call up a computer program
	3
citadelfortified place She walked along the ancient walls of the citadel that once protected the entire city.more Show sample from book When I cast lots among them, my lot fell to join the siege against Troy citadel.†2 more a stronghold or fortress Show general definition a stronghold or fortress
	2	top 1000
afflictafflict → afflicted:made to suffer The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more Show sample from book This is the way the gods ordained the destiny of men, to bear such burdens in our lives, while they feel no affliction.†1 more afflict → affliction:something that causes ongoing suffering Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
	2	top 2000
nimblequick and agile She watched her daughter's nimble fingers type instructions into the iPhone.more Show sample from book And go alone: no soldier may go with you, only some crier, some old man, to drive your wagon team and guide the nimble wagon, and afterward to carry home the body of him that Prince Akhilleus overcame.†1 more Show general definition quick and agile -- typically physically, but can also reference quick, agile thinking (someone who is agile does things easily)
	2	top 2000
siegethe surrounding and prolonged attack The Siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days.more Show sample from book When I cast lots among them, my lot fell to join the siege against Troy citadel.†1 more a military tactic in which a fortified place is surrounded and isolated while it… Show general definition a military tactic in which a fortified place is surrounded and isolated while it is attacked over time or: any prolonged attack, effort, or period of trouble
	1	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book No cutthroat ever will disdain your guide.† a lack of respect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	1	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book So the impatient king and his sage crier had their animals yoked in the palace yard when Hekabe in her agitation joined them, carrying in her right hand a golden cup of honeyed wine, with which, before they left, they might make offering.† agitate → agitation:the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or a state of emotional unrest Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	1	top 500
reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book Akhilleus, be reverent toward the great gods!† revere → reverent:feeling or showing respect and admiration Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
	1	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book Noble sons I fathered here, but scarce one man is left me.† 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)
	1	top 1000
aloofsocially distant or uninterested People who don't know her, think she is aloof from the rest of the team, but she is just focused on the game.more Show sample from book If any man on earth had urged this on me— reader of altar smoke, prophet or priest— we'd say it was a lie, and hold aloof.† Show general definition socially distant or uninterested in something that interests others -- often thinking oneself superior to others
	1	top 1000
deftquick and skillful She painted with deft, swift touches.more Show sample from book The girls went out with torches in their hands and soon deftly made up a double bed.†
	2
pyrepyre → pyres:piles of wood or other burnable materials While cremation is not uncommon in the western world, open air funeral pyres are typically illegal.more Show sample from book When Dawn that lights the world of mortals came for the tenth day, they carried greathearted Hektor out at last, and all in tears placed his dead body high upon its pyre, then cast a torch below.†1 more a pile of wood or other burnable material Show general definition a pile of wood or other burnable material -- especially to burn a dead body as in a funeral rite
	1	top 2000
implacableunyielding Despite his apologies, she remained implacable and refused to forgive him.more Show sample from book Murderous Akhilleus has your willing help— a man who shows no decency, implacable, barbarous in his ways as a wild lion whose power and intrepid heart sway him to raid the flocks of men for meat.† Show general definition unyielding -- often in remaining angry
	1	top 2000
hinderhinder → hindered:delayed or made difficult Her efforts to turn the department around were further hindered by budgetary cuts.more Show sample from book The man has lost all mercy; he has no shame—that gift that hinders mortals but helps them, too.† hinder → hinders:slows down or causes problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
	1
shirkavoid She began to shirk her duties and turned to drinking to help deal with the pain.more Show sample from book Or can you be abandoning Ilion in fear, after he perished, that great one who never shirked a battle, your own princely son?† shirk → shirked:avoided Show general definition to avoid something -- such as a duty or responsibility
	2
AresGreek mythology: god of war Unlike Athena, who symbolized strategy and wisdom in battle, Ares embodied raw violence and rage.more Show sample from book Raging Ares cut their knees from under them.1 more Show general definition Greek mythology: god of war -- known for his fierce and violent nature
	1
PoseidonGreek mythology: the god of the sea Although Neptune is the Roman counterpart to the Greek Poseidon, Neptune was never as popular amongst the Roman sailors as Poseidon was amongst the Greek sailors.more Show sample from book Day after day they urged the Wayfinder to steal the body— a thought agreeable to all but Hera, Poseidon, and the grey-eyed one, Athena.† Greek mythology: the god of the sea (and earthquakes) Show general definition Greek mythology: the god of the sea and earthquakes