Declaration of Independence: Vocabulary

NOUNS

100

In paragraph 1, this noun means "one's social rank or position," or more literally, the "place where someone or something stands."

What is "station?"

200

In one of the most recognizable and oft-quoted lines from the Declaration of Independencethis noun means an "the working or striving towards (a goal)." In other contexts, it's a synonym for "chase."

What is "pursuit?"

300

In paragraph 2, this noun means "thought or care for the future of one's actions." Its synonyms include: "wisdom," "good judgement," and "sensibility."

What is "prudence?"

400

This plural noun in paragraph 2 means "the action of taking (positions of power, importance or control) illegally or by force."

What is "usurpations?"

500

This paragraph 2 noun has several different meanings depending on the context. As Jefferson uses it, it means "the hidden intention behind certain actions."

What is "design?"

NOUNS II

100

This paragraph 2 noun is a synonym for tyranny and means "the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way."

What is "despotism?"

200

In paragraph 28, Jefferson uses this noun to stand for "Justice."

What is "Redress?"

300

The two Latin roots of this noun translate to "great" and "soul," and together they mean "generousness or forgiveness, especially toward an enemy or someone less powerful than oneself."

What is "magnanimity?"

400

The Latin root of this word means "blood" and its prefix means "together." Basically it means "the same bloodline, or relation by blood."

What is "consanguinity?"

500

This paragraph 30 noun means "rightness, or morally correct behavior."

What is "rectitude?"

ADJECTIVES & ADVERBS

100

This adjective appears in paragraph 2 and is a synonym for "temporary."

What is "transient?"

200

This adverb appears in paragraph 2 and is a synonym for "always," "without exception," or "repeatedly."

What is "invariably?"

300

Jefferson uses this paragraph 29 adjective to mean "unjustifiable."

What is "unwarrantable?"

400

This adverb occurs in one of the very last paragraphs and means "unavoidably."

What is "inevitably?"

500

Just before he begins listing the grievances of the newly formed United States of America, Jefferson uses this adjective to mean, roughly, "honest and open-minded."

What is "candid?"

VERBS

100

In Jefferson's opening paragraph he uses this key verb to mean something very different from its typical, contemporary usage. In his "Declaration," uses it to mean "dismiss" "close or break down" or "put an end to."

What is "dissolve?"

200

This verb from the opening paragraph means to "drive, force, or urge to do something."

What is "impel?"

300

This paragraph 2 verb means "having as or coming from a root of origin," or more simply, "originating from."

What is "deriving?"

400

This paragraph 2 verb is most commonly used as a noun. Nevertheless, it is often mistaken for its similar-looking verb cousin. Jefferson uses this verb in its infinitive form to mean "to bring about" or "to produce."

What is "effect?"

500

This verb occurs in paragraph 2 and means "indicates or gives evidence of (something)."

What is "evinces?"

VERBS II & VERB PHRASES

100

In its typical contemporary usage, this paragraph 29 verb means "to make something appear unexpectedly or seemingly out of nowhere as if by magic," or "to call (an image) to mind." However Jefferson uses its older sense of "to implore or urge (someone) to do something."

What is "conjure?"

200

This paragraph 29 verb means to "accept something reluctantly but without protest." It's what we do when we "give in to," "go along with," "concede" or "accept" something reluctantly.

What is "acquiesce?"

300

This verb occurs in the penultimate paragraph and means "released from or set free from duty or obligation."

What is "absolved?"

400

This verb phrase means to "formally create partnerships." It appears in the penultimate paragraph.

What is "Contract Alliances."

500

Jefferson uses this very clever verb phrase in his penultimate paragraph. One might reasonably paraphrase it to mean both "formally settle conflicts" AND "initiate hostilities."

What is "Conclude Peace?"