Vocabulary from “The Declaration of Independence”

Vocabulary from “The Declaration of Independence” Vocabulary Quiz on Monday, 11/11/13

Abdicate • Verb • To give up responsibility for

Abdicate King George abdicated the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Arbitrary • Adjective • Based on unpredictable decisions rather than law

Some believe that the banning of headbands across girls’ foreheads is an arbitrary application of the uniform policy.

Despotism • Noun • Government by a ruler with unlimited power

Despotism The Allies worked hard to remove Hitler’s despotism in Europe.

Impel • Verb • To drive forward; force

Increasing student vocabulary impels Ms. Clary to make them study vocabulary.

Mercenary • Noun • A professional soldier hired to fight in a foreign army

Mercenary The mercenary worked for the United States in Afghanistan as a contractor.

Perfidy • Noun • Treachery

Perfidy Robert Snowden is wanted for his perfidy to the United States by releasing top secret information obtained by the NSA.

Rectitude • Noun • Morally correct behavior or thinking

Because of the girl’s rectitude, she refused to cave to peer pressure and steal the lip gloss.

Redress • Noun • The correction of a wrong; compensation

When the student gave Ms. Clary the corrected work, Ms. Clary redressed the issue by fixing the student’s grade.

Unalienable • Adjective • Not to be taken away

Freedom of speech is an unalienable right, guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.

Usurpation • Noun • The act of wrongfully taking over a right or power that belongs to someone else

Usurpation Pinochet of Chile joined the usurpation of the government in a coup d’etat in 1972.

Fin -- root • End • Examples: Finish Confine

Sat -- root • Enough • Examples: Satisfy Saturate

Term -- root • End • Examples: Terminal Terminate

Vocabulary from “The Declaration of Independence”