Vocabulary lesson 3
Definitions and samples
- persecute (v.) to harass; to annoy continuously
– They are trying to investigate anarchists and persecute them for their beliefs.
- martyrdom (n.) extreme suffering; the state of being a martyr (one who chooses death or makes a sacrifice rather than give up religious faith or other belief)
– He has mentioned that he welcomed his execution as a path to martyrdom.
- destitute (adj.) devoid; poor; impoverished; without the basic necessities of life
– A destitute socialite considers marriage as a way out of her financial problems.
- autonomy (n.) independence; the quality of being self-governing
– The Dalai Lama says that he wants autonomy, but not independence, for the region.
- ambivalence (n.) having conflicting feelings, such as love and hate, about a person, object, or idea
– Despite adoring her son, Olivia suffered the ambivalence of the gymslip mother.