The Chosen Vocabulary 1-30

synagogue (n)

a Jewish place of worship

tumult (n)

a loud noise, usually created by an unrestrained crowd or some kind of confusion

acquiesce (v)

to accept reluctantly but without protest

ensue (v)

to happen or occur afterward or as a result of

Talmud (n)

the collection of ancient rabbanic writings on Jewish law and tradition that constitute the basis of religious authority in Orthodox Judaism

harangue (n)

a passionate, lengthy, and aggressive speech

zeal (n)

great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause

disheveled (adj)

messy, especially of a person's clothes or hair

lament (v)

to passionately express grief, sorrow, or regret

dejected (adj)

sad, depressed, seemingly without hope

tenets (n)

important beliefs that are part of a larger framework of beliefs

discourse (n)

a serious speech, writing, or conversation on a particular topic

desecration (n)

the violation of a sacred character

nuances (n)

a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound

earnest (adj)

sincere or serious

docile (adj)

easily led or managed; submissive; well-behaved

accentuate (v)

to emphasize or draw attention to

psychoanalysis (n)

a system of psychological theory and therapy that aims to treat mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind and bringing repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious mind by techniques such as dream interpretation and free association.

deduce (v)

to conclude by reasoning

gaunt (adj)

very thin and bony, often related to hunger

penance (n)

self-punishment to make up for wrong doing

minute (adj)

minor; very small

pious (adj)

devoutly religious

degenerate (adj)

showing evidence of decline; having lost the physical, mental, or moral qualities considered normal and desirable

secular (adj)

not religious

ordination (n)

a ceremony in which someone is officially declared a religious leader

serrated (adj)

having points along the edge like some saws, knives, and leaves

orthodox (adj)

conforming to what is generally accepted as right or true (especially when referring to religious or political beliefs); established and approved

allusion (n)

a figure of speech that makes an indirect reference to people, places, or events (often from the Bible, history, mythology, or literature) that the audience should understand

discerning (adj)

having or showing good judgement