The Top 90 Terms to help you Comprehend the Declaration of Independence

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words only definitions & notes
  1. unalienable
    incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, govern
  2. constrain
    hold back
    Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government.
  3. usurpation
    wrongfully seizing and holding by force
    But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their f
  4. King of Great Britain
    the sovereign ruler of England
    The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states.
  5. abolish
    do away with
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments a
  6. consanguinity
    relation by blood
    They too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.
  7. suspend
    bar temporarily
    He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
  8. impel
    urge or force to an action; constrain or motivate
    When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of
  9. abdicate
    give up power, duties, or obligations
    He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
  10. naturalization
    the proceeding whereby a foreigner is granted citizenship
    He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of la
  11. sufferance
    patient endurance especially of pain or distress
    Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government.
  12. dissolve
    pass into a solution
    When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature
  13. ravage
    cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
    He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
  14. absolve
    grant remission of a sin to
    We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies s
  15. inhabitant
    a person who lives in a particular place
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended le
  16. assent
    agree or express agreement
    He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
  17. endow
    give qualities or abilities to
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, govern
  18. evince
    give expression to
    But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their f
  19. harass
    annoy continually or chronically
    He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
  20. acquiesce
    agree or express agreement
    We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.
  21. perfidy
    an act of deliberate betrayal
    He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy
  22. rectitude
    righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
    We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these col
  23. colony
    a group of organisms of the same type living together
    Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government.
  24. altering
    the sterilization of an animal
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended le
  25. mercenary
    a person hired to fight for another country than their own
    He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy
  26. establish
    set up or found
    Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right them
  27. magnanimity
    nobility and generosity of spirit
    We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
  28. declare
    state emphatically and authoritatively
    When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of
  29. endeavor
    attempt by employing effort
    He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of la
  30. tyrant
    a cruel and oppressive dictator
    He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.
  31. emigration
    moving from one place in order to settle in another
    We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here.
  32. appropriation
    a deliberate act of acquisition, often without permission
    He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of la
  33. plundered
    wrongfully emptied or stripped of anything of value
    He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
  34. jurisdiction
    the territory within which power can be exercised
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of prete
  35. tyranny
    government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator
    The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states.
  36. tenure
    the term during which some position is held
    He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
  37. despotism
    dominance through threat of punishment and violence
    But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their f
  38. reliance
    the state of depending on something
    And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
  39. independent
    free from external control and constraint
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of prete
  40. transport
    move something or somebody around
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended le
  41. assemble
    create by putting components or members together
    We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these col
  42. legislative
    relating to a lawmaking assembly
    He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
  43. compliance
    the act of submitting, usually surrendering power to another
    He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
  44. levy
    impose and collect
    We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies s
  45. migration
    the movement of persons from one locality to another
    He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of la
  46. deprive
    take away
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended le
  47. derive
    come from
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments a
  48. absolute
    perfect or complete or pure
    But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their f
  49. plunder
    steal goods; take as spoils
    He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
  50. consent
    give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments a
  51. justice
    the quality of being fair, reasonable, or impartial
    He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
  52. arbitrary
    based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended le
  53. brethren
    the lay members of a male religious order
    He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
  54. impose
    charge and collect payment
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended le
  55. barbarous
    able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
    He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy
  56. allegiance
    the act of binding yourself to a course of action
    We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies s
  57. law
    the collection of rules imposed by authority
    When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature
  58. representative
    serving to typify
    He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people.
  59. kindred
    group of people related by blood or marriage
    We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
  60. render
    give or supply
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of prete
  61. inevitably
    in such a manner as could not be otherwise
    We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
  62. captive
    a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
    He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
  63. government
    the system or form by which a community is ruled
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, government
  64. prudence
    discretion in practical affairs
    Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right them
  65. fatigue
    temporary loss of strength and energy from hard work
    He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
  66. invariably
    without change, in every case
    But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their f
  67. appeal
    earnest or urgent request
    We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
  68. formidable
    extremely impressive in strength or excellence
    He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.
  69. frontier
    a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
    He has excited domestic insurrection among us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.
  70. representation
    standing in for someone and speaking on their behalf
    He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.
  71. trial
    the act of testing something
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended le
  72. declaration
    a statement that is emphatic and explicit
    And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
  73. jury
    a body of citizens sworn to give a verdict in a court of law
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended le
  74. multitude
    a large indefinite number
    He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
  75. Britain
    a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles
    The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states.
  76. legislation
    the act of making or enacting laws
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended
  77. citizen
    a native or naturalized member of a state
    He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
  78. pursuit
    the act of following in an effort to overtake or capture
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, govern
  79. equal
    having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
    When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature
  80. humble
    marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
    In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.
  81. foundation
    the basis on which something is grounded
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments a
  82. domestic
    of or relating to the home
    He has excited domestic insurrection among us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.
  83. sacred
    made, declared, or believed to be holy
    And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
  84. nation
    a politically organized body of people under a government
    He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the he
  85. civil
    of or occurring between or among citizens of the state
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of prete
  86. administration
    the act of governing or exercising authority
    He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
  87. liberty
    freedom of choice
    We hold these truths to be self-evident:

    That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, govern
  88. bear
    be pregnant with
    He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
  89. military
    the armed forces of a nation
    He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of prete
  90. arms
    weapons considered collectively
    He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
Created on Wed Nov 09 15:02:15 EST 2011 (updated Wed Nov 09 15:04:24 EST 2011)

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