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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. venerate
    regard with feelings of respect and reverence
    In ancient Egypt, priests venerated gods associated with the flooding of the Nile (Hapi) and the movement of the sun (Ra).
  2. polytheistic
    worshipping or believing in more than one god
    As a result, the focus of polytheistic religions turned from natural to human concerns; for example, in later Mesopotamia, Marduk was venerated as the patron deity and protector of the city of Babylon.
  3. patron
    someone who supports or champions something
    As a result, the focus of polytheistic religions turned from natural to human concerns; for example, in later Mesopotamia, Marduk was venerated as the patron deity and protector of the city of Babylon.
  4. legitimacy
    lawfulness by virtue of being authorized
    In Vedic South Asia, early kings (rajahs) relied on the rituals of the brahman and the Vedas to support their legitimacy and authority.
  5. justify
    show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
    In Zhou China, the Mandate of Heaven justified the king’s legitimacy, dictating that through his ancestors he was connected to the cosmic forces of heaven that brought political and natural order to Earth.
  6. dictate
    determine, order, or control how something is done
    In Zhou China, the Mandate of Heaven justified the king’s legitimacy, dictating that through his ancestors he was connected to the cosmic forces of heaven that brought political and natural order to Earth.
  7. cosmic
    pertaining to or characteristic of the universe
    In Zhou China, the Mandate of Heaven justified the king’s legitimacy, dictating that through his ancestors he was connected to the cosmic forces of heaven that brought political and natural order to Earth.
  8. bolster
    support and strengthen
    From the Ancient Period to the 20th century, the Mandate of Heaven bolstered the authority of Chinese rulers in periods of stability but undermined political authorities in periods of natural and political disaster.
  9. undermine
    weaken or impair, especially gradually
    From the Ancient Period to the 20th century, the Mandate of Heaven bolstered the authority of Chinese rulers in periods of stability but undermined political authorities in periods of natural and political disaster.
  10. metaphysical
    pertaining to the philosophical study of being and knowing
    Toward the end of the Ancient Period, religious beliefs and practices became increasingly human centered and metaphysical.
  11. monotheistic
    believing that there is only one god
    Judaism and Zoroastrianism, two of the earliest monotheistic religions, focused on morality more than on controlling nature.
  12. morality
    the quality of being in accord with right or good conduct
    Judaism and Zoroastrianism, two of the earliest monotheistic religions, focused on morality more than on controlling nature.
  13. ethical
    adhering to moral principles
    According to the Torah, veneration of God was accomplished through moral and ethical behaviors as opposed to rituals.
  14. omnipresent
    existing everywhere at once
    As text-based faiths devoted to a single, omnipresent deity, these religions could be practiced anywhere.
Created on Wed Jun 12 12:23:59 EDT 2019 (updated Fri Jun 14 16:29:47 EDT 2019)

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