"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775): List 1

Perhaps the ultimate call to arms, Patrick Henry's speech makes a case for the inevitability of the American Revolution. On March 23, 1775 Virginian patriots met at St. John’s Church in Richmond to discuss support for fellow colonists in Massachusetts where Parliament had sent four regiments of troops. Leading the call for Virginian’s to act was Patrick Henry. In proposing that Virginia prepare itself to fight he delivered an emotional speech ending with his immortal words, “Give me liberty or give me death!”
14 words 394 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. entertain
    take into consideration or have in view
    But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.
  2. sentiment
    a personal belief or judgment
    But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.
  3. moment
    importance in effect or influence
    The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country.
  4. proportion
    relation with respect to comparative quantity or magnitude
    For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.
  5. magnitude
    the property of relative size or extent
    For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.
  6. revere
    regard with feelings of respect
    Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
  7. indulge
    yield to; give satisfaction to
    Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.
  8. illusion
    the act of deluding
    Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.
  9. apt
    naturally disposed toward
    We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.
  10. siren
    a woman who is considered to be dangerously seductive
    We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.
  11. arduous
    taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance
    Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
  12. temporal
    of this earth or world
    Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
  13. salvation
    a means of preserving from harm or unpleasantness
    Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
  14. anguish
    extreme distress of body or mind
    For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
Created on Mon Jun 02 11:51:07 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Jun 02 12:11:40 EDT 2025)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.