"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775): List 3

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!”
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. in vain
    without a successful result or effect
    We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.
  2. entreaty
    earnest or urgent request
    Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?
  3. supplication
    a humble request for help from someone in authority
    Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?
  4. beseech
    ask for or request earnestly
    Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves.
  5. avert
    prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
    Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on.
  6. remonstrate
    present and urge reasons in opposition
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  7. supplicate
    ask humbly for something
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  8. prostrate
    throw down flat, as on the ground
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  9. implore
    beg or request earnestly and urgently
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  10. tyrannical
    marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  11. parliament
    a legislative assembly in certain countries
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  12. remonstrance
    the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
    Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
  13. spurn
    reject with contempt
    Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
  14. contempt
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
    Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
  15. inestimable
    beyond calculation or measure
    If we wish to be free — if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending — if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained — we must fight!
Created on Mon Jun 02 12:27:40 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Jun 02 12:33:38 EDT 2025)

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