"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775): List 4

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. formidable
    inspiring fear or dread
    They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
  2. adversary
    someone who offers opposition
    They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
  3. supine
    apathetic or weak; offering no resistance
    Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
  4. delusive
    inappropriate to reality or facts
    Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
  5. invincible
    incapable of being overcome or subdued
    The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.
  6. preside
    act as executive officer
    There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
  7. destiny
    the ultimate agency predetermining the course of events
  8. vigilant
    carefully observant or attentive
    The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
  9. base
    having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality
    If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.
  10. inevitable
    incapable of being avoided or prevented
    The war is inevitable — and let it come!
  11. extenuate
    lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or degree of
    It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.
  12. gale
    a strong wind moving 34–40 knots
    The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!
    Henry is using gale as a metaphor for the threat of fighting with Britain. Just as a thunderstorm brings a clash of thunder, war brings a clash of arms.
  13. brethren
    people who are members of the same social or cultural group
    Our brethren are already in the field!
    Henry is talking about the people of Massachusetts as the brothers of Virginians.
  14. idle
    not in action or at work
    Why stand we here idle?
Created on Mon Jun 02 12:37:51 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Jun 02 12:43:28 EDT 2025)

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