George Washington: First Inaugural Address

Glossary

• actuate to spur to action
• animosities feelings of ill will
• ardent impassioned; warm in feeling
• arduous requiring effort
• asylum sanctuary; place of refuge and protection
• attachments feelings of connection or affection
• aver to assert or declare
• benediction blessing
• consecrate to devote to a purpose, usually sacred
• despondence discouragement
• discernment good judgment
• emoluments payments or other forms of compensation
• endowments innate talents or abilities
• expedient serving to achieve an end or a purpose
• felicity feeling of well-being; happiness
• homage acknowledgment of respect
• immutable unchangeable
• indissoluble unable to be separated or dissolved
• inquietude worried state of mind
• Invisible Hand the workings of God
• juncture a specific point in time, especially one made important by a convergence of events
• maxims general principles
• magnanimous kind or generous in spirit
• palliated mitigated; made less severe
• pecuniary monetary
• predilection predisposition in favor of something
• providential agency God's role
• rectitude integrity; uprightness
• repaired traveled; made one's way
• supplications humble appeals
• transcendent surpassing typical limits
• veneration deep respect
• vicissitudes unexpected or changeable circumstances