1. martyrs (n.)– a people who make great sacrifices for a cause The martyrs’ faces were placed stoically over the congregation in honor of their valiant and faithful service.

2. grotesque (adj.)—bizarre, unusual, or beyond comprehension The grotesque gargoyles hung above the crowd and slowly drooled away the winter’s snow from the cathedral’s slimy slate tiles.

3. ascertained (v.)-having found something to be true. Though suspected for several centuries, science eventually ascertained that the world did indeed revolve around the sun.

4. consternation (n.)—concern or worry The mother’s consternation for her young girl and boy swelled with each afternoon as they became weary from hunger. http://www.legendinc.com/Pages/Downloads/worried-woman.jpg

5. alighted (v.)—having landed after a flight After a long flight in search of food for his young hatchlings, the eagle eventually alighted at his nest with a morsel for his brood. http://i.pbase.com/g6/40/624440/2/84726144.URswQFUD.jpg

6. subordinate (adj.)—holding a lesser rank or position of power By struggling beyond his subordinate birth, Frederick Douglass rose from the chains of slavery to become one of the world’s most famous abolitionists and society celebrities.

7. disposition (n.)—natural attitude towards things, demeanor Struggling with the pressure of his peers, the discovery of the red helmet gradually allowed the young boy to push aside his fearful disposition in favor of pushing his personal limits. http://www.banff.co.za/images/pic_red.jpg

8. summons (n.)—an official call to appear The young prince awaited the king’s summons; however, one day turned into many as his identity seemed lost forever.

9. upbraid (v.)—to criticize Please don’t upbraid me for my devastating good looks; its not easy being this gorgeous. http://www.tully.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/179794497_08518d666e.jpg

10. obliged (v.)—compelled or bound to doing a favor When she stopped and caught my eye with a smile, I felt obliged to smile in return; however, blushing out loud was not part of the plan.

11. steadfastly (adv.)—firmly determined, or resolute Yoda steadfastly adhered to glorifying The Force through the talent he developed in his young Jedi knights. http://data360.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/yoda.jpg

12. avocations (n.)—daily duties, hobbies As my board hovers delicately above the smooth pavement, my longboarding avocation transforms the world into a series blurs and tangled edges…And I, just a lonely blur myself, glide into the mix. http://www.outdoorjapan.com/oj/contents/columns/1179460264/images/imgmain

13. toilsome (adj.)—torturous, labor-intensive Elie Wiesel’s Night stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to seek light and hope …even along the most toilsome of journeys.

14. provisions (n.)—needed supplies Once we had all of the provisions on board, we raised the anchor and let the breath of the Earth fill the sails and take us to dreams over the horizon. http://www.sail-world.com/photos/Alt_834cr_bb_seite_01.jpg

15. procured (v.)—secured or obtained The griffin’s own sense of respect for the Minor Canon forced the beast to procure the town’s honor and reverence as gifts for his human friend.