Advanced — Set 19

Set 19 of Advanced covers 5 words: martyr, liberation, kinship, oracle, epiphany. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. martyr · noun/ˈmɑrdər/

   someone who dies or suffers for the sake of principle, religious or political beliefs

   Joan of Arc was killed for her religious beliefs and is considered one of the most famous martyrs in history.

   Synonyms: sufferer

   Origin: Old English martir, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek martur ‘witness’ (in Christian use, ‘martyr’)

2. liberation · noun/ˌlɪbəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/

   the act of freeing someone or something

   Yoga, which developed in ancient India as a technique for spiritual liberation from the cycles of rebirth, has now become mostly a secular practice.

   Synonyms: release, freedom

3. kinship · noun/ˈkɪnˌʃɪp/

   relatedness or connection by blood, interests or character

   After reading her biography, Kasie felt a kinship with Mother Teresa, whose style of activism deeply resonated with her own.

   Synonyms: affinity, like-mindedness

4. oracle · noun/ˈɔrək(ə)l/

   someone who is believed to communicate with divine spirits and know about the future.

   In traditional African religions, before a child is born, an oracle is consulted about the future of the baby.

   Synonyms: prophet

   Origin: late Middle English: via Old French from Latin oraculum, from orare ‘speak’

5. epiphany · noun/əˈpɪfəni/

   the moment when a person suddenly understands something

   While waiting for the teamaker to boil the water, I had an epiphany about my career, which changed my life drastically.

   Synonyms: insight, realization

   Origin: Middle English: from Greek epiphainein ‘reveal’. The sense relating to the Christian festival is via Old French epiphanie and ecclesiastical Latin epiphania