(A Glossary)
(LESSON REFERENCES)(LESSON REFERENCES)Lesson 1 Making Fun Family Traditions Lesson 2 Building Character thru the Bible Lesson 3 Teaching Youth Better Morals; Cooperation and Character Education Lesson 4 Adolescent Morality and Peer Influence; Causes of Peer Pressure in Teenagers
Did you know that the dictionary is much more than just a "cheat sheet" for the game of Scrabble? In our era, semantics* can not only play havoc with our dinner table conversation, but can also greatly hamper our study of the best books.
On this page you will find keys* and clues* that will aid you in your quest for truth and understanding. Anyone who has studied Shakespeare, the Holy Scriptures, or any classic or epic literature can find "hidden treasures" of knowledge and bright understanding in the footnotes. If you find a word somewhere on the website with an * next to it, look for further clarification of that word on this page.
Since the "sound byte" has had such an impact on our communication, we will use the more complete definitions that are found in older dictionaries. My favorite dictionaries are the Webster's Seventh Collegiate Dictionary (1965), the Webster 1828 Dictionary, and the LDS Bible Dictionary. (BD)
Here are a few keys and clues to begin with. Most words have multiple meanings, but we selected the ones most useful in our quest context. Have fun on your "treasure hunt"!
In some definitions, synonyms are in caps.
absolute— 1. PURE. Free from mixture 2. fundamental, basic, ULTIMATE
advocate— One who pleads another’s cause. Jesus Christ is the Advocate with the Father on behalf of the righteous. BD p.604
analogy — resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike: similarity
Antichrist— A word used by John to describe one who would assume the guise of Christ, but in reality would be opposed to Christ. BD p.609
atonement— the reconciliation of God and man through the death of Jesus Christ
cause—a principle or movement militantly defended or supported
character— a)the complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person, group, or nation b)one of the persons of a drama or novel c)moral excellence and firmness
clue— a)Something that guides through an intricate procedure or maze of difficulties. b)A piece of evidence tending to lead one toward the solution of a problem.
disciple — n. learner v. t. To teach; to train, or bring up. (Shakespeare)
discipline— n. 1. Education; instruction; cultivation and improvement, comprehending instruction in arts, sciences, correct sentiments, morals and manners, and due subordination to authority
Epic Literature— has the following features.
Broad scope in time, with nationalistic emphasis
Narrative motifs including warfare and rulership
Historical impulse, with allusions to key events in the life of a nation
Supernatural context
Plot with recurrent patterns or situations
Narrated in a ceremonial style or exalted diction which is deliberately distanced from ordinary speech
~Richard Dilworth Rust, Feasting on the Word, pp. 49-51
evil — 1: not good morally: WICKED 2: causing discomfort or repulsion 3: causing harm; PERNICIOUS
Fall of Adam— The process by which mankind became mortal o this earth. BD p.670
gainsay— [ME gainsayen fr. gain~ against; to say more at again] 1. deny, dispute 2. to speak against; contradict Merriam Webster Dictionary, p. 341
good adj— 1: COMMENDABLE, VIRTUOUS, JUST (~ man) 2: RIGHT (~ conduct) 3: KIND, BENEVOLENT (~ intentions) 4: LOYAL
good n — 1: something conforming to the moral order of the universe 2: praiseworthy character
Holy Ghost— The third member of the Godhead and, as the name implies, a personage of Spirit. BD p.704
integrity— 1. An unimpaired condition; soundness 2. Adherence to a code of moral, artistic, or other values 3: the quality or state of being complete or undivided; completeness syn see honesty, unity
Isaiah— The Lord is Salvation. A prophet in Jerusalem during 40 years, 740-701 B.C. BD p.707
isles— Modern readers would never think of North America and South America as islands, but the Hebrews did. Anything they had to go over to get to was considered an island. In fact, Nephi’s younger brother Jacob teaches, “we are upon an isle of the sea” (2Nephi 10:20) ~John Bytheway, Isaiah for Airheads, p.47
Israel— One who prevails with God or Let God prevail. This name was given to Jacob at Penuel and at Bethel. It also applies to his descendants and to their kingdom. BD p.708
key— a)Something that gives an explanation or provides a solution b)A list of words or phrases giving an explanation of symbols or abbreviations
moral — 1: of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior 2: conforming to a standard of right behavior 3: of, relating to, or acting on the mind, character, or will (~ victory) 4:(a) the moral significance or practical lesson (as of a story) (b) a passage pointing out usually in conclusion the lesson to be drawn from a story
MORAL may be opposed to immoral in implying conformity to what is good and right
VIRTUOUS implies the possession or manifestation of moral excellence in character
NOBLE implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character
metaphor— a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in the ship plows the sea)
motif— 1: a) a usually recurring salient thematic element especially in a work of art; a dominant idea or central theme b) a single or repeated design or color 2: an influence or stimulus prompting to action
order of the nehors— a system of enforced priestcraft patterned after the philosophy of the Antichrist Nehor, who killed Gideon with the sword because Gideon disagreed with Nehor
parables— Most teachers, especially Oriental teachers, have used some form of parable in their instruction, but none so exclusively as Jesus at one period of his ministry.. . .the reason for this method . . . was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith. Greek in origin, . . . means a setting side by side, a comparison.
BD pp.740-741
parallel— a)something equal or similar in all essential particulars b)counterpart, similarity c)analogue- something that is analogous or similar to something else
pernicious — 1: highly injurious or destructive 2: causing irreparable or deadly injury 3: through evil or insidious corruption or undermining. NOXIOUS applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of body or mind. DELETERIOUS applies to what has an unsuspected harmful effect when eaten or drunk or inhaled. DETRIMENTAL implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.
priestcraft— unrighteous dominion. “Men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.” (2Nephi26:29
providence a)making provision for the future b)prudent, frugal, saving c)[often capitalized]God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny
prudence a)the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason b)providence in the use of resources c) foresight and wisdom
repent— to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life
reverence— honor or respect; profound adoring awed respect. Deference and tenderness of feeling. Reverence suggests a self-denying acknowledging of what has an intrinsic and inviolate claim to respect.
right — 1: RIGHTEOUS, UPRIGHT 2: being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper (~conduct) 3: agreeable to a standard, conforming to facts or truth 4: acting or judging in accordance with truth or fact (time proved him ~) see MORAL
rod— n. 1. The shoot or long twig of any woody plant 2. An instrument of punishment or correction; chastisement 3. Discipline; ecclesiastical censures. 4. A kind of scepter. 5. A long slender pole 6. A measure of length containing sixteen feet and a half 7. In scripture, a staff or wand. 1 Sam. xiv. 8. Support. Ps.xxiii 9. A shepherd’s crook. Lev. xxvii 10. An instrument for threshing. Is.xxviii 11. Power; authority. Ps. cxxv 12. A tribe or race. Ps. lxxiv Rod of iron, the mighty power of Christ. Rev. xix. Ps.ii (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary)
sacrifice— to make sacred, or to render sacred. (Russell M. Ballard) The words sacred and sacrifice come from the same root. One may not have the sacred without first sacrificing something for it. There can be no sacredness without personal sacrifice. Sacrifice sanctifies the sacred. (Dennis B. Neuenschwander)
salt — 1: a crystalline compound, abundant in nature, used for seasoning and preserving food. 2: an element that gives savor, piquancy, or zest: FLAVOR 3: a scattered elite— usu. used in the phrase salt of the earth see also EXAMPLE, PATTERN
scripture— a writing, used to denote a writing recognized by the Church as sacred and inspired. Latter-day revelation identifies scripture as that which is spoken [by prophets, seers, and revelators] under the influence of the Holy Ghost. (D&C 68:1-4) BD p.770
secularism— indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion or religious considerationssemantics— a)of or relating to meaning in language; connotative meaning b)the exploitation of connotation and ambiguity (as in propaganda)
similitude— an object, act, or event in physical reality which corresponds to or is a simulation of, some greater spiritual reality.
sin— an offense against God; a transgression of the law of God
spiritually minded--- pursuing the will of God
standard— a conspicuous object, to mark as a rallying point, especially in battle or to serve as an emblem.
train— a)to direct the growth of (a plant) usually by bending, pruning. To form by instruction, discipline, or drill b)to make prepared for a test of skill
type— a person, thing, or event (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament)
ultimate — 1: final; finally reckoned 2: basic, elemental 3: incapable of further analysis, division, or separation
wicked — 1: morally bad, EVIL 2: fierce, vicious
wilderness — 1: a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings; WASTE 2: an empty or pathless area or region 3: a confusing multitude of or mass
wit— [akin to Old High German wizzan] to know. [ Latin videre] to see. [Greek eidenai] to know archaic : KNOW, LEARN
wrong — adj 1: not according to the moral standard; SINFUL, IMMORAL 2: not according to truth or facts syn FALSE
wrong — vt 1: to do wrong to :INJURE, HARM; treat disrespectfully or dishonorably 2: DEFRAUD 3: DISHONOR, MALIGN
syn WRONG, OPPRESS, PERSECUTE, AGGRIEVE mean to injure unjustly or outrageously. WRONG implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves; OPPRESS suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform; PERSECUTE implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering; AGGRIEVE suggests a giving cause for protest by wronging, oppressing, or persecuting.
Sources:
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Merriam-Webster New Collegiate Dictionary
LDS Bible Dictionary (BD)