American History: Primary Sources: "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775)

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. entertain
    take into consideration or have in view
    But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.
  2. sentiment
    a personal belief or judgment
    But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.
  3. revere
    regard with feelings of respect
    Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
  4. siren
    a woman who is considered to be dangerously seductive
    We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.
  5. arduous
    taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance
    Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
  6. temporal
    of this earth or world
    Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
  7. ministry
    a government department
    And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.
  8. solace
    comfort offered to one who is disappointed or miserable
    And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.
  9. insidious
    working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
    Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?
  10. reception
    the manner in which something is greeted
    Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.
  11. comport
    behave in a certain manner
    Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.
  12. reconciliation
    the reestablishment of cordial relations
    Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?
  13. subjugation
    the act of conquering
    These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort.
  14. martial
    suggesting war or military life
    I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?
  15. array
    an impressive display or assortment
    I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?
  16. submission
    the act of surrendering power to another
    I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?
  17. in vain
    without a successful result or effect
    We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.
  18. entreaty
    earnest or urgent request
    Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?
  19. beseech
    ask for or request earnestly
    Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves.
  20. avert
    prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
    Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on.
  21. remonstrate
    present and urge reasons in opposition
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  22. supplicate
    ask humbly for something
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  23. prostrate
    throw down flat, as on the ground
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  24. implore
    beg or request earnestly and urgently
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  25. tyrannical
    marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  26. parliament
    a legislative assembly in certain countries
    We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
  27. remonstrance
    the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
    Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
  28. spurn
    reject with contempt
    Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
  29. contempt
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
    Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
  30. inestimable
    beyond calculation or measure
    If we wish to be free — if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending — if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained — we must fight!
  31. formidable
    inspiring fear or dread
    They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
  32. adversary
    someone who offers opposition
    They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
  33. 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?
  34. 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.
  35. vigilant
    carefully observant or attentive
    The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
  36. 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.
  37. extenuate
    lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or degree of
    It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.
  38. 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.
  39. 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.
  40. idle
    not in action or at work
    Why stand we here idle?
Created on Wed May 02 18:09:30 EDT 2012 (updated Tue Aug 03 16:45:12 EDT 2021)

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