Cookie Policy

Our website uses cookies to understand content and feature usage to drive site improvements over time. To learn more, review our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

OER Logo

Unit 3 Vocab Guide

Page 1 of 5
UNIT 3 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT AP1Key Unit VocabularyThis report provides a summary of key vocabulary for this unit. For each word, you will find the definition, part of speech, word forms (plurals/tenses), synonyms, and examples of how the word, or forms of the word, are used in a sentence.boyar• a member of a class of nobles in Russia with high rankPart of speech:nounWord forms:boyarsSynonyms:aristocrat, nobleIn a sentence:The boyars demanded land in exchange for their pledge of loyalty to the new king.cannon• a large, mounted gun for firing heavy shellsPart of speech:nounWord forms:cannonsSynonyms:gunIn a sentence:The cannon’s bombardment of the city led to its eventual defeat.cosmopolitan• of, drawn from, or common to all the world or all the peoples of the world Part of speech:adjectiveWord forms:Synonyms:metropolitanIn a sentence:Cosmopolitan port cities in South Asia welcomed merchants from different cultures and belief systems.devshirme• Ottoman practice of forcing Christian families to sell their children into the service of the sultan Part of speech:nounWord forms:Synonyms:In a sentence:Ottoman rulers often forced Balkan families to sell their children, who converted to Islam and pledged service to the sultan.divine• of, from, pertaining to, or characteristic of a god or godsPart of speech:adjectiveWord forms:divinity, divine rightSynonyms:godlike, omnipotent, superhumanIn a sentence:The sailors believed that divine mercy kept the ship from going under.
UNIT 3 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT AP2gunpowder• an explosive used to propel a gun projectile, especially the explosive made from potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal; black powderPart of speech:nounWord forms:gunpowderySynonyms:explosivesIn a sentence:The Ottomans used gunpowder to conquer societies and expand their empire.imam• the officiating leader of prayer in a Muslim mosquePart of speech:nounWord forms:imamsSynonyms:In a sentence:The older imam led the prayer that day.imperial• designating or characterizing the authority of a sovereign state over colonies or dependenciesPart of speech:adjectiveWord forms:empire, imperialism, imperialist, imperialisticSynonyms:sovereignIn a sentence:During the British imperial period, India suffered greatly.infrastructure• the basic facilities and equipment, especially of a technological nature, that are necessary for a system or organization to functionPart of speech:nounWord forms:infrastructuresSynonyms:base, frameworkIn a sentence:This empire has a highly developed infrastructure of paved roads and bridges.janissary• formerly, a member of a Turkish sultan’s guardPart of speech:nounWord forms:janissariesSynonyms:warrior, soldierIn a sentence:A group of janissaries can be seen patrolling outside the sultan’s summer home whenever he is there.
UNIT 3 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT AP3principality• the area ruled by a princePart of speech:nounWord forms:principalitiesSynonyms:domainIn a sentence:The principality, located in the far reaches of the kingdom, rarely had communication with the central government.Reformation• sixteenth-century religious movement in Europe that led to the creation of Protestant faiths in opposition to CatholicismPart of speech:nounWord forms:Protestant Reformation, European ReformationSynonyms:In a sentence:Martin Luther criticized the Catholic Church and his writings led to the period known as the Reformation.revenue• government income from the collection of taxesPart of speech:nounWord forms:revenuesSynonyms:income, earnings, profitIn a sentence:The government increased taxes in order to generate revenue for building projects.Shi’a• a messianic belief system and branch of Islam that accepts descendants of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, and the imams as the true successors of Muhammad and the faithPart of speech:proper nounWord forms:Shi’iteSynonyms:In a sentence:Shi’a was the predominant faith practiced in the Safavid Empire (modern-day Iran).Sikhism• religious community founded in northern India by Guru Nanak that rejected caste divisionsPart of speech:proper nounWord forms:SikhSynonyms:In a sentence:Many farmers and traders, including both men and women, were attracted to Sikhism and the rejection of castes.
UNIT 3 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT AP4sultan• the ruler of an Islamic countryPart of speech:nounWord forms:sultansSynonyms:ruler, emperor, kingIn a sentence:It is by the sultan’s decree that all men between the ages of 18 and 35 will serve in the army.Sunni• branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphs as the true successors of Muhammad and leaders of the faithPart of speech:nounWord forms:Synonyms:In a sentence:The Sunni branch of Islam is considered more orthodox (traditional) and widespread than the Shi’a branch.tariff• a government tax on imports or exports, or a rate or schedule of such taxes; dutyPart of speech:nounWord forms:tariffs, tariffing, tariffedSynonyms:tax, dutyIn a sentence:The president is threatening to impose extreme tariffs if the country refuses to honor the peace treaty.tax• a sum of money levied by government on income, property, or sales and used for its services and administrationPart of speech:nounWord forms:taxes, taxation, taxing, taxedSynonyms:tariff, surchargeIn a sentence:The English monarchy imposed many taxes on the American colonists for items such as sugar and stamps.treasury• the funds of a government, business, or clubPart of speech:nounWord forms:treasuries, treasurerSynonyms:finances, funds, coffersIn a sentence:The nation’s treasury was left with almost nothing after spending so much on numerous wars.
UNIT 3 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT AP5tsar• the title of a male Russian ruler before 1917Part of speech:nounWord forms:tsars, tsarina (female)Synonyms:czar, monarchIn a sentence:The Russian leader used to be referred to as the tsar.