candid
16 uses
"We admire the people who possess the practical wisdom we want, but we don't quarrel with them. Then why should they quarrel with us? Live and let live, we say to them. Live upon your practical wisdom, and let us live upon you!"
He laughed, but as usual seemed quite candid and really to mean what he said.
He laughed, but as usual seemed quite candid and really to mean what he said.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 52-54 |
capricious
7 uses
All this, instead of being as you now are, dependent on the mere caprice of Puffy!
caprice = impulsiveness or unpredictability
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22-24 |
complacent
10 uses
Miss Flite received the compliment with complacency and dropped a general curtsy to us.
complacency = contented (unworried and happy)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13-15 |
conciliatory
4 uses
She seemed to respect him and even to wish to conciliate him.
conciliate = build trust with
Definition
Generally conciliatory means:intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7-9 |
deride
1 use
expressive of derision and contempt
derision = disrespect — typically while laughing at or making fun of
Definition
Generally deride means:laugh at or make fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 34-36 |
diligent
7 uses
He was punctual and diligent;
diligent = characterized by hard work and care
Definition
Generally diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13-15 |
disdain
12 uses
My Lady, with a disdainful gesture of the hand that holds the screen, assures him of his being worth no complaint from her.
disdainful = showing a lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
disparage
10 uses
Heaven forbid that I should disparage my dear child, but he has—no deportment.
disparage = criticize
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22-24 |
earnest
54 uses
He looked unprepared for my being so earnest, and even a little alarmed.
earnest = intensely or excessively serious
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 54 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
empower
2 uses
If you would empower me to do it, I would do it for you with the greatest satisfaction!
empower = give authority to
Definition
Generally empower means:give or delegate authority or power to
or:
give knowledge or confidence to someone that permits doing something
or:
give knowledge or confidence to someone that permits doing something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 55-57 |
expedient
4 uses
In consequence of Mrs. Snagsby looking deeply edified, Mr. Snagsby thinks it expedient on the whole to say amen, which is well received.
expedient = speedy or practical; or an action that is speedy or practical
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
I'm inclined to
As I approached the house, I was strongly inclined to turn back,
inclined = in the mood (had a desire to)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency; in the mood; or an attitude that favors something
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16-18 |
2 —2 uses as in:
on an incline or incline his head
...inclined his head as if he did not wholly dispute even that.
inclined = bent
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10-12 |
indifferent
30 uses
He is indifferent to everything but his calling.
indifferent = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest — in various senses such as:
- unconcerned
- unsympathetic
- impartial
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context)
Word Statistics
| Book | 30 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10-12 |
indignant
31 uses
The agitation and the indignation from which I have recently suffered have been too much for me.
indignation = anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 31 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
inquire
77 uses
Mr. Guppy lifts his eyebrows inquiringly and looks at Tony.
inquiringly = in a manner that seeks information
Definition
Generally inquire means:to ask about or look into something
Word Statistics
| Book | 77 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31-33 |
remonstrate
21 uses
Mr. William Guppy, however, having got the advantage, cannot quite release it without a little more injured remonstrance.
remonstrance = argument in protest or opposition
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 55-57 |
resumption
24 uses
The trooper retires to a distant part of the room and resumes his curious inspection of the boxes,
resumes = begins again
Definition
Generally resumption means:beginning again
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10-12 |
sufficient
45 uses
I am not sufficiently acquainted with such subjects to know whether it is at all remarkable
sufficiently = adequately
Definition
Generally sufficient means:adequate (enough — often without being more than is needed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 45 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10-12 |
venerate
4 uses
He is my husband's best and dearest friend, he is our children's darling, he is the object of our deepest love and veneration.
veneration = feelings of respect and reverence
Definition
Generally venerate means:regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10-12 |