accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 45 uses
1 —40 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
I readily pledged myself to accompany him in accordance with his wish.
accordance = keeping (or agreement)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
Word Statistics
| Book | 40 uses |
| Library | 46 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
2 —5 uses as in:
done of her own accord
I was charmed by her presently asking me, of her own accord, to give her that cookery-book I had once spoken of,
own accord = own mind (without prompting or anyone telling her to)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 40-42 |
allude
40 uses
by which he meant snail, and this was in allusion to his being slow to go,
allusion = an indirect reference
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 40 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7-9 |
complacent
8 uses
Mr. Dick was so very complacent ... that I am sorry to say I was provoked into explaining to him that ruin meant distress, want, and starvation;
complacent = happily satisfied (too a fault)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 34-36 |
disparage
9 uses
I found a great many foxes, disparaging whole vineyards of inaccessible grapes;
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
(editor's note: this references Aesop's fable in which a fox cannot reach a bunch of grapes and so declares that they are not worth having anyway.)
(editor's note: this references Aesop's fable in which a fox cannot reach a bunch of grapes and so declares that they are not worth having anyway.)
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7-9 |
endeavor
50 uses
Without such assurance I should certainly have left it alone, and bestowed my energy on some other endeavour.
endeavour = project (attempting to do something else)
Definition
Generally endeavor means:to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
Word Statistics
| Book | 50 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4-6 |
engender
6 uses
I had been out, one day, loitering somewhere, in the listless, meditative manner that my way of life engendered, when...
engendered = caused
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7-9 |
entreat
37 uses
I entreat Mr. Traddles to bear with me in entering into these details.
entreat = ask
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask or attempt to persuade — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 37 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 58-60 |
impetuous
6 uses
Mr. Micawber, whose impetuosity I had restrained thus far with the greatest difficulty,
impetuosity = impulsiveness (the trait of acting suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 52-54 |
oblige (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 76 uses
1 —42 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
He had a hammer in his hand, and his mouth was full of little nails, which he was obliged to take out before he could speak.
obliged = required
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 42 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
2 —12 uses as in:
I obliged her every request.
Perhaps he voted for somebody, or lent money to somebody, or bought something of somebody, or otherwise obliged somebody, or jobbed for somebody, who knew somebody who got the lieutenant of the county to nominate him for the commission.
obliged = granted a favor to someone
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:grant a favor to someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 61-62 |
3 —22 uses as in:
I'm much obliged for your kindness
I could have wished he had been less obliged to me, for he hovered about me in his gratitude all the rest of the evening;
obliged = grateful or indebted
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
passage
1 use
' He read this passage as if it were from an Act of Parliament; and appeared majestically refreshed by the sound of the words.†
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 52-54 |
remonstrate
18 uses
'My dearest,' I remonstrated, 'don't talk preposterous nonsense!'
remonstrated = protested
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 40-42 |
reproach
31 uses
There was no higher praise for her; no higher reproach for me.
reproach = criticism
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 31 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
repudiate
3 uses
Mr. Micawber sat in his elbow-chair, with his eyebrows raised; half receiving and half repudiating Mrs. Micawber's views...
repudiating = rejecting
Definition
Generally repudiate means:strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 55-57 |
resolve (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 38 uses
1 —26 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
I had resolved to run away.
resolved = definitely decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 26 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 46-48 |
2 —10 uses as in:
Her resolve weakened.
'I am only trying to show you, my dear, that you must — you really must' (I was resolved not to give this up) — 'accustom yourself to look after Mary Anne.'
resolved = determined (having firm purpose or having firmly decided)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-3 |
3 —2 uses as in:
How did you resolve the problem?
An opportune double knock at the door, which I knew well from old experience in Windsor Terrace, and which nobody but Mr. Micawber could ever have knocked at that door, resolved any doubt in my mind as to their being my old friends.
resolved = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to solve a problem or settle a disagreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25-27 |
sagacious
8 uses
he always consulted me in any little matter of doubt that arose, and invariably guided himself by my advice; not only having a high respect for my native sagacity, but considering that I inherited a good deal from my aunt.
sagacity = wisdom
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10-12 |