abhor
24 uses
Shall I not then hate them who abhor me?
abhor = hate
Definition
Generally abhor means:to hate or detest something
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
accord
16 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
I reflected that I ought not to leave the relics of my work to excite the horror and suspicion of the peasants; and I accordingly put them into a basket, with a great quantity of stones, and laying them up, determined to throw them into the sea that very night;
accordingly = as a result (of what was just said)
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 or accordingly 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
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
benevolent
22 uses
If any being felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them a hundred and a hundredfold; for that one creature's sake I would make peace with the whole kind!
benevolence = kindness and goodwill
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
bestow
30 uses
His tale and the feelings he now expressed proved him to be a creature of fine sensations, and did I not as his maker owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow?
bestow = give
Definition
Generally bestow means:to give — typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
Word Statistics
| Book | 30 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
conjecture
12 uses
Besides, some months have elapsed since the commission of his crimes, and no one can conjecture to what place he has wandered or what region he may now inhabit.
conjecture = guess
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
consequence
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent, but I felt that there was some justice in his argument.
consequences = results (things that follow from it)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
countenance
48 uses
1 —48 uses as in:
a pleasant countenance
His countenance expressed sympathy and compassion;
countenance = facial expression
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 48 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
direct (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 21 uses
1 —17 uses as in:
directed her question to
I was surprised that among so many men of genius who had directed their inquiries towards the same science, that I alone should be reserved to discover so astonishing a secret.
directed = targeted
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —2 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
...when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course, exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me what I am, I imagine that you may deduce an apt moral from my tale, one that may direct you if you succeed in your undertaking and console you in case of failure.
direct = instruct
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
unquizzed meaning —2 uses
resolution (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 10 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a New Year's resolution
My first resolution was to quit Geneva forever; my country, which, when I was happy and beloved, was dear to me, now, in my adversity, became hateful.
resolution = decision
Definition
Generally this sense of resolution means:a firm decision to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —8 uses as in:
Her resolution weakened.
My courage and my resolution is firm; but my hopes fluctuate, and my spirits are often depressed.
resolution = determination (firmness of purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 37 uses
1 —36 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
I have resolved every night, when I am not imperatively occupied by my duties, to record, as nearly as possible in his own words, what he has related during the day.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 36 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
2 —1 use as in:
Her resolve weakened.
He said little, but when he spoke I read in his kindling eye and in his animated glance a restrained but firm resolve not to be chained to the miserable details of commerce.
resolve = determination
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
satiate
5 uses
He had vowed TO BE WITH ME ON MY WEDDING-NIGHT, yet he did not consider that threat as binding him to peace in the meantime, for as if to show me that he was not yet satiated with blood, he had murdered Clerval immediately after the enunciation of his threats.
satiated = filled to satisfaction
Definition
Generally satiate means:to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired—such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
sublime
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
she is sublime
These sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving.
sublime = impressively wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of sublime means:impressively wonderful — often beautiful or morally admirable
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
sustain (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
sustained by her faith
...if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection.
sustain = support
Definition
Generally this sense of sustain means:provide support or necessities
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —6 uses as in:
sustained wounds
My father still desired to delay our departure, fearful that I could not sustain the fatigues of a journey, for I was a shattered wreck—the shadow of a human being.
sustain = endure (suffer through)
Definition
Generally this sense of sustain means:to suffer (as of injury, damage, or loss)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
wretched
24 uses
I never saw a man in so wretched a condition.
wretched = miserable
Definition
Generally wretched means:very bad
in various senses, including:
- unfortunate or miserable — as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
- of poor quality — as in "wretched roads"
- morally bad — as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 8 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
It was a most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage, but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.
yield = produce
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —6 uses as in:
yield to pressure
I fear that he will become an idler unless we yield the point and permit him to enter on the profession which he has selected.
yield = give up
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |