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 |
acquit (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
she was acquitted
She is to be tried today, and I hope, I sincerely hope, that she will be acquitted.
acquitted = officially found "not guilty"
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
2 —1 use as in:
she acquitted herself well
Twice I actually hired myself as an under-mate in a Greenland whaler, and acquitted myself to admiration.
acquitted = handled
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
ameliorate
1 use
I felt the greatest eagerness to hear the promised narrative, partly from curiosity and partly from a strong desire to ameliorate his fate if it were in my power.
ameliorate = improve
Definition
Generally ameliorate means:to improve — especially a bad situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
amiable
14 uses
During all that period she appeared to me the most amiable and benevolent of human creatures.
amiable = friendly and kindly
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
benevolent
22 uses
This was then the reward of my benevolence!
benevolence = kindness or generosity
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
conjecture
12 uses
This account rather alarmed us, and we continued to search for him until night fell, when Elizabeth conjectured that he might have returned to the house.
conjectured = guessed based on inconclusive evidence
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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
contrast
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
there is a contrast
Harmony was the soul of our companionship, and the diversity and contrast that subsisted in our characters drew us nearer together.
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
despondent
12 uses
...his eyes and attitude expressed the utmost sadness and despondency.
despondency = depression
Definition
Generally despondent means:emotionally depressed — especially a feeling of grief and hopelessness after a loss
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 | 31 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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
dogmatic
1 use
His gentleness was never tinged by dogmatism, and his instructions were given with an air of frankness and good nature that banished every idea of pedantry.
dogmatism = stating opinions as absolute truth
Definition
Generally dogmatic means:prone to stating opinions as absolute truth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
entreat
18 uses
My dear son, I entreat you never to make such an assertion again.
entreat = ask
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask or attempt to persuade — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
epithet
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
racial epithet
The child still struggled and loaded me with epithets which carried despair to my heart; I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet.
epithets = insulting or abusive words or phrases
Definition
Generally this sense of epithet means:an insulting or abusive word or phrase
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
implement
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a small implement
I have copies of these letters, for I found means, during my residence in the hovel, to procure the implements of writing; and the letters were often in the hands of Felix or Agatha.
implements = small tools or other useful objects
Definition
Generally this sense of implement means:a small tool or other useful object
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
penury
2 uses
It contained but two rooms, and these exhibited all the squalidness of the most miserable penury.
penury = a state of extreme poverty or destitution
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
sagacious
2 uses
Besides, I found that my understanding improved so much with every day's experience that I was unwilling to commence this undertaking until a few more months should have added to my sagacity.
sagacity = wisdom
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
transitory
4 uses
These feelings are transitory;
transitory = lasting a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
vacillate
1 use
The poor woman was very vacillating in her repentance.
vacillating = changing one's mind back and forth between conflicting ideas
Definition
Generally vacillate means:to change one's mind back and forth between conflicting ideas
or:
to sway back and forth
or:
to sway back and forth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
wretch
25 uses
But it is true that I am a wretch.
wretch = bad person
Definition
Generally wretch means:someone you feel sorry for
or:
a person of bad character
or:
a person of bad character
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |