accommodate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
the room can accommodate four
I entered — not now obliged to part with my whole fortune as the price of its accommodation.†
accommodation = provision
Definition
Generally this sense of accommodate means:provide (or have the ability to provide) for something desired or needed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
2 —2 uses as in:
hotel accommodations
The red-room was a square chamber, very seldom slept in, I might say never, indeed, unless when a chance influx of visitors at Gateshead Hall rendered it necessary to turn to account all the accommodation it contained: yet it was one of the largest and stateliest chambers in the mansion.
accommodation = space
Definition
Generally this sense of accommodations means:space or lodgings — such as a hotel room or office space
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
acrimony
1 use
Too often she betrayed this, by the undue vent she gave to a spiteful antipathy she had conceived against little Adele: pushing her away with some contumelious epithet if she happened to approach her; sometimes ordering her from the room, and always treating her with coldness and acrimony.
acrimony = anger and bitterness
Definition
Generally acrimony means:anger—often accompanied by bitterness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
ameliorate
1 use
Spring drew on: she was indeed already come; the frosts of winter had ceased; its snows were melted, its cutting winds ameliorated.
ameliorated = improved (something that was bad)
Definition
Generally ameliorate means:to improve — especially a bad situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
arbitration
1 use
My task was a very hard one; but, as I was absolutely resolved — as my cousins saw at length that my mind was really and immutably fixed on making a just division of the property — as they must in their own hearts have felt the equity of the intention; and must, besides, have been innately conscious that in my place they would have done precisely what I wished to do — they yielded at length so far as to consent to put the affair to arbitration.
arbitration = the process of solving a disagreement with the help of an impartial referee
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
ascetic
1 use
There was something ascetic in her look, which was augmented by the extreme plainness of a straight-skirted, black, stuff dress, a starched linen collar, hair combed away from the temples, and the nun-like ornament of a string of ebony beads and a crucifix.
ascetic = severely plain — like one who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth)
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
correspond (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 6 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
corresponding time period
"Because," he said, "I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you — especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame."
corresponding = matching (similar)
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
2 —2 uses as in:
corresponding by email
He has maintained a regular, though not frequent, correspondence ever since: he hopes I am happy, and trusts I am not of those who live without God in the world, and only mind earthly things.
correspondence = communication by writing letters
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
3 —1 use as in:
foreign correspondent of the paper
Mr. Eyre has been the Funchal correspondent of his house for some years.
correspondent = reporter
(editor's note: Funchal is a city in Portugal.)
(editor's note: Funchal is a city in Portugal.)
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondent means:a reporter — typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
countenance (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
...all their countenances expressed displeasure,
countenances = facial expressions
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
2 —1 use as in:
giving countenance
I cannot possibly countenance any such inconsistent proceeding,
countenance = accept or permit
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
dogmatic
1 use
it reminded me of Mrs. Reed's; she mouthed her words in speaking; her voice was deep, its inflections very pompous, very dogmatical, — very intolerable, in short.
dogmatical = prone to stating opinions as absolute truth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
efface
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
efface the memory
Miss Oliver is ever surrounded by suitors and flatterers: in less than a month, my image will be effaced from her heart.†
effaced = removed completely from recognition or memory
Definition
Generally this sense of efface means:remove completely from recognition or memory — sometimes by erasing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
entreat
19 uses
You — poor and obscure, and small and plain as you are — I entreat to accept me as a husband.
entreat = ask
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
ferret out
1 use
Yes — yes — the end is not so difficult; if I had only a brain active enough to ferret out the means of attaining it.
ferret out = discover through persistent investigation
Definition
Generally ferret out means:search for and discover through persistent investigation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
hackneyed
3 uses
I have seen a gipsy vagabond; she has practised in hackneyed fashion the science of palmistry and told me what such people usually tell.
hackneyed = lacking impact due to too much previous exposure
Definition
Generally hackneyed means:lacking impact due to too much previous exposure — especially writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
perfidy
2 uses
I had my own reasons for being dismayed at this apparition; too well I remembered the perfidious hints given by Mrs. Reed about my disposition,
perfidious = betraying
Definition
Generally perfidy means:an act of deliberate betrayal; or such behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
quibble
1 use
A most ingenious quibble!
quibble = argument about something unimportant
Definition
Generally quibble means:to argue about unimportant things; or an argument or complaint about something unimportant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
repudiate
1 use
In the eyes of the world, I was doubtless covered with grimy dishonour; but I resolved to be clean in my own sight — and to the last I repudiated the contamination of her crimes, and wrenched myself from connection with her mental defects.
repudiated = strongly rejected
Definition
Generally repudiate means:strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
soliloquy
1 use
"My strength is quite failing me," I said in a soliloquy.
soliloquy = a speech you make to yourself or as a long uninterrupted part of a conversation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |