acute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
acute sense of smell
Dogs have an acute sense of smell.
acute = excellent (highly perceptive)
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.2 |
audacious
2 uses
It was an audacious act of piracy.
audacious = bold and daring
Definition
Generally audacious means:bold and daring (inclined to take risks) — especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 5.2 |
austere
1 use
He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.
austere = lacking luxury (and stern)
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Scene 5.2 |
beseech
9 uses
She teaches and beseeches her students to think about their future.
beseeches = begs
Definition
Generally beseech means:to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
countenance
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
She has a pleasant countenance.
countenance = facial expression; or face
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 | Scene 5.2 |
Cupid
10 uses
She must have been struck by one of Cupid's arrows.
Cupid = Roman mythology: god of love; a small, winged boy whose arrows make those struck fall in love
Word Statistics
Book | 10 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.2 |
exeunt
17 uses
Exeunt all except Hamlet.
exeunt = stage direction: characters exit from stage
Word Statistics
Book | 17 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
forbearance
4 uses
She recommended regulatory forbearance while the banks repair their balance sheets.
forbearance = refraining (holding back) from acting
Definition
Generally forbearance means:refraining (holding back) from acting
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
forswear
22 uses
The group has forsworn terrorism in favor of negotiating an end to the conflict.
forsworn = renounced or disavowed
Definition
Generally forswear means:to decide to stop doing something; or to renounce or disavow something
or (more rarely): to lie — especially while under oath
or (more rarely): to lie — especially while under oath
Word Statistics
Book | 22 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.3 |
heresy
2 uses
It is a hardline form of Sunni Islam that condemns all other strains as heresy.
heresy = something immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.1 |
melancholy
7 uses
Since her dog died she's been in a melancholy mood.
melancholy = very sad
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
Monsieur
7 uses
Monsieur and Madame Curie studied radium.
Monsieur = Mr. (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 2.1 |
ostentatious
2 uses
Although wealthy, the family is not ostentatious.
ostentatious = showy (trying to attract notice and impress others in a manner seen as in bad taste)
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 5.1 |
pedantic
3 uses
Her lectures were too pedantic for my taste.
pedantic = overly concerned with book learning
Definition
Generally pedantic means:too concerned with formal rules, details, or book learning
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 3.1 |
perjury
6 uses
She was not found guilty of the theft, but was found guilty of perjury during her testimony to the grand jury.
perjury = the criminal offense of telling lies in court after formally promising to tell the truth
Definition
Generally perjury means:the criminal offense of telling lies after formally promising to tell the truth — such as when testifying in a court trial
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.3 |
prodigal
3 uses
The rainforest is filled with a prodigal variety of vegetation.
prodigal = abundant (many, many kinds)
Definition
Generally prodigal means:recklessly wasteful
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 2.1 |
profound (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
profound idea
She shared a profound way of thinking about the problem.
profound = deep or far-reaching in intellect or consequence
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
Her apology was heartfelt—expressing profound sorrow and regret.
profound = intense (of great emotional depth)
Definition
Generally this sense of profound means:of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 5.2 |
salve
6 uses
She smeared some salve on the wound and then wrapped it in a bandage.
salve = a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal
Definition
Generally salve means:a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal
or:
anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
or:
anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 3.1 |
zeal
4 uses
She attacks each challenge with zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.3 |