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 | 3 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 = asks strongly or begs
Definition
Generally beseech means:to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 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
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 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 | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
digress
1 use
She always digresses when telling a story.
digresses = wanders from a direct course
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — especially verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
engender
1 use
The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.
engender = cause
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.3 |
enigma
1 use
As Churchill said about Russia, it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.
enigma = something mysterious that seems unexplainable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
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 | 2 uses 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 | 4 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 | 9 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 Mr. in English
or:
French equivalent to sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to 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 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
The obscure battle is hardly mentioned in history books.
obscure = not known to many people
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
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 | 3 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 | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.3 |
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 | 9 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 = of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.2 |
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 |