abject
1 use
As the world grows more affluent, our definition of abject poverty changes.
abject = extreme
Definition
Generally abject means:extreme (in a negative sense such as misery, hopelessness, submissiveness, cruelty, or cowardice)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
attribute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
It is an attribute of...
The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example the second column has the average full-grown weight.
attributes = characteristics
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:a characteristic (of something or someone)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
bound (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
bound together
The pieces of bread are moistened and bound together with eggs and a small amount of flour.
bound = held together
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:held together (connected or united) or wrapped
The exact meaning of this sense of bound is subject to its context. For example:
- "The pages of the book are bound with glue." — held together physically
- "The book is bound in leather." — wrapped or covered
- "The United States and England are bound together by a common language." — connected or united (tied together metaphorically)
- "She cleaned the wound and bound it with fresh bandages." — wrapped
- "She is wheelchair-bound." — connected (moves with a wheelchair because she is unable to walk)
- "The jacket has bound buttonholes." — edges wrapped by fabric or trim rather than stitches
- "She's the one in the bound-edge hat." — where the edge of the hat is wrapped in a decorative material.
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |
2 —1 use as in:
I can't/must. I'm bound by...
The suspect sat in the cell with her wrists bound by rope.
bound = tied together
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:to be constrained in some way — such as tied up, prevented, required, or obligated
The exact meaning of this sense of bound is subject to its context. For example:
- "Her wrists were bound." — tied up
- "I am bound by my word." — required or obligated (in this case to keep a promise)
- "It is a binding contract." — must be obeyed (The people who signed the contract are legally required to do what it says or suffer legal penalties.)
- "He is muscle bound." — prevented from moving easily (due to having such large, tight muscles)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
eloquent
1 use
Her eloquence is unquestioned even amongst those who disagree with her.
eloquence = powerful use of language
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
exeunt
26 uses
Exeunt all except Hamlet.
exeunt = stage direction: characters exit from stage
Word Statistics
| Book | 26 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
fawn
1 use
She fawns all over her children.
fawns = shows excessive flattery or affection
Definition
Generally this sense of fawn means:showing excessive flattery or affection
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.3 |
guile
1 use
Her cleverness and inventiveness was exceeded only by her guile.
guile = cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceit
Definition
Generally guile means:cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
heresy
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.9 |
impute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
imputed the outburst to stress
Her critics impute a more cynical motive.
impute = attribute (say something is caused by)
Definition
Generally this sense of impute means:attribute (to say one thing is the cause of another—often to blame and often wrongly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.3 |
knell
1 use
The poll should be interpreted as the death knell of her campaign.
knell = the sound of a bell rung slowly — especially to announce death or a funeral
Definition
Generally knell means:the sound of a bell rung slowly — especially to announce death or a funeral
or:
announcing the demise or end of something
or:
announcing the demise or end of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
mitigate
1 use
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.
mitigating = serving to make less harmful or unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
prodigal
5 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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
prosper
1 use
She is prospering at school.
prospering = doing well
Definition
Generally prosper means:to do well or to grow stronger
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
ratify
1 use
The President already signed the treaty, but it won't take effect unless the Senate ratifies it.
ratifies = approves
Definition
Generally ratify means:to approve — typically the formal approval of an agreement by an organization
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.2 |
repentance
4 uses
Prisoners who show repentance are more likely to be released on parole.
repentance = regret for having done wrong with a desire to be a better person in the future
Definition
Generally repentance means:the feeling or expression of regret for having done something wrong with a firm decision to be a better person in the future
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
rigorous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a rigorous math class
The class was equally interesting and rigorous.
rigorous = difficult and demanding
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 4.1 |
slander
1 use
In the United States, it is extremely difficult for someone famous to win a slander lawsuit—almost no matter what is said.
slander = telling lies that damage the reputation of another
Definition
Generally slander means:lie to damage the reputation of another; or the lies told
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |
tedious
3 uses
I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.
tedious = boring
Definition
Generally tedious means:boring — especially because something goes on too long or without variation
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
zeal
1 use
She attacks each challenge with zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 5.1 |