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 1.1 |
beguile
2 uses
Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.
beguiling = enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive
Definition
Generally beguile means:to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 2.1 |
chide
4 uses
She constantly chides me for my grammar.
chides = corrects or criticizes
Definition
Generally chide means:to tell someone they have done wrong — sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.1 |
Cupid
8 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 | 8 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
deride
4 uses
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 3.2 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
There is too much discord in the team.
discord = conflict
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Scene 5.1 |
discourse
4 uses
The event has elevated the level of public discourse on this issue.
discourse = conversation (or the exchange of ideas) on a particular topic
Definition
Generally discourse means:a serious speech, writing, or conversation on a particular topic
or much more rarely: to speak or write formally on a particular topic; or to have a conversation
or much more rarely: to speak or write formally on a particular topic; or to have a conversation
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.1 |
disdain
2 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Scene 2.1 |
disparage
1 use
She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Scene 3.2 |
doting
9 uses
She has doting parents.
doting = demonstrating love and uncritical affection
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
enmity
1 use
The war has deepened tribal enmity.
enmity = hatred between enemies
Definition
Generally enmity means:hatred toward someone or between people — typically long-lasting
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.1 |
entreat
5 uses
She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.
entreated = asked
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
loathe
4 uses
I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.
loathe = hate
Definition
Generally loathe means:hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 2.2 |
Monsieur
11 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 | 11 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 4.1 |
mortal
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
mortal body
Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.
mortal = human
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 2.1 |
revel
5 uses
She reveled in her freedom.
reveled = took delight in
Definition
Generally revel means:to take delight in
or:
to party — especially in a noisy way
or:
to party — especially in a noisy way
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
scorn
12 uses
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
Book | 12 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |
tedious
5 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 | 5 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 2.2 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Scene 5.2 |
2 —5 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Scene 1.1 |