agitate
72 uses
In spite of his apparent outward composure, he was evidently in a state of great mental agitation.
agitation = a non-calm feeling
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 72 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
anxiety
24 uses
The reason for their anxiety soon became apparent.
anxiety = nervousness or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
apparent
56 uses
His calmness, however, was more apparent than real.
apparent = professed (made to appear real even though it wasn't)
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 56 uses |
| Library | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
censure
2 uses
The rest remained outside, and presently the whole crowd was censuring those who had accepted the invitation.
censuring = criticizing
Definition
Generally censure means:harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization — such as the U.S. Senate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.10 |
complacent
1 use
an expression of complacent satisfaction
complacent = contented (unworried and happy) — often to a fault
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.7 |
conciliatory
3 uses
Napoleon very soon lost hope of conciliating the Russians,
conciliating = attempting to end bad feelings or build trust
Definition
Generally conciliatory means:intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.4 |
depravity
2 uses
A most depraved old gentleman,
depraved = immoral or evil
Definition
Generally depravity means:complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
deride
1 use
When the mother died, the village parson was not ashamed to hold Marie up to public derision and shame.
derision = critical disrespect — typically while laughing at or making fun of
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
ephemeral
1 use
Of course, all that happened tonight was ephemeral,
ephemeral = existing only for a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.16 |
indignant
38 uses
The general flushed with indignation as he spoke.
indignation = anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 38 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
innate
3 uses
intellectual convictions which you, in your unexampled honesty of soul, accept unquestionably as also innate and natural and true.
innate = existing as an inseparable part of something greater
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.9 |
inquire
34 uses
He sent another messenger during the night to inquire after her, and two more next morning.
inquire = ask about or look into something
Definition
Generally inquire means:to ask about or look into something
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8 |
interpret
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
her interpretation of the data
He informed Muishkin that his father had lately found a new interpretation of the star called "wormwood," which fell upon the water-springs, as described in the Apocalypse.†
interpretation = understanding of meaning
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.15 |
nominal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
he's nominally in charge
Besides these three rooms there was another small one at the end of the passage, close to the kitchen, which was allotted to General Ivolgin, the nominal master of the house, who slept on a wide sofa, and was obliged to pass into and out of his room through the kitchen, and up or down the back stairs.†
nominal = in name, but not in reality
Definition
Generally this sense of nominal means:in form or name, but not in reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8 |
portfolio
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a leather portfolio
At this moment the study door opened, and a military man, with a portfolio under his arm, came out talking loudly, and after bidding good-bye to someone inside, took his departure.
portfolio = a flat, thin case for carrying papers, drawings, etc.
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
repudiate
2 uses
he had repudiated the demon as he walked to the house, and his heart had been full of joy.
repudiated = strongly rejected
Definition
Generally repudiate means:strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
revere
5 uses
She then bent her head reverently, before the ikon
reverently = with feelings of deep respect
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.10 |
torment
38 uses
Up to this moment jealousy had not been one of his torments; now it suddenly gnawed at his heart.
torments = something causing great mental suffering
Definition
Generally torment means:to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
Word Statistics
| Book | 38 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
venerate
1 use
With the greatest respect... and... and veneration.
veneration = feelings of respect and reverence
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally venerate means:regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.7 |
zeal
2 uses
Zeal triumphs over all.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |