agitate
71 uses
In spite of his apparent outward composure, he was evidently in a state of great mental agitation.
agitation = a non-calm feeling
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up — emotionally (such as anxiety) or physically (such as shaking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 71 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 | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 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 | 55 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
calumny
8 uses
Alas one is in the grave, torn to pieces by calumnies and bullets; another is now before you, still battling with calumnies and bullets—†
calumnies = false accusations against a person
Definition
Generally calumny means:false accusation against a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.9 |
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 |
contrast
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
there is a contrast
I remarked to him, as I rose to depart, that, in spite of the contrast and the wide differences between us two, les extremites se touchent ('extremes meet,' as I explained to him in Russian); so that maybe he was not so far from my final conviction as appeared.†
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7 |
denotes
2 uses
But I do not dispute in the least that the number of persons consumed appears to denote a spice of greediness.†
denote = means literally; or indicates
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.10 |
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 | 3 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 = disrespect — typically while laughing at or making fun of
Definition
Generally deride means:laugh at or make fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
detestable
6 uses
It is their wickedness, their perpetual detestable malice—that's what it is—they are all full of malice, malice!†
detestable = deserving intense dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
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 |
grave
10 uses
With a grave and ceremonious air, Marfa Borisovna motioned the prince to a chair at one of the card-tables.†
grave = serious and solemn
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
indignant
38 uses
The general flushed with indignation as he spoke.
indignation = anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
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 | 2 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 | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8 |
minuteness
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size; or minute description
After each visit to Schneider's establishment, Evgenie Pavlovitch writes another letter, besides that to Colia, giving the most minute particulars concerning the invalid's condition.†
minute = small, detailed, or careful
Definition
Generally this sense of minuteness means:very small
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.12 |
recollect
49 uses
A painful recollection flashed into his mind.
recollection = memory
Definition
Generally recollect means:to remember — especially experiences from long ago
Word Statistics
| Book | 49 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
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 | 18 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
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 |