affectation
3 uses
no pride, vanity, or affectation
affectation = behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 26 uses
1 —17 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
The flying or floating island is exactly circular, its diameter 7837 yards, or about four miles and a half, and consequently contains ten thousand acres.
consequently = resultantly (as a result)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —9 uses as in:
of little consequence
The cottagers and labourers keep their children at home, their business being only to till and cultivate the earth, and therefore their education is of little consequence to the public:
consequence = importance
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
countenance
3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
appearances of uneasiness in his countenance
countenance = facial expression
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 | Chapter 4 |
credulous
1 use
I have perused several books of travels with great delight in my younger days; but having since gone over most parts of the globe, and been able to contradict many fabulous accounts from my own observation, it has given me a great disgust against this part of reading, and some indignation to see the credulity of mankind so impudently abused.
credulity = gullibility (being too willing to believe)
Definition
Generally credulous means:gullible (being too willing to believe)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
digress
2 uses
To return from this digression.
digression = a wandering from a direct or straight course — especially verbally
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — especially verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
direct (5 meanings)
5 meanings, 48 uses
1 —1 use as in:
depart directly
While she was absent, and out of hearing, a small white spaniel that belonged to one of the chief gardeners, having got by accident into the garden, happened to range near the place where I lay: the dog, following the scent, came directly up, and taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his master wagging his tail, and set me gently on the ground.†
directly = immediately
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —22 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
I would have pursued my journey, but he placed himself directly in the way, yet looking with a very mild aspect, never offering the least violence.†
directly = straight (exactly where stated)(used for emphasis)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
3 —7 uses as in:
directed her question to
But those objects against which their envy seems principally directed, are the vices of the younger sort and the deaths of the old.†
directed = focused
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
4 —17 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
To this the king returned some answer, which, although I could not understand, yet I replied as I had been directed:†
directed = ordered
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
5 —1 use as in:
directed the movie
...being left to debate the matter between themselves within the space of one skull, would soon come to a good understanding, and produce that moderation, as well as regularity of thinking, so much to be wished for in the heads of those, who imagine they come into the world only to watch and govern its motion: and as to the difference of brains, in quantity or quality, among those who are directors in faction, the doctor assured us, from his own knowledge, that "it was a perfect trifle."†
directors = supervisors (people in charge)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
disposition (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a kind disposition
whereupon I rose up, with as melancholy a disposition as ever I had in my life.
disposition = mood
Definition
Generally this sense of disposition means:someone's normal mood, personality, or inclination
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
strategic troop disposition
and giving them a sudden turn, the whole disposition of the words was entirely changed.
disposition = the arrangement or position
Definition
Generally this sense of disposition means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
inhabitant
34 uses
It contains above eighty thousand houses, and about six hundred thousand inhabitants.
inhabitants = people that live in a particular place
Definition
Generally inhabitant means:a person who lives in a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
malicious
22 uses
they are cunning, malicious, treacherous, and revengeful.
malicious = wanting to see others suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
metropolis
22 uses
The first request I made, after I had obtained my liberty, was, that I might have license to see Mildendo, the metropolis;
metropolis = large city
Definition
Generally metropolis means:a large city — especially one that is considered important
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 18 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
I was weary of being confined to an island where I received so little countenance, and resolved to leave it with the first opportunity.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
Her resolve weakened.
I ate no other supper, being resolved to spare my provisions as much as I could.
resolved = determined (with firmness of purpose)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
sagacious
4 uses
I durst make no return to this malicious insinuation, which debased human understanding below the sagacity of a common hound, who has judgment enough to distinguish and follow the cry of the ablest dog in the pack, without being ever mistaken.
sagacity = wisdom / intelligence
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
servile
3 uses
But it is impossible to express his noble resentment at our savage treatment of the Houyhnhnm race; particularly after I had explained the manner and use of castrating horses among us, to hinder them from propagating their kind, and to render them more servile.
servile = submissive
Definition
Generally servile means:submissive — typically excessively so (so submissive or eager to serve and please that one seems to have no self-respect)
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |