askance
1 use
But the snail replied "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance—
Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.
Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.
askance = with distrust or suspicion
Definition
Generally askance means:with disapproval, distrust, or suspicion
or:
directed to one side — especially a sideways glance
or:
directed to one side — especially a sideways glance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
condemn
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
was condemned to life in prison
I'll try the whole cause, and condemn you to death.
condemn = sentence (assign legal punishment)
Definition
Generally this sense of condemn means:force into an undesired activity or situation — such as to legally sentence someone to punishment
or:
find guilty — especially in court
or:
provide the means of finding guilty
or:
find guilty — especially in court
or:
provide the means of finding guilty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
despair
1 use
Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes.
despair = desperation (feeling extreme worry)
Definition
Generally despair means:hopelessness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 27 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
diligent
1 use
they set to work very diligently to write out a history of the accident,
diligently = with hard work and care
Definition
Generally diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
direct (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
depart directly
So she swallowed one of the cakes, and was delighted to find that she began shrinking directly.†
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —2 uses as in:
directed her question to
'It isn't directed at all,' said the White Rabbit; 'in fact, there's nothing written on the OUTSIDE.'†
directed = addressed (written to)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object — such as
- to aim a gun or comment at someone
- to point in a particular direction
- to focus attention on a particular object
- to guide or give directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- to send someone to a particular place
- to steer a car, boat, etc.
- to send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
dismay
1 use
"Oh, I BEG your pardon!" she exclaimed in a tone of great dismay,
dismay = upset (by her error)
Definition
Generally dismay means:to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry — typically in response to something surprising
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
fidget
1 use
Here the Queen put on her spectacles, and began staring at the Hatter, who turned pale and fidgeted.
fidgeted = made small restless movements
Definition
Generally fidget means:small restless movements
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
fluster
1 use
I'm a deal too flustered to tell you—all I know is, something comes at me like a Jack-in-the-box, and up I goes like a sky-rocket!
flustered = nervous or confused
Definition
Generally fluster means:to be or cause to be nervous or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
herald
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
announced by herald & trumpet
'herald, read the accusation!' said the King.
herald = announcer of important information
Definition
Generally this sense of herald means:a person who announces important news — especially a king's representative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
however
20 uses
1 —20 uses as in:
However, complications may...
'Cheshire Puss,' she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider.†
however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on "idea 1" we might not expect "idea 2", but this is a way of saying that even though "idea 1" exists, we still have "idea 2." Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on "idea 1" we might not expect "idea 2", but this is a way of saying that even though "idea 1" exists, we still have "idea 2." Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
impertinent
1 use
"Don't be impertinent," said the King, "and don't look at me like that!"
impertinent = rude or improperly bold
Definition
Generally this sense of impertinent means:rude or improperly bold — especially toward someone more respected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
incessant
1 use
you incessantly stand on your head
incessantly = continuously/annoyingly
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
inquire
1 use
"What was that?" inquired Alice.
inquired = asked
Definition
Generally inquire means:to ask about or look into something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
insolent
1 use
But the insolence of his Normans—" How are you getting on now, my dear?"
insolence = rude disrespectful behavior or action
Definition
Generally insolent means:rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
languid
1 use
at last the Caterpillar ... addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
languid = slow and lacking energy
Definition
Generally languid means:lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
provoke
1 use
it was very provoking to find that...
provoking = causing an emotional reaction
Definition
Generally provoke means:to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
tremulous
1 use
When the sands are all dry, he is gay as a lark,
And will talk in contemptuous tones of the Shark,
But, when the tide rises and sharks are around,
His voice has a timid and tremulous sound.
And will talk in contemptuous tones of the Shark,
But, when the tide rises and sharks are around,
His voice has a timid and tremulous sound.
tremulous = quivering (shaky)
Definition
Generally tremulous means:quivering (shaky) — usually from weakness or fear — especially of the voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
usurp
1 use
William the Conqueror, whose cause was favoured by the pope, was soon submitted to by the English, who wanted leaders, and had been of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest.
usurpation = the act of seizing or taking control without authority
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
vulgar
1 use
nasty, low, vulgar things!
vulgar = of bad taste — often crude or offensive
Definition
Generally vulgar means:of bad taste — often crude or offensive
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |