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 |
audible
1 use
some of the other birds tittered audibly.
audibly = in a manner that could be heard
Definition
Generally this sense of audible means:capable of being heard
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 (and sometimes to death)
or:
provide the means of finding guilty
or:
find guilty — especially in court (and sometimes to death)
or:
provide the means of finding guilty
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
cunning
1 use
"I'll be judge, I'll be jury," Said cunning old Fury:
cunning = clever
Definition
Generally this sense of cunning means:being good at achieving goals through cleverness — and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 | 16 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 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 | 2 uses |
Library | 36 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 | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
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:to make small restless movements
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 11 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 |
however
20 uses
1 —20 uses as in:
However, complications may...
However, 'jury-men' would have done just as well.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
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 | 61 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 | 2 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 | 5 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 | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 9 |
inquisitive
1 use
The Mouse looked at her rather inquisitively,
inquisitively = curiously (with a desire to learn about)
Definition
Generally inquisitive means:interested in learning about things — often asking many questions
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
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 | 4 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 | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 5 |
longitude
2 uses
Alice had no idea what Latitude was, or Longitude either, but thought they were nice grand words to say.
longitude = a measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth — calculated by using imaginary vertical circles on the surface of the earth that pass through the north and south poles and at right angles to the equator
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
positive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
Indeed, she had quite a long argument with the Lory, who at last turned sulky, and would only say, 'I am older than you, and must know better'; and this Alice would not allow without knowing how old it was, and, as the Lory positively refused to tell its age, there was no more to be said.†
positively = absolutely (used for emphasis)
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
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 | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |