commotion
1 use
For the Mouse was swimming away from her as hard as it could go, and making quite a commotion in the pool as it went.†
commotion = noisy disturbance
Definition
Generally commotion means:a disturbance — typically noisy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
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 |
constant
2 uses
And certainly there was a most extraordinary noise going on within—a constant howling and sneezing, and every now and then a great crash, as if a dish or kettle had been broken to pieces.†
constant = unchanging, continuous, or happening repeatedly
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 55 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
deride
1 use
'Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with,' the Mock Turtle replied; 'and then the different branches of Arithmetic—Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.'†
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 9 |
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 |
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 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 | 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 |
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 |
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 |
morsel
1 use
Her chin was pressed so closely against her foot, that there was hardly room to open her mouth; but she did it at last, and managed to swallow a morsel of the lefthand bit.†
morsel = a very small quantity
Definition
Generally morsel means:a very small quantity — usually of food
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
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 | 18 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 | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
Shakespeare
1 use
This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence.†
Shakespeare = author widely regarded as the greatest in the English language and whose works include Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet
Definition
Generally this sense of Shakespeare means:English dramatist and poet frequently cited as the greatest writer in the English language and who wrote such words as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet (1564-1616)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
tempered
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
short-tempered
Soup does very well without—Maybe it's always pepper that makes people hot-tempered,' she went on, very much pleased at having found out a new kind of rule, 'and vinegar that makes them sour—and camomile that makes them bitter—and—and barley-sugar and such things that make children sweet-tempered.†
sweet-tempered = not easily angered or upset
Definition
Generally this sense of tempered means:having a typical mood or temperament — often in reference to how easily one is angered
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
therefore
1 use
Therefore I'm mad.'†
therefore = for that reason
Definition
Generally therefore means:for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
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 |
wretched
2 uses
'Well, I should like to be a LITTLE larger, sir, if you wouldn't mind,' said Alice: 'three inches is such a wretched height to be.'†
wretched = very bad
Definition
Generally wretched means:very bad
in various senses, including:
- unfortunate or miserable — as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
- of poor quality — as in "wretched roads"
- morally bad — as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet.
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |