abide
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abide by her decision
I never could abide figures! (where figures refers to math)
abide = tolerate
Definition
Generally this sense of abide means:to tolerate or put up with something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
contempt
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
'You!' said the Caterpillar contemptuously. 'Who are YOU?'
contemptuously = with disrespect and dislike
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
despair
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she felt despair
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 = distress (at not knowing how to improve a bad situation)
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 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 this sense of 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 |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
dispute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
their border dispute
Alice began to feel very uneasy: to be sure, she had not as yet had any dispute with the Queen, but she knew that it might happen any minute, 'and then,' thought she, 'what would become of me?'
dispute = disagreement, argument, or conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
earnest
2 uses
'Take some more tea,' the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.
earnestly = sincerely
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
entangled
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
entangled in the branches
Alice crouched down among the trees as well as she could, for her neck kept getting entangled among the branches, and every now and then she had to stop and untwist it.
entangled = caught and twisted
Definition
Generally this sense of entangled means:caught in
or:
twisted together into a confusing mass
or:
twisted together into a confusing mass
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
grave
6 uses
Alice thought the whole thing very absurd, but they all looked so grave that she did not dare to laugh;
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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 |
inclined
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
the Dodo had paused as if it thought that SOMEBODY ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything.
inclined = in the mood (to have an attitude favoring)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
indignant
5 uses
said Alice indignantly.
indignantly = with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
melancholy
6 uses
Alice replied in a very melancholy voice.
melancholy = sad
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
oblige
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
'And that's the jury-box,' thought Alice, 'and those twelve creatures,' (she was obliged to say 'creatures,' you see, because some of them were animals, and some were birds,) 'I suppose they are the jurors.'
obliged = required (to do something)
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
persist
2 uses
the Mock Turtle persisted.
persisted = continued despite difficulties
Definition
Generally persist means:to continue — often despite difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
sage
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sage advice
...said the sage, as he shook his grey locks,
sage = person known for being wise
Definition
Generally this sense of sage means:profound wisdom; or one known for being wise
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
serpent
12 uses
Serpent, I say again!
serpent = snake
Definition
Generally serpent means:a snake
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
solemn
7 uses
the Gryphon replied very solemnly.
solemnly = with seriousness and dignity
Definition
Generally solemn means:in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
suppress
5 uses
Here the other guinea-pig cheered, and was suppressed.
suppressed = tried to keep under control
Definition
Generally suppress means:trying to keep under control
The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example:
- "suppressed the revolution" — to stop others from doing something by force
- "suppressed a smile" — kept something from happening
- "suppressed the story" — kept news from spreading
- "suppressed her fear" — controlled an emotion
- "suppressed the memory" — avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
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 |