abstract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
She respected her husband in the same way as she respected the General Post Office, as something large, secure and fixed; and though she knew the small number of his talents she appreciated his abstract value as a male.
abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
(editor's note: This book also uses abstracted twice in a sense that is seldom seen outside of classic literature. In that sense it means "lost in thought" or "made to be lost in thought". Here is one of the examples from this book: "His imagination had so abstracted him that his name was called twice before he answered.")
(editor's note: This book also uses abstracted twice in a sense that is seldom seen outside of classic literature. In that sense it means "lost in thought" or "made to be lost in thought". Here is one of the examples from this book: "His imagination had so abstracted him that his name was called twice before he answered.")
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means:of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
or more rarely:
describing someone as distracted — thinking about something outside of the immediate conversation or circumstances
or more rarely:
describing someone as distracted — thinking about something outside of the immediate conversation or circumstances
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
decorum
1 use
Even he was sensible of the decorous atmosphere and even he began to respond to the religious stimulus.
decorous = manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
deride
1 use
Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger.
derided = laughed at or made 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 3 |
exemplar
1 use
He designed to give them a word of counsel, setting before them as exemplars in the religious life those very worshippers of...
exemplars = examples — especially those represents the ideal
Definition
Generally exemplar means:an example — especially one that represents the ideal
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
grave
8 uses
She nodded her head gravely.
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
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 | 8 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
haughty
1 use
She tossed her head and assumed a haughty voice: "You must speak to the secretary."
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
incessant
1 use
Through one of the broken panes I heard the rain impinge upon the earth, the fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds.
incessant = continuous
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 3 |
morose
1 use
Though his eyes took note of many elements of the crowd through which he passed they did so morosely. He found trivial all that was meant to charm him and did not answer the glances which invited him to be bold. He knew that he would have to speak a great deal, to invent and to amuse and his brain and throat were too dry for such a task.
morosely = unhappily — often with a withdrawn personality
Definition
Generally morose means:unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
notorious
1 use
Rapid motion through space elates one; so does notoriety; so does the possession of money.
notoriety = being famous for something bad
Definition
Generally notorious means:well known for something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
novel
1 use
The porter took up his candle again, but slowly, for he was surprised by such a novel idea.†
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
obstinate
1 use
Beyond the river he saw a goods train winding out of Kingsbridge Station, like a worm with a fiery head winding through the darkness, obstinately and laboriously.
obstinately = stubbornly (unyielding)
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
orthodox
1 use
Only sometimes, they say, he didn't preach what was quite orthodox.
orthodox = what is commonly accepted
Definition
Generally orthodox means:thinking and behavior that is (or was) commonly accepted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
penitent
1 use
He ran as if to bring me aid. And I was penitent; for in my heart I had always despised him a little.
penitent = feeling sorrow for having done wrong
Definition
Generally penitent means:feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
remonstrate
1 use
His father, remonstrative, but covertly proud of the excess, had paid his bills and brought him home.
remonstrative = expressed disapproval
(editor's note: Covertly is a synonym for secretly.)
(editor's note: Covertly is a synonym for secretly.)
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
scrupulous
1 use
"He was too scrupulous always," she said.
scrupulous = careful to behave ethically and/or diligently
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
scrutiny
1 use
his eyes made a swift anxious scrutiny of the young woman's appearance.
scrutiny = careful examination
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
servile
1 use
A shade of mockery relieved the servility of his manner.
...
"There's nothing to touch a good slavey," he affirmed.
...
"There's nothing to touch a good slavey," he affirmed.
servility = submissiveness
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
timorous
1 use
He told her that for some time he had assisted at the meetings of an Irish Socialist Party where.... The workmen's discussions, he said, were too timorous;
timorous = timid (fearful)
Definition
Generally timorous means:timid (fearful) or shy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
trepidation
1 use
A certain pride mingled with his parents' trepidation,
trepidation = fear or anxiety about what will happen
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
zeal
1 use
Jimmy, under generous influences, felt the buried zeal of his father wake to life within him:
zeal = enthusiasm
Definition
Generally zeal means:active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |