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 |
ebullient
1 use
He was extremely nervous and extremely jealous of other tenors and he covered his nervous jealousy with an ebullient friendliness.
ebullient = happy and energetic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
efface
1 use
The little woman hoped they would have a good house. She looked out at the rain until the melancholy of the wet street effaced all the trustfulness and enthusiasm from her twisted features. Then she gave a little sigh and said:
"Ah, well! We did our best, the dear knows."
"Ah, well! We did our best, the dear knows."
effaced = remove completely
(editor's note: In this context, good house means large audience. Melancholy is a synonym for sadness.)
(editor's note: In this context, good house means large audience. Melancholy is a synonym for sadness.)
Definition
Generally efface means:remove completely from recognition or memory — sometimes by erasing
or:
to make oneself inconspicuous or unimportant
or:
to make oneself inconspicuous or unimportant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
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 |
florid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
florid color
She stood up and surveyed herself in the pier-glass. The decisive expression of her great florid face satisfied her and...
florid = a reddish color
(editor's note: Pier-glass is a synonym for mirror.)
(editor's note: Pier-glass is a synonym for mirror.)
Definition
Generally this sense of florid means:a reddish color — (especially about someone's complexion or in various medical contexts)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
garrulous
1 use
She was an old garrulous woman,
garrulous = talkative
Definition
Generally garrulous means:talkative — especially about trivial matters
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 |
impetuous
1 use
Perhaps she had felt the impetuous desire that was in him, and then the yielding mood had come upon her.
impetuous = impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
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 |
obsequious
1 use
The proprietor served him obsequiously but did not venture to talk.
obsequiously = in a manner that is excessively eager to flatter or serve
Definition
Generally obsequious means:excessively eager to flatter or serve
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 |
opulent
1 use
they brought a breath of opulence among the company.
opulence = magnificence or luxury
Definition
Generally opulent means:magnificent and luxurious — usually expensive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
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 |
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 |