approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
approached the city
To be sure Miss Squeers was in a desperate flutter as the time approached,†
approached = got near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 88 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
2 —2 uses as in:
approached her with the proposal
To this end, she approached the question with divers laudatory and appropriate remarks touching the general amiability of Mr Frank Cheeryble.†
approached = began talking about
(editor's note: Today, divers would be spelled as diverse—meaning "a variety of.")
(editor's note: Today, divers would be spelled as diverse—meaning "a variety of.")
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to begin communication with someone about something — often a proposal or a delicate topic
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pref. |
complacent
17 uses
Having settled the question in this way, and being most complacently satisfied that in this, and in all other instances, her conjecture could not fail to be the right one, Mrs Nickleby dismissed it from her thoughts, and inwardly congratulated herself on being so shrewd and knowing.
complacently = without concern — often to a fault
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 66 uses
1 —56 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
'Yes, I have,' replied Nicholas, 'by that man Squeers, and I have beaten him soundly, and am leaving this place in consequence.'
consequence = result
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 56 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
2 —10 uses as in:
of little consequence
'Never mind it, my dear,' observed Squeers in a soothing manner; 'it's of no consequence.'
consequence = importance
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
countenance (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
with the faintest trace of a grin lingering in his countenance.
countenance = facial expression
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
2 —2 uses as in:
giving countenance
...would render him no countenance or assistance.
countenance = approval (or show of favor)
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 46 |
credulous
2 uses
Seek no mercy from me, sir, in behalf of the fellow who has imposed upon your childish credulity, but let him expect the worst that I can do.
credulity = gullibility (being too willing to believe)
Definition
Generally credulous means:gullible (being too willing to believe)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 59 |
engender
2 uses
poverty should engender an honest pride, that it may not lead and tempt us to unworthy actions,
engender = cause
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 12 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Sir Mulberry clearly saw that if his dominion were to last, it must be established now.†
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
2 —2 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
—it being a remarkable fact in theatrical history, but one long since established beyond dispute, that it is a hopeless endeavour to attract people to a theatre unless they can be first brought to believe that they will never get into it.†
established = demonstrated
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
impetuous
6 uses
He is an impetuous youth.
impetuous = impulsive
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 54 |
obscure
7 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
it obscured my view
Newman gave a nod, put it in his hat, and was shuffling away, when Gride, whose doting delight knew no bounds, beckoned him back again, and said, in a shrill whisper, and with a grin which puckered up his whole face, and almost obscured his eyes: 'Will you—will you take a little drop of something—just a taste?'
obscured = hid
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 52 |
passage
1 use
Nicholas read this passage very often, and the more he thought of it the more he began to fear some treachery upon the part of Ralph.†
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
phenomenon
51 uses
The conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of the phenomenon, who had discreetly remained in the bedroom up to this moment, and now presented herself, with much grace and lightness, bearing in her hand a very little green parasol with a broad fringe border, and no handle.†
phenomenon = someone considered extraordinary
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 51 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
remonstrate
28 uses
She might object, remonstrate, shed tears, talk of his being too old, and plead that her life would be rendered miserable.
remonstrate = argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 28 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
render (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
rendered service or a verdict
How base would it be of me to take advantage of the circumstances which placed her here, or of the slight service I was happily able to render her,
render = give
Definition
Generally this sense of render means:to give or supply something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 61 |
2 —1 use as in:
rendered her unconscious
he was rendered restless and uncomfortable by the presence of the unseen person;
rendered = made
Definition
Generally this sense of render means:to make or cause to become
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 60 |
3 —1 use as in:
rendered with, or rendered from
I myself ... will render it an act of greater baseness, meanness, and cruelty in him if he still dares to force this marriage on.
render = interpret (consider)
Definition
Generally this sense of render means:to portray or create something in a particular way; or to interpret, translate, or extract from
The exact meaning of this sense of render depends upon its context. For example:
- "Each artist will render a different interpretation when painting a portrait." — create in a particular way
- "A Supreme Court judge may render his own interpretation of the Constitution." — interpret in a particular way
- "The computer you are using, rendered this page from software instructions." — created through interpretation
- "A graph is rendered from the underlying data." — made
- "Fat can be rendered (extracted) by cooking meat slowly." — extracted from
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 54 |
retort
82 uses
"Don't tell me a lie," retorted the schoolmaster.
retorted = quickly replied
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 82 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |