amorous
3 uses
He knew in his cups three distinct stages of intoxication,—the dignified—the quarrelsome—the amorous.
amorous = sexual or romantic
Definition
Generally amorous means:romantic or sexual
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
apprehend (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 7 uses
1 —1 use as in:
apprehend the situation
'Oh!' said Mrs Wititterly, 'I apprehend you.'†
apprehend = understand
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to understand or perceive (see or become aware of)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
2 —4 uses as in:
apprehend the criminal
Mr Squeers, still half stunned, was hurried off with a stolen deed in his possession, and Mrs Sliderskew was apprehended likewise.†
apprehended = arrested
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to capture and arrest someone suspected of breaking the law
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
3 —2 uses as in:
apprehend misfortune
With his heart beating violently, and apprehending he knew not what disaster, Nicholas returned to where he had left Smike.†
apprehending = fearing
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:fear, or anticipate with worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
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 | 28 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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 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 or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 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 |
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 | 25 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 | 6 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 |
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 | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 60 |
3 —1 use as in:
rendered interpretation
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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 54 |
retort
83 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 | 83 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
sanguine
12 uses
thinking himself, perhaps with good reason, very fortunate to be endowed with so buoyant and sanguine a temperament.
sanguine = confidently optimistic and cheerful
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 13 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
Go on, I beg; make my house yours, and perhaps by the time I return from my walk, you will have finished what you have to say, and will yield me up possession again.'†
yield = give
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 59 |
2 —12 uses as in:
yield to pressure
I have never moped, and pined, and yielded to fancies; but what CAN a man do without rest?'†
yielded = gave in, gave way, or gave up
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |