The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes — Vocabulary
Arthur Conan Doyle
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	19	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book I am staying there while I conduct the inquiry.18 more Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	8	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book I tried to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside until night should bring an explanation.8 more hopelessness Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
	1	top 500
despair#2lose hope Don't despair. Next year will be better.more Show sample from book It is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is despaired of.8 more despair → despaired:thought hopeless Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	16	top 1000
endeavorendeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more Show sample from book I took a good look at the man and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance.15 more endeavor → endeavoured:tried or attempted Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavored. Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
	18
deducededuce → deduced:concluded by reasoning From the muddy footprints and the open window, she deduced that someone had snuck into the house.more Show sample from book Now let us consider the situation and see what may be deduced from it.17 more deduce → deduced:conclude by reasoning Show general definition conclude by reasoning -- especially reasoning from the general to the particular
	5	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain ball.5 more absolute (used for emphasis) Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book He has one positive virtue.5 more good Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	14	top 1000
narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book Your narrative promises to be a most interesting one.13 more story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
	10	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book In this sinister way I came into my inheritance.9 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	8	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?7 more conclude by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	1	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes, smiling.3 more a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, explanation Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
	3
hypothesis#2something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation For the purpose of discussion, let's accept that the hypothesis that she is guilty as true. What would we have expected her to do after the incident?more Show sample from book No, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that hypothesis will lead us.3 more Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: assume as a working hypothesis) something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation Show editor's word notes This sense of hypothesis is typically seen in the form, hypothetical, or hypothetically.
	1	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book The last squire dragged out his existence there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he established a large practice.1 more change to fit Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	1	top 100
adaptedadapted → well adapted:well suited Penguins are especially well adapted for cold weather.more Show sample from book It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for summer than for winter.1 more suitable Show general definition for adapted (as in: the species is well adapted for) to be especially well suited or appropriate for something
	5
minuteincluding even small considerations We discussed it in minute detail.more Show sample from book He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining minutely the cracks between the boards.4 more minute → minutely:with careful attention to detail Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description) detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care)
	5
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more Show sample from book The only drawback is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel.†4 more Show general definition someone without moral principles
	2	top 100
analyticallogical and systematic in seeking understanding She has an analytical mind.more Show sample from book I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner.†1 more relating to logical examination to improve understanding Show general definition relating to logical and systematic examination of something to better understand it -- often implying some kind of quantitative analysis
	2	top 200
feasiblepossible or practical Her plan sounds feasible.more Show sample from book It certainly sounds feasible.†1 more Show general definition possible or practical
	2
abstracteddistracted or lost in thought She was so abstracted; she didn't hear me.more Show sample from book As to Holmes, I observed that he sat frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his hand when I mentioned it.3 more lost in thought Show general definition for abstracted (as in: abstracted, so didn't notice) lost in thought; or distracted by thoughts
	2	top 200
abstracted#2abstracted → abstracting:removing She was accused of abstracting money from the wallet.more Show sample from book John Horner, 26, plumber, was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle.3 more removed Show general definition for abstracted (as in: abstracted his wallet) removed