amiable
5 uses
an elderly gentleman of a very amiable disposition
amiable = friendly and kindly
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
audacious
4 uses
It's the man himself, by all that's wonderful and audacious!
audacious = bold and daring
Definition
Generally audacious means:bold and daring (inclined to take risks) — especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
austere
1 use
I looked back at the platform when we had left it far behind, and saw the tall, austere figure of Holmes standing motionless and gazing after us.
austere = stern
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
benevolent
2 uses
I have not finally made up my mind whether it is a benevolent or a malevolent agency which is in touch with us
benevolent = kind or good
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
conjecture
4 uses
He knew our number, knew that Sir Henry Baskerville had consulted me, spotted who I was in Regent Street, conjectured that I had got the number of the cab and would lay my hands on the driver
conjectured = concluded based on inconclusive evidence
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
there is a contrast
There could not have been a greater contrast between brother and sister, for Stapleton was neutral tinted, with light hair and gray eyes, while she was darker than any brunette whom I have seen in England—slim, elegant, and tall.
contrast = difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
daunt
2 uses
A dim line of ancestors, in every variety of dress, from the Elizabethan knight to the buck of the Regency, stared down upon us and daunted us by their silent company.
daunted = discouraged or intimidated
Definition
Generally daunt means:to discourage or intimidate
(editor's note: The root word is most commonly seen as the adjective daunting which describes something as "discouraging or intimidating". Note that the "-less" suffix means without, so dauntless is to daunt as hopeless is to hope and careless is to care.)
(editor's note: The root word is most commonly seen as the adjective daunting which describes something as "discouraging or intimidating". Note that the "-less" suffix means without, so dauntless is to daunt as hopeless is to hope and careless is to care.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
discern
3 uses
I seemed to discern some signs of emotion upon the butler's white face.
discern = to see something that is not obvious
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
eccentric
1 use
Sir Charles was a widower, and a man who may be said to have been in some ways of an eccentric habit of mind.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
expedient
2 uses
she adopted the expedient of cutting out the words which would form the message, and addressing the letter in a disguised hand.
expedient = practical action
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
forbearance
1 use
I counsel you by way of caution to forbear from crossing the moor in those dark hours when the powers of evil are exalted.
forbear = refrain (hold back)
Definition
Generally forbearance means:refraining (holding back) from acting
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
furtive
2 uses
He looked round him with a furtive and stealthy air, as one who dreads pursuit.
furtive = cautious
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
haughty
1 use
The lady stood by in haughty silence.
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
incessant
2 uses
He spoke unconcernedly, but his small light eyes glanced incessantly from the girl to me.
incessantly = continuously
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
malevolent
1 use
This matter cuts very deep, and though I have not finally made up my mind whether it is a benevolent or a malevolent agency which is in touch with us, I am conscious always of power and design.
malevolent = exerting an evil or harmful influence
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
mitigate
2 uses
The man was a danger to the community, an unmitigated scoundrel for whom there was neither pity nor excuse.
unmitigated = complete (not diminished) — usually used to say that something that is harmful or unpleasant is not in any way made less bad
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
negative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
had a negative effect
I have made some inquiries myself in the last few days, but the results have, I fear, been negative.†
negative = unsuccessful
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:bad or harmful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
notorious
1 use
Was it possible that this stolidly respectable person was of the same blood as one of the most notorious criminals in the country?
notorious = well known for something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
passage
1 use
"Surely your memory deceives you," said I. "I could even quote a passage of your letter."†
passage = a short part
Definition
Generally this sense of passage means: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 11 |
pugnacious
1 use
The latter was a small, alert, dark-eyed man about thirty years of age, very sturdily built, with thick black eyebrows and a strong, pugnacious face.
pugnacious = seemingly combative (as though ready to fight)
Definition
Generally pugnacious means:combative in tone (as though ready to fight)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |