amiable
5 uses
an elderly gentleman of a very amiable disposition
amiable = friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 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 |
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 |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
bronze
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
He grazed his cattle on these slopes, and he learned to dig for tin when the bronze sword began to supersede the stone axe.
bronze = made of a type of high-quality metal
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
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 | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
cunning
1 use
You perceive the devilish cunning of it, for really it would be almost impossible to make a case against the real murderer.
cunning = cleverness
Definition
Generally this sense of cunning means:being good at achieving goals through cleverness — and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
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
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
dissent
1 use
shook his head in strong dissent.
dissent = disagreement
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
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 | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
efface
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
efface the memory
The fresh beauty of the following morning did something to efface from our minds the grim and gray impression which had been left upon both of us by our first experience of Baskerville Hall.
efface = remove (or erase)
Definition
Generally this sense of efface means:remove completely from recognition or memory — sometimes by erasing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
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 | 1 use 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 |
immutable
1 use
When I thought of the heavy rains and looked at the gaping roof I understood how strong and immutable must be the purpose which had kept him in that inhospitable abode.
immutable = not susceptible to change
Definition
Generally immutable means:unchangeable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
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
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unmitigated means not and reverses the meaning of mitigated. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unmitigated means not and reverses the meaning of mitigated. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
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 = appearing combative (as though ready to fight or argue)
Definition
Generally pugnacious means:quick to fight or argue
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
reproach
2 uses
That Sir Henry should have been exposed to this is, I must confess, a reproach to my management of the case, but we had no means of foreseeing the terrible and paralyzing spectacle which the beast presented, nor could we predict the fog which enabled him to burst upon us at such short notice.
reproach = a criticism; or to express criticism
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
specious
1 use
He then, by a specious argument, prevented her from going, and so had the chance for which he had waited.
specious = insincere, but seemingly good
Definition
Generally specious means:seemingly good, but without merit
or:
insincere, but seemingly good
or:
insincere, but seemingly good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |