chronicle
2 uses
She chronicles daily events of interest in Twitter.
chronicles = records
Definition
Generally chronicle means:a record of events (typically written) or the act of recording or telling of the events
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
consequence
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
cynical
2 uses
The experience made her overly cynical.
cynical = someone who expects the worst — especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
detestable
1 use
I think Umbridge is the most detestable character in the Harry Potter books.
detestable = deserving intense dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
dictate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
dictate a letter
She dictated a letter to her secretary.
dictated = said out loud for the purpose of recording
(in this case, the implication is that the secretary is writing down what is said and will type it up as a letter to send)
(in this case, the implication is that the secretary is writing down what is said and will type it up as a letter to send)
Definition
Generally this sense of dictate means:say out loud for the purpose of recording
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
effrontery
1 use
She had the effrontery to laugh at the mayor's request.
effrontery = impolite boldness
Definition
Generally effrontery means:rude and disrespectful behavior — often made by someone who does not realize they are being rude — as when someone is presumptuous or impolitely bold
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
grave
5 uses
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
immaterial
1 use
For political reasons, most senators had to vote for the bill. The fine print was immaterial to the final vote.
immaterial = not important, or not relevant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
indifferent
2 uses
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.
indifferent = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
indignant
8 uses
She was indignant, but agreed to be searched when they accused her of shoplifting.
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
interpose
1 use
She interposed herself between them before someone threw a punch.
interposed = inserted
Definition
Generally interpose means:to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
invariably
2 uses
I tell myself to go to sleep early, but I invariably end up watching television late into the night.
invariably = consistently or without variation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
notorious
1 use
He was a notorious drug dealer.
notorious = well known for something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
persistent
1 use
She has a persistent cough.
persistent = continuing
Definition
Generally persistent means:continuing — especially despite difficulties or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
pretense
1 use
The country maintains a pretense of a free press.
pretense = an appearance to help pretend
Definition
Generally pretense means:an appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
recumbent
1 use
She likes a recumbent bicycle.
recumbent = lying down
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
repentance
2 uses
Prisoners who show repentance are more likely to be released on parole.
repentance = regret for having done wrong with a desire to be a better person in the future
Definition
Generally repentance means:the feeling or expression of regret for having done something wrong with a firm decision to be a better person in the future
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
reproach
1 use
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
scoundrel
2 uses
He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.
scoundrel = someone without moral principles
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
speculate
2 uses
philosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of years
speculated = thought and guessed without certainty
Definition
Generally this sense of speculate means:to guess without certainty
or:
to think about or consider something
or (more rarely):
to risk money in a financial venture
or:
to think about or consider something
or (more rarely):
to risk money in a financial venture
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |