amorous
2 uses
The next morning he saw Albert pass and repass, holding an enormous bouquet, which he doubtless meant to make the bearer of his amorous epistle.
amorous = romantic
Definition
Generally amorous means:romantic or sexual
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35-36 |
apprehend (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
apprehend the criminal
If Caderousse had invented the story relative to the diamond, and there existed no such person as the Abbe Busoni, then, indeed, I was lost past redemption, or, at least, my life hung upon the feeble chance of Caderousse himself being apprehended and confessing the whole truth.†
apprehended = arrested
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to capture and arrest someone suspected of breaking the law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 45-46 |
2 —3 uses as in:
apprehend misfortune
Besides, had not the deputy, who had been so kind to him, told him that provided he did not pronounce the dreaded name of Noirtier, he had nothing to apprehend?†
apprehend = fear
(editor's note: This is commonly seen in the forms apprehensive or apprehension, but it is also seen in this form in classic literature.)
(editor's note: This is commonly seen in the forms apprehensive or apprehension, but it is also seen in this form in classic literature.)
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:fear, or anticipate with worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 51-52 |
correspond (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 24 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
corresponding time period
Well, over that coach-house are the servants' rooms, with bells corresponding with the different apartments.†
corresponding = matching
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-12 |
2 —17 uses as in:
corresponding by email
Yes; and I wrote, and will show you my correspondence, if you like.†
correspondence = written letters
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13-14 |
3 —2 uses as in:
a correspondence course
Probably you have some correspondent in Greece?†
correspondent = an agent who represents someone in a distant place based on written communication
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondence means:done from afar
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 65-66 |
direct (6 meanings)
6 meanings, 107 uses
1 —34 uses as in:
depart directly
Directly afterwards the moon rose.†
directly = in a short time
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-2 |
2 —19 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
"What would your excellency like?" and Peppino placed his pan on the ground, so that the steam rose directly under the nostrils of Danglars.†
directly = close
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 39-40 |
3 —4 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
He resolved, therefore, to let things take their course without making any direct overture to the count. ... However, he resolved to lead the conversation to a subject which might possibly clear up his doubts.†
direct = clear
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 53-54 |
4 —29 uses as in:
directed her question to
And Villefort, with his papers under his arm and hat in hand, directed his steps toward the apartment of his wife.†
directed = aimed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 33-34 |
5 —13 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
"And will you direct us?" exclaimed the young man.†
direct = instruct
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 33-34 |
6 —8 uses as in:
directed the movie
And whom will you employ to carry the reprieve to the officer directing the execution?†
directing = supervising
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-12 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 19 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Order was re-established in the hall, except that a few people still moved about and whispered to one another.†
re-established = restored
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-established means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-established means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 93-94 |
2 —4 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
Marriage is a civil affair in France, and in order to marry in an orthodox manner you must have papers which undeniably establish your identity.†
establish = prove
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 81-82 |
immaterial
4 uses
"True," said Monte Cristo, "the loss of a sum of money becomes almost immaterial with a fortune such as you possess, and to one of your philosophic spirit."
immaterial = unimportant
Definition
Generally this sense of immaterial means:not important, or not relevant
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 59-60 |
render
2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
rendered service or a verdict
I was made baron, and ... in return for services rendered,
rendered = given
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 45-46 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
sagacious
5 uses
Morcerf asked leave to retire; he had to collect the documents he had long been preparing against this storm, which his sagacity had foreseen.
sagacity = wisdom
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9-10 |
venerate
4 uses
guilty of murder on the person of the respected and venerated Don Cesare Torlini,
venerated = respected and revered
Definition
Generally venerate means:regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17-18 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 58 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
"Do you hear him, Valentine?" exclaimed Haidee; "he says that through me he will suffer—through me, who would yield my life for his."†
yield = give
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 105-106 |
2 —51 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The eight oars fell into the sea simultaneously without splashing a drop of water, and the boat, yielding to the impulsion, glided forward.†
yielding = giving in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 51 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17-18 |