contrast
14 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
And Maximilian was patient, and employed himself in mentally contrasting the two girls,—one fair, with soft languishing eyes, a figure gracefully bending like a weeping willow; the other a brunette, with a fierce and haughty expression, and as straight as a poplar.
contrasting = pointing to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 57-58 |
convey (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 37 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
convey her thoughts
Pray put no construction on my words I do not mean they should convey, and give them no undue weight.†
convey = communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 47-48 |
2 —28 uses as in:
convey her safely to
Ali and his master conveyed the wounded man into a room.†
conveyed = transported
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:transport
Word Statistics
| Book | 28 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5-6 |
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 | 4 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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 65-66 |
direct (6 meanings)
6 meanings, 107 uses
1 —33 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 | 33 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-2 |
2 —20 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 | 20 uses |
| Library | 53 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 | 12 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 | 31 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 | 6 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 | 22 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
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 22 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 | 5 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 = not important, or not relevant
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 59-60 |
philanthropy
9 uses
Our breakfast is a philanthropic one, and we shall have at table... two benefactors of humanity.
philanthropic = charitable (to help others)
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37-38 |
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 |
transitory
1 use
Fortunately, as regarded this circumstance at least, his painful past gave to his countenance an indelible sadness, and the glimmerings of gayety seen beneath this cloud were indeed but transitory.
transitory = lasting a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23-24 |
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 | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17-18 |