acquit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she acquitted herself well
But a man who had had a university education could teach anything he liked; especially a man like Stelling, who had made a speech at a Mudport dinner on a political occasion, and had acquitted himself so well that it was generally remarked, this son-in-law of Timpson's was a sharp fellow.†
acquitted = handled (conducted or behaved)
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
allude
17 uses
There was no attitude in which his pride did not feel its bruises; and in all behavior toward him, whether kind or cold, he detected an allusion to the change in his circumstances.
allusion = indirect reference
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.5 |
apprehend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
apprehend the situation
A boy born with a deficient power of apprehending signs and abstractions must suffer the penalty of his congenital deficiency, just as if he had been born with one leg shorter than the other.†
apprehending = understanding
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to understand or perceive (see or become aware of)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 23 uses
1 —19 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
A vague idea of going to prison, as a consequence of debt, was the shape his fears had begun to take.
consequence = result
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
2 —4 uses as in:
of little consequence
She began to dislike Mr. Riley; it was evident he thought her silly and of no consequence.
consequence = importance
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
contempt
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Tom had a profound contempt for this nonsense of Maggie's,
contempt = disrespect and dislike
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
discord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
...was a source of discord between himself and his parishioners,
discord = conflict
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7.5 |
2 —1 use as in:
discordant music
...he felt inclined to make the piano shriek in utter discord.
discord = unpleasant sound
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.7 |
entreat
23 uses
"Don't you ask it, mum," said Bob, entreatingly.
entreatingly = in a pleading manner
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
impetuous
13 uses
"Leave me to myself, if you please," she said, with impetuous haughtiness, "and for the future avoid me."
impetuous = impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.3 |
melancholy
19 uses
"I'm not going to stay a minute longer in this house. ..."
"Dear heart, dear heart!" said Mr. Glegg in a melancholy tone, as he followed his wife out of the room.
"Dear heart, dear heart!" said Mr. Glegg in a melancholy tone, as he followed his wife out of the room.
melancholy = sad
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
oblige (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 38 uses
1 —32 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
Plain sewing was the only thing I could get money by, so I was obliged to try and do it well.
obliged = required (to do something)
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 32 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7 |
2 —4 uses as in:
I obliged her every request.
...he was a man of very obliging manners.
obliging = helpful
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:grant a favor to someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
3 —2 uses as in:
I'm much obliged for your kindness
"Oh yes, thank you," said Maggie, "I'm very much obliged to you."
obliged = grateful or indebted
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.11 |
remonstrate
15 uses
said Lucy, in a tone of remonstrance, "I don't believe a word of that."
remonstrance = argument in protest or opposition
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue, complain, or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.11 |
reproach
39 uses
But the reproach was the unendurable thing; the one thing worse than parting with her was, that she should feel he had acted unworthily toward her.
reproach = 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 | 39 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.1 |
resignation
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
...how could I be resigned to the loss of the one thing which had ever come to me on earth with the promise of such deep joy...
resigned = acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
resolution (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a New Year's resolution
We have failed to keep our resolutions;
resolutions = firm decisions
Definition
Generally this sense of resolution means:a firm decision to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.14 |
2 —1 use as in:
Her resolution weakened.
At one time you take pleasure in a sort of perverse self-denial, and at another you have not resolution to resist a thing that you know to be wrong.
resolution = determination (steadfastness; or firmness of purpose)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolution means:determination (firmness of purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.4 |
strata
2 uses
This was part of Bessy's weakness that stirred Mrs. Glegg's sisterly compassion: Bessy went far too well dressed, considering; and she was too proud to dress her child in the good clothing her sister Glegg gave her from the primeval strata of her wardrobe; it was a sin and a shame to buy anything to dress that child, if it wasn't a pair of shoes.
strata = layers
Definition
Generally strata means:layers
or:
levels, classes, or groups into which people or other things are divided
or:
levels, classes, or groups into which people or other things are divided
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7 |