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
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.5 |
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 | 24 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 | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
discern
14 uses
Now superficial people never discern that...
discern = to notice or understand something that is not obvious
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.6 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.7 |
entreat
23 uses
"Don't you ask it, mum," said Bob, entreatingly.
entreatingly = in a pleading or persuading manner
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask or attempt to persuade — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 6 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 | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
oblige (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 37 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 (obligated) 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 —3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 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 |
obstinate
13 uses
Tom's always very compliant to me; I don't think he's so obstinate.
obstinate = stubbornly unyielding to other's wishes
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.12 |
parish
27 uses
Did ever anybody hear the like i' this parish?
parish = a local church community
or in Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county
or in Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
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 in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.11 |
renounce
30 uses
Put your hand on this Bible, and say, 'I renounce all private speech and intercourse with Philip Wakem from this time forth.'
renounce = to formally give up
Definition
Generally renounce means:to formally reject, give up, or turn away from
(as in to give up the power of a monarch, to change belief , behavior, support, or association)
(as in to give up the power of a monarch, to change belief , behavior, support, or association)
Word Statistics
| Book | 30 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.9 |
reproach
38 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
Word Statistics
| Book | 38 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.1 |
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
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.4 |
vex
18 uses
"No, indeed, you shall not," said Lucy, much vexed.
vexed = annoyed
Definition
Generally vex means:to annoy or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |