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 | 25 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 |
hypothesis
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a study to test her hypothesis
There was something rather bold in Miss Tulliver's direct gaze, and something undefinably coarse in the style of her beauty, which placed her, in the opinion of all feminine judges, far below her cousin Miss Deane; for the ladies of St. Ogg's had now completely ceded to Lucy their hypothetic claims on the admiration of Mr. Stephen Guest.†
hypothetic = possibly real, but not known for sure to be real
Definition
Generally this sense of hypothesis means:seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.7 |
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 |
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 |
resolute
13 uses
Poor Tom bore his severe pain heroically, and was resolute in not "telling" of Mr. Poulter more than was unavoidable;
resolute = firm in purpose
Definition
Generally resolute means:firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
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 |