accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
Miss Barry put us in the spare room, according to promise.
according to = in keeping with
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 51 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
Depend upon it, Marilla, she'll cool off in a week or so and be ready enough to go back of her own accord,
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
True, Anne could not help a little pang when she contrasted her plain black tam and shapeless, tight-sleeved, homemade gray-cloth coat with Diana's jaunty fur cap and smart little jacket.†
contrasted = compared to show differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
contrite
3 uses
"I'm awfully sorry I made fun of your hair, Anne," he whispered contritely.
contritely = with a feeling sorrow or regret for having done something wrong
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
...all questions and explanations might as well be deferred until he was safely back at Green Gables.
deferred = postponed (put off)
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
despair (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 16 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
she felt despair
First the look of despair faded out; then came a faint flush of hope; here eyes grew deep and bright as morning stars.
despair = distress (at not knowing how to improve a bad situation)
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
do not despair
Marilla had almost begun to despair of ever fashioning this waif of the world into her model little girl of demure manners and prim deportment.
despair = give up hope
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:to lose hope
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
grave
7 uses
Anne knelt at Marilla's knee and looked up gravely.
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
illustrate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
...when Sam Sloane proceeded to explain and illustrate "How Sockery Set a Hen" Anne laughed until people sitting near her laughed too, more out of sympathy with her than with amusement at a selection that was rather threadbare even in Avonlea;†
illustrate = help make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —1 use as in:
an illustrated children's book
Go into the sitting room, Anne—be sure your feet are clean and don't let any flies in—and bring me out the illustrated card that's on the mantelpiece.†
illustrated = accompanied by a drawing
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
inert
1 use
She had never seen Marilla sit limply inert like that.
inert = lethargic and without interest
Definition
Generally inert means:unmoving, inactive, or unable to move
or:
slow, lethargic, or without interest
or (in chemistry/medicine):
chemically inactive (not having an effect)
or:
slow, lethargic, or without interest
or (in chemistry/medicine):
chemically inactive (not having an effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
interpret (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
her interpretation of the data
"But what does Titian hair mean?"
"Being interpreted it means plain red, I guess," laughed Anne. "Titian
was a very famous artist who liked to paint red-haired women."†
"Being interpreted it means plain red, I guess," laughed Anne. "Titian
was a very famous artist who liked to paint red-haired women."†
interpreted = understood (in a particular way)
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
2 —1 use as in:
her musical interpretation
When the concert was over.... The professional elocutionist, Mrs. Evans, came and chatted with her, telling her that she had a charming voice and "interpreted" her selections beautifully.†
interpreted = expressed personal artistic ideas or feelings while performing someone else's work
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:express personal artistic ideas or feelings while performing (or performing to) someone else's work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
penitent
3 uses
Mournful penitence appeared on every feature.
penitence = sorrow for having done wrong
Definition
Generally penitent means:feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
resignation (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
In the preceding February he had resigned his charge and departed amid the regrets of his people,
resigned = quit (the job/position)
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
2 —6 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
I am resigned to my fate now,
resigned = though not desired; have accepted as unavoidable
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
resolute
9 uses
"You mustn't sell Green Gables," said Anne resolutely.
resolutely = with firm purpose or belief
Definition
Generally resolute means:firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
superfluous
1 use
She knew Mrs. Peter Blewett only by sight as a small, shrewish-faced woman without an ounce of superfluous flesh on her bones.
superfluous = more than is needed
Definition
Generally superfluous means:more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
twilight
20 uses
It was nearly dark, for the full November twilight had fallen around Green Gables, and the only light in the kitchen came from the dancing red flames in the stove.
twilight = the light from the sky when the sun is just below the horizon (in this case, just after sunset; though in other instances, it could be just before sunrise)
Definition
Generally twilight means:the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
or:
a condition of decline following successes
or:
a condition of decline following successes
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
wistful
11 uses
"If I had been the boy you sent for," said Anne wistfully, "I'd be able to help you so much now and spare you in a hundred ways."
wistfully = with longing or unfulfilled desire
Definition
Generally wistful means:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |