craven
1 use
the craven fellow turned and ran
craven = exceedingly cowardly
Definition
Generally craven means:exceedingly cowardly; or someone who is exceedingly cowardly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
denizen
1 use
The book has photographs of deep sea creatures, and is called "Denizens of the Deep."
denizens = animals that inhabit a particular place
Definition
Generally denizen means:a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
despondent
1 use
When her mother died, she was so despondent it was hard for her to get out of bed.
despondent = emotionally depressed
Definition
Generally despondent means:emotionally depressed — especially a feeling of grief and hopelessness after a loss
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
discern
1 use
The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.
discern = notice or see (something that is not obvious)
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
divine (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
2 —1 use as in:
divined from tea leaves
She claims she can divine the future with a crystal ball.
divine = to predict or discover something supernaturally (as if by magic)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
exeunt
1 use
Exeunt all except Hamlet.
exeunt = stage direction: characters exit from stage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
flout
2 uses
The current enforcement policy encourages people to flout the law.
flout = openly disregard
Definition
Generally flout means:to openly disregard — typically a law, rule, or custom
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
hackneyed
1 use
She writes in a hackneyed manner with nothing original.
hackneyed = writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Definition
Generally hackneyed means:lacking impact due to too much previous exposure — especially writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
hapless
3 uses
a hapless victim†
hapless = unlucky or unfortunate — often making others feel pity
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
inveterate
1 use
She's an inveterate gossip.
inveterate = habitual
Definition
Generally inveterate means:habitual; or something of long standing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
pretense
1 use
The country maintains a pretense of a free press.
pretense = false appearance
Definition
Generally pretense means:a false appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
provoke
4 uses
Her remarks provoked a public outcry.
provoked = caused — typically an emotional reaction such as anger
Definition
Generally provoke means:to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
prudent
1 use
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
quibble
1 use
Let's not quibble over pennies.
quibble = argue about unimportant things
Definition
Generally quibble means:to argue about unimportant things; or an argument or complaint about something unimportant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
revere
5 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
scapegoat
1 use
She is a convenient scapegoat because she was chosen by the last administration.
scapegoat = someone to blame for the errors of others
(editor's note: This expression comes from an ancient Jewish ritual in which the sins of the people were ritually transferred to a goat which was then driven into the desert away from the community.)
(editor's note: This expression comes from an ancient Jewish ritual in which the sins of the people were ritually transferred to a goat which was then driven into the desert away from the community.)
Definition
Generally scapegoat means:someone blamed or punished for the errors of others
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
taint
1 use
Three people died from eating the tainted ice cream.
tainted = spoiled or contaminated
Definition
Generally taint means:to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
usurp
1 use
The lawsuit claims that the Federal Government is usurping rights reserved by the Constitution for state governments.
usurping = taking without authority
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
vindicate
1 use
He was eager to vindicate his actions.
vindicate = show to be right
Definition
Generally vindicate means:show to be right or justified
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |