acquiesce
2 uses
"Well, that ought to be reason enough," he acquiesced.
acquiesced = reluctantly complied
Definition
Generally acquiesce means:reluctant or unenthusiastic compliance, consent, or agreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
apprehend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
apprehend the situation
She began to look with her own eyes; to see and to apprehend the deeper undercurrents of life.†
apprehend = understand
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 32 |
arbitrary
1 use
And Nature takes no account of moral consequences, of arbitrary conditions which we create, and which we feel obliged to maintain at any cost.
arbitrary = not based on "reality"
Definition
Generally arbitrary means:based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
candid
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
your candid opinion
The candor of Mrs. Pontellier's admission greatly pleased Mademoiselle Reisz.
candor = honesty and directness
Definition
Generally this sense of candid means:honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
capricious
4 uses
curtains which draped the windows, and which puffed, floated, and flapped at the capricious will of a stiff breeze
capricious = unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
complacent
1 use
Edna could not control a feeling which bordered upon complacency at her friend's praise, even realizing, as she did, its true worth.
complacency = without concern — often to a fault
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
every one immediately connected with him always deferred to his taste in such matters.
deferred = submitted or yielded
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
This may seem like a ponderous weight of wisdom to descend upon the soul of a young woman of twenty-eight—perhaps more wisdom than the Holy Ghost is usually pleased to vouchsafe to any woman.†
descend = come
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
despondent
7 uses
Despondency had come upon her there in the wakeful night, and had never lifted.
despondency = depression
Definition
Generally despondent means:emotionally depressed — especially a feeling of grief and hopelessness after a loss
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
The voices of Edna's disbanding guests jarred like a discordant note upon the quiet harmony of the night.
discordant = unpleasant combination of sounds
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 30 |
discriminate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
discriminating taste
There were paintings, selected with judgment and discrimination, upon the walls.
discrimination = good taste (by someone who appreciates fine distinctions)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of discriminate means:to recognize or perceive differences — especially fine distinctions
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
entreat
15 uses
he asked again, this time fondly, with a note of entreaty.
entreaty = pleading or attempt at persuasion
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
impetuous
5 uses
He was a dark-browed, good-looking youngster of nineteen, greatly resembling his mother, but with ten times her impetuosity.
impetuosity = impulsiveness (the trait of 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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
incessant
3 uses
They chatted incessantly:
incessantly = continuously/annoyingly
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
Monsieur
39 uses
Monsieur Ratignolle was the first to break the pleasant charm.
Monsieur = Mr. (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
| Book | 39 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
reproach
7 uses
He did not mind the entreaty, but the tone with its delicate note of pathos was like a reproach.
reproach = a criticism; or to express 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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
His attitude was one of hopeless resignation
resignation = 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
scrupulous
2 uses
In the yard, which was kept scrupulously neat, were flowers and plants of every description which flourishes in South Louisiana.
scrupulously = with great care
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
sensuous
5 uses
The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.
sensuous = relating to pleasure from the body's senses rather than from the intellect
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
speculate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
don't know, but I'll speculate
"Granted; as many as you like," he returned, glancing down into her eyes that were full of thoughtfulness and some speculation.
speculation = guessing or theorizing
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of speculate means:to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |