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 |
candid
5 uses
The candor of Mrs. Pontellier's admission greatly pleased Mademoiselle Reisz.
candor = honesty and directness
Definition
Generally candid means:honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 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 | 3 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 |
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 |
discern
2 uses
He and his wife spoke English with an accent which was only discernible through its un-English emphasis and a certain carefulness and deliberation.
discernible = noticeable
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
discriminate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discriminating taste
There were paintings, selected with judgment and discrimination, upon the walls.
discrimination = good taste (by someone who appreciates fine distinctions)
Definition
Generally this sense of discriminate means:to recognize or perceive differences — especially fine distinctions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
dissent
2 uses
Robert proposed it, and there was not a dissenting voice.
dissenting = disagreeing
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
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 or attempt to persuade — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
futile
2 uses
Robert had pursued a system of lessons almost daily; and he was nearly at the point of discouragement in realizing the futility of his efforts.
futility = pointlessness (uselessness)
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
languish
2 uses
If he had expected to find her languishing ... he must have been greatly surprised.
languishing = suffering in a bad situation for a long time
Definition
Generally languish means:to suffer in a bad situation for a long time
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
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 Mr. in English
or:
French equivalent to sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to 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 |
remonstrate
2 uses
he immediately wrote her a letter of unqualified disapproval and remonstrance.
remonstrance = argument in protest or opposition
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
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
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 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 | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
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 mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |