beckon
1 use
I should be studying, but television beckons me.
beckons = calls (in this case by being desirable and inviting)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to summon (call to join) with a gesture, or to be desirable and inviting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
bewilder
1 use
Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.
bewilder = confuse
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
collide
1 use
The cars collided and burst into flame.
collided = crashed together with violent impact
Definition
Generally collide means:crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
contented
1 use
She grew more contented with age.
contented = satisfied
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
descend
2 uses
We saw the rocket descend.
descend = move or slope downward
or:
come from a higher or prior level in a hierarchy — as a person from an ancestor
or:
come or arrive — especially from above — such as night or darkness
or:
come from a higher or prior level in a hierarchy — as a person from an ancestor
or:
come or arrive — especially from above — such as night or darkness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 32 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
despair
1 use
Don't despair—help is on the way!
despair = give up hope
Definition
Generally despair means:hopelessness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 27 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
despise
1 use
She despises the people he has to work for.
despises = strongly dislikes
Definition
Generally despise means:to strongly dislike — and often to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
dumfounded
1 use
She was beyond surprised. She was dumbfounded.
dumbfounded = too surprised to know what to say or do
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
hoard
1 use
They found a 7th century hoard of treasure.
hoard = a collection of valuable things
Definition
Generally hoard means:to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
hypnotize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
hypnotized by her performance
When I look into her eyes, I feel hypnotized.
hypnotized = fascinated so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
Definition
Generally this sense of hypnotize means:fascinate so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
luminous
1 use
The sky was luminous with stars.
luminous = glowing or shining
Definition
Generally luminous means:glowing or shining
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
meddle
1 use
Don't meddle in my affairs!
meddle = interfere
Definition
Generally meddle means:interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
mischievous
1 use
She flashed a mischievous grin and threw the water balloon.
mischievous = playful — often in an annoying or naughty way
Definition
Generally mischievous means:naughtily or annoyingly playful
or:
tending to create mischief (minor harm — especially from bad behavior)
or:
tending to create mischief (minor harm — especially from bad behavior)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
morsel
1 use
I ate every tasty morsel.
morsel = a very small quantity
Definition
Generally morsel means:a very small quantity — usually of food
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
mystic
1 use
She is a mystic who believes enlightenment will come from communing with nature.
mystic = someone who attempts to tune into realities beyond scientific understanding
Definition
Generally mystic means:relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience; or one who attempts to tune into such realities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
obstinate
1 use
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
perplex
1 use
Scientists are perplexed by the mystery.
perplexed = confused or puzzled
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
postscript
1 use
PS: Bob just walked through and says hello.
PS = an abbreviation for "postscript" that is placed at the end of a letter (after the signature) to indicate that an additional note follows
Definition
Generally postscript means:a note added to the end of a letter after the signature — usually preceded with "PS:" or "P.S."
or:
any written or spoken addition added after the end of something
or:
any written or spoken addition added after the end of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
sheer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sheer fun
She got the job through sheer persistence.
sheer = pure (completely by)
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:complete or pure — without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
stationery
1 use
It was a form-letter, but written on the President's stationery with a White House return address.
stationery = paper and envelopes for writing letters
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |