agitate
2 uses
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.
agitating = stirring up emotions to increase unrest
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
Caligula
1 use
Many believe Caligula was insane.†
Caligula = the 3rd Roman Emperor; noted for his cruelty, extravagance, sexual perversity, and apparent insanity; assassinated (12-41)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
cease
1 use
They signed a cease-fire agreement.
cease = to stop or discontinue (in this case, to stop firing weapons at each other)
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
confound
1 use
She confounded her critics.
confounded = frustrated
Definition
Generally confound means:to confuse, prove wrong, frustrate, or express frustration
in various senses, including:
confuse or surprise — sometimes specifically to confuse one thing with another
- "confounded by the puzzle" — confused or perplexed
- "Test results confounded the experts." — surprised and confused
- "Do not confound confidence with correctness." — mistake one thing for another
prove wrong, defeat, or frustrate
- "The test results confounded my theory." — proved wrong
- "Their defense confounded our offense." — defeated or frustrated
make worse
- "She confounded the problem by painting without sanding." — made worse
- "The task is complicated by other confounding factors." — making worse
an exclamation expressing anger or frustration
- "Confound it! Will I ever get this thing to work?"
- "I don't understand the confounded directions!"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
deceive
2 uses
The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.
deceive = mislead
Definition
Generally deceive means:to lie to or mislead someone — occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
direct
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
The sprinkler head needs to be fixed so it directs water away from the house.
directs = aims
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
distinct
1 use
Martinez and his colleagues identified 21 distinct emotions made by the human face.
distinct = different
Definition
Generally distinct means:clear, easily noticed, and/or identifiable as different or separate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 30 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
entreat
1 use
She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.
entreated = asked
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
expulsion
1 use
Her records shows expulsion from two schools.
expulsion = the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school)
Definition
Generally expulsion means:the act of forcing out
especially in 2 primary senses:
- kicking someone out of an organization — such as a school or country
- squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
infinite
1 use
There are infinite possibilities.
infinite = unlimited
Definition
Generally infinite means:unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
intellectual
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
She is an intellectual.
During China's The Cultural Revolution, many intellectuals were killed or sent to the countryside to do farmwork.
intellectuals = highly educated people interested in learning and exploring ideas
Definition
Generally this sense of intellectual means:a highly educated person interested in learning and exploring ideas — sometimes while ignoring practical considerations
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
magnanimous
1 use
He was magnanimous toward those he conquered.
magnanimous = kind and generous in spirit
Definition
Generally magnanimous means:kind and generous in spirit — especially toward those defeated in battle
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
Nietzsche
2 uses
Nietzsche famously said, "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger."
Nietzsche = influential German philosopher remembered for his concept of the superman and for his rejection of Christian values; considered, along with Kierkegaard, to be a founder of existentialism (1844-1900)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
paraphernalia
1 use
a sports-paraphernalia store†
paraphernalia = items that accompany a given activity or object
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
peasant
11 uses
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.
peasants = an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
presentiment
1 use
the lawyer had a presentiment that the judge would dismiss the case†
presentiment = a premonition (a supernatural feeling about what is to come) — especially of something evil or bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
prevent
1 use
We can't prevent earthquakes, but we can prepare for them.
prevent = stop (something from happening)
Definition
Generally prevent means:to stop (something from happening)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 38 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
recite
2 uses
She recited a poem.
recited = said the lines of
Definition
Generally recite means:to say or read something aloud — especially something previously memorized such as a poem
or:
to say in detail — especially a list of things
or:
to say in detail — especially a list of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
utter
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
utter stupidity
She suffered utter devastation when her child died in the accident.
utter = complete
Definition
Generally this sense of utter means:complete or total (used as an intensifier—typically when stressing how bad something is)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
vex
1 use
It is a vexing problem.
vexing = annoying
Definition
Generally vex means:to annoy or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |