diminutive
1 use
fat cooks, and diminutive apprentices
diminutive = very small
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
efface
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
efface the memory
Your dear thoughts have now effaced
That beauty that so won me at the outset.
That beauty that so won me at the outset.
effaced = erased or removed from notice
Definition
Generally this sense of efface means:remove completely from recognition or memory — sometimes by erasing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
futile
1 use
When feeling love exists in us, ennobling,
Each well-weighed word is futile and soul-saddening!
Each well-weighed word is futile and soul-saddening!
futile = effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
grave
4 uses
I never will, while of myself I'm master,
let the divinity of tears—their beauty
Be wedded to such common ugly grossness.
Nothing more solemn than a tear—sublimer;
And I would not by weeping turn to laughter
The grave emotion that a tear engenders!
let the divinity of tears—their beauty
Be wedded to such common ugly grossness.
Nothing more solemn than a tear—sublimer;
And I would not by weeping turn to laughter
The grave emotion that a tear engenders!
grave = serious and solemn
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
importune
1 use
ROXANE: Oh, he will not importune me forever!†
importune = beg insistently or urge repeatedly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
incisive
1 use
LISE (choking with anger): But— CYRANO (incisively): I like Ragueneau well, and so—mark me, Dame Lise—I permit not that he be rendered a laughing-stock by any....†
incisively = in a manner that is direct, clear, and sharp
Definition
Generally incisive means:direct, clear, and sharp in thinking or expression — often indicating a decisive person (makes decisions quickly) or a penetrating mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
indifferent
2 uses
ROXANE (indifferently): Bravo!
indifferently = without interest
(editor's note: Roxane is being ironic by using a word that typically expresses strong approval, but in a tone that demonstrates a lack of interest.)
(editor's note: Roxane is being ironic by using a word that typically expresses strong approval, but in a tone that demonstrates a lack of interest.)
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
inevitable
1 use
At last the moment comes, inevitable
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
inimical
1 use
Ah, friend of mine, believe me, I march better 'Neath the cross-fire of glances inimical!†
inimical = harmful or unfriendly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
minute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size
THE BORE (stammering): No, small, quite small—minute!†
minute = very small
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
mock
12 uses
He dares to mock my nose?
mock = making fun of
Definition
Generally mock means:making fun of
or:
not real
or:
not real
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
obsequious
1 use
A marquis (watching De Guiche, who comes down from Roxane's box, and crosses the pit surrounded by obsequious noblemen)
obsequious = excessively eager to flatter or serve
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
ostentatious
1 use
(Sniffing ostentatiously):
O heavens!. . .what a stink!. . .
(Going up to Cyrano):
You, sir, without a doubt have sniffed it up!
O heavens!. . .what a stink!. . .
(Going up to Cyrano):
You, sir, without a doubt have sniffed it up!
ostentatiously = in a manner intended to attract notice
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
profuse
1 use
Bustle and hurry of scullions, fat cooks, and diminutive apprentices, their caps profusely decorated with cock's feathers and wings of guinea-fowl.
profusely = abundantly
Definition
Generally profuse means:abundant (a lot of something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
ratify
1 use
An oath that's ratified,—a sealed promise,
ratified = formally approved
Definition
Generally ratify means:to approve — typically the formal approval of an agreement by an organization
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
recite
6 uses
CYRANO (reciting, as if repeating a lesson):
reciting = saying aloud
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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
resolute
1 use
They are a resolute troop.
resolute = firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
revere
1 use
THE CADET (with a low reverence): Madame. . .
reverence = respectfully
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
surreptitious
1 use
they surreptitiously wipe away their tears with their cuffs and the corner of their cloaks.
surreptitiously = secretly or in a manner not to be noticed
Definition
Generally surreptitious means:done secretly or in a manner that avoids notice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
zeal
1 use
slow your zeal!
zeal = enthusiasm
Definition
Generally zeal means:active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |