constrained
3 uses
If you go on, I Shall feel myself constrained to cuff your face!†
constrained = restricted; or lacking spontaneity
Definition
Generally constrained means:restricted; or lacking spontaneity
or typically archaic: to force someone to do something
or typically archaic: to force someone to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
disparage
1 use
... CYRANO: Why then that air Disparaging?†
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
dispute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
She disputes his claim.
We were disputing a nice point in grammar; contradictions raged hotly—"Tis so!'†
disputing = challenging, arguing about, or fighting over
Definition
Generally this sense of dispute means:challenge, argue about, or fight over
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
frayed
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
into the fray
RAGUENEAU (to Cyrano): Know you who might be the hero of the fray?†
the fray = the fight or struggle
Definition
Generally this sense of fray means:a noisy fight, controversial debate, or other exciting situation that usually is not well organized
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
garnish
1 use
... CYRANO: If I have used it to arrest you At the first starting,—now, 'twould be an outrage, An insult—to the perfumed Night—to Nature— To speak fine words that garnish vain love-letters!†
garnish = to decorate or adorn something; or the item added for decoration
Definition
Generally this sense of garnish means:to decorate or adorn something (most typically food with another food); or the item added for decoration
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use 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 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
hinder
4 uses
CUIGY: He can not hinder that.†
hinder = slow down or cause problems for
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
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 |
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 | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 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 | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
minuteness
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size; or minute description
THE BORE (stammering): No, small, quite small—minute!†
minute = small, detailed, or careful
Definition
Generally this sense of minuteness means:very small
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
mockery
12 uses
He dares to mock my nose?
mock = making fun of
Definition
Generally mockery means:ridicule (to make fun of)
or:
something so inadequate it is ridiculous (silly)
or:
something so inadequate it is ridiculous (silly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 30 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
opportune
1 use
DE GUICHE (carelessly knotting on his scarf): 'tis opportune.†
opportune = favorable circumstances for a particular purpose — especially the circumstance of good timing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
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 | 19 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 | 7 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 | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
swagger
5 uses
THE VISCOUNT DE VALVERT (shrugging his shoulders): Swaggerer!†
swaggerer = walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner — often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
windward
1 use
Steal soft from lap to lap, —A little great man in a circle small, Or navigate, with madrigals for sails, Blown gently windward by old ladies' sighs?†
windward = the direction from which the wind is coming
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
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 |