clandestine
1 use
She is involved in clandestine intelligence operations.
clandestine = secret or hidden
or:
done with or marked by hidden aims or methods
or:
done with or marked by hidden aims or methods
Definition
Generally clandestine means:secret; or conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
condescending
1 use
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.
condescending = treating others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
contempt
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
credulous
1 use
The trick would fool none but the most credulous.
credulous = gullible (being too willing to believe)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
divine
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
efface
1 use
She always effaces herself when she is with him.
effaces = make herself inconspicuous or unimportant
Definition
Generally efface means:remove completely from recognition or memory — sometimes by erasing
or:
to make oneself inconspicuous or unimportant
or:
to make oneself inconspicuous or unimportant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
eloquent
5 uses
Her eloquence is unquestioned even amongst those who disagree with her.
eloquence = the powerful use of language
Definition
Generally eloquent means:powerful use of language
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
engender
1 use
The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.
engender = cause
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
expedient
2 uses
It was a necessary expedient to get the job done.
expedient = a speedy or practical action
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
frivolous
2 uses
Instead of helping, her remarks were frivolous.
frivolous = not serious
Definition
Generally frivolous means:not serious (in 1 or both of these ways):
- in behavior or attitude — as when acting silly or without appropriate seriousness
- in content — as when describing something as trivial or unimportant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
haughty
6 uses
It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
insolent
4 uses
I don't recommend the hotel. The employees are insolent and unhelpful.
insolent = rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
Monsieur
24 uses
Monsieur and Madame Curie studied radium.
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 | 24 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
novel
2 uses
We're looking for novel advertising ideas.
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
obsequious
1 use
In the film, Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts character loved being served by obsequious sales clerks.
obsequious = excessively eager to flatter or serve
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
pedantic
1 use
Her lectures were too pedantic for my taste.
pedantic = overly concerned with book learning
Definition
Generally pedantic means:too concerned with formal rules, details, or book learning
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
prudent
3 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
resignation
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = having accepted something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
subtle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a subtle difference or thinker
She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.
subtle = making use of slight distinctions
Definition
Generally this sense of subtle means:not obvious, but understandable by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps depending upon fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
whimsical
1 use
It was an especially whimsical episode of Family Guy.
whimsical = playful or amusing
Definition
Generally whimsical means:playful or amusing
or:
determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity or reason
or:
determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity or reason
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |