abide
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abide by her decision
I can't abide her continual complaints.
abide = tolerate
Definition
Generally this sense of abide means:to tolerate or put up with something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
appease
1 use
The President is thought to have made the statement to appease the party faithful.
appease = satisfy or pacify (bring peace and calm among)
Definition
Generally appease means:satisfy or pacify (make less angry or upset) — typically by giving something wanted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
centaur
12 uses
Firenze is the name of a centaur character in the Harry Potter stories.
centaur = a mythical being that is half man and half horse
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
despair (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
she felt despair
Don't give in to despair.
despair = a feeling of hopelessness
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
2 —1 use as in:
do not despair
Don't despair. Next year will be better.
despair = lose hope
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:to lose hope
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
dispute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
She disputes his claim.
She disputes her landlord's claim that the music was that loud.
disputes = challenges
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 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
earnest
3 uses
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.
in earnest = in a serious manner
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
grave
2 uses
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
incantation
1 use
She believes in the power of magical incantations.
incantations = combinations of words believed to have a magical effect when they are said aloud
Definition
Generally incantation means:words believed to have a magical effect when they are said aloud; or the saying of such words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
inclined
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
I'm inclined to believe him.
inclined = have a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
liberate
2 uses
She works to liberate the religious minority from persecution.
liberate = set free
Definition
Generally liberate means:to set free — as from prison, political oppression, persecution, expectations...
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
lithe
1 use
The lithe dancers seem to float across the stage.
lithe = moving and bending with ease
Definition
Generally lithe means:a graceful, flexible body — often implying thinness
or:
graceful, flexible body movement
or:
graceful, flexible body movement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
mane
12 uses
It was a healthy male lion with a golden mane.
mane = long coarse hair growing around the head
Definition
Generally mane means:long coarse hair such as that which grows around a lion's head or on the back of a horse's neck
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
ogre
5 uses
Shrek, the lovable green ogre.
ogre = a giant from a fairy tale
Definition
Generally ogre means:fairy tales: a frightening giant — especially one who likes to eat people
or:
an evil, hideous, and frightening person
or:
an evil, hideous, and frightening person
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
pavilion
7 uses
We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.
pavilion = large roofed structure without walls
Definition
Generally pavilion means:a large structure separate from a main structure
in various senses, including:
- a large roofed structure without walls — often found in parks
- a temporary structure — such as a large tent to house exhibits at a fair, to provide sports facilities, or to put on a show
- a section of a large hospital or office complex adjacent to other parts
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
prophecy
2 uses
The prophecy came true.
prophecy = prediction of the future
Definition
Generally prophecy means:a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
solemn
8 uses
He took a solemn oath.
solemn = very serious
Definition
Generally solemn means:in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
treachery
2 uses
Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
trifle
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a trifling matter
We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.
trifling = small (of little importance)
Definition
Generally this sense of trifle means:something of small importance; or a small quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
wretched
2 uses
The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.
wretched = miserable
Definition
Generally wretched means:very bad
in various senses, including:
- unfortunate or miserable — as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
- of poor quality — as in "wretched roads"
- morally bad — as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |