bestow
3 uses
They gave her the highest honor they can bestow.
bestow = give (as an honor)
Definition
Generally bestow means:to give — typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
centaur
16 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 | 16 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
dais
6 uses
She was seated on the inaugural dais near the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
dais = a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
defile
1 use
They defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it.
defiled = polluted
Definition
Generally this sense of defile means:to dirty the beauty or purity of something — such as:
- a pristine lake
- a reputation or good name
- something sacred
- a person's virginity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
dictate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
dictate a letter
She dictated a letter to her secretary.
dictated = said out loud for the purpose of recording
(in this case, the implication is that the secretary is writing down what is said and will type it up as a letter to send)
(in this case, the implication is that the secretary is writing down what is said and will type it up as a letter to send)
Definition
Generally this sense of dictate means:say out loud for the purpose of recording
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
divine
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
doleful
1 use
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
fervent
2 uses
a fervent desire to change society
fervent = characterized by intense emotion or passionate belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
gist
1 use
Just tell me the gist of the matter.
gist = the main point(s) of a more detailed matter
or:
law: the grounds for a legal action
or:
law: the grounds for a legal action
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 is often subject to its context. For example:
The exact meaning of this sense of grave is often subject to 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 (with a heavy heart)
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — sincere and dignified without humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
indulgent
1 use
Indulgent parents risk spoiling their children.
indulgent = treating with extra kindness or leniency (in this case, not demanding enough of the children)
Definition
Generally indulgent means:to treat with extra kindness or tolerance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
mane
6 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 growing:
- around the head—as of a lion
- on the back of the neck—as of a horse
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
melancholy
2 uses
Since her dog died she's been in a melancholy mood.
melancholy = very sad
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
nettle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
beware of nettles near the river
I ran into some stinging nettles.
nettles = a type of plant that has fine irritating hairs
Definition
Generally this sense of nettle means:a type of plant with stinging or irritating hairs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
pompous
2 uses
She gave another pompous speech.
pompous = with excessive self-importance
Definition
Generally pompous means:behaving with excessive self-importance — often with exaggerated dignity or ceremonial splendor
or more rarely: showing ceremonial splendor (pomp)
or more rarely: showing ceremonial splendor (pomp)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
precipice
5 uses
She approached and then pulled back from the precipice.
precipice = a very steep cliff
or:
any dangerous situation
or:
any dangerous situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
reign
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
She reigned over England
The arranged marriage solidified the alliance between two of Europe's most important reigning families.
reigning = ruling
Definition
Generally this sense of reign means:rule (like that of a king or queen); or the time during which one ruled
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
treachery
5 uses
Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.
treachery = an act of deliberate betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
twilight
4 uses
It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.
twilight = the light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
Definition
Generally twilight means:the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
or:
a condition of decline following successes
or:
a condition of decline following successes
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
wizened
1 use
She was a wizened old woman with gray hair.
wizened = thin and wrinkled
Definition
Generally wizened means:thin and wrinkled — typically from age or illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |