abhor
1 use
She abhors violence.
abhors = hates
Definition
Generally abhor means:to hate or detest something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
anguish
1 use
I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.
anguish = extreme pain
Definition
Generally anguish means:extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
centaur
18 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 | 18 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
chasm
12 uses
You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.
chasm = a large, deep, and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface
Definition
Generally chasm means:a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap
or:
a very large difference — often of opinion
or:
a very large difference — often of opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
desolate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a desolate place
The photos show the desolate surface of the moon.
desolate = empty, providing no shelter or sustenance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
despair
2 uses
1 —2 uses 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
diligent
1 use
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.
diligent = showing hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
disheveled
1 use
Her clothing was disheveled.
disheveled = messy (not properly in place)
Definition
Generally disheveled means:messy (untidy or disordered) — especially of a person's clothes and hair
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
eloquent
1 use
Her eloquence is unquestioned even amongst those who disagree with her.
eloquence = powerful use of language
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
entreat
2 uses
She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.
entreated = asked
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 12 |
indignant
2 uses
She was indignant, but agreed to be searched when they accused her of shoplifting.
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
loathe
4 uses
I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.
loathe = hate
Definition
Generally loathe means:hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
mane
2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
precipice
4 uses
She approached and then pulled back from the precipice.
precipice = steep cliff (or other dangerous situation)
Definition
Generally precipice means:a very steep cliff
or:
any dangerous situation
or:
any dangerous situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
regent
3 uses
The California Board of Regents voted to increase student fees 32% at all University of California schools.
regents = members of a governing board
Definition
Generally regent means:a member of a governing board — especially at a state university
or:
someone who rules a country temporarily while the king or queen is too young, too sick, or away
or:
someone who rules a country temporarily while the king or queen is too young, too sick, or away
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
ruinous
9 uses
It was a ruinous war.
ruinous = extremely harmful
Definition
Generally ruinous means:catastrophic or extremely harmful; or badly damaged or decayed (like ancient ruins)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
serpent
11 uses
There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.
serpent = snake
Definition
Generally serpent means:a snake
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
solemn
5 uses
He took a solemn oath.
solemn = very serious
Definition
Generally solemn means:in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
sustain
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sustained by her faith
We sustained ourselves on bread and water.
sustained = supported
Definition
Generally this sense of sustain means:provide support or necessities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |