alacrity
1 use
Displaying impressive alacrity, a host was already standing there to greet them.
alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 41-42 |
ascetic
2 uses
Saint-Sulpice was stark and cold, conveying an almost barren quality reminiscent of the ascetic cathedrals of Spain.
ascetic = severely plain (without decoration)
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
attribute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I attribute it to...
Nor was it due to the mysterious interpretations attributed her by many art historians and conspiracy buffs.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the cause of something)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25-26 |
austere
5 uses
Silas was surprised by the austerity of the sanctuary.
austerity = absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19-20 |
consonant
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
consonant or vowel?
Most modern Semitic alphabets have no vowels and use nekkudot—tiny dots and dashes written either below or within the consonants—to indicate what vowel sound accompanies them.
consonants = speech sounds that are not vowels
Definition
Generally this sense of consonant means:a letter of the alphabet (or a speech sound) that is not a vowel
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 71-72 |
convoluted
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convoluted thinking
Nowadays, Langdon hesitated even to mention the Knights Templar while lecturing because it invariably led to a barrage of convoluted inquiries into assorted conspiracy theories.
convoluted = complex
Definition
Generally this sense of convoluted means:complex — often more complex than necessary
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37-38 |
dubious
9 uses
To my taste, the authors made some dubious leaps of faith in their analysis,
dubious = doubtful (not to be relied upon)
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ephemeral
1 use
...the floor produced an ephemeral optical illusion...
ephemeral = lasting only for a short time
Definition
Generally ephemeral means:existing only for a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
explicit
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
explicit instructions
André Vernet was a dear friend of Jacques, and Jacques trusted him explicitly.†
explicitly = without any doubts
Definition
Generally this sense of explicit means:clear and with enough detail so there is no confusion
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 105 |
heresy
8 uses
Anyone who chose the forbidden gospels over Constantine's version was deemed a heretic.
heretic = someone with unacceptable beliefs
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19-20 |
highlight (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
highlight the main findings
The scrolls highlight glaring historical discrepancies and fabrications, clearly confirming that the modern Bible was compiled and edited by men who possessed a political agenda—to promote the divinity of the man Jesus Christ and use His influence to solidify their own power base.†
highlight = emphasize (call attention to)
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:emphasize (call attention to something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 55-56 |
2 —1 use as in:
highlights and shadows
Around his temples, the gray highlights were advancing, making their way deeper into his thicket of coarse black hair.†
highlights = lighter areas
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:noun: something that is lighter and draws attention — such as an area of a painting
verb: making something lighter — such as an area of a painting
verb: making something lighter — such as an area of a painting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
negative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
had a negative effect
In France and Italy, the words for "left"—gauche and sinistra—came to have deeply negative overtones, while their right-hand counterparts rang of righteousness, dexterity, and correctness.†
negative = bad
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:bad or harmful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27-28 |
passage
6 uses
As she read the passages, Sophie recalled an angry priest who had banged on her grandfather's door when she was a schoolgirl.†
passages = short parts of longer written works
Definition
Generally this sense of passage means:a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 57-58 |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
Yes, I'm positive I have seen these!†
positive = certain
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 67-68 |
2 —1 use as in:
had a positive effect
Interpol said Vernet's name appeared in the newspapers from time to time, but always in a positive light.†
positive = good
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:good or beneficial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 87-88 |
predilection
1 use
Langdon rolled his eyes at Sophie, well accustomed to Teabing's predilection for dramatic antics.
predilection = tendency or preference (a predisposition in favor of something)
Definition
Generally predilection means:preference (a predisposition in favor of something); or tendency (normal behavior)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 51-52 |
prominent
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a prominent politician
Of course the ultimate embarrassment had been the widely publicized trial of FBI spy Robert Hanssen, who, in addition to being a prominent member of Opus Dei, had turned out to be a sexual deviant, his trial uncovering evidence that he had rigged hidden video cameras in his own bedroom so his friends could watch him having sex with his wife.†
prominent = well-known
Definition
Generally this sense of prominent means:well-known or important — especially of a person who is respected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
recumbent
1 use
Behind Newton's recumbent body rose an austere pyramid.
recumbent = lying down
Definition
Generally recumbent means:lying down; or horizontal
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 97-98 |
relevant
6 uses
I think you'll find this relevant to our discussion.
relevant = related in a meaningful way
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-12 |