abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
With abrupt decision, Paul...
abrupt = sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
augment
2 uses
The Fremen guard that augmented the surviving Fedaykin took up stations around the room.
augmented = enlarged or increased
Definition
Generally augment means:enlarge or increase
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
censure
2 uses
But error on the side of caution cannot be censured.
censured = criticized
Definition
Generally censure means:harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization — such as the U.S. Senate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
deride
1 use
...and his tone of derision did not escape the Baron.
derision = disrespect — typically while laughing at or making fun of
Definition
Generally deride means:laugh at or make fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
diversify
1 use
I'd advise you to diversify your holdings.†
diversify = make more varied
Definition
Generally diversify means:to make more varied
This is used to describe variation in some things so frequently that they can be implied by the general context without a need to state them explicitly — such as:
This is used to describe variation in some things so frequently that they can be implied by the general context without a need to state them explicitly — such as:
- with regard to people — varying races, ethnicities, and genders
- with regard to investments — varying types of investments
- with regard to a company — varying sources of business
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
dominate
13 uses
Even without her position as hostess, Jessica would have dominated the group, he thought.
dominated = been most influential or powerful
Definition
Generally dominate means:to control; or to be most influential, powerful, or conspicuous
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
emerge
38 uses
a sudden emergence into a clearing
emergence = appearance as entering
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 38 uses |
| Library | 46 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
emulate
2 uses
Paul studied Idaho, marking the feline movements, the swiftness of reflex that made him such a difficult weapons teacher to emulate.
emulate = imitate (copy)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
ephemeral
1 use
Now, they came in with deeper plantings — ephemerals...
ephemerals = existing only for a short time (in this case ephemerals refers specifically to flowers that bloom only a very short time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | A1 - |
furtive
4 uses
a way of hiding from the youth, a furtiveness of person and motives that no eye could penetrate.
furtiveness = a disposition to be stealthy (taking pains to avoid being observed)
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
guile
1 use
without pretense or guile
guile = cunning (shrewd, clever) and deceit
Definition
Generally guile means:cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
inevitable
6 uses
Why prolong the inevitable?
inevitable = that which is certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
nexus
11 uses
She thought of the boy's features as an exquisite distillation out of random patterns—endless queues of happenstance meeting at this nexus.†
nexus = an important connection; or a place where things connect or come together
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
obscure
4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
He tells us that a single obscure decision of prophecy, perhaps the choice of one word over another, could change the entire aspect of the future.
obscure = seemingly unimportant
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
revere
8 uses
We will treat your comrade with the same reverence we treat our own,
reverence = deep respect
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
scrutiny
2 uses
No doubt your books will bear the closest scrutiny
scrutiny = careful inspection
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
soporific
5 uses
Paul remained silent, probing with his inner senses, examining the blood from the wound, finding a trace of soporific from the Emperor's blade.†
soporific = tending to make one sleepy
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
summon
34 uses
When he threw the latch, the thumper would begin its summons.
summons = call (to come)
Definition
Generally summon means:to call forth
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
suppress
17 uses
Paul suppressed a laugh.
suppressed = prevented (stopped/controlled)
Definition
Generally suppress means:trying to keep under control — in many senses such as:
- to stop others from doing something by force
- to keep something from happening
- to keep news from spreading
- to control an emotion
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
windward
7 uses
You can see by the way it's wind-cut that's the windward face.†
windward = the direction from which the wind is coming
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |