allude
3 uses
At our next meeting he made no allusion to the book,
allusion = indirect reference
(editor's note: In this context, we are to assume that the author only mentions indirect references because there was no direct reference; i.e., there was no reference to the book.)
(editor's note: In this context, we are to assume that the author only mentions indirect references because there was no direct reference; i.e., there was no reference to the book.)
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
capitulate
1 use
I began to understand why Starkfield emerged from its six months' siege like a starved garrison capitulating without quarter.
capitulating = (that) stopped resisting
Definition
Generally capitulate means:to stop resisting something — such as surrendering to someone else's decision or accepting a military defeat
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Open |
contrast
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
there is a contrast
Zeena waited a moment, as if giving him time to feel the full force of the contrast between his own excitement and her composure.†
contrast = difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Open |
convey
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convey her thoughts
He luxuriated in the sense of protection and authority which his words conveyed.†
conveyed = communicated or expressed
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
correspond
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
corresponding time period
She sat huddled in an arm-chair near the stove, and when I came in she turned her head quickly toward me, without the least corresponding movement of her body.†
corresponding = matching (similar)
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Close |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
It seemed to be a part of the thickening darkness, to be the winter night itself descending on us layer by layer.
descending = coming
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Open |
despair (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
she felt despair
To-night the pressure of accumulated misgivings sent the scale drooping toward despair, and her indifference was the more chilling after the flush of joy into which she had plunged him by dismissing Denis Eady.
despair = 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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
do not despair
Now he thought she understood him, and feared; now he was sure she did not, and despaired.
despaired = lost 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 2 |
direct (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
I hoped that this incident might set up some more direct communication between us.†
direct = open (talkative and unguarded)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Open |
2 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
He went about his task without knowing what force directed him, or whose hands and feet were fulfilling its orders. It was not till he led out the sorrel and backed him between the shafts of the sleigh that he once more became conscious of what he was doing.†
directed = commanded
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
imply
3 uses
I had been told that Frome was poor ... but I had not supposed him to be in such want as Harmon's words implied
implied = suggested
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Open |
indifferent
9 uses
Ethan tried to hide his joy under an air of exaggerated indifference
indifference = lack of interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
latent
2 uses
The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.
latent = potentially existing but not presently evident or active
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
negative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
had a negative effect
At our next meeting he made no allusion to the book, and our intercourse seemed fated to remain as negative and one-sided as if there had been no break in his reserve.†
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 | Open |
poignant
2 uses
Such tastes and acquirements in a man of his condition made the contrast more poignant between his outer situation and his inner needs
poignant = sharp or intense
Definition
Generally poignant means:sharp or intense — typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
reticent
2 uses
any question about her acquaintances brought forth a volume of detail; but on the subject of Ethan Frome I found her unexpectedly reticent.
reticent = reluctant to speak freely
Definition
Generally reticent means:reluctant — especially to speak freely
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Open |
scrupulous
1 use
his scrupulously clean shirt was always fastened by a small diamond stud.
scrupulously = of the shirt: always carefully (cleaned)
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
taciturn
2 uses
He recalled his mother's growing taciturnity
taciturnity = with a tendency to be reserved and not to talk
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Open |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
I had been told that Frome was poor, and that the saw-mill and the arid acres of his farm yielded scarcely enough to keep his household through the winter; but I had not supposed him to be in such want as Harmon's words implied, and I expressed my wonder.†
yielded = produced
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Open |
2 —3 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The answer seemed to satisfy her, or else she yielded to the power of his voice.†
yielded = gave in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |