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 | 5 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 | 1 use 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 | 7 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 | 8 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 |
demonstrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
It demonstrates my point.
The cat, profiting by this unusual demonstration, tried to effect an unnoticed retreat, and in doing so backed into the pickle-dish, which fell to the floor with a crash.†
demonstration = display
Definition
Generally this sense of demonstrate means:to show
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
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 | 12 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 | 6 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 | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Open |
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 |
obscure (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 9 uses
1 —1 use as in:
it obscured my view
Sometimes their way led them under the shade of an overhanging bank or through the thin obscurity of a clump of leafless trees.
obscurity = something that blocks a view
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
the view or directions are obscure
Still she did not speak and, prompted by an obscure desire to help himself and her through their miserable last hour, he went on discursively: "Ain't it funny we haven't been down together but just that once last winter?"
obscure = little understood
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not clearly seen, understood, or expressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
3 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
Ethan, consumed with the longing for a last moment alone with Mattie, hung about impatiently while Denis made an ineffectual search in the obscurer corners of the store.
obscurer = less familiar (less used and less known)
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 | Chapter 6 |
4 —6 uses as in:
was obscure, but now bright
In another moment she would step forth into the night, and his eyes, accustomed to the obscurity, would discern her as clearly as though she stood in daylight.
obscurity = darkness
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:dark or dingy; or inconspicuous (not very noticeable)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 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 = emotionally felt
Definition
Generally poignant means:profoundly touching the emotions — especially sadness or pity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
querulous
4 uses
Must he wear out all his years at the side of a bitter querulous woman?
querulous = habitually complaining
Definition
Generally querulous means:habitually complaining — especially in a high-pitched whiny voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Open |
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 |
taciturn
2 uses
He recalled his mother's growing taciturnity
taciturnity = tendency to be reserved and not to talk
Definition
Generally taciturn means:tending not to speak much
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses 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 | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |