abysmal
1 use
Even Neville scraped through, his good Herbology mark making up for his abysmal Potions one.
abysmal = terrible
From page 307.5 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of abysmal means:very bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.307.5 |
bias
1 use
The idea of overtaking Slytherin in the house championship was wonderful, no one had done it for seven years, but would they be allowed to, with such a biased referee?
biased = having a personal preference that prevents objectivity
From page 221.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally bias means:a personal preference — especially a prejudice that prevents objective consideration
or:
any tendency to move in a particular direction — such as a car that tends to want to swerve toward the right
or:
any tendency to move in a particular direction — such as a car that tends to want to swerve toward the right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13, p.221.4 |
chivalry
1 use
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
chivalry = medieval principles governing knightly conduct such as honor, kindness, bravery, and protection of the weak
From page 118.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally chivalry means:the medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct such as honor, kindness, bravery, and protection of the weak
or:
courtesy — especially of men towards women
or:
courtesy — especially of men towards women
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.118.1 |
conjure
1 use
...the three of them were out in the freezing courtyard during break, and she had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar.
conjured = created by magic
From page 181.6 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally conjure means:summon into action or bring into existence — often as if by magic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.181.6 |
convention
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
The Geneva Convention
Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that.
convention = a written international agreement
From page 230.9 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.230.9 |
cower
1 use
The Dursleys were cowering against the wall.
cowering = showing fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
From page 49.8 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally cower means:show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.49.8 |
cunning
1 use
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
cunning = clever and deceptive
From page 118.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of cunning means:being good at achieving goals through cleverness — and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.118.4 |
diversion
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a diversion to draw troops away
And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!
diversion = distraction
From page 183.5 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of diversion means:a distraction — something that draws someone's attention so they don't notice something else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.183.5 |
dumfounded
1 use
"What's your Quidditch team?" Ron asked.
"Er — I don't know any," Harry confessed.
"What!" Ron looked dumbfounded. "Oh, you wait, it's the best game in the world —" And he was off, explaining all about...
"Er — I don't know any," Harry confessed.
"What!" Ron looked dumbfounded. "Oh, you wait, it's the best game in the world —" And he was off, explaining all about...
dumbfounded = surprised (not in a frightening way, but in a way that makes you search for words)
From page 107.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally dumfounded means:very surprised - often too surprised to know what to say or do
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.107.9 |
gaunt
1 use
Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and saw a horrible ghost sitting there, with blank staring eyes, a gaunt face, and robes stained with silver blood.
gaunt = very thin and long-suffering
From page 124.7 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally gaunt means:very thin and bony — often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.124.7 |
heed
1 use
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
heed = pay close attention
From page 72.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.72.9 |
meddle
2 uses
It was a bit late to repair the damage, but Harry swore to himself not to meddle in things that weren't his business from now on.
meddle = get involved
Definition
Generally meddle means:interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15, p.246.6 |
pliable
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pliable material
Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration.
pliable = capable of being bent without breaking
From page 82.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of pliable means:capable of being bent (or perhaps shaped) without breaking
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.82.9 |
sallow
1 use
Professor Quirrell, in his absurd turban, was talking to a teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin.
sallow = pale or yellowish (looking unhealthy)
From page 126.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of sallow means:an unhealthy pale of yellowish complexion; or to cause such a complexion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.126.3 |
serpent
2 uses
A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table.
serpent = snake
Definition
Generally serpent means:a snake
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.304.6 |
stoke
1 use
He was humming merrily as he stoked the fire.
stoked = added fuel or stirred a fire to make it burn hotter
From page 233.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally stoke means:to add fuel or stir a fire to make it burn hotter; or to make feelings stronger
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.233.9 |
subtle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a subtle difference or thinker
You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking,
subtle = difficult to understand without adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge
From page 136.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of subtle means:not obvious, but understandable by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps depending upon fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.136.9 |
supple
1 use
Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere—I wonder, now— —yes, why not—unusual combination—holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple.
supple = bending easily
From page 84.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally supple means:moving and bending easily — sometimes used figuratively to indicate mental flexibility when adapting to different conditions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.84.9 |
transfigure
1 use
McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive;
transfigured = completely changed the nature of
From page 284.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally transfigure means:change completely the nature or appearance of — especially in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16, p.284.3 |
wizened
1 use
A wizened old guard was up by the ticket barrier,
wizened = lean and wrinkled
From page 308.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally wizened means:thin and wrinkled — typically from age or illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.308.1 |