apprehensive
2 uses
...Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who were watching apprehensively.
apprehensively = with worry
Definition
Generally apprehensive means:worried over possible misfortune
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
bound (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 9 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
She's bound to succeed.
Snape said it was in a book called Moste Potente Potions and it's bound to be in the Restricted Section of the library.
bound = almost certainly
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:almost certain to; or determined to
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
2 —1 use as in:
bound together
There was a thick tartan scarf bound around his head, and his nose was unusually purple.
bound = wrapped
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:held together (connected or united) or wrapped
(see word notes for a more detailed definition based upon context)
(see word notes for a more detailed definition based upon context)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
3 —1 use as in:
I can't/must. I'm bound by...
DOBBY'S is a houseelf bound to serve one house and one family forever .
bound = required
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:tied up, prevented, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
4 —4 uses as in:
The deer bound across the trail.
"C'mon, Fang, we're going for a walk," said Harry, patting his leg, and Fang bounded happily out of the house behind them, dashed to the edge of the forest, and lifted his leg against a large sycamore tree.
bounded = leaped
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:to leap or jump
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
culprit
6 uses
The culprit must have known it was only a matter of time before I caught him.
culprit = person responsible for wrongdoing
Definition
Generally culprit means:someone responsible for a wrongdoing — especially a criminal
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
demonstrate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
It demonstrates my point.
He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin.
demonstration = display (showing how to do something)
Definition
Generally this sense of demonstrate means:to show
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
disgruntled
2 uses
"Greenhouse three today, chaps!" said Professor Sprout, who was looking distinctly disgruntled, not at all her usual cheerful self.
disgruntled = in a bad mood - typically unhappy and annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
expulsion
26 uses
As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spellwork on your part may lead to expulsion from said school
expulsion = being thrown out
Definition
Generally expulsion means:the act of forcing out — such as:
- kicking someone out of an organization — such as a school or country
- squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
Word Statistics
| Book | 26 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
grievous
2 uses
Better sent home, grievously injured, than remain here sir!
grievously = badly (seriously)
Definition
Generally grievous means:very serious; or very bad; or causing grief
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
lurid
2 uses
Lockhart, wearing lurid pink robes to match the decorations, was waving for silence.
lurid = surprisingly brightly colored
Definition
Generally lurid means:shocking, as from disturbing details of a horrible story, or a color more vivid (bright or deep) than would be expected
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
manor
5 uses
Judging by the fact that Draco Malfoy usually had the best of everything, his family was rolling in wizard gold; he could just see Malfoy strutting around a large manor house.
manor = large house of a lord or wealthy person
Definition
Generally manor means:a large house of a lord or wealthy person; or the house and the land around it
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
morose
2 uses
Harry lay facedown on the stone-cold floor, listening to Myrtle gurgling morosely in the end toilet.
morosely = unhappily
Definition
Generally morose means:unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
nevertheless
2 uses
Slightly dizzy, he nevertheless kept his eyes wide open, rain was speckling his glasses and...
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
passage
1 use
Since the disastrous episode of the pixies, Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class. Instead, he read passages from his books to them, and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits.
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
serpent
15 uses
...because being able to talk to snakes was what Salazar Slytherin was famous for. That's why the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent.
serpent = snake
Definition
Generally serpent means:a snake
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
tone
7 uses
"Not for long," said Hermione in a satisfied tone.
tone = general feeling, mood, or attitude of something
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
trace (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 6 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
found a trace of
The words shone momentarily on the page and they, too, sank without trace.
trace = any indication left
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:a small quantity or indication
The exact meaning of this sense of trace is often subject to its context. For example:
The exact meaning of this sense of trace is often subject to its context. For example:
- "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace." — any small indication that something was present
- "She speaks English with just a trace of a southern accent." — a very small amount (especially an amount too small to be accurately measured)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
2 —2 uses as in:
trace the origin or development
"I might tell you that you can trace my family back through nine generations of witches and warlocks and my blood's as pure as anyone's, so —"
trace = find something through investigation
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:to find, search, research, or keep track of
This sense of trace usually has to do with information. It's specific meaning depends on its context. Here are some representative samples by category:
This sense of trace usually has to do with information. It's specific meaning depends on its context. Here are some representative samples by category:
- to find or search for something through investigation — often the origin of something
- "The police traced the call." — found out where it originated
- "We are tracing the lost luggage" — searching for
- "Can you trace the problem to its source?" — find through investigation
- "She traced her family history to discover that her great-grandmother came to the United States from Lithuania when the Nazis occupied it." — discovered something through investigation
- to research or report on the development of something
- "She traced the history of the automobile in her paper." — researched the development of something
- "Her presentation traced recent progress in alternative energy solutions." — reported on
- to monitor or keep track of the progress or development of something
- She traces the progress of at-risk students — monitors information
- "I used binoculars to trace her progress up the mountain." — monitor, follow, or track
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
3 —1 use as in:
trace a picture or outline
He pulled Harry's wand from his pocket and began to trace it through the air, writing three shimmering words: TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE Then he waved the wand once, and the letters of his name rearranged themselves: I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
trace = draw specific patterns
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:copy the lines of an image; or draw an outline; or carefully draw a specific pattern
This sense of trace has to do with drawing, but it's specific meaning depends on its context. Here are some representative samples by category:
This sense of trace has to do with drawing, but it's specific meaning depends on its context. Here are some representative samples by category:
- copying the outline of an image
- "She used tracing paper to make a copy." — paper you can see through, so that when it is placed on a picture, you can use a pencil to follow the lines of the image being copied
- She projected the image onto the wall, then hung a sheet of paper there, and traced the projected image onto the paper." — followed the lines with her pencil
- draw an outline or a specific pattern
- "She used her toe to trace half the fish symbol in the sand." — draw a simple outline
- "The child used a stick to trace circles and swirls in the mud." — draw
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |