alternative
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
an alternative plan
Harry had never known so many people to put their names down to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas; he always did, of course, because the alternative was usually going back to Privet Drive, but he had always been very much in the minority before now.
alternative = other possibility
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
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banish
6 uses
They were supposed to be practicing the opposite of the Summoning Charm today — the Banishing Charm.
banishing = getting rid of something
Definition
Generally banish means:to expel or get rid of
in various senses including:
in various senses including:
- to force someone to leave a country as punishment
- to push an idea from the mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
condensation
1 use
Snow was still thick upon the grounds, and the greenhouse windows were covered in condensation so thick that they couldn't see out of them in Herbology.
condensation = water formed from water vapor
Definition
Generally condensation means:the process or result of becoming more dense in various senses — such as:
- liquid formed from a gas—as when water collects on the side of a cold glass
- an abridgement or shortened version of writing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
convey
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convey her thoughts
He was itching to get back on his own Firebolt and try out the Wronski Feint...... Somehow Oliver Wood had never managed to convey with all his wriggling diagrams what that move was supposed to look like......†
convey = communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
corresponding by email
"You are not Sirius's only correspondent," said Dumbledore.†
correspondent = someone who communicates in writing
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
2 —3 uses as in:
foreign correspondent of the paper
The boy who defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is unstable and possibly dangerous, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent.†
correspondent = reporter
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondent means:a reporter — typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
desist
1 use
Harry hooked down at his own wand. He could see finger marks all over it. He gathered a fistful of robe from his knee and tried to rub it clean surreptitiously. Several gold sparks shot out of the end of it. Fleur Delacour gave him a very patronizing look, and he desisted.
desisted = stopped
Definition
Generally desist means:to not do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
diatribe
1 use
Her arms were folded, her lips were pursed, and she seemed to be chewing her tongue, as though biting back the furious diatribe she longed to throw at Harry.
diatribe = a strongly felt and usually lengthy criticism of something or someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
explicit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
explicit instructions
In any case, it seemed to him that if Cedric had really wanted to give Harry a hand, he would have been a lot more explicit.†
explicit = clear and detailed
Definition
Generally this sense of explicit means:clear and with enough detail so there is no confusion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
fervent
6 uses
"Oooh, I wouldn't fancy crossing the lake in this weather," said Hermione fervently, shivering as they inched slowly along the dark platform with the rest of the crowd.
fervently = with intense emotion
Definition
Generally fervent means:characterized by intense emotion or passionate belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
gesticulate
2 uses
Muttering and gesticulating, Mr. Crouch appeared to be talking to someone that he alone could see.
gesticulating = making gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something
Definition
Generally gesticulate means:to make gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
gullible
1 use
A wizard young, foolish, and gullible - wandered across my path in the forest I had made my home.
gullible = easily tricked because of being too trusting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
incredulous
7 uses
"Come off it," said Ron incredulously. "Are you saying you reckon Ludo Bagman conjured the Dark Mark?"
incredulously = finding it hard to believe
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
portent
1 use
The movements of the planets and the mysterious portents they reveal only to those who understand the steps of the celestial dance.
portents = signs of things about to happen
Definition
Generally portent means:a sign of something about to happen
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
resignation (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
"I refuse to accept your resignation, Hagrid, and I expect you back at work on Monday," he said.
resignation = document expressing that one is quitting a job
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
2 —2 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
Harry knew, by the fact that Fleur showed no sign of surprise, but rather a determined resignation, that he had been right:
resignation = acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
sycophant
1 use
Crabbe and Goyle guffawed sycophantically, but Malfoy had to stop there, because Hagrid emerged from the back of his cabin balancing a teetering tower of crates, each containing a very large Blast-Ended Skrewt.
sycophantically = in a manner of one overly eager to please someone in authority in order to gain personal advantage
Definition
Generally sycophant means:a person who tries to flatter or please someone in authority in order to gain personal advantage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
Several hands rose tentatively into the air, including Ron's and Hermione's.
tentatively = in a hesitant, unsure manner
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
vigilant
6 uses
But most of all, you need to practice constant, never-ceasing vigilance.
vigilance = careful observance to possible danger
Definition
Generally vigilant means:carefully observant or attentive — often to possible danger
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
vociferous
2 uses
A huddle of teenagers in pajamas was arguing vociferously
vociferously = with forceful energy
Definition
Generally vociferous means:expressed with forceful energy — often loud and sometimes offensive
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |