alleviate
1 use
He had been so sure that Sirius's reply would alleviate his worries rather than increasing them.
alleviate = lessen (something that is bad)
Definition
Generally alleviate means:to lessen something that is bad — especially to lessen pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
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:
- to force someone to leave a country as punishment
- to push an idea from the mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
complacent
1 use
Don't get complacent, though. Harry. You've only done one task; whoever put you in for the tournament's got plenty more opportunity if they're trying to hurt you.
complacent = too contented (unworried and happy to a fault)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
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:water that forms from warm air that comes in contact with a cold surface — such as the outside of a glass of ice water; or the process of the liquid forming
or:
an abridgement (shortened version of writing)
or:
anything made smaller, more compressed
or:
an abridgement (shortened version of writing)
or:
anything made smaller, more compressed
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 | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
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 | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
discord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great.
discord = conflict and disagreement
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
2 —1 use as in:
discordant music
...adding their discordant national anthems to the racket.
discordant = unpleasant sounding together
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
disdain
2 uses
Harry could tell he was trying to sound disdainful, as though what Moody was saying was barely worth his notice, but his hands gave him away; they had balled themselves into fists.
disdainful = superior (without respect)
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
dissent
1 use
Dumbledore made a small noise of dissent through his long, crooked nose.
dissent = disagreement
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
dubious
2 uses
Moody was going to ask where he had got this map, which was a very dubious magical object...
dubious = suspicious
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
enmity
1 use
Lord Voldemorts gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great.
enmity = hatred
Definition
Generally enmity means:hatred toward someone or between people — typically long-lasting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
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 |
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 |
inflexible
1 use
"Yes," he said quietly," nine and a half inches.... inflexible... rosewood.... and containing...."
inflexible = not easily bent
Definition
Generally inflexible means:not bendable or adaptable
in various senses, including:
- not willing to compromise or make concessions — as when a boss says "Do it my way or you're fired."
- not able to adjust well to different conditions — as of a schedule that cannot be changed
- not easily bent without physical damage or injury — as of brittle steel or person with stiff joints
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
malevolent
4 uses
Malfoy, whose pale eyes were still watering with pain and humiliation, looked malevolently up at Moody
malevolently = wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses 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 | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 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 | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
sulk
6 uses
Olive Hornby came into the bathroom — Are you in here again, sulking, Myrtle?' she said, 'because Professor Dippet asked me to look for you —'†
sulking = overly unhappy and unsociable
Definition
Generally sulk means:to be overly unhappy and unsociable — often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |