abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
"But Gerty does not happen to know," Miss Bart rejoined, "that I owe every penny of that legacy."
"Good God!" Selden exclaimed, startled out of his composure by the abruptness of the statement.
"Good God!" Selden exclaimed, startled out of his composure by the abruptness of the statement.
abruptness = sudden and unexpected nature
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
acquire
15 uses
She knew she could not afford it, and she was afraid of acquiring so expensive a taste.
acquiring = obtaining (in this case, the habit)
Definition
Generally acquire means:obtain (come into the possession of something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
apathy
4 uses
It left him, collapsed and breathing heavily, to an apathy so deep and prolonged that Lily almost feared the passers-by would think it the result of a seizure, and stop to offer their aid.
apathy = lack of interest and energy
Definition
Generally apathy means:lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
assume (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 24 uses
1 —12 uses as in:
I assume it's true
It is less mortifying to believe one's self unpopular than insignificant, and vanity prefers to assume that indifference is a latent form of unfriendliness.
assume = accept as true
Definition
Generally this sense of assume means:to accept something as true without proof
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
2 —4 uses as in:
She assumed power
To neglect her, perhaps even to avoid her, at a time when she had most need of her friends, and then suddenly and unwarrantably to break into her life with this strange assumption of authority, was to rouse in her every instinct of pride and self-defence.
assumption = taking
Definition
Generally this sense of assume means:beginning to take power or responsibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
3 —8 uses as in:
She assumed a false identity
But dinginess is a quality which assumes all manner of disguises;
assumes = takes on
Definition
Generally this sense of assume means:to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) — often while pretending or disguising
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.13 |
candid
7 uses
Carry, always the soul of candour, put the case squarely to her friend.
candour = honesty and directness
Definition
Generally candid means:honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
complacent
8 uses
The sight of Selden's dark head, in a pew almost facing her, disturbed for a moment the balance of her complacency.
complacency = contentment (unworried satisfaction)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
contempt
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
the sudden glimpse into his mocked and broken life disarmed her contempt for his weakness.
contempt = disrespect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
deride
7 uses
She met Selden's sound of protest with a sharp derisive glance.
derisive = treating as inferior and unworthy of respect
Definition
Generally deride means:laugh at or make fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8 |
detach
14 uses
Completely as he had detached himself from her, he could not yet regard her merely as a social instance;
detached = separated
Definition
Generally detach means:to separate something from something else (physically or emotionally)
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
establish
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
The revelation of this suddenly-established intimacy effectually chilled his desire to see her.†
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
imply
14 uses
She spoke with the intention of making him see that, if his words implied a tentative allusion to her private affairs, she was prepared to meet and repudiate it.
implied = suggested
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.14 |
indifferent
14 uses
"You are mistaken," she said indifferently.
indifferently = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest — in various senses such as:
- unconcerned
- unsympathetic
- impartial
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context)
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.9 |
indignant
12 uses
Indignation quivered on her lip; but it was quelled by the secret voice which warned her that she must not quarrel with him.
indignation = anger or annoyance at something unjust
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
indolent
5 uses
All the secret ambitions which Mrs. Gormer's native indolence, and the attitude of her companions, kept in habitual abeyance,
indolence = laziness
Definition
Generally this sense of indolent means:lazy; disinclined to work
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
obligation
25 uses
If you really owe your dress-maker, I will settle with her—beyond that I recognize no obligation to assume your debts.
obligation = duty
Definition
Generally obligation means:a duty
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
scrupulous
7 uses
There was no other token of her personality about the room, unless it showed itself in the scrupulous neatness of the scant articles of furniture:
scrupulous = meticulous (careful attention to detail)
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.14 |
sufficient
18 uses
But neither his wife nor his daughter was sufficiently interested to ask an explanation.
sufficiently = adequately
Definition
Generally sufficient means:adequate (enough — often without being more than is needed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
zeal
4 uses
threw herself into it with her accustomed zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |