capricious
2 uses
Her action is too capricious, as though the Erinyes selected for punishment only certain men and certain sins.
capricious = impulsive or unpredictable
(editor's note: Erinyes are mythological creatures that punish those who do wrong.)
(editor's note: Erinyes are mythological creatures that punish those who do wrong.)
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 11 |
censure
7 uses
She censured her, not for disapproving of the engagement, but for throwing over her disapproval a veil of mystery.
censured = criticized
Definition
Generally censure means:harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization — such as the U.S. Senate
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 17 |
chaos
6 uses
Outwardly he was cheerful, reliable, and brave; but within, all had reverted to chaos,
chaos = a state of extreme confusion and disorder
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 12 |
contempt
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
"Yes, indeed," nodded Evie, a little contemptuously.
contemptuously = with disrespect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 16 |
descend
13 uses
He went to the window, and saw that the moon was descending through a clear sky.
descending = moving downward
Definition
Generally descend means:move or slope downward
or:
come from a higher or prior level in a hierarchy — as a person from an ancestor
or:
come or arrive — especially from above — such as night or darkness
or:
come from a higher or prior level in a hierarchy — as a person from an ancestor
or:
come or arrive — especially from above — such as night or darkness
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 33 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 6 |
despise
10 uses
I'm glad you don't despise the goods of this world.
despise = to dislike strongly and look down on with disdain
Definition
Generally despise means:to strongly dislike — and often to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 7 |
earnest
8 uses
The earnest girl brought forward a scheme of "personal supervision and mutual help," the effect of which was to alter poor people until they became exactly like people who were not so poor.
earnest = excessively serious
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 12 |
eccentric
2 uses
"Auntie gets more eccentric lately," she said nervously.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 33 |
establish
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Of course, Howards End was impossible, so long as the younger couple were established in Hilton.†
established = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Part 16 |
furtive
4 uses
Leonard, though furtive, was untidy, and left it lying about.
furtive = secretive (takes pains to avoid being observed)
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 11 |
grave
14 uses
"It has been pretty horrible," said Charles gravely.
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave is often subject to its context. For example:
The exact meaning of this sense of grave is often subject to its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad (with a heavy heart)
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — sincere and dignified without humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 8 |
haughty
5 uses
The haughty nephew ... convinced that Germany was appointed by God to govern the world.
haughty = arrogant or condescending
Definition
Generally haughty means:arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
imply
9 uses
The aim of their debates she implied was Truth.
implied = said indirectly
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Part 25 |
indifferent
9 uses
To history, to tragedy, to the past, to the future, Mrs. Munt remained equally indifferent;
indifferent = uninterested
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 | 9 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 11 |
inevitable
7 uses
They had tried not to go over the precipice, but perhaps the fall was inevitable.
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
latent
5 uses
Margaret saw horror latent in the scene, and Helen's next remark did not surprise her.
latent = potentially existing (but not presently active)
Definition
Generally latent means:potentially existing but not presently evident or active
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
lucid
2 uses
criticised with admirable lucidity
lucidity = clarity (well-thought and clearly explained)
Definition
Generally lucid means:of a person: capable of thinking clearly
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 16 |
ominous
6 uses
he remarked, ominously calm.
ominously = in a threatening manner
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 11 |
ostentatious
2 uses
Her husband was lying in a great leather chair in the dining-room, and by his side, holding his hand rather ostentatiously, was Evie.
ostentatiously = intended to attract notice
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 44 |
taint
1 use
There was almost a taint of madness.
taint = contamination (spoiling things)
Definition
Generally taint means:to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 34 |