audacious
11 uses
a very audaciously attired young girl
audaciously = boldly and daringly
Definition
Generally audacious means:bold and daring (inclined to take risks) — especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
Word Statistics
Book | 11 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.3.1 |
austere
7 uses
This brown-skinned, broad-shouldered priest, hitherto condemned to the austere virginity of the cloister, was quivering and boiling in the presence of this night scene of love and voluptuousness.
austere = self-denying
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 1.4.2 |
bourgeois
52 uses
the house, which is simple and thoroughly bourgeois
bourgeois = typical of the middle class
Definition
Generally bourgeois means:typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
Word Statistics
Book | 52 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.6 |
capricious
12 uses
the capricious regulations regarding the public highways
capricious = unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
Book | 12 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.9.5 |
descend
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
descend the mountain
As he uttered these monstrous words, he assumed the mien of Ajax, expecting to see the lightnings descend upon his head.†
descend = come downward
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:move or slope downward
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.7.8 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
the musical riches of the epoch were displayed in a magnificent discord.
discord = unpleasant combination of sounds
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 1.2.3 |
disdain
17 uses
Down to that day, he had known only humiliation, disdain for his condition, disgust for his person.
disdain = a lack of 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 | 17 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 2.7.6 |
dissemble
1 use
He was a dissembling prince, but one who understood far better how to hide his troubles than his joys.
dissembling = hiding or disguising the truth
Definition
Generally dissemble means:hide or disguise the truth without outright lying
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.10.5 |
eclectic
1 use
A true eclectic, as it would be expressed nowadays, Gringoire was one of those firm and lofty, moderate and calm spirits, which always know how to bear themselves amid all circumstances (~stare in dimidio rerum~), and who are full of reason and of liberal philosophy, while still setting store by cardinals.
eclectic = one who selects a distinctive mix of styles or ideas rather than adopting a common set from a single source
Definition
Generally eclectic means:a distinctive mix of styles or ideas selected from various sources
or:
one who selects a distinctive mix of styles or ideas rather than adopting a common set from a single source
or:
one who selects a distinctive mix of styles or ideas rather than adopting a common set from a single source
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.3 |
edifice
98 uses
That edifice is colossal.
edifice = building
Definition
Generally edifice means:a building — especially a large one
or:
a conceptual or organizational framework
or:
a conceptual or organizational framework
Word Statistics
Book | 98 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.2 |
impetuous
4 uses
the impetuous gusts of the north wind do not make the traveler lay aside his cloak;
impetuous = sudden and unpredictable
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.2 |
incessant
29 uses
It was this fixed idea which returned incessantly, which tortured him, which ate into his brain,
incessantly = continuously
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
Book | 29 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.1 |
Monsieur
152 uses
I see that you agree with Monsieur de Boucicaut.
Monsieur = Mr. (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
Book | 152 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.1 |
pious
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a good, pious woman
The solemn lines of that architecture, ... the serene and pious thoughts which emanated, so to speak, from all the pores of that stone, acted upon her without her being aware of it.
pious = holy (religious)
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.9.4 |
recluse
52 uses
The young girl had recognized the spiteful recluse.
recluse = a person who has withdrawn from society (avoids contact with others)
Definition
Generally recluse means:someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)
Word Statistics
Book | 52 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.6.2 |
sagacious
4 uses
All at once his deep-set eye assumed so sagacious and penetrating an expression, that Gringoire felt himself, so to speak, searched to the bottom of the soul by that glance.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.7.2 |
succession
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
a succession of events
I tried all in succession.
succession = sequence (one after another)
Definition
Generally this sense of succession means:series or sequence (one after another)
Word Statistics
Book | 10 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.5 |
venerate
2 uses
all his tribe, who hold her in singular veneration...
veneration = position of respect and reverence
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally venerate means:regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.7.2 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
"Halt, rascals, and yield me that wench!" suddenly shouted in a voice of thunder, a cavalier who appeared suddenly from a neighboring square.†
yield = give
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.4 |
2 —5 uses as in:
yield to pressure
Nevertheless, he felt that the great door was yielding.†
yielding = giving in, giving up, or giving way (easily moved or soft)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.6 |