affinity
2 uses
his voice ... that breathed an affinity for evil, for believing that no woman is to be trusted,
affinity = a natural attraction
Definition
Generally affinity means:a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
anecdote
1 use
Anyway he related long pointless anecdotes of his undergraduate days,
anecdotes = short stories (of things that really happened)
Definition
Generally anecdote means:a short story that is true — often told for amusement or to make a point
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
approbation
1 use
...shot his voice through the floor of Caddy's room tone of smug approbation.
approbation = approval
Definition
Generally approbation means:approval - often official
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
arbiter
2 uses
every man is the arbiter of his own virtues
arbiter = person who settles disputes
Definition
Generally arbiter means:someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
arbitrary
1 use
Of his niece he did not think at all, nor of the arbitrary valuation of the money.
arbitrary = based on chance or impulse
Definition
Generally arbitrary means:based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
austere
1 use
...she sang, to herself at first, something without particular tune or words, repetitive, mournful and plaintive, austere,
austere = plain (without elaboration or decoration)
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
condone
1 use
She approved of Gerald associating with me... Forgave, at least. Or condoned.
condoned = accepted without criticism
Definition
Generally condone means:to accept (a specific bad behavior) without criticism
or:
to approve of (a specific behavior that is typically considered bad)
or:
to approve of (a specific behavior that is typically considered bad)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
congregation
1 use
...they dispersed to their seats and the congregation sat for an instant, expectant.
congregation = people who worship together in the same building
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
consternation
2 uses
They were still looking at him with consternation and unbelief when...
consternation = dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) — typically over something unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
desiccate
2 uses
the trees were mulberries and locusts and sycamores—trees that partook also of the foul desiccation which surrounded the houses;
desiccation = lack of vitality (removal of moisture/life)
Definition
Generally desiccate means:to remove moisture from something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
distend
1 use
She chewed quietly and steadily; at regular intervals a small distension passed smoothly down her throat.
distension = swelling (in this case, made the throat stick out as it went down)
Definition
Generally distend means:to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
divine
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
to forgive is divine
he was a graduate of the divinity school.
divinity = study of religion (God)
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
inherent
1 use
all stable things had become shadowy paradoxical ... inherent themselves with the denial of the significance they should have affirmed
inherent = existing as an inseparable characteristic
Definition
Generally inherent means:existing as an inseparable part or characteristic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
nostalgia
1 use
Some days in late August at home are like this, the air thin and eager like this, with something in it sad and nostalgic and familiar.
nostalgic = with fond memory of the past
Definition
Generally nostalgia means:happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
oblige (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I obliged her every request.
You were obliging the W. C. T. U. then, I reckon.
obliging = being helpful to
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:grant a favor to someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —5 uses as in:
I'm much obliged for your kindness
I'm much obliged to you.
obliged = grateful or indebted
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
pervasive
1 use
a pervading reek of camphor.
pervading = spreading
(editor's note: Reek means bad smell and camphor is a chemical that is often used to keep moths from destroying clothes.)
(editor's note: Reek means bad smell and camphor is a chemical that is often used to keep moths from destroying clothes.)
Definition
Generally pervasive means:existing throughout something; or generally widespread
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
The bird whistled again, invisible, a sound meaningless and profound, inflexionless, ceasing as though cut off with the blow of a knife,
profound = intense
Definition
Generally this sense of profound means:of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
querulous
2 uses
cold and querulous
querulous = habitually complaining
Definition
Generally querulous means:habitually complaining — especially in a high-pitched whiny voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
reproach
3 uses
You were right to reproach me.
reproach = criticize
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |