antecedent
2 uses
Let us put it down to his deplorable antecedents and education, if you wish.†
antecedents = something that happened previous to something else; or anything that precedes something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
celibate
2 uses
A Gothic statue implies celibacy, just as a Greek statue implies fruition, and perhaps this was what Mr. Beebe meant.†
celibacy = the state of never having sexual intercourse
Definition
Generally celibate means:abstaining from (i.e., never having) sexual intercourse
or:
an unmarried person who has taken a religious vow of chastity
or:
an unmarried person who has taken a religious vow of chastity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
Constantinople
10 uses
Isn't it romance? most certainly they will go to Constantinople.†
Constantinople = the city of Byzantium was renamed to Constantinople which was renamed to Istanbul, Turkey; Constantine made it the capital of the Byzantium Empire (also known as the eastern Roman Empire) in the fourth century
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
contemptible
1 use
Immediately he realized that of all the ... contemptible ways of announcing an engagement this was the worst.
contemptible = deserving no respect (worthless or of bad quality)
Definition
Generally contemptible means:very bad (deserving no respect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
contrite
1 use
But Mr. Emerson, contrite and unhappy, hurried away to apologize to...
contrite = feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
deride
1 use
we deride or oppose it
deride = to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
florid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a florid style
Miss Bartlett burst into florid gratitude.
florid = elaborate
Definition
Generally this sense of florid means:elaborate (with much decorative detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
grave
7 uses
A grave voice replied, "Hullo!"†
grave = serious and solemn
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon 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 or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
hackneyed
1 use
The view thence of Florence is most beautiful—far better than the hackneyed view of Fiesole.
hackneyed = lacking impact due to too much previous exposure
Definition
Generally hackneyed means:lacking impact due to too much previous exposure — especially writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
indifferent
6 uses
a cup of coffee was upset over Lucy's figured silk, and though Lucy feigned indifference, her mother feigned nothing of the sort but dragged her indoors to have the frock treated by a sympathetic maid.
indifference = unconcern (lack of interest)
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
innate
1 use
...full of innate sympathy...quickness to perceive good in others...vision of the brotherhood of man.
innate = an inseparable part (of her)
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
interpose
3 uses
"Perhaps as a student of human nature," interposed Miss Lavish, "like myself?"†
interposed = to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
She had counted on his being petty. It would have made things easier for her. By a cruel irony she was drawing out all that was finest in his disposition.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
lucid
1 use
He chanced to be in a lucid critical mood, and would not sympathize with exaltation.
lucid = clear thinking
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
At a little distance stood Minnie and the "garden-child," a minute importation, each holding either end of a long piece of bass.†
minute = small
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
orthodox
2 uses
Mrs. Honeychurch defended orthodoxy,
orthodoxy = a commonly accepted belief or practice
Definition
Generally orthodox means:normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
ostentatious
1 use
had been ostentatiously drinking his tea
ostentatiously = in a manner intended to attract notice and impress others
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
philanthropy
1 use
And old Mrs. Butterworth the philanthropist?
philanthropist = a person who helps others — especially by donating money to worthy causes
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
transitory
2 uses
there is a Yes—a transitory Yes if you like, but a Yes.
transitory = lasting a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
usurp
2 uses
The ghosts were returning; they filled Italy, they were even usurping the places she had known as a child.
usurping = seizing or taking control of
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |