acquiesce
3 uses
If here and there he was dissatisfied or puzzled, he must acquiesce; she was choosing the better part.
acquiesce = comply or accept
Definition
Generally acquiesce means:reluctant or unenthusiastic compliance, consent, or agreement
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 12 |
aesthetic
1 use
But down here he acts the little god with his gentility, and his patronage, and his sham aesthetics, and every one—even your mother—is taken in.
aesthetics = sense of what is beautiful
Definition
Generally aesthetic means:related to beauty or good taste — often referring to one's appreciation of beauty or one's sense of what is beautiful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 9 |
apathy
2 uses
but he was apathetic and dilatory.
apathetic = without interest or enthusiasm
Definition
Generally apathy means:lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 9 |
ascetic
2 uses
For all his culture, Cecil was an ascetic at heart, and nothing in his love became him like the leaving of it.
ascetic = someone who practices self-denial
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
capricious
1 use
Isn't Romance capricious!
capricious = impulsive or unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 18 |
censure
5 uses
I will hear no breath of censure against our dear Queen.
censure = criticism
Definition
Generally censure means:harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization — such as the U.S. Senate
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 15 |
complacent
3 uses
Lucy was recalled to her manners, and after a little exertion the complacency of Mr. Eager was restored.
complacency = contentment (unworried happiness)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
contempt
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
A look of contempt came over him, and he said, "Why not?"
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 16 |
diligent
2 uses
and on the river was a boat, also diligently employed for some mysterious end.
diligently = conscientiously (with care and hard work)
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
disdain
3 uses
She walked about disdainfully, unwilling to be enthusiastic over...
disdainfully = with a lack of respect (as though the circumstances were beneath her)
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 | 3 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
disperse
2 uses
A few people lingered round and praised her playing, but finding that she made no reply, dispersed to their rooms to write up their diaries or to sleep.
dispersed = scattered and left
Definition
Generally this sense of disperse means:to scatter or cause to spread
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
dissent
1 use
George attended gravely, assenting or dissenting with slight but determined gestures
dissenting = disagreeing
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 12 |
eccentric
2 uses
month after month she became more eccentric and unreliable.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 19 |
engender
1 use
and movement may engender shadow.
engender = cause
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 15 |
furtive
2 uses
She had imagined a young Mr. Emerson, who might be shy ... or furtively impudent.
furtively = slyly (taking 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 | 2 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 13 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
the death of that obscure Italian...
obscure = not known to many people
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 15 |
pious
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
a good, pious woman
Their pleasantry and their piety show cracks, their wit becomes cynicism, their unselfishness hypocrisy;
piety = high morals
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 15 |
reticent
3 uses
Eleanor was a reticent woman at heart.
reticent = reluctant to speak freely or show feelings
Definition
Generally reticent means:reluctant — especially to speak freely
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
revere
4 uses
For he believed that women revere men for their manliness.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 17 |
superficial
4 uses
Yet in their heart of hearts they are—how superficial!
superficial = shallow (relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating)
Definition
Generally superficial means:relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 6 |