abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
Stella rises abruptly and turns her back.
abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.8 |
affectation
2 uses
Eunice [affectedly casual]:
affectedly = pretending to be
Definition
Generally affectation means:behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.6 |
amiable
3 uses
Then he speaks slowly and with false amiability.
amiability = friendliness
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.8 |
audible
5 uses
She is calling barely audibly.
audibly = loud enough to be heard
Definition
Generally this sense of audible means:capable of being heard
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.9 |
condone
2 uses
I did not condone the operation
condone = approve of; or accept without criticism
Definition
Generally condone means:accept without criticism; or approve of
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
contempt
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
stares at her contemptuously
contemptuously = showing disrespect and dislike
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 | Scene 1.1 |
contract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
legal contract
But I guess the contract we signed is full of loopholes?
contract = written agreement
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
deference
2 uses
comes deferentially
deferentially = with polite respect
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
diffident
1 use
He coughs diffidently.
diffidently = unassertively (as if wishing not to bother anyone)
Definition
Generally diffident means:hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.3 |
discreet
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
discreet--not showy or gossipy
...like you handled that operation you done on my daughter, so discreetly that a hillbilly Heckler is shouting me questions about it wherever I speak?
discreetly = in a manner that is unlikely to attract attention or cause embarrassment (in this case, to not reveal a secret)
Definition
Generally this sense of discreet means:trustworthy with secrets and/or inconspicuous or unobtrusive
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
disdain
1 use
She grunts disdainfully, her back to him;
disdainfully = with an air of superiority and disrespect
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
dubious
1 use
Blanche [dubiously]:
dubiously = doubtfully or suspiciously
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
grave
3 uses
Suddenly his effusive manner collapses, as she stares at him gravely.
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
(editor's note: Effusive is a synonym for gushing—unrestrained and enthusiastic expression of happiness or approval.)
(editor's note: Effusive is a synonym for gushing—unrestrained and enthusiastic expression of happiness or approval.)
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
indifferent
2 uses
Y'know how indifferent I am to money.
indifferent = uninterested
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.4 |
indolent
2 uses
She raises her arms and stretches, as she moves indolently back to the chair.
indolently = lazily
Definition
Generally this sense of indolent means:lazy; disinclined to work
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.3 |
lament
11 uses
All day I've kept hearing a sort of lament that drifts through the air of this place. It says, 'Lost, lost, never to be found again.'
lament = an expression of grief (in this case, in the form of sad music)
Definition
Generally lament means:to express grief or regret
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
prescribe
4 uses
prescription for that cough
prescription = medical instructions written by a doctor
(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 prescribe means:to recommend or require what should be done
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
reproach
6 uses
I know that you're bound to reproach me - but before you do take into consideration - you left!
reproach = criticize
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
serene
3 uses
Her face is serene in the early morning sunlight.
serene = calm and untroubled
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.7 |
vendor
6 uses
A tamale vendor calls out as he rounds the corner.
vendor = someone who sells goods or services
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |