abominable
3 uses
"It was an abominable crime," said Poirot gravely.
abominable = exceptionally bad or detestable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.11 |
acute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
acute pain
It was at this minute that the position of Countess Andrenyi became acute, and her husband immediately took steps to alter the passport.
acute = rapidly and severely negative
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (severe or strong) — usually negative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.9 |
2 —1 use as in:
acute sense of smell
I have learned to be very acute — to read the face.
acute = highly perceptive
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.10 |
benevolent
2 uses
...noting the false benevolence of the brow and the small, cruel eyes.
benevolence = kindness
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
consequence
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
of little consequence
I said that it was of no consequence.†
consequence = importance or significance
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
correspond
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
corresponding by email
There has been a long, vexatious correspondence on the subject.†
correspondence = communication by writing letters
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
didactic
1 use
M. Bouc continued somewhat didactically.
didactically = in a manner intended to instruct
Definition
Generally didactic means:describing something intended to instruct; or someone excessively inclined to instruct
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
dubious
1 use
"I doubt if she would have had the strength to inflict that left-handed blow," said Dr. Constantine dubiously.
dubiously = doubtfully
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 | Chapter 3.2 |
duplicity
1 use
"Such duplicity is terrible," said M. Bouc.
duplicity = deception — such as lying
Definition
Generally duplicity means:deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
egress
1 use
He hastily thrust the uniform into a suitcase in an empty compartment, and a few minutes later, dressed in ordinary clothes, he left the train just before it started off, using the same means for egress-the door near the dining-car.
egress = exit
Definition
Generally egress means:to exit
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.9 |
impetuous
1 use
She looked at him with a sudden impetuosity.
impetuosity = impulsiveness
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.15 |
incisive
1 use
It still had the southern richness of tone, but it had become suddenly more clear cut and incisive.
incisive = penetrating
Definition
Generally incisive means:direct, clear, and sharp in thinking or expression — often indicating a decisive person (makes decisions quickly) or a penetrating mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
indolent
1 use
"Why," she said, "you just can't apply American methods in this country. It's natural to the folks here to be indolent," she said.
indolent = disinclined to work
Definition
Generally this sense of indolent means:lazy; disinclined to work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
placid
3 uses
She did so, folding her hands and waiting placidly till he questioned her.
placidly = calmly
Definition
Generally placid means:calm and not easily excited
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.12 |
redolent
1 use
M. Bouc's tone was redolent of heartfelt disgust.
redolent = filled with (brought to mind)
Definition
Generally redolent means:reminiscent (serving to bring to mind)
or:
or smelling like something; or having a sweet fragrance
or:
or smelling like something; or having a sweet fragrance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8 |
resignation (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
A very distinguished officer had committed suicide, another had suddenly resigned,
resigned = quit (from a job or position)
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
2 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
"Well, nothing in the world would surprise me now," said Mr. Hardman with quiet resignation.
resignation = having accepted something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.8 |
simile
1 use
He stopped, at a loss for a simile.
simile = a phrase that highlights similarity between things of different kinds
Definition
Generally simile means:a phrase that highlights similarity between things of different kinds — usually formed with "like" or "as"
as in "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," or "She is as quiet as a mouse."
as in "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," or "She is as quiet as a mouse."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
stolid
1 use
The stolidity of the German woman underwent a sudden change.
stolidity = state of not showing emotion
Definition
Generally stolid means:having or revealing little emotion — sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable
or (much more rarely):
of an object: not interesting — often large and unmoving
or (much more rarely):
of an object: not interesting — often large and unmoving
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.15 |
susceptible
1 use
"He is susceptible, our Colonel," thought Hercule Poirot to himself with some amusement.
susceptible = easily influenced
Definition
Generally susceptible means:easily influenced or harmed
or:
capable of being treated in a particular way
or:
capable of being treated in a particular way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |