ameliorate
1 use
Schools were established among them, and benevolent societies were active in efforts to ameliorate their condition.
ameliorate = to improve — especially a bad situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
benevolent
2 uses
a benevolent gentleman in many respects, but aristocratic and pro-slavery.
benevolent = kind or generous
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
contrary (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 8 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrary to
I asked him if he didn't know it was contrary to law; and that slaves were whipped and imprisoned for teaching each other to read.
contrary to = in opposition to
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
2 —5 uses as in:
on the contrary
I was doing harm to no one; on the contrary, I was doing all the good I could in my small way; yet I could never go out to breathe God's free air without trepidation at my heart.
on the contrary = in opposition to what was just said
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
3 —1 use as in:
to the contrary
Meantime, we would take it for granted that all were friends, till they proved to the contrary.
to the contrary = with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
convey
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convey title to the property
I accepted the explanation in silence; but she had told me that my child belonged to her daughter, and I suspected that her real motive was a fear of my conveying her property away from her.†
conveying = transferring (legal ownership of)
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:to give or transfer — especially legal title
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
depravity
1 use
O, the depravity of your hearts!
depravity = complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
diligent
2 uses
I would sit by her side for hours, sewing diligently,
diligently = with hard work and care
Definition
Generally 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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
earnest
19 uses
He had a most earnest desire to learn to read.
earnest = serious
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
epicure
1 use
Dr. Flint was an epicure.
epicure = a person devoted to a refined taste for food
Definition
Generally epicure means:a person who loves fine food and drink
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
establish
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Schools were established among them, and benevolent societies were active in efforts to ameliorate their condition.†
established = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
incessant
3 uses
she looked sorrowful and weary—weary of incessant strife.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
inquire
31 uses
The anti-slavery friend had come to inquire into my plans, and to offer assistance, if needed.
inquire = ask about or look into something
Definition
Generally inquire means:to ask about or look into something
Word Statistics
| Book | 31 uses |
| Library | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
malevolent
1 use
They were the objects of her constant suspicion and malevolence.
malevolence = the desire to do evil or to hurt others
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil:
- of a person: wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing: exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
perpetrator
1 use
There was a jail and a whipping post on his grounds; and whatever cruelties were perpetrated there, they passed without comment.
perpetrated = done [things wrong or illegal]
Definition
Generally perpetrator means:someone who has does something wrong — usually something illegal
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
pious
8 uses
I knew an old black man, whose piety and childlike trust in God were beautiful to witness
piety = highly religious belief or behavior
Definition
Generally pious means:behaving in a highly moral or religious manner
or less commonly: behaving highly moral in a self-righteous or holier-than-thou manner
or less commonly: behaving highly moral in a self-righteous or holier-than-thou manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
prudent
9 uses
He was too prudent to come into her room.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
scrupulous
2 uses
He was scrupulous about taking any money from his master
scrupulous = careful to behave ethically
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
trepidation
1 use
I could never go out to breathe God's free air without trepidation at my heart.
trepidation = fear or anxiety about what might happen
Definition
Generally trepidation means:fear or anxiety about what will happen
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |
wretch
4 uses
Don't you stir a step, you little wretch!
wretch = a person of bad character
Definition
Generally wretch means:someone you feel sorry for
or:
a person of bad character
or:
a person of bad character
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |