ameliorate
1 use
Schools were established among them, and benevolent societies were active in efforts to ameliorate their condition.
ameliorate = improve
Definition
Generally ameliorate means:to improve — especially a bad situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
anxiety
12 uses
A new anxiety began to trouble me.
anxiety = nervousness or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
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 |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 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 = an expression used to intensify denial of an idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 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 |
credulous
1 use
Grandmother tried to cheer us with hopeful words, and they found an echo in the credulous hearts of youth.
credulous = trusting (willing to believe)
Definition
Generally credulous means:gullible (being too willing to believe)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
depravity
1 use
O, the depravity of your hearts!
depravity = complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 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 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 1 |
disdain
1 use
But though his lips disdained to address me, his eyes were very loquacious.
disdained = rejected as not good enough (in this case, rejecting her as not worthy of his speaking to 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
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 | 19 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 | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 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 | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
inquire
32 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 | 32 uses |
| Library | 19 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
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
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 | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
stagnate
1 use
I watched the tide of life that flowed through the streets, and found it a strange contrast to the stagnation in our Southern towns.
stagnation = lack of development
(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 stagnate means:staying still or not developing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
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:nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |