bestow
13 uses
If God has bestowed beauty upon her, it will prove her greatest curse.
bestowed = given as a gift
Definition
Generally bestow means:to give — typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
blight
9 uses
What a terrible blight that would be on the heart of a free, intelligent father!
blight = cause of extensive damage
Definition
Generally blight means:causing or consisting of extensive damage
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
compel
16 uses
They are constantly compelled to resort to it.
compelled = forced
Definition
Generally compel means:to force someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 12 uses
1 —11 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
I was an object of her jealousy, and, consequently, of her hatred;
consequently = as a result
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
2 —1 use as in:
of little consequence
Had my children, then, become of so little consequence to him?
consequence = importance
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
contempt
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
I intend to be a good mother, and to live in such a manner that people cannot treat me with contempt.
contempt = a lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
degrade
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
her comments were degrading
...it was a source of pride to her that I had not degraded myself, like most of the slaves.
degraded = reduced (my) human dignity
Definition
Generally this sense of degrade means:reducing human dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
forbearance
6 uses
He boasted much of the forbearance he had exercised towards me, and reminded me that there was a limit to his patience.
forbearance = tolerance
Definition
Generally forbearance means:refraining (holding back) from acting
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
fugitive
15 uses
Mrs. Bruce did not know I was a fugitive.
fugitive = someone fleeing from an unpleasant situation — especially fleeing law enforcement officers
Definition
Generally this sense of fugitive means:someone who flees from an unpleasant situation — especially fleeing law enforcement officers
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
manifest
8 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
manifest destiny
every where I found the same manifestations of that cruel prejudice
manifestations = demonstrations (things made obvious from)
Definition
Generally this sense of manifest means:obvious; or to make obvious; or to show or demonstrate
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
oblige
19 uses
1 —19 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
The woman could not read, and was obliged to employ another to read the letter.
obliged = required
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
oppress (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
oppressive government
It is the only weapon of the weak and oppressed against the strength of their tyrants.
oppressed = people treated harshly and unfairly
Definition
Generally this sense of oppress means:to dominate harshly and unfairly (as in "oppressive government")
or:
to deny equal rights to others or make them suffer (as in "The government oppresses minorities.")
or:
to deny equal rights to others or make them suffer (as in "The government oppresses minorities.")
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
2 —1 use as in:
oppressive heat
I did not mention the constant feeling of insecurity which oppressed my spirits.
oppressed = made uncomfortable (weighed heavily on)
Definition
Generally this sense of oppress means:to make uncomfortable (weigh heavily on the senses or spirit)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
persecution
20 uses
He, whose persecutions had been the cause of my sin!
persecutions = unfair treatment (in this case due to race)
Definition
Generally persecution means:very bad and unfair treatment of others — usually because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
remonstrate
4 uses
Peter remonstrated earnestly.
remonstrated = argued in protest or opposition
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
render (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
rendered service or a verdict
They had all been kind to us, and they had rendered us a greater service than they could possibly conceive of.
rendered = given
Definition
Generally this sense of render means:to give or supply something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
2 —1 use as in:
rendered her unconscious
My owner knew of it, and sought in every way to render me miserable.
render = make
Definition
Generally this sense of render means:to make or cause to become
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
resolve
8 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
I had resolved that I would be virtuous, though I was a slave.
resolved = definitely decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
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
Definition
Generally stagnate means:staying still or not developing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |