alacrity
1 use
She completed each assignment with alacrity.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Foot |
allay
4 uses
They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.
allay = reduced the intensity of
Definition
Generally allay means:reduce the intensity of or calm
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.15 |
arbiter
2 uses
She was the final arbiter on all matters of fashion.
arbiter = someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation
Definition
Generally arbiter means:someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.17 |
beguile
1 use
Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.
beguiling = enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive
Definition
Generally beguile means:to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.14 |
capacious
1 use
She carries a capacious bag.
capacious = very large
Definition
Generally capacious means:large in capacity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.23 |
contentious
1 use
We started with the most contentious item on the agenda.
contentious = likely to cause disagreement
Definition
Generally contentious means:causing or likely to cause disagreement; or argumentative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
copious
3 uses
She took copious notes.
copious = a lot of
Definition
Generally copious means:abundant (large in quantity or number)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
craven
1 use
the craven fellow turned and ran
craven = exceedingly cowardly
Definition
Generally craven means:exceedingly cowardly; or someone who is exceedingly cowardly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.12 |
denizen
1 use
The book has photographs of deep sea creatures, and is called "Denizens of the Deep."
denizens = animals that inhabit a particular place
Definition
Generally denizen means:a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.18 |
diffident
1 use
She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.
diffident = hesitant and unassertive
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 | Pref. |
dissonance
1 use
I find the dissonance in her music disturbing.
dissonance = conflicting sounds
Definition
Generally dissonance means:not going well together; or conflict
especially in these two senses:
- unpleasant musical sound
- inconsistency or conflict between beliefs and actions such as voluntarily taking actions that conflict with beliefs, or holding two conflicting beliefs (also called "cognitive dissonance")
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
interpose
5 uses
She interposed herself between them before someone threw a punch.
interposed = inserted
Definition
Generally interpose means:to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Foot |
perfidy
1 use
She is guilty of perfidy if not treason.
perfidy = an act of deliberate betrayal
Definition
Generally perfidy means:an act of deliberate betrayal; or such behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.24 |
pernicious
3 uses
By the 21st century, it had evolved into a pernicious lack of employment.
pernicious = harmful
Definition
Generally pernicious means:harmful or something spreading harm — especially in a gradual or subtle way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
presage
1 use
We see none of the pessimism that typically presages a recession.
presages = serves as a sign of coming
Definition
Generally presage means:serve as a sign of something about to happen — typically something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.18 |
remiss
3 uses
I'd be remiss in this overview if I didn't also mention...
remiss = careless — not doing a good job
Definition
Generally remiss means:careless — especially with regard to a duty
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
sagacious
1 use
She is a smart and sagacious statesman.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.18 |
simile
1 use
When she said he was "as subtle as a sledgehammer," she was using ironic 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 | Pref. |
timorous
1 use
She was timorous as a mouse.
timorous = timid
Definition
Generally timorous means:timid (fearful) or shy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.22 |
whet
2 uses
The appetizer whet our appetite for what was to come.
whet = increased
Definition
Generally whet means:to increase a sense or desire
or more rarely: to sharpen a knife or other cutting edge
or more rarely: to sharpen a knife or other cutting edge
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.11 |