approbation
2 uses
I have sent, for your private consideration, a list of the contents of this curious piece, which I shall perhaps subjoin, with your approbation, to the third volume of my Tale, in case the printer's devil should continue impatient for copy, when the whole of my narrative has been imposed.†
approbation = approval
Definition
Generally approbation means:approval - often official
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Ded. |
ascetic
7 uses
The features expressed nothing of monastic austerity, or of ascetic privations; on the contrary, it was a bold bluff countenance, with broad black eyebrows, a well-turned forehead, and cheeks as round and vermilion as those of a trumpeter, from which descended a long and curly black beard.†
ascetic = someone who practices self-denial; or something that is severely plain
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 16 |
calumny
3 uses
All were silent; for none thought it safe, in the presence of the Grand Master, to avow any interest in the calumniated prisoner, lest he should be suspected of leaning towards Judaism.†
calumniated = false accusation against a person
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 38 |
choleric
2 uses
It appeared, indeed, from the countenance of this proprietor, that he was of a frank, but hasty and choleric temper.†
choleric = easily moved to anger; or characterized by anger
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
compunction
3 uses
He told every rivet on my armour with a cloth-yard shaft, that rapped against my ribs with as little compunction as if my bones had been of iron—But that I wore a shirt of Spanish mail under my plate-coat, I had been fairly sped.†
compunction = guilt for a misdeed; or a feeling that it would be wrong to do something
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 30 |
craven
7 uses
"If thou refusest my fair proffer," said the Prince, "the Provost of the lists shall cut thy bowstring, break thy bow and arrows, and expel thee from the presence as a faint-hearted craven."†
craven = exceedingly cowardly; or someone who is exceedingly cowardly
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 13 |
desist
2 uses
"Make room for the Jew in front of the lower ring," said Prince John, not unwilling perhaps to, seize an apology to desist from his original purpose; "to place the vanquished beside the victor were false heraldry."†
desist = to not do something
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 10 |
ecclesiastical
6 uses
He was obviously an ecclesiastic of high rank; his dress was that of a Cistercian Monk, but composed of materials much finer than those which the rule of that order admitted.†
ecclesiastic = associated with a church
Definition
Generally ecclesiastical means:of or associated with a church — especially a Christian Church
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
edify
2 uses
I have composed many a homily on her back, to the edification of my brethren of the convent, and many poor Christian souls.†
edification = instruction
(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 edify means:to instruct — morally or intellectually
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 40 |
filial
3 uses
"Alas!" replied Prince John, with a deep sigh of affected sympathy, "since your son was a follower of my unhappy brother, it need not be enquired where or from whom he learned the lesson of filial disobedience."†
filial = relating to the relationship of children to their parents
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 10 |
gambol
2 uses
The gambol has been shown.'†
gambol = frolic (skip, leap, and/or run around in a happy, playful manner)
Definition
Generally gambol means:to frolic (skip, leap, and/or run around in a happy, playful manner)
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 15 |
incognito
4 uses
The Disinherited Knight refused all other assistance save that of his own squire, or rather yeoman—a clownish-looking man, who, wrapt in a cloak of dark-coloured felt, and having his head and face half-buried in a Norman bonnet made of black fur, seemed to affect the incognito as much as his master.†
incognito = with identity hidden — such as via a disguise or false name
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Intr. |
iniquity
2 uses
But if, by means of charms and of spells, Satan had obtained dominion over the Knight, perchance because he cast his eyes too lightly upon a damsel's beauty, we are then rather to lament than chastise his backsliding; and, imposing on him only such penance as may purify him from his iniquity, we are to turn the full edge of our indignation upon the accursed instrument, which had so well-nigh occasioned his utter falling away.†
iniquity = immorality; or an immoral act
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 37 |
interpose
3 uses
"Reverend father," said Conrade, interposing, though with much deference, "wilt thou break the seal?"†
interposing = to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 35 |
inveterate
3 uses
The royal policy had long been to weaken, by every means, legal or illegal, the strength of a part of the population which was justly considered as nourishing the most inveterate antipathy to their victor.†
inveterate = habitual; or something of long standing
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
perfidy
3 uses
King Richard was absent a prisoner, and in the power of the perfidious and cruel Duke of Austria.†
perfidious = not trustworthy (prone to intentional betrayal)
Definition
Generally perfidy means:an act of deliberate betrayal; or such behavior
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 7 |
predilection
3 uses
It must be owned, that if an interest displayed in his success could have bribed the Disinherited Knight, the part of the lists before which he paused had merited his predilection.†
predilection = preference or tendency
Definition
Generally predilection means:preference (a predisposition in favor of something); or tendency (normal behavior)
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
presage
2 uses
CHAPTER X Thus, like the sad presaging raven, that tolls The sick man's passport in her hollow beak, And in the shadow of the silent night Doth shake contagion from her sable wings; Vex'd and tormented, runs poor Barrabas, With fatal curses towards these Christians.†
presaging = serving as a sign of something about to happen
Definition
Generally presage means:serve as a sign of something about to happen — typically something bad
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 10 |
proportional
1 use
They were therefore in universal use among Prince John's courtiers; and the long mantle, which formed the upper garment of the Saxons, was held in proportional derision.†
proportional = appropriate or related in size, amount, or degree
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 14 |
sagacious
4 uses
...hunting the stag and wolf; as many slow-hounds of a large bony breed, with thick necks, large heads, and long ears; and one or two of the smaller dogs, now called terriers, which waited with impatience the arrival of the supper; but, with the sagacious knowledge of physiognomy peculiar to their race, forbore to intrude upon the moody silence of their master, apprehensive probably of a small white truncheon which lay by Cedric's trencher, for the purpose of repelling the advances of his...†
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |