acute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
acute pain
once I had been taken for her daughter, an acute embarrassment for us both.
acute = sharp (intense)
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (severe or strong) — usually negative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
an acute angle
She kept her foot permanently on the accelerator, and took every corner at an acute angle.
acute angle = sharp
Definition
Generally this sense of acute angle means:ending in a narrow point or angle; or describing an angle measuring less than 90 degrees
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
austere
4 uses
...the silence made it harder, more austere.
austere = uncomfortable
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
bewilder
13 uses
This sudden talk of marriage bewildered me, even shocked me I think.
bewildered = confused
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
And when the last rocket burst and the cheering died away, the night that had been fine before seemed dull and heavy in contrast, the sky became a pall.
in contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
2 —3 uses as in:
there is a contrast
I thought of all those heroines of fiction who looked pretty when they cried, and what a contrast I must make with blotched and swollen face, and red rims to my eyes.
contrast = an unmissable difference when compared side-x-side
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
convention
13 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
conventional behavior
Safe, conventional, very correct.
conventional = normal or typical
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
corresponding time period
We went along a broad, carpeted passage, and then turned left, through an oak door, and down a narrow flight of stairs and up a corresponding flight, and so to another door.†
corresponding = matching (similar)
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
2 —3 uses as in:
corresponding by email
Beatrice and I don't correspond unless there's a major event in the family.†
correspond = exchange letters through the mail
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
Cupid
14 uses
The china cupid, sir, that stands on the writing-table.
Cupid = Roman mythology: god of love; a small, winged boy whose arrows make those struck fall in love (in this case a small china statue)
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
deliberate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deliberate insult
holes were bored in the boat with the deliberate intent of letting in the water so that the boat should sink.
deliberate = intentional (on purpose with forethought)
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
direct (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 18 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
depart directly
I can't explain why on the telephone, but you shall hear everything directly you come.†
directly = as soon as
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
2 —3 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
'I should feel inclined,' he said, not looking directly at us, 'to get away for a bit.'†
directly = straight (focusing where stated rather than including it as part of a larger focus; or a careful look rather than a quick glance)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
3 —5 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
Indirectly of course she's the cause of my coming.†
indirectly = in a complicated, non-obvious manner
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
4 —3 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
Once we had passed Hampstead he drew out a large-scale map from his coat-pocket and began directing Maxim to Barnet.†
directing = giving directions to
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
It struck a shrill, discordant note.
discordant = unpleasant sounding
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
furtive
13 uses
I tried to cram the box furtively into my pocket, but I saw him glance at my hand in surprise.
furtively = taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
indifferent
12 uses
our little hotel is dull, and the food indifferent,
indifferent = not especially good (without interest)
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
inquest
19 uses
All you have to concentrate on is your statement at the inquest.
inquest = formal investigation
Definition
Generally inquest means:a formal inquiry or investigation — typically into the cause of an undesirable event — often an investigation of an unexpected death
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
scorn
9 uses
Still her eyes never left my face; they looked upon me with a curious mixture of pity and of scorn, until I felt myself to be even younger and more untutored to the ways of life than I had believed.
scorn = disrespect or rejection
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |