clamor
9 uses
In his great anxiety his heart was continually clamoring at what he considered the intolerable slowness of the generals.
clamoring = demanding loudly and persistently
Definition
Generally clamor means:loud noise and/or persistent demands — especially from human voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
compel
13 uses
he had been compelled to leave a little protection of stones and dirt to which he had devoted much care and skill.
compelled = forced — perhaps by an inner desire
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 | 13 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
conciliatory
2 uses
"Why, no," he hastened to say in a conciliating voice "I don't think I fought the whole battle yesterday."
conciliating = attempting to end bad feelings or build trust
Definition
Generally conciliatory means:intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Thinking of the slain, he achieved a great contempt for some of them, as if they were guilty for thus becoming lifeless.
contempt = disrespect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
deride
7 uses
It would now be he who could laugh and shoot the shafts of derision.
derision = treatment as inferior and unworthy of respect
Definition
Generally deride means:laugh at or make fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
diffident
2 uses
After a time he began to sidle near to the youth, and in a diffident way try to make him a friend.
diffident = hesitant and unassertive
Definition
Generally diffident means:hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
doleful
2 uses
There was one who raised a doleful cry.
doleful = full of sadness
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
insolent
6 uses
Wherever he went in camp, he would encounter insolent and lingeringly cruel stares.
insolent = rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
oblige
13 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
Thus, many men of courage ... would be obliged to desert the colors and scurry like chickens.
obliged = required
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ominous
6 uses
A house standing placidly in distant fields had to him an ominous look.
ominous = threatening or suggestive of bad things to come
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
perceive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
perceive the system as unfair
Apparently, the other had now climbed a peak of wisdom from which he could perceive himself as a very wee thing.
perceive = view in a certain way so as to form a belief
Definition
Generally this sense of perceive means:to view in a certain way so as to form a belief or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
2 —1 use as in:
though blind, can perceive light
As he perceived her, she had immediately begun to stare up through the high tree branches at the sky.
perceived = saw
Definition
Generally this sense of perceive means:to become aware of — especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
perfunctory
2 uses
A few shot perfunctorily at distant marks.
perfunctorily = without much interest or effort
Definition
Generally perfunctory means:done without much interest or effort — especially as when dispensing with a formality
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
Shame was upon him, and with it profound regret that he was, perhaps, no more to be counted in the ranks of his fellows.
profound = of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
reproach
8 uses
The news that the regiment had been reproached went along the line.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
He must accumulate information of himself, and meanwhile he resolved to remain close upon his guard lest those qualities of which he knew nothing should everlastingly disgrace him.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
Her resolve weakened.
They seemed resolved to make every trouble.
resolved = determined
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
stolid
8 uses
The youth walked stolidly into the midst of the mob, and with his flag in his hands took a stand as if he expected an attempt to push him to the ground.
stolidly = with little emotion
(editor's note: Stolidly also lends to an image of moving slowly and standing firmly)
(editor's note: Stolidly also lends to an image of moving slowly and standing firmly)
Definition
Generally stolid means:having or revealing little emotion — often thinking slowly
or:
of an object: not interesting — often large and unmoving
or:
of an object: not interesting — often large and unmoving
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
tranquil
6 uses
He stood, erect and tranquil, watching the attack begin against apart of the line that made a blue curve along the side of an adjacent hill.
tranquil = calm and undisturbed
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
vindicate
4 uses
A moral vindication was regarded by the youth as a very important thing.
vindication = to be shown to be right or justified in taking prior action
Definition
Generally vindicate means:show to be right or justified
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |