alacrity
2 uses
Thomasin had been persuaded by her aunt, and by an instinctive impulse of loyalty towards her cousin Clym, to bestir herself on his account with an alacrity unusual in her during these most sorrowful days of her life.
alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ascetic
2 uses
The most thorough-going ascetic could feel that he had a natural right to wander on Egdon:
ascetic = someone who practices self-denial
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
atrophy
1 use
To counteract the malign spell which she imagined poor Eustacia to be working, the boy's mother busied herself with a ghastly invention of superstition, calculated to bring powerlessness, atrophy, and annihilation on any human being against whom it was directed.
atrophy = withering or weakness
Definition
Generally atrophy means:to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
candid
3 uses
"I am thoroughly perplexed," she said candidly.
candidly = with honesty and directness
Definition
Generally candid means:honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
condescending
6 uses
"It was condescension, nevertheless," said Eustacia vehemently.
condescension = a manner that treats others as inferiors
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
countenance
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
Her countenance changed.
countenance = facial expression; or face
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
discern
13 uses
On the further side of a table bearing candles she could faintly discern faces, and that was all.
discern = notice something that is not easy to see
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
disdain
1 use
"I know it," she said disdainfully.
disdainfully = with a sense of superiority
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dwell (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
Don't dwell on it.
Let me look right into your moonlit face and dwell on every line and curve in it!
dwell = let attention stay on for a prolonged period
Definition
Generally this sense of dwell means:to think, communicate, or let attention stay on (or return to) something for a prolonged period
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
It dwells in the forest.
...when the old watering-place herein called "Budmouth" still retained sufficient afterglow from its Georgian gaiety and prestige to lend it an absorbing attractiveness to the romantic and imaginative soul of a lonely dweller inland.
dweller = someone who lives in a place
Definition
Generally this sense of dwell means:make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Pref. |
3 —1 use as in:
a modest dwelling
A long day's march was before him, his object being to secure a dwelling to which he might take Eustacia when she became his wife.
dwelling = a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
engender
3 uses
...to hunger for the hope and happiness which the fascination of the dance seemed to engender within them.
engender = bring about (cause)
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ephemeral
3 uses
As is usual with bright natures, the deity that lies ignominiously chained within an ephemeral human carcase shone out of him like a ray.
ephemeral = existing only for a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
impetuous
3 uses
"No—I won't, I won't!" she said impetuously, quite forgetful of...
impetuously = impulsively (suddenly, without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
After replying to the old man's greeting he showed no inclination to continue in talk, although they still walked side by side, for the elder traveller seemed to desire company.
inclination = attitude favoring
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency; in the mood; or an attitude that favors something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —4 uses as in:
on an incline or incline his head
She inclined her head, and swept round so that her eyes rested in the misty vale beneath them.
inclined = bent or angled
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
perceive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
perceive the system as unfair
She could not admit at once that she might have overestimated Wildeve, for to perceive his mediocrity now was to admit her own great folly heretofore.
perceive = 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 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
though blind, can perceive light
Olly, though without the tact to perceive when remarks were untimely, was saved by her very simplicity from rendering them offensive.
perceive = notice (be aware of)
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 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 17 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
She resolved to look for the man from Paris no more.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —4 uses as in:
Her resolve weakened.
Up to this hour he had persevered in his resolve not to invite her back.
resolve = determination (in holding to his decision)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |