allude
3 uses
I should like to know who they are... [Alludes to CHARACTERS].†
alludes = makes an indirect reference
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
He is alternatively mellifluous and violent in his manner.†
alternatively = as another possibility
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
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atrocious
1 use
Then we perceive that all of us was not in that act, and that it would be an atrocious injustice to judge us by that action alone, as if all our existence were summed up in that one deed.†
atrocious = exceptionally bad, cruel, or ugly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
consternation
3 uses
The Manager [in consternation].†
consternation = dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) — typically over something unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
contempt
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
She shows contempt for the timid half-frightened manner of the wretched BOY
contempt = disrespect and dislike
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
contradict
4 uses
This seeming contradiction, gentlemen, is the strongest proof that I stand here a live man before you.†
contradiction = something (typically a statement) that disagrees with itself; or (more rarely) the act of disagreeing
(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 contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
disdain
2 uses
The Step-Daughter [disdainful, alluring, treacherous, full of impudence].†
disdainful = full of disrespect
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
One gives way to the temptation, only to rise from it again, afterwards, with a great eagerness to re-establish one's dignity, as if it were a tombstone to place on the grave of one's shame, and a monument to hide and sign the memory of our weaknesses.†
re-establish = restore
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-establish means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-establish means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
grave
1 use
] The Step-Daughter [as soon as the MOTHER becomes a little quieter, adds resolutely and gravely].†
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
impudent
3 uses
The Step-Daughter [disdainful, alluring, treacherous, full of impudence].†
impudence = improperly bold or disrespectful — especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
indifferent
2 uses
THE SON (22) tall, severe in his attitude of contempt for THE FATHER, supercilious and indifferent to THE MOTHER.†
indifferent = 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
The Father. ...I did it so that he should grow up healthy and strong...
The Step-Daughter [pointing to him ironically]. As one can see.
The Step-Daughter [pointing to him ironically]. As one can see.
ironically = saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
malicious
1 use
[The STEP-DAUGHTER coquettishly and with a touch of malice makes a sign of disagreement two or three times with her finger.†
malice = the desire to hurt others or see them suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
perplex
5 uses
The Manager [perplexed, half smiling].†
perplexed = confused or puzzled
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
plausible
1 use
Oh sir, you know well that life is full of infinite absurdities, which, strangely enough, do not even need to appear plausible, since they are true.†
plausible = apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
pretense
5 uses
It's all pretence you know.†
pretence = a false appearance or action to help one pretend
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.)
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
remorse
7 uses
Even in the case of remorse.†
remorse = deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
scorn
3 uses
You may have noticed, Mr. Manager, that I fix him now and again with a look of scorn while he lowers his eyes — for he knows the evil he has done me.†
scorn = disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
temperament
3 uses
Temperament, soul, be hanged!†
temperament = usual mood and tendencies
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
vary
1 use
] [The MOTHER, who watches the progress of the scene with The SON and the other two children who cling to her, is on thorns; and follows with varying expressions of sorrow, indignation, anxiety, and horror the words and actions of the other two.†
varying = differing; or changing
Definition
Generally vary means:to be different, or to change
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |