acquire
3 uses
And the drama, you will see, acquires a tremendous value from this point.†
acquires = obtains (comes into possession of)
Definition
Generally acquire means:obtain (come into the possession of something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
agitate
1 use
And for God's sake stop it, or else...[General agitation.†
agitation = the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or emotional unrest
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up — emotionally (such as anxiety) or physically (such as shaking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
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 | 5 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 |
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 — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 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
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree as in:
- to say something is not true
- to say something else is true when both can't be true
- to be in conflict with
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 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 | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
diverse
1 use
Diverse consciences.†
diverse = varied (having variety with differences)
Definition
Generally diverse means:varied (having variety amongst things of the same kind) — especially with regard to ideas or members of a population group
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 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
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 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 is often subject to its context. For example:
The exact meaning of this sense of grave is often subject to 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 (with a heavy heart)
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — sincere and dignified without humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
indignant
8 uses
The Manager [losing patience at last and almost indignant].†
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
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 | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
perplex
5 uses
The Manager [perplexed, half smiling].†
perplexed = confused or puzzled
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
pretense
5 uses
It's all pretence you know.†
pretence = an appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
remorse
5 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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 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 = treat with strong disrespect or disdain
Definition
Generally scorn means:treat with a strong disrespect or disdain — sometimes accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
treacherous
2 uses
She, the Mother arrived just then... The Step-Daughter [treacherously].†
treacherously = dangerous
or:
likely to betray; or guilty of betrayal
or:
likely to betray; or guilty of betrayal
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
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 | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
wretch
3 uses
Wretch!†
wretch = someone you feel sorry for
or:
a person of bad character
or:
a person of bad character
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |