abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
I realised abruptly that I was locked in.
abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
alacrity
2 uses
And then a number of brisk young men began with remarkable alacrity to tidy up the goods that remained disturbed.
alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Outside the day was bright—by contrast with the brown shadows of the dismal house in which I found myself, dazzlingly bright.
by 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 23 |
2 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
He was struck by the contrast of Mr. Marvel's appearance with this suggestion of opulence.
contrast = difference
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
convey (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
convey her thoughts
Hall tried to convey everything by grimaces and dumb show, but Mrs. Hall was obdurate.†
convey = communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
2 —1 use as in:
convey her safely to
At Gleeson's corner he saw Hall, who had recently married the stranger's hostess at the "Coach and Horses," and who now drove the Iping conveyance, when occasional people required it, to Sidderbridge Junction, coming towards him on his return from that place.†
conveyance = carriage (means of transport)
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:transport
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
direct (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 10 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
depart directly
Directly he saw Huxter he gave a sort of gasp, and turning sharply to the left, began to run.†
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
One is the circumstance that the gravel pit was not in Mr. Wicksteed's direct path home, but nearly a couple of hundred yards out of his way.†
direct = straight (without changing direction)
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
3 —3 uses as in:
directed her question to
He turned the corner of the church, and directed his way to the "Coach and Horses."†
directed = aimed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
4 —2 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
"But if you betray me," he said, "if you fail to do as I direct you—"†
direct = command
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
fabricate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
fabricate a story
This extraordinary story probably a fabrication.
fabrication = something that was made up (not true)
(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 this sense of fabricate means:make up something false
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
forthwith
12 uses
I set to work upon my preparations forthwith.
forthwith = immediately
Definition
Generally forthwith means:immediately — (most typically seen in legal documents, formal use, or classic literature)
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
gesticulate
5 uses
For the man who stood there shouting some incoherent explanation, was a solid gesticulating figure up to the coat-collar of him, and then—nothingness, no visible thing at all!
gesticulating = making gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking
Definition
Generally gesticulate means:to make gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
hypothesis
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a study to test her hypothesis
But this is pure hypothesis.†
hypothesis = an unproven explanation
Definition
Generally this sense of hypothesis means:a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
illustrate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Just at that point, to illustrate his story, out came his arm.†
illustrate = help make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —1 use as in:
an illustrated children's book
"There are no diagrams?" asked Mr. Bunting. "No illustrations throwing light—"†
illustrations = pictures
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
inclined
2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
She was inclined to think the whole business nonsense
inclined = with a tendency (an attitude favoring)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
opaque
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
opaque shower door
It grew clouded and opaque even as they stared.
opaque = completely incapable of being seen through
Definition
Generally this sense of opaque means:not able to see through
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
resume
10 uses
Kemp tried to think of something to keep the talk going, but the Invisible Man resumed of his own accord.
resumed = began again
Definition
Generally resume means:begin or take on again
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
transparent
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
transparent shower door
One could make an animal—a tissue—transparent!
transparent = capable of being clearly seen through
Definition
Generally this sense of transparent means:able to be seen through with clarity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |