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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 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 | 7 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 | 8 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 | 14 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
—including such senses as:
—including such senses as:
- straight (without varying from a straight line)
- exact (without other factors)
- close (with other factors minimized)
- personal (without other people in between)
- unobstructed (without anything in between)
- of a look: 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 | 53 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 cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object — such as
- to aim a gun or comment at someone
- to point in a particular direction
- to focus attention on a particular object
- to guide or give directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- to send someone to a particular place
- to steer a car, boat, etc.
- to send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 31 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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
exasperated
11 uses
"I wish you wouldn't come in without knocking," he said in the tone of abnormal exasperation that seemed so characteristic of him.
exasperation = great annoyance
Definition
Generally exasperated means:greatly annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
fastidious
1 use
He coughed, put on his glasses, arranged them fastidiously, coughed again,
fastidiously = with careful attention to detail
Definition
Generally fastidious means:giving careful attention to detail
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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: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 | 5 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
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 | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 at all
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
opulent
1 use
this suggestion of opulence.
opulence = magnificence or luxury
Definition
Generally opulent means:magnificent and luxurious — usually expensive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
resumption
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 resumption means:beginning again
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
timorous
2 uses
He felt the hand that had closed round his wrist with his disengaged fingers, and his fingers went timorously up the arm, patted a muscular chest, and explored a bearded face.
timorously = timidly
Definition
Generally timorous means:timid (fearful) or shy
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |