allude
4 uses
everybody was permitted to lend him books, if they were not published in America and made no allusion to it.
allusion = reference
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Rest |
beseech
1 use
"Most heartily we beseech Thee with Thy favor to behold and bless Thy servant, the President of the United States..."
beseech = to ask strongly or beg for something
(editor's note: The capitalization of Thee and Thy indicate that the speaker is praying to God.)
(editor's note: The capitalization of Thee and Thy indicate that the speaker is praying to God.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
This was their way of showing their contempt for the United States.
contempt = lack of respect
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
deference
1 use
It was copied everywhere without the slightest deference to copyright.
deference = consideration of (respect)
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
At that moment Asia, Africa, and Europe were scenes of similar discord.
discord = conflict
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
eloquent
1 use
I remember late in his life hearing him fairly eloquent on something which had been suggested to him by one of Fléchier's sermons,
eloquent = speaking powerfully
Definition
Generally eloquent means:powerful use of language
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Rest |
expedient
1 use
And their interpreters ... began to propose infinite other expedients...
expedients = actions that are speedy, practical, or convenient
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
indignant
2 uses
In truth, it was the death of Nolan ... which roused that wave of indignation in the Southwest which ended in the independence of Texas.
indignation = anger at something unjust or wrong
(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 indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
indulgent
1 use
But under no circumstances is he ever to hear of his country or to see any information regarding it; and you will especially caution all the officers under your command to take care, that, in the various indulgences which may be granted, this rule, in which his punishment is involved, shall not be broken.
indulgences = privileges (kindnesses or pleasures)
Definition
Generally indulgent means:to treat with extra kindness or tolerance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
infallible
1 use
So fallible is the human memory!
fallible = likely to make mistakes
Definition
Generally infallible means:never wrong; or never failing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
infernal
3 uses
Ingham, I told him everything I could think of that would show the grandeur of his country and its prosperity; but I could not make up my mouth to tell him a word about this infernal rebellion!
infernal = very bad
Definition
Generally infernal means:very bad; or very annoying; or characteristic of hell or the underworld
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
iniquity
1 use
commit such an iniquity
iniquity = immorality; or an immoral act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
interpret
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
interpret Spanish to English
But none of the officers did; and just as the captain was sending forward to ask if any of the people could, Nolan stepped out and said he should be glad to interpret, if the captain wished, as he understood the language.†
interpret = translate
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to translate words into spoken words of another language
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
monotonous
1 use
to while away the monotony of the summer at Fort Adams
monotony = lack of variety
Definition
Generally monotonous means:lacking in variety — typically boring
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
narrative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Narrative of the Life of...
Frederic Ingham, the "I" of the narrative, is supposed to be a retired officer of the United States Navy.
narrative = story
Definition
Generally this sense of narrative means:a story
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
plausible
1 use
Proofreaders do not like them, but they give a plausibility to the story.
plausibility = apparent reasonableness (though unproven)
Definition
Generally plausible means:apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
spontaneous
1 use
spontaneous worship of Vaughan
spontaneous = happening or arising without plan
Definition
Generally spontaneous means:behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Rest |
transgress
1 use
our manifold transgressions of Thy holy laws,
transgressions = violations
(editor's note: manifold is a synonym for many)
(editor's note: manifold is a synonym for many)
Definition
Generally transgress means:to violate a rule, promise, or social norm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Rest |
treason
3 uses
He was tried for treason at Richmond but acquitted.
treason = betraying his country
Definition
Generally treason means:betraying someone or something — typically betraying one's own country
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal—often by helping enemies)
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal—often by helping enemies)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Rest |
virtual
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
virtual organization
to do this would be virtually to reveal to him what had happened,
virtually = to almost be so, but not so strictly speaking (since it would be done indirectly)
Definition
Generally this sense of virtual means:to almost be something; or to effectively be something without entirely being it in a traditional sense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Rest |