allude
5 uses
A "concrete form" she imagined might allude to the fact that Miss Sessions had a better figure than she.†
allude = to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
She looked hopefully for a renewal of that earlier companionship which seemed by contrast almost intimate.†
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 16 |
2 —2 uses as in:
there is a contrast
Johnnie greeted the new boarder with a reserve which was in marked contrast to the reception he got from the other girls.†
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
convention
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
conventional behavior
Its more unconventional lines suited him well; the dust-brown Norfolk, the leathern puttees, gave an adventurous turn to the expression of a personality which was only so on the mental side.†
unconventional = not regarded as normal
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unconventional means not and reverses the meaning of conventional. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unconventional means not and reverses the meaning of conventional. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
deft
8 uses
And, having made a bed in the cradle from some folded covers, he lifted the baby with strange deftness and placed it in.†
deftness = skillful
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dismay
8 uses
Now her face dimpled as she remembered the shriek of dismay Laurella sent after her.†
dismay = sadness, disappointment, or worry
Definition
Generally dismay means:to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry — typically in response to something surprising
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
dubious
6 uses
They turned to find a squat, middle-aged man regarding them dubiously.†
dubiously = doubtfully or suspiciously
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
The mills in which he was concerned were not earning as they should, so he was told; and there was discussion as to whether they be moved south, or a Southern mill be established which might be considered in the nature of a branch, and where the coarser grades of sheeting would be manufactured, as well as all the spinning done.†
established = created
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 | Chapter 5 |
inarticulate
4 uses
Pap Himes looked at her, at the beads, and gave the fierce, inarticulate, ludicrously futile growl of a thwarted, perplexed animal.†
inarticulate = unable to express oneself clearly; or not expressed clearly
Definition
Generally inarticulate means:unable to communicate clearly (or to use words)
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example:
- unable to find good words to express oneself — as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous."
- verbally expressing a feeling without words — as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair."
- unable to make oneself heard and understood — as in "She mumbled inarticulately."
- unable to speak — as in "She was inarticulate with rage."
- a feeling or idea that is not expressed — as in "We shared an inarticulate fear."
- inability to express or understand feelings or ideas — as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
inquiry
16 uses
He began some carefully worded inquiries as to her experience in the mill and her opinion of the work.†
inquiries = questions or investigations
Definition
Generally inquiry means:the act of asking a question or performing an investigation
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
luminous
3 uses
Then her clouded face cleared suddenly with its luminous smile.
luminous = shining or beautiful
Definition
Generally luminous means:glowing or shining
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
minute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size
When, after she had them in use on the spinning jennies upstairs for a week, she came down bringing them for certain minute alterations, his attitude was one of friendly helpfulness.†
minute = small
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
monotonous
8 uses
First it was a hymn, all abrupt, odd, minor cadences and monotonous refrain.†
monotonous = lacking in variety and/or boring
Definition
Generally monotonous means:lacking in variety — typically boring
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
precede
2 uses
Again she saw the cabin at home in that pitchy black which precedes the first leavening of dawn, and herself getting up to start early on the long walk.†
precedes = goes, does, or is before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
ravine
8 uses
The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.†
ravine = a deep narrow steep-sided valley — especially one formed by running water
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
remonstrate
12 uses
"Wait till some other time, I—I don't want to—"
But her remonstrance came too late; Mandy had yanked her forward and was performing the introduction...
But her remonstrance came too late; Mandy had yanked her forward and was performing the introduction...
remonstrance = argument in protest or opposition
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue, complain, or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
rue
1 use
This kept him away pretty effectually after that first fiery scene, when Laurella had flown at him like a fierce little vixen and told him that she never wanted to see his face again, that she rued the day she married him, and intended to leave him as soon as she could put foot to the ground.
rued = felt sadness and regret
Definition
Generally rue means:to feel sadness and regret
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
socialism
16 uses
Most of the men who are loud in the leadership of socialism have made a failure of their own lives.†
socialism = an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies — with the ideal of equal benefits to all people
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
specimen
12 uses
She was glad they were such fine specimens—all perfect.†
specimens = a sample regarded as typical of its class; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
tremulous
10 uses
"That!" cried Laurella Passmore, taking it up with angrily tremulous fingers.†
tremulous = quivering (shaky)
Definition
Generally tremulous means:quivering (shaky) — usually from weakness or fear — especially of the voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |