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 | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
apprehensive
4 uses
Johnnie questioned, staring up at him with apprehensive eyes.†
apprehensive = worried over possible misfortune
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 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 | 7 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 or typical
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
dubious
6 uses
They turned to find a squat, middle-aged man regarding them dubiously.†
dubiously = doubtfully or suspiciously
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful — such as:
- uncertain that something can be relied upon
- uncertain about the quality or wisdom of something
- a relatively gentle way of saying that the quality of something described as good is in such doubt that it is considered bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 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 | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
imply
1 use
Peculiar as was the attitude of all three, Johnnie felt a certain relief in the implied assurance that there had been no quarrel, that her uncle had not been struck or knocked down the steps.†
implied = suggested (said indirectly)
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
inert
6 uses
At the porch edge he strove to recover himself, failed, and with a short, coughing groan, pitched down the steps and lay, an inert mass, at their foot.†
inert = unmoving, inactive, or unable to move
or: slow, lethargic, or without interest
or in chemistry/medicine: chemically inactive/having no effect
or: slow, lethargic, or without interest
or in chemistry/medicine: chemically inactive/having no effect
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
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 |
minuteness
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size; or minute description
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, detailed, or careful
Definition
Generally this sense of minuteness means:very small
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 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 — typically boring
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
persist
7 uses
"And yet you're going to walk it—after a week's work here in the mill?" persisted Stoddard.†
persisted = continued
Definition
Generally persist means:to continue — often despite difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
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 in protest or opposition
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 = to feel sadness and regret
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
scanty
9 uses
It was a dripping-sweet spring morning, dew-drenched, and with the air so full of moisture that it gathered and pattered from the scant leafage.†
scant = small in amount — often inadequate
or:
of clothes: barely covering the area on which they are worn
or:
of clothes: barely covering the area on which they are worn
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
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 | 6 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) — 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 |