Mrs. Dalloway — Vocabulary
Virginia Woolf
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| Exemplary sample | Uses | Broad Use |
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| 22 | ||
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parry
The fencer quickly parried her opponent’s strike and countered with her own.more
Show sample from bookThere he stood by Miss Parry's chair as though he had been cut out of wood, he talking about wild flowers.† Show general definitionto block or deflect an attack; or to avoid answering something by responding cleverly or indirectly |
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| 21 | ||
Show sample from bookLucrezia Warren Smith, sitting by her husband's side on a seat in Regent's Park in the Broad Walk, looked up.† Show general definitionsomeone appointed to a position of temporary or delegated authority -- such as a temporarily while the king or queen is too young, too sick, or away; or a member of a governing board |
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| 9 | top 1000 | |
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revelation
It was a revelation to me. Until they gave us those tests, I had no idea that I was better than most people at clerical accuracy.more
Show sample from bookHe noted such revelations on the backs of envelopes.† Show general definitionsomething that was previously unknown (and typically surprising); or making such a thing known |
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| 7 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookIn the tea-shop among the tables and the chattering waiters the appalling fear came over him—he could not feel.†
Show general definitionshockingly terrible or horrible |
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| 6 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookAt this dwindling of the monster, Clarissa laughed.† Show general definitionto gradually become smaller, fewer, or weaker |
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| 5 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookThe trees waved, brandished.†
Show general definitionthe act of waving something or exhibiting it aggressively |
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| 5 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookThere she sat in her white Cashmere shawl, with her head against the window— a formidable old lady, but kind to him, for he had found her some rare flower, and she was a great botanist, marching off in thick boots with a black collecting-box slung between her shoulders.†
Show general definitionintimidating or impressive -- arousing fear or admiration due to impressiveness or challenge |
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| 6 | ||
Show sample from bookBut they did not look robust.†
Show general definitionstrong
The exact meaning of robust can depend upon its context. For example:
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| 3 | top 200 | |
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moreover
The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more
Show sample from bookThere were, moreover, family affection; honour; courage; and a brilliant career.†
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| 5 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookBut the enormous resources of the English language, the power it bestows, after all, of communicating feelings (at their age, she and Peter would have been arguing all the evening), was not for them.† Show general definitionto give -- typically to present as an honor or give as a gift |
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| 5 | top 2000 | |
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parliament
National European parliaments help insure that the European Union's decisions reflect the democratic principles and interests of its member states.more
Show sample from bookThey went to the Tower together; to the Victoria and Albert Museum; stood in the crowd to see the King open Parliament.† Show general definition for parliament (with a lowercase "p")a legislative assembly in certain countries (that can pass laws) |
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| 3 | top 200 | |
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eminent
She studied under an eminent scientist who had won multiple international awards.more
Show sample from bookHe was alone, exposed on this bleak eminence, stretched out—but not on a hill top; not on a crag; on Mrs. Filmer's sitting-room sofa.† Show general definitionfamous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession |
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| 3 | top 200 | |
Show sample from bookBut to go deeper, beneath what people said (and these judgements, how superficial, how fragmentary they are!)† Show general definitionrelating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking) |
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| 3 | top 200 | |
Show sample from bookThe chairs still kept the impress of the Prime Minister and Lady Bruton, she turned deferentially, he sitting four-square, authoritatively.† Show general definitionpolite respect -- often when submitting to another's wishes |
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| 4 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookThere was a breath of tenderness; her severity, her prudery, her woodenness were all warmed through now, and she had about her as she said good-bye to the thick goldlaced man who was doing his best, and good luck to him, to look important, an inexpressible dignity; an exquisite cordiality; as if she wished the whole world well, and must now, being on the very verge and rim of things, take her leave.† Show general definition for cordial (as in: a cordial reception)friendly -- usually warm and heartfelt, but possibly only polite |
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| 5 | top 2000 | |
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indomitable
Despite the harsh conditions, the climbers pressed on with indomitable courage.more
Show sample from bookBut the indomitable egotism which for ever rides down the hosts opposed to it, the river which says on, on, on; even though, it admits, there may be no goal for us whatever, still on, on; this indomitable egotism charged her cheeks with colour; made her look very young; very pink; very bright-eyed as she sat with her dress upon her knee, and her needle held to the end of green silk, trembling a little.† Show general definitionimpossible to defeat or discourage; or showing unshakable strength, determination, or spirit |
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| 3 | ||
Show sample from bookStill remembering how once in some primeval May she had walked with her lover, this rusty pump, this battered old woman with one hand exposed for coppers the other clutching her side, would still be there in ten million years, remembering how once she had walked in May, where the sea flows now, with whom it did not matter—he was a man, oh yes, a man who had loved her.†
Show general definitionancient (of or from a long time ago); or having existed from ancient times |
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| 2 | top 2000 | |
Show general definitionto defeat completely |
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| 2 | ||
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languish
The prisoner languished in the dungeon for years.more
Show sample from bookThen, as the sound of St. Margaret's languished, he thought, She has been ill, and the sound expressed languor and suffering.† Show general definitionto suffer in a bad situation for a long time |
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| 2 | ||
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obsequious
She complained that her AI assistant is too obsequious, constantly showering her with compliments she knew she didn’t deserve.more
Show sample from bookFor of all the people he had ever met Hugh was the greatest snob—the most obsequious—no, he didn't cringe exactly.† Show general definitiontoo eager to please, flatter, or obey someone -- often in a way that seems insincere |
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