amiable
7 uses
"Thank you for your amiability, Doctor," said Poirot.
amiability = the quality of being friendly and agreeable
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
candid
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
your candid opinion
Now, M. Poirot, I'm going to be candid with you.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
complacent
1 use
"Four hundred and forty-four pounds, four and fourpence," said Poirot with some complacency.
complacency = contentedness (satisfaction without worry)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Her contempt rang out.
contempt = disrespect
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 | Chapter 13 |
credulous
2 uses
"Credulous," he murmured, as our visitor departed, "but perhaps not more than most of her class."
credulous = gullible (being too willing to believe)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
deprecate
2 uses
Poirot shook his head, as though deprecating the other's jesting tone
deprecating = disapproving of
Definition
Generally deprecate means:to diminish or treat something as unimportant or of low quality; or to express disapproval
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
dispose
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
disposed the troops along...
He met us with the utmost frankness, was desolated to hear of the Chinaman's untimely death, and put himself at our disposal in every way.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dubious
2 uses
And yet, from time to time, Poirot continued to sniff it dubiously, as though his keener nose detected something I had missed.
dubiously = 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
eccentric
4 uses
It may occur to you that I am eccentric, perhaps mad.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
fastidious
1 use
The room was still untouched, and Poirot idly gathered up the cards, shuffling them with his tiny, fastidiously groomed hands.
fastidiously = with excessive concern for cleanliness or matters of taste
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 5 |
irony (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
-a strange irony, by the way, that led the unfortunate woman to come to this building where her rival lived-
irony = an interesting coincidence
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
2 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
"Fact!" said General Forbes. "Heard it from old Bassington-ffrench. And he heard it from old Badger Cotterill who'd got it from Snooks Parker.'"
Miss Henderson nodded brightly. "That does seem to settle it!' she said."
A fleeting smile showed for a minute on the face of a small man sitting near them. Miss Henderson noticed the smile. She was observant. It had shown appreciation of the irony underlying her last remark...
Miss Henderson nodded brightly. "That does seem to settle it!' she said."
A fleeting smile showed for a minute on the face of a small man sitting near them. Miss Henderson noticed the smile. She was observant. It had shown appreciation of the irony underlying her last remark...
irony = saying something that could be taken to mean the opposite of what was intended
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
Monsieur
128 uses
The great Monsieur Poirot.
Monsieur = Mr. (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
| Book | 128 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
obstinate
3 uses
But there he ran up against the obstinacy of the Admiral.
obstinacy = trait of being stubborn and unyielding to other's wishes
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
pious
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a good, pious woman
She, poor child, beautiful, naturally pious, was fascinated by him.
pious = highly moral
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
poignant
2 uses
we have here a very poignant human drama.
poignant = deeply touching the emotions
Definition
Generally poignant means:sharp or intense — typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
relevant
1 use
Nothing that's strictly relevant.
relevant = relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
reticent
2 uses
There was no reticence about Mr Johnston's past.
reticence = reluctance to speak freely
Definition
Generally reticent means:reluctant — especially to speak freely
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
scrupulous
3 uses
Though he neither drank nor smoked, he was nevertheless not so scrupulous in other ways.
scrupulous = careful to behave well
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
scrutiny
3 uses
Seizing my opportunity, I too knelt down, and taking the handkerchief from the sleeve, scrutinized it minutely.
scrutinized = looked at very carefully
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |