altercation
2 uses
I can only wonder now if this brief altercation with my beloved, an altercation that resulted from my attendance there, had something to do with the events that would soon transpire.†
altercation = a noisy argument, confrontation, or fight
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
anxiety
7 uses
I will not go as far as to say I'm comfortable with Chinatown, but I am at least familiar with this area of it, thus reducing my anxiety.
anxiety = nervousness or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
apparent
20 uses
I recall being amazed by his apparent indifference to the fate met by Mr. Williamson.
apparent = appearing obvious (though not necessarily so)
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
appropriate
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
it is appropriate
A waitress, she was dressed in a black costume appropriate to her service, with a white apron and a firmly pressed white collar buttoned nearly to choking.
appropriate = suitable (fitting)
Definition
Generally this sense of appropriate means:suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
deride
1 use
He snorted derisively at me.
derisively = with treatment as inferior and unworthy of respect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
deter
1 use
I am not deterred by his intentions.
deterred = prevented (from my intentions)
Definition
Generally deter means:try to prevent; or prevent
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
emulate
1 use
...admiring and emulating a man of questionable convictions?
emulating = imitating
Definition
Generally emulate means:imitate (copy)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
furtive
1 use
The two exchange furtive glances,
furtive = taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
imply
7 uses
And it would be improper and wrong of me to imply it all has to do with angels and prayer.
imply = suggest (say indirectly)
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
incessant
1 use
John travels incessantly:
incessantly = continuously
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
innate
1 use
my innate curiosity and fascination with the other-worldly quality of these apparently disconnected events.
innate = of a quality: present at birth or existing as an inseparable part (of self)
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
a second installment to the diary, hidden in the wall of the tower, ironically, on the other side of a false door installed behind an old discolored watercolor of a red rose hanging on the wall.
ironically = an entertaining coincidence where what happened is very different than what might have been expected
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 11 |
pretentious
1 use
Our arrival at the gates of the Rimbauer mansion (for it is nothing less!) left me breathless. ... She is spectacular! Pretentious! Gorgeous!
pretentious = trying to appear impressive
Definition
Generally pretentious means:acting more impressive than is deserved
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
proclivity
2 uses
The ship's priest comes to mind, but he is a rheumyeyed man with a proclivity for drink.
proclivity = tendency
Definition
Generally proclivity means:a tendency, inclination, preference, or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
profuse
1 use
I declined, of course, thanking her profusely, which I'm sure she understood, and getting out of it as best I could.
profusely = abundantly
Definition
Generally profuse means:abundant (a lot of something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
provocative
5 uses
Sukeena immediately began dancing in a most fluid, provocative and suggestive manner.
provocative = sexy
Definition
Generally provocative means:tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate — especially controversy, sexual desire, or anger
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
sanguine
1 use
Sukeena is sanguine as usual.
sanguine = confidently optimistic and cheerful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
summon
12 uses
At the same time, I stepped to the wall and pulled on the servants' cord, summoning whoever was on duty at this hour.
summoning = calling (to come)
Definition
Generally summon means:to call forth
The exact meaning of summon can depend upon its context. For example:
- "summon to court" — officially demand that someone appear in court (call them to court)
- "summon the team to a meeting" — call upon the team members to attend a meeting
- "summon help" — call others to come and help
- "summon her courage" — call forth her courage from within
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 35 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
surreptitious
2 uses
I received word, through surreptitious means that I dare not go into,
surreptitious = secret
Definition
Generally surreptitious means:done secretly or in a manner that avoids notice
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
séance
17 uses
during the seance with Madame Stravinski, it was Sukeena ... who attempted to ... disconnect us all from Rose Red,
seance = a meeting in which spiritualists attempt to communicate with the dead
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |