aesthetic
1 use
But he misses the point, of course, of the aesthetics of the placement of the Breakfast Room and my belief that it shall go virtually unused because of it.
aesthetics = considerations of beauty and enjoyment
Definition
Generally aesthetic means:related to beauty or good taste — often referring to one's appreciation of beauty or one's sense of what is beautiful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
atoll
1 use
Following the reception, John and I are to take the Presidential Suite at the Grand, where we shall stay but a single night prior to our departure on the Ocean Star, bound for the Pacific Atolls.
atolls = islands (that are made of circular coral reefs)
Definition
Generally atoll means:an island made of a coral reef — often in the shape of a circle
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
attribute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 10 uses
1 —1 use as in:
It is an attribute of...
One of Sukeena's many wonderful attributes is her ability to remain calm and consistent.
attributes = characteristics (of something or someone)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:a characteristic (of something or someone)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —9 uses as in:
I attribute it to...
Sukeena's recovery impresses me greatly, and I attribute that recovery in no small part to both her herbs and my prayer.
attribute = credit (point to as the source of something)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
condemn (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
She condemned their plan
...has taken root in my condemnation of my husband and my determination for revenge.
condemnation = expression of strong criticism
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of condemn means:express strong criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
was condemned to life in prison
April is condemned with the rest of us; Adam is to be saved.
condemned = forced into a bad situation
Definition
Generally this sense of condemn means:force into an undesired activity or situation — such as to legally sentence someone to punishment
or:
find guilty — especially in court (and sometimes to death)
or:
provide the means of finding guilty
or:
find guilty — especially in court (and sometimes to death)
or:
provide the means of finding guilty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
condescending
1 use
Maybe the grand house, the lady herself, would condescend to communicate with those of us responsible for her birth and growth.
condescend = do something she considers beneath her position or dignity
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
daunt
1 use
I find it a somewhat daunting task to endeavor to place my thoughts here inside your trusted pages, I scarcely know if I am up to the task, but...
daunting = intimidating
Definition
Generally daunt means:to discourage or intimidate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
depravity
3 uses
I have prayed-to both sides-for release from this depravity of thought,
depravity = immorality or evilness
Definition
Generally depravity means:complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
discern
4 uses
Sukeena and I stopped many times, trying to discern the sounds and to separate man from animal.
discern = distinguish (understand)
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
expedient
1 use
for the sake of expediency, and due to any diary's repetitious nature, the editor chose to omit various diary entries.
expediency = convenience and practicality
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
indifferent
1 use
I recall being amazed by his apparent indifference to the fate met by Mr. Williamson.
indifference = unconcern (without interest)
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
languish
1 use
Long hours spent languishing in bed under a down comforter with room service a bell pull away, hot bubble baths with Parisian soaps and...
languishing = suffering in a bad situation for a long time
(editor's note: This usage is ironic. The words talk of suffering, but are intended to express just the opposite.)
(editor's note: This usage is ironic. The words talk of suffering, but are intended to express just the opposite.)
Definition
Generally languish means:to suffer in a bad situation for a long time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it obscured my view
I watch as that policeman, already halted in his approach, is suddenly tangled and overcome by the twisting, creeping choke of that instant jungle. ... The density of the tangle overcoming even my view of the events below as the glass is obscured. And then, I see the policeman no more.
obscured = blocked (the view)
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
philanthropy
1 use
Indeed, I believe that history will record Mr. Lincoln's attitudes a result of political pressures rather than philanthropic intention.
philanthropic = helping others
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
pragmatic
2 uses
John Rimbauer ... is a pragmatic man (which possibly accounts for his success in the oil business),
pragmatic = concerned with practical matters
Definition
Generally pragmatic means:concerned with practical matters — especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
stoic
2 uses
She remained stoic and impassive—hard to read.
stoic = seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
taint
2 uses
filled with tainted fish, the stomach is already informed but has not yet signaled the brain to retch.
tainted = contaminated or spoiled
Definition
Generally taint means:to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
transgress
6 uses
All these months of not so much as a kiss between us, I had assumed his transgressions with the women of the night had satisfied whatever urges a man like John Rimbauer has-substantial urges indeed.
transgressions = acts that violate rules, promises, or social norms
(editor's note: The suffix "-sions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in discussions from discuss, explosions from explode, and revisions from revise.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in discussions from discuss, explosions from explode, and revisions from revise.)
Definition
Generally transgress means:to violate a rule, promise, or social norm
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
wither
13 uses
In the stained-glass window, the lovely rose changed before our eyes into a ghostly specter of my daughter's misshapen and withered arm.
withered = shriveled (shrunken)
Definition
Generally wither means:to shrivel (wrinkle and contract — usually from lack of water)
or:
to become weaker; or feel humiliated
or:
to become weaker; or feel humiliated
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |