amiable
2 uses
The spy chatted on amiably.
amiably = in a friendly way
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
assault
33 uses
"General," Longstreet said slowly, "it is my considered opinion that a frontal assault here would be a disaster."
assault = attack
Definition
Generally assault means:to attack someone or something physically or verbally; or to threaten violence
Word Statistics
| Book | 33 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Aft. |
brusque
1 use
Kemper said brusquely, "Look here now, Colonel."
brusquely = abruptly (suddenly and quickly — without taking the time to be friendly)
Definition
Generally brusque means:abrupt (sudden and quick — without taking the time to be friendly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
coherent
2 uses
Marshall's face appeared, an incoherent message.
incoherent = not understandable (unclear)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally coherent means:sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
deride
1 use
When Lee dug trenches around Richmond they called him, derisively, the King of Spades.
derisively = mockingly 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 1.5 |
diligent
1 use
Nothing to wrap it with. He tore off a bit of his shirt, was working away diligently, saw Tom coming.
diligently = with hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
By which I mean, sir, to get to the heart of the matter, that I have a flagon of brandy at your disposal, should the occasion arise.†
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
eccentric
2 uses
"I'm serious," Longstreet said amiably "A little eccentricity is a help to a general."
eccentricity = quality of being unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
elated
1 use
He was beginning to feel an elation in him, like a bubble blowing up in his chest.
elation = feeling of happiness and excitement
(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 elated means:full of happiness and excitement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
extricate
1 use
And even if you could do that, cleverly, there was no certainty they would find better ground anywhere else, not even any certainty that they could extricate themselves without trouble, and so he had known all along that retreat was simply no longer an alternative,
extricate = free or remove from constraint or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
haughty
2 uses
"It is unbecoming to a soldier, all this book-learning," Pickett said haughtily.
haughtily = condescendingly (in a superior or self-important way) (in this case, as though he is above school)
(editor's note: Pickett was last in his class at West Point.)
(editor's note: Pickett was last in his class at West Point.)
Definition
Generally haughty means:arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
heresy
1 use
Don't think on these things. Keep an orderly mind. This stuff is like heresy.
heresy = opinions most people consider immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
however
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
However much she tried...
However black.†
however = regardless of how
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
insolent
1 use
The Captain stared at him grimly, insolently, showing what he thought of Maine men.
insolently = with rude disrespect
Definition
Generally insolent means:rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
laconic
1 use
"He does his job," Lawley said laconically.
laconically = in a manner that uses few words
Definition
Generally laconic means:using few words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
notorious
1 use
He smiled slightly, with a touch of the disdain for which he was rapidly becoming notorious.
notorious = well known for something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
But Pickett was profoundly moved.
profoundly = with greatest intensity or emotional depth
Definition
Generally this sense of profound means:of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
solicitous
1 use
The rider, solicitous, hopped down, offered him the horse, led the animal by the bridle, making Chamberlain feel boyish and ridiculous.
solicitous = showing care or concern for someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
stoic
1 use
"Now this next one here-" he indicated stoic Jim Kemper-"this one is not even a soldier, so watch him."
stoic = seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
volatile
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a volatile situation
Hill was a nervous, volatile, brilliant man.
volatile = quick to change; or emotionally explosive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |