allude
9 uses
But the allusion was lost upon Tess.†
allusion = an indirect reference
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ascend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
ascend the mountain
Soon the equipage began to ascend to higher ground, and the wind grew keener with the change of level and soil.†
ascend = move higher
Definition
Generally this sense of ascend means:to move or slope upward — sometimes figuratively as when climbing the corporate ladder
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
attribute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
It is an attribute of...
She had an attribute which amounted to a disadvantage just now; and it was this that caused Alec d'Urberville's eyes to rivet themselves upon her.†
attribute = characteristic (of something or someone)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:a characteristic (of something or someone)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
The luggage was put on the top, and the man drove them off, the miller and the old waiting-woman expressing some surprise at their precipitate departure, which Clare attributed to his discovery that the mill-work was not of the modern kind which he wished to investigate, a statement that was true so far as it went.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the cause 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
conjecture
10 uses
However, it soon grew clear that the hour of emancipation for that little prisoner of the flesh was to arrive earlier than her worst misgiving had conjectured.†
conjectured = concluded or guessed based on inconclusive evidence
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Except Marian, they all looked wistfully and suspiciously at the pair, in the sad yellow rays which the morning candles emitted in contrast with the first cold signals of the dawn without.†
in contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —4 uses as in:
there is a contrast
Through this floating, fusty debris of peat and hay, mixed with the perspirations and warmth of the dancers, and forming together a sort of vege-to-human pollen, the muted fiddles feebly pushed their notes, in marked contrast to the spirit with which the measure was trodden out.†
contrast = difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
discern
21 uses
An inner cloud of dust rose around the prostrate figures amid the general one of the room, in which a twitching entanglement of arms and legs was discernible.†
discernible = possible to notice or understand
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
doctrine
10 uses
Tess, who mused on the christening a good deal, wondered if it were doctrinally sufficient to secure a Christian burial for the child.†
doctrinally = a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
There was one wearing a pale pink jacket, another in a cream-coloured tight-sleeved gown, another in a petticoat as red as the arms of the reaping-machine; and others, older, in the brown-rough "wropper" or over-all—the old-established and most appropriate dress of the field-woman, which the young ones were abandoning.†
established = long-practiced
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
...the strange enervating conviction that her seducer confronted her, which had been gaining ground in Tess ever since she had heard his words distinctly, was at last established as a fact indeed.†
established = shown
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
grave
2 uses
The girl-mother replied in a grave affirmative.†
grave = serious and solemn
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
manor
10 uses
Branches of your family held manors over all this part of England; their names appear in the Pipe Rolls in the time of King Stephen.†
manors = a large house of a lord or wealthy person; or the house and the land around it
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
Minute diamonds of moisture from the mist hung, too, upon Tess's eyelashes, and drops upon her hair, like seed pearls.†
minute = small
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
moreover
11 uses
Moreover, alone in a desert island would she have been wretched at what had happened to her?†
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
proclivity
2 uses
But with the self-combating proclivity of the supersensitive, an answer thereto arose in Clare's own mind, and he almost feared it.
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 5 |
reproach
20 uses
As he fell out of the dance his eyes lighted on Tess Durbeyfield, whose own large orbs wore, to tell the truth, the faintest aspect of reproach that he had not chosen her.†
reproach = a criticism; or to express criticism
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
revise
1 use
Between the mother, with her fast-perishing lumber of superstitions, folk-lore, dialect, and orally transmitted ballads, and the daughter, with her trained National teachings and Standard knowledge under an infinitely Revised Code, there was a gap of two hundred years as ordinarily understood.†
revised = changed
Definition
Generally revise means:to change (and hopefully improve) — most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
The men who sat nearest considerately turned their faces towards the other end of the field, some of them beginning to smoke; one, with absent-minded fondness, regretfully stroking the jar that would no longer yield a stream.†
yield = produce or give
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —4 uses as in:
yield to pressure
He put it that way that she might not think he had yielded to an impulse of which his head would disapprove.†
yielded = gave in, gave way, or gave up
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |