apathy
1 use
the last to go, of course, was the apathetic Rabensteiner
apathetic = without interest or enthusiasm
Definition
Generally apathy means:lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
apparent
20 uses
If the maid went by and closed the door of the apparently empty room he would get up after a while and open it again.
apparently = obviously; or seemingly (appearing clear or 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 4 |
astute
1 use
"you've completely changed, you used to be so astute, are you losing it now?"
astute = smart and perceptive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
comprehend
8 uses
There followed an incomprehensible, interwoven babble of shouts and replies and calls of agreement.
incomprehensible = not understandable
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in incomprehensible means not and reverses the meaning of comprehensible. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in incomprehensible means not and reverses the meaning of comprehensible. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally comprehend means:to understand something — especially to understand it completely
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
compunction
1 use
Even without this invitation, K. had shown no compunction in already placing his foot in the middle of the bed covers, then he looked out through the open door and drew his foot back again.†
compunction = guilt for a misdeed; or a feeling that it would be wrong to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
condescending
2 uses
She spoke to the businessman with affection but, at the same time, with condescension.
condescension = a manner that treats others as inferiors
(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 condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
fastidious
1 use
At the head of the bed there was a niche in the wall where, fastidiously tidy, stood a candle, a bottle of ink, and a pen with a bundle of papers
fastidiously = with careful attention to detail
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 8 |
forgo
1 use
1 —1 use
K.'s uncle was always in a hurry, as he suffered from the unfortunate belief that he had a number things to do while he was in the big city and had to settle all of them in one day — his visits were only ever for one day — and at the same time thought he could not forgo any conversation or piece of business or pleasure that might arise by chance.†
forgo = do without
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
futile
1 use
you will very soon come to realise yourself, if you have not done so already, the futility of your idea.
futility = pointlessness (because it will prove unproductive or unsuccessful)
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
incessant
1 use
It's the incessant contact with the gentlemen of the court has that influence on me.
incessant = continuous
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 |
lethargic
1 use
On winter's mornings such as this, when he was very tired and everything dragged itself lethargically through his head, this belief of his seemed irrefutable.
lethargically = without energy
Definition
Generally lethargic means:lacking energy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
litigate
9 uses
So many litigants, at the same stage in their trials, have stood before me just like you are now
litigants = people involved in a lawsuit
Definition
Generally litigate means:engage in legal proceedings
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
malevolent
1 use
Everything is connected with everything else and will continue without any change or else, which is quite probable, even more closed, more attentive, more strict, more malevolent.
malevolent = exerting an evil or harmful influence
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
minute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size
That picture is from when he was young, but he can never have looked anything like it, as he's tiny, minute almost.†
minute = exceedingly small
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
He spent the time still remaining to him with a dictionary, copying out obscure words he would need to guide the Italian round the cathedral.
obscure = not known to many people
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
pretense
3 uses
Had they been putting up a pretence all the time he had been speaking, and now that he come to the end and to what must follow, were they tired of pretending?
pretence = a false appearance or action to help one pretend
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.)
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
senile
3 uses
She was showing an inquisitiveness that really made it seem like she was going senile.†
senile = mental weakness caused by old age; or describing a medical condition as caused by old age
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
squander
1 use
it was possible that the officials had enough money but that they squandered it on themselves rather than use it for the court's purposes.
squandered = wasted
Definition
Generally squander means:to waste — money, resources, or opportunities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
summon
13 uses
Every day over the following week, K. expected another summons to arrive,
summons = call (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 | 13 uses |
| Library | 35 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
superfluous
1 use
He contented himself with merely drinking his coffee and letting Mrs. Grubach feel that she was superfluous.
superfluous = unneeded
Definition
Generally superfluous means:more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |