arbor
3 uses
I never saw such a garden—large and shady, full of box-bordered paths, and lined with long grape-covered arbors with seats under them.
arbors = a framework that supports climbing plants
Definition
Generally this sense of arbor means:a framework that supports climbing plants; or a shady rest area made by such a framework or by trees and shrubs
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
atrocious
1 use
I am sitting by the window now, up in this atrocious nursery, and there is nothing to hinder my writing as much as I please, save lack of strength.
atrocious = exceptionally ugly
Definition
Generally atrocious means:exceptionally bad, cruel, or ugly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
conscientious
1 use
I cannot keep count of them, though I have tried conscientiously.
conscientiously = with care
Definition
Generally conscientious means:careful to do what is right—especially to perform duties in a thorough manner (as when guided by conscience)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
convoluted
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convoluted folds of the brain
If you can imagine a toadstool in joints, an interminable string of toadstools, budding and sprouting in endless convolutions—why, that is something like it.
convolutions = complex twists and patterns
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", 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 actions, illustrations, and observations.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", 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 actions, illustrations, and observations.)
Definition
Generally this sense of convoluted means:having complex coils, folds, twists, or irregularities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
cultivate
1 use
And that cultivates deceit, for I don't tell them I'm awake—O no!
cultivates = enhances development of
Definition
Generally cultivate means:enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
- to grow crops or prepare land for them
- enhance a relationship — especially for a purpose
- develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
- to grow a culture in a petri dish
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
debase
1 use
a kind of "debased Romanesque"
debased = degraded (reduced in purity or quality)
(editor's note: Romanesque refers to a style of architecture.)
(editor's note: Romanesque refers to a style of architecture.)
Definition
Generally debase means:to degrade (decrease) the purity, quality, or status of something — often morality or metals
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
deride
1 use
All those strangled heads and bulbous eyes and waddling fungus growths just shriek with derision!
derision = treatment of others as inferior and unworthy of respect
(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 deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
endure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
...quite the subtlest, most enduring odor I ever met.
enduring = continuing to exist
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
grotesque
1 use
...the interminable grotesques seem to form around a common centre and rush off in headlong plunges of equal distraction.
grotesques = things that are distorted and unnatural in shape or size — especially in a disturbing way
Definition
Generally grotesque means:distorted and unnatural in shape or size — especially in a disturbing way
or:
ugly, gross, or very wrong
or:
ugly, gross, or very wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
infuriate
1 use
The color is hideous enough, and unreliable enough, and infuriating enough, but the pattern is torturing.
infuriating = causing much anger or annoyance
Definition
Generally infuriate means:to make very angry or annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
perplex
1 use
In the daytime it is tiresome and perplexing.
perplexing = confusing due to complexity
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
perseverance
1 use
The wall-paper, as I said before, is torn off in spots, and it sticketh closer than a brother—they must have had perseverance as well as hatred.
perseverance = continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
prescribe
1 use
I have a schedule prescription for each hour in the day;
prescription = recommendation, instruction, or rule
(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 prescribe means:to recommend or require what should be done
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
provoke
2 uses
pronounced enough to constantly irritate and provoke study
provoke = cause (in reaction)
Definition
Generally provoke means:to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
recur
1 use
There is a recurrent spot where the pattern lolls like a broken neck and two bulbous eyes stare at you upside down.
recurrent = happening repeatedly
Definition
Generally recur means:to happen repeatedly or a second time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
reproach
1 use
"Better in body perhaps—" I began, and stopped short, for he sat up straight and looked at me with such a stern, reproachful look that I could not say another word.
reproachful = critical (full of 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
subtle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a subtle shade of blue
It is not bad—at first, and very gentle, but quite the subtlest, most enduring odor I ever met.
subtlest = most understated
Definition
Generally this sense of subtle means:understated so as not to draw attention to itself
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
symmetry
1 use
I know a little of the principle of design, and I know this thing was not arranged on any laws of radiation, or alternation, or repetition, or symmetry, or anything else that I ever heard of.
symmetry = balance among the parts of something
Definition
Generally symmetry means:balance among the parts of something
or more specifically:
having an exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
or more specifically:
having an exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
twilight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
pink clouds in a twilight sky
At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candle light, lamplight, and worst of all by moonlight, it becomes bars!
twilight = the light from the sky at the time of day between daylight and darkness
Definition
Generally this sense of twilight means:the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
undulate
1 use
John was asleep and I hated to waken him, so I kept still and watched the moonlight on that undulating wall-paper till I felt creepy.
undulating = wavy or rippled
Definition
Generally undulate means:a smooth wave-like motion (physical or auditory)
or:
having a wavy or rippled form or surface
or:
having a wavy or rippled form or surface
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |