anguish
1 use
Then Tony raises his voice in an anguished cry.
anguished = with extreme distress
Definition
Generally anguish means:extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.9 |
beckon
1 use
Riff steps forward and beckons to his girl, Velma.
beckons = calls (to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
chaos
2 uses
Chaotic confusion and blackness, after which they find themselves, back in the bedroom, clinging to each other desperately.
chaotic = extremely disordered (confusion)
Definition
Generally chaos means:a state of extreme confusion and disorder
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
depravity
2 uses
Hey, I'm depraved on account I'm deprived!
depraved = immoral
Definition
Generally depravity means:complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
detach
1 use
Both gangs are jitterbugging wildly with their bodies, but their faces, although they are enjoying themselves, remain cool, almost detached.
detached = emotionally uninvolved (separated from their feelings)
(editor's note: jitterbugging is a kind of dancing)
(editor's note: jitterbugging is a kind of dancing)
Definition
Generally detach means:to separate something from something else (physically or emotionally)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
elaborate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an elaborate wink
Elaborately casual, they start sauntering off as Krupke appears.
elaborately = in an exaggerated manner
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:to exaggerate an action
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
frenetic
1 use
This leads into a frenetic dance in which the boys and girls release their emotions and get "cool."
frenetic = fast, energetic — often with confusion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.6 |
impulsive
1 use
[Impulsively, he stops to kiss her hands; then tenderly, innocently, her lips.]
impulsively = without forethought
Definition
Generally impulsive means:action without forethought; or such a tendency
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
insistent
1 use
[...insistent tugging brings Tony to the realization of the danger.]
insistent = persistent and demanding
Definition
Generally insistent means:persistent or continuing or firm — especially in maintaining a view or demanding something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.9 |
intercept
1 use
TONY [He is unaware that Bernardo is crossing toward him, but Riff intercepts.]
intercepts = stops him in route
Definition
Generally intercept means:to stop or catch someone or something in route
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.4 |
liaison
1 use
You get a hold of the girls and send 'em out as liaison runners so we'll know who's found Tony where.
liaison = a person with the role of increasing communication between two organizations
Definition
Generally liaison means:a person with the role of increasing communication and cooperation between two organizations; or an instance or other means of such communication
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
nostalgia
1 use
[She sings nostalgically:]
nostalgically = with a longing for something past
Definition
Generally nostalgia means:happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.5 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it obscured my view
They jockey for position, feinting, dueling; the two gangs shift position, now and again temporarily obscuring the fighters.
obscuring = hiding (blocking the view of, or partially blocking the view of)
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 | Scene 1.9 |
pathetic
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pathetic attempt to insult me
Pushing through the game comes a scrawny teen-age girl, dressed in an outfit that is a pathetic attempt to imitate that of the Jets.
pathetic = very bad — possibly so bad it is laughable (possibly mixed with some feeling of pity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
pummel
1 use
They close in, grab him, pummel him, as a Shark on top of the wall is stationed as lookout.
pummel = hit repeatedly
Definition
Generally pummel means:to hit repeatedly — usually with fists
or:
to damage seriously
or:
to defeat decisively
or:
to damage seriously
or:
to defeat decisively
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
Miss America can just resign!
resign = quit (from her position)
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
saunter
1 use
they start sauntering off as Krupke appears.
sauntering = walking leisurely
Definition
Generally saunter means:to walk leisurely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
taunt
1 use
The taunting breaks out into a wild, savage dance, with epithets hurled at Anita,
taunting = intentionally angering, challenging, or upsetting someone
Definition
Generally taunt means:to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone — especially by mocking them or hurling insults
or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.4 |
waver
1 use
the kids waver, run one way, another, in panic, confusion.
waver = are unsure and movie back and forth
Definition
Generally waver means:to move back and forth (shake or quiver)
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.9 |
wistful
1 use
DOC What're you gonna be when you grow up?
ANYBODYS [wistfully.] A telephone call girl!
ANYBODYS [wistfully.] A telephone call girl!
wistfully = with longing or unfulfilled desire
Definition
Generally wistful means:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.6 |