altitude
7 uses
I squinted and focused, all the time gaining altitude.
altitude = elevation (height)
Definition
Generally altitude means:elevation (height) — typically above sea level or above the earth's surface
or:
(metaphorically) a desirable height
or:
(metaphorically) a desirable height
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
belligerent
1 use
the kid asked, sounding a lot less belligerent and much more weirded out.
belligerent = hostile (eager to fight)
Definition
Generally belligerent means:hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
bemused
1 use
The five of us followed them to the checkout counter, and I watched in disbelief as the woman, seeming a bit bemused, took out her wallet and paid for Angel's bear.
bemused = perplexed or confused
Definition
Generally bemused means:puzzled or confused
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
coherent
3 uses
Incoherent murmurings of pleasure escaped my lips as I chewed slowly, savoring every bite.
incoherent = not logically consistent
(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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
"...Just trust me. Listen to your gut." Well, how many times had I heard him say that? I wondered contemptuously as he walked away.
contemptuously = with dislike and disrespect for his words
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
DNA
9 uses
Or where they got our DNA?
DNA = cell structures that transmit genetic information which determines inherited traits such as hair color or height
(editor's note: Bird is a synonym for avian.)
(editor's note: Bird is a synonym for avian.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
elated
1 use
I felt a trembling sense of elation as I started pulling out the pages I'd taken from the Institute.
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 | Part 6 |
gene
13 uses
Superhumans or Genetic Freaks?
genetic = segments of DNA which when combined determine biological traits such as hair color or height
Definition
Generally gene means:a single segment of DNA which when combined determine inherited traits such as hair color or height
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
incredulous
2 uses
Fang looked incredulous.
incredulous = unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
literally
9 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
literally--not figuratively
Here, we could live free. I mean literally free, as in, not in cages.
literally = actually (not figuratively; not an exaggeration)
Definition
Generally this sense of literally means:actually true using the basic meaning of the words (not an exaggeration, metaphor, or other type of figurative speech)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
pathetic
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pathetic attempt to insult me
"This is pathetic," Fang whispered, and I turned to see him looking at a large cat, like a serval or a margay.
pathetic = contemptible (unworthy or despicable) — possibly mixed with pity
Definition
Generally this sense of pathetic means: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 | Part 6 |
pompous
1 use
"There are signs posted everywhere clearly stating that climbing trees is forbidden," one cop began pompously.
pompously = with excessive self-importance
Definition
Generally pompous means:behaving with excessive self-importance — often with exaggerated dignity or ceremonial splendor
or more rarely: showing ceremonial splendor (pomp)
or more rarely: showing ceremonial splendor (pomp)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
"I don't know how you're doing it," he said, sounding resigned and irritated.
resigned = (as though) having accepted something undesired as unavoidable
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
serene
2 uses
I glanced over at Fang and saw that his face looked serene,
serene = calm and untroubled
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
skeptical
2 uses
Even she seemed skeptical.
skeptical = doubtful
Definition
Generally skeptical means:doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
solemn
8 uses
I looked at her solemnly.
solemnly = with seriousness
Definition
Generally solemn means:in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
solicitous
1 use
He stood up and helped me from my chair, a solicitous hand under my elbow that made my flesh crawl.
solicitous = showing great care or concern
Definition
Generally solicitous means:showing care or concern for someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
suppress
2 uses
Nudge suppressed a grin as I gave Gazzy a narrow-eyed glare.
suppressed = kept or tried to keep from developing
Definition
Generally suppress means:trying to keep under control
The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example:
- "suppressed the revolution" — to stop others from doing something by force
- "suppressed a smile" — kept something from happening
- "suppressed the story" — kept news from spreading
- "suppressed her fear" — controlled an emotion
- "suppressed the memory" — avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
I looked down, then sucked in my breath so fast I almost choked. I was standing on a translucent platform suspended high over the sewer system. I wanted to scream, feeling off-balance and scared. ... I swallowed hard and tried to get a grip. Tentatively, I glanced down again at the translucent surface.
tentatively = in an unsure or careful manner
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 6 |
unobtrusive
1 use
Fang waited for him to get his food and unobtrusively led him to the most private booth.
unobtrusively = in a manner that fits in so as not to attract much attention or disturb others
Definition
Generally unobtrusive means:fitting in so as not to attract much attention or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |