abstract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
What you call 'Western civilization.' Do you think it's just an abstract concept? No, it's a living force.
abstract = a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means:of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
arrogant
2 uses
The Olympians are so arrogant; they never dreamed someone would dare steal from them.
arrogant = having an excessive sense of superiority
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
bronze
20 uses
1 —20 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
Annabeth drew her bronze knife.
bronze = made of a brownish metal
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
cleave
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
cleave through
There were cloven hooves.
cloven = split (or divided in two)
Definition
Generally this sense of cleave means:to split something — especially with violent force
or:
to cut through something
or:
to cut through something
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
converge
2 uses
Everybody converged on the creek as Luke ran across into friendly territory.
converged = came together
Definition
Generally converge means:to come together; or to be adjacent or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
The boy defers to his father.
defers = submits
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
divine
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to forgive is divine
...that is forbidden by the most ancient of divine laws.
divine = related to the gods
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
Hades
113 uses
Hades will have your soul!
Hades = Greek mythology: the god of the underworld (the land of the dead)
Definition
Generally this sense of Hades means:Greek mythology: the god of the underworld (land of the dead); brother of Zeus and Poseidon
Word Statistics
| Book | 113 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
impede
1 use
The point is, kid, you're impeding the war effort.
impeding = making difficulty for
Definition
Generally impede means:create difficulty so as to slow or prevent (something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
impudent
1 use
I should have blasted him out of the sky for his impudence.
impudence = improper boldness or disrespect
Definition
Generally impudent means:improperly bold or disrespectful — especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
impulsive
4 uses
"He is proud and impulsive," Poseidon said.
impulsive = prone to act without forethought
Definition
Generally impulsive means:action without forethought; or such a tendency
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
indignant
3 uses
We exploded on the surface, in the middle of the Santa Monica Bay, knocking a surfer off his board with an indignant, "Dude!"
indignant = anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
lithe
1 use
He lounged on his throne of used human bones, looking lithe, graceful, and dangerous as a panther.
lithe = (like one who could) move and bend with ease
Definition
Generally lithe means:a graceful, flexible body — often implying thinness
or:
graceful, flexible body movement
or:
graceful, flexible body movement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
mortal
14 uses
1 —14 uses as in:
mortal body
Few mortals have ever done this and survived:
mortals = humans (especially merely humans)
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
nostalgia
1 use
Suddenly I was nostalgic for something I'd never known.
nostalgic = longing for something in the 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 | Chapter 12 |
perspective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Keep it in perspective
Oh, I love mortals-they have absolutely no sense of perspective.
perspective = a sensible view of a situation
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a sensible view of a situation that considers its different parts in a balanced way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
skeptical
3 uses
"It wasn't my fault."
She looked at me skeptically, and I realized it was my fault
She looked at me skeptically, and I realized it was my fault
skeptically = in a doubtful manner (like she didn't believe me)
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
"I guess ... the chariot," she said tentatively.
tentatively = in an unsure or hesitant 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 | Chapter 13 |
tone
6 uses
His tone was kind, but the words still embarrassed me.
tone = the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
Zeus
108 uses
Zeus declared the matter closed!
Zeus = Greek mythology: the most supreme of the gods
Word Statistics
| Book | 108 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |