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
or more rarely:
describing someone as distracted — thinking about something outside of the immediate conversation or circumstances
or more rarely:
describing someone as distracted — thinking about something outside of the immediate conversation or circumstances
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 | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
bronze
34 uses
Annabeth drew her bronze knife.
bronze = made of a reddish brown metal that consists of copper and (usually) tin
Definition
Generally bronze means:a reddish brown metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin
or:
the reddish-brown color of the metal (such as a bronze tan)
or:
something made of the alloy — such as a sculpture
or:
the reddish-brown color of the metal (such as a bronze tan)
or:
something made of the alloy — such as a sculpture
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
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 |
dissipate
2 uses
The spirits made muffled hisses as they dissipated, like the air let out of tires.
dissipated = gradually disappeared
Definition
Generally dissipate means:to gradually disappear; or to gradually waste
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
elated
1 use
Then I heard yelling, elated screams, and I saw Luke racing toward the boundary line with the red team's banner lifted high.
elated = had a feeling of happiness and excitement
Definition
Generally elated means:full of happiness and excitement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
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 | 1 use 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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
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 |
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 that considers its different parts in a balanced way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
pretense
1 use
You dare keep up this pretense, after what you have done?
pretense = deception (pretending something is true)
Definition
Generally pretense means:an appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
She seemed resigned to the fact that I had a major talent for ticking off the gods.
resigned = to have accepted 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 | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
revere
1 use
Reverently, he placed the shoe box in my lap.
reverently = in a very respectful manner
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 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 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 | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
spontaneous
1 use
"Spontaneous combustion is a form of harm, Mr. D," Chiron put in.
spontaneous = happening without apparent external cause
(editor's note: Spontaneous combustion refers to something bursting into flame without apparent cause.)
(editor's note: Spontaneous combustion refers to something bursting into flame without apparent cause.)
Definition
Generally spontaneous means:happening or arising without plan (naturally)
or:
behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner (unplanned)
or:
happening without apparent external cause
or:
behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner (unplanned)
or:
happening without apparent external cause
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
taint
1 use
I must go personally to purify this thunderbolt in the waters of Lemnos, to remove the human taint from its metal.
taint = contamination (that makes it less desirable)
Definition
Generally taint means:to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
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 | 6 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 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
usurp
1 use
Now, a god cannot usurp another god's symbol of power directly-
usurp = seize or take control of
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |