approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
approached the city
Before the race began, I tried to approach Annabeth and tell her about my dream.†
approach = get near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 88 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
2 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
You tried the diplomatic approach.†
approach = technique (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
bronze
41 uses
Annabeth's bronze knife lay on the deck.
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 metal — such as a sculpture or a third place medal
or:
the reddish-brown color of the metal (such as a bronze tan)
or:
something made of the metal — such as a sculpture or a third place medal
Word Statistics
| Book | 41 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
centaur
24 uses
The centaurs shall carry you.
centaurs = mythical beings that are half man and half horse
Definition
Generally centaur means:a mythical being that is half man and half horse
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
chide
6 uses
"Never question a gift," Hermes chided.
chided = gently corrected (told him it is wrong to ask the question)
Definition
Generally chide means:to tell someone they have done wrong — sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
direct (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 15 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
I'd always had trouble looking directly at him, though I'd never quite understood why.†
directly = straight (focusing where stated rather than including it as part of a larger focus; or a careful look rather than a quick glance)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —2 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
Percy, the hardest part about being a god is that you must often act indirectly, especially when it comes to your own children.†
indirectly = in a complicated, non-obvious manner
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
3 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
I didn't know where I was anymore, or which way to steer the boat. It was a good thing Annabeth was directing me.†
directing = giving directions to
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
4 —10 uses as in:
directed the movie
It appears I shall have to reinstate Chiron as activities director.†
director = supervisor (person in charge)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
expulsion
8 uses
For the first time in my life, I'd almost made it an entire year without getting expelled.
expelled = kicked out of school
Definition
Generally expulsion means:the act of forcing out
especially in 2 primary senses:
- kicking someone out of an organization — such as a school or country
- squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
hubris
4 uses
My fatal flaw. That's what the Sirens showed me. My fatal flaw is hubris.
hubris = excessive pride, arrogance, or confidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
immortal
8 uses
You told me the gods made you immortal only so long as you were needed to train heroes.
immortal = someone who lives forever
Definition
Generally immortal means:living or existing forever
or:
someone famous throughout history
or:
someone who will never die — such as a mythological god
or:
someone famous throughout history
or:
someone who will never die — such as a mythological god
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
mane
3 uses
He buried his face in the hippocampus's mane.
mane = long coarse hair such as that growing around the head of a lion or on the back of the neck of a horse
Definition
Generally mane means:long coarse hair such as that which grows around a lion's head or on the back of a horse's neck
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
mortal
13 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
mortal body
I was under strict orders from Chiron never to take my anger out on regular mortals,
mortals = humans (especially merely humans)
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
muse
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
her musings
"What will Annabeth's makeover be?" Circe mused.
mused = wondered (thought about) (in this case: wondered aloud)
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
perforate
1 use
They were bronze, the size of cannon balls, perforated like wiffle balls with fire bubbling out the holes.
perforated = with holes
Definition
Generally perforate means:to make a hole or holes in something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
postpone
4 uses
We might have to postpone.
postpone = delay until a later time
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
prophecy
22 uses
Has Chiron even told you the prophecy?
prophecy = prediction of the future
Definition
Generally prophecy means:a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
rapture
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
listened with rapture
"Pony!" he cried in total rapture.
rapture = ecstasy (extreme happiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of rapture means:feeling ecstasy (extreme happiness)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
treacherous
1 use
Cyclopes are the most deceitful, treacherous-
treacherous = dangerous or likely to betray
Definition
Generally treacherous means:dangerous
or:
likely to betray; or guilty of betrayal
or:
likely to betray; or guilty of betrayal
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |