abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
All conversation had come to an abrupt halt, so Jeb's words were clear for everyone to hear.
abrupt = sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
agony
19 uses
This body had never felt such agony before.
agony = intense feelings of suffering
Definition
Generally agony means:intense feelings of suffering — can be from mental or physical pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
apathy
3 uses
We flipped through our joint memories apathetically, like switching TV channels without stopping to watch anything in particular.
apathetically = without interest or enthusiasm
Definition
Generally apathy means:lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
chagrin
7 uses
The chagrin in her tone was not because I was upset, but because she did not like being wrong.
chagrin = ill feeling of embarrassment
Definition
Generally chagrin means:a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance — especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
coherent
7 uses
I was mumbling weak assurances, barely coherent,
coherent = reasonable and understandable
Definition
Generally coherent means:sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
complacent
4 uses
Sure, she agreed complacently.
complacently = with contentment (unworried and happily)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
too discordant to remind me of our songs
discordant = not sounding harmonious (unpleasant sounding)
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 40 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
There was nothing Doc could have done, even if he'd been right there with them, a gallon of Heal at his disposal.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 49 |
dubious
2 uses
Ian scrutinized my face, his expression dubious.
dubious = doubtful or suspicious
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
furtive
2 uses
It had seemed that way in the kitchen, when they'd hung their heads and eyed me with furtive guilt.
furtive = taking pains to avoid being observed (in this case, looking at her without wanting to be seen looking)
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
lucid
5 uses
I felt the sedation wearing off and lucidity taking its place.
lucidity = the capability of thinking clearly
Definition
Generally lucid means:of a person: capable of thinking clearly
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
mitigate
1 use
Would my conditions mitigate my guilt in this?
mitigate = reduce (make less harmful)
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 50 |
obstinate
3 uses
I realized I already did believe, and that I was just being obstinate.
obstinate = stubborn
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
parasitic
22 uses
I am tired of being a parasite.
parasite = person who lives off others' efforts without providing return benefit to them
Definition
Generally parasitic means:of a species that lives on (or in) another species and eats from it without providing return benefit
or:
a person who lives off others' efforts without providing return benefit to them
or:
a person who lives off others' efforts without providing return benefit to them
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
perspective (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 10 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
Look at it from her perspective
Somehow, Ian was able to look at things from my perspective,
perspective = way of seeing and thinking about things
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
2 —2 uses as in:
Keep it in perspective
He'll gain some perspective while he's away.
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
3 —1 use as in:
a perspective of the entire block
I constantly whipped my head around, searching for the fourth marker–a big dome-shaped peak with a missing piece, a curved absence scooped from its side that Melanie had only shown me this morning–as if the perspective would have changed from my last step.
perspective = view (appearance from where looking)
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a view — often stressing that the view is different from a view from another location
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
scrutiny
5 uses
I scrutinized his face, looking for any change that might indicate that he was about to lie to me.
scrutinized = very carefully looked at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
somber
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a somber mood
"Walt must have been keeping quiet about the pain for a long while now," Ian added somberly.
somberly = solemnly (in a manner that is serious—not cheerful or lighthearted)
Definition
Generally this sense of somber means:serious and without humor or fun — perhaps sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
species
36 uses
In my species, I am the one that bears young.
species = similar group of animals whose members can interbreed
Definition
Generally species means:a group of animals or plants that are similar — typically identified as a group because they can procreate together (reproduce new members of the group)
Word Statistics
| Book | 36 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Pro. |