appalling
10 uses
She glanced in it and was appalled.
appalled = shocked by how terrible or horrible something is
Definition
Generally appalling means:shockingly terrible or horrible
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
contrast (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Jocelyn even had a graceful way of walking that made people turn their heads to watch her go by. Clary, by contrast, was always tripping over her feet.
by contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
Clary noted the contrast: the ravaged face of the older man and the boy's unlined one, the pale locks of hair falling into Jace's eyes making him look even younger.
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
3 —1 use as in:
it is a contrast
He touched the photograph with a scarred and weathered hand—a strange contrast to the neat spotlessness of his tweed cuffs.
contrast = something notably different compared (to something)
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:something noticeably different (compared to something else or to other things)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
4 —1 use as in:
sharpen the picture contrast
The late afternoon light came in through the curtains and made his face a study in contrasts.†
contrasts = differences in shading
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:the difference between tones of an image — as in a photo or video — such as the quality of brightness or the intensity of shades or colors
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
covenant
23 uses
"My oath to the Covenant binds me," he said.
covenant = a binding agreement
or (much more rarely): to formally or solemnly promise
(editor's note: In this book, covenant is capitalized and refers specifically to the law of the Clave as made by the Council.)
or (much more rarely): to formally or solemnly promise
(editor's note: In this book, covenant is capitalized and refers specifically to the law of the Clave as made by the Council.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 7 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
I was thinking about the skylight and how you'd said demons couldn't stand direct sun.†
direct = unobstructed (with nothing in between)
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 | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —4 uses as in:
directed her question to
A hand under her chin directed her to look up, and she saw a row of words scrawled along the wall.†
directed = guided
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
3 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
If you want to know where to find a jog-toed swallow in springtime, I could direct you to the correct reference title.†
direct = instruct
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
fastidious
4 uses
Magnus plucked the invitation out of her hand and looked at it with fastidious distaste.
fastidious = excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
Definition
Generally fastidious means:giving careful attention to detail
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
forsake
42 uses
...won't be Forsaken much longer. Once Valentine uses the Cup on them, they'll be Shadowhunters as good as the rest of us—
forsaken = abandoned or helpless
(editor's note: In this book, forsaken is used in a special way. Typically it is used to refer to a human who is involuntarily converted to a warrior with no memory of previous life, without free will, and with little hope of surviving for very long.)
(editor's note: In this book, forsaken is used in a special way. Typically it is used to refer to a human who is involuntarily converted to a warrior with no memory of previous life, without free will, and with little hope of surviving for very long.)
Definition
Generally forsake means:to abandon or give up on — such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 42 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
frayed
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
frayed nerves
"You've got until sunrise," said Magnus, temper visibly fraying.
fraying = becoming emotionally strained
Definition
Generally this sense of frayed means:emotionally strained (worn thin)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
The remains of breakfast ... clung to a stack of plates on the low table that no one had seemed inclined to clear away.
inclined = in the mood
(editor's note: When seen on standardized vocabulary tests, this word is usually seen in the noun form inclination.)
(editor's note: When seen on standardized vocabulary tests, this word is usually seen in the noun form inclination.)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
2 —1 use as in:
on an incline or incline his head
They inclined their heads toward Jace, a gesture of silent acknowledgment, before they filed away among the pillars and were gone.
inclined = bent or angled
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
indignant
8 uses
The other girl put her hands on her hips indignantly.
indignantly = with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
infirmary
10 uses
Thought you'd be more comfortable in a guest room than in the infirmary.
infirmary = a small facility where patients receive treatment
Definition
Generally infirmary means:a small facility where patients receive treatment — such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
manor
11 uses
We lived in a manor house, out in the country.
manor = a large house of a lord or wealthy person
Definition
Generally manor means:a large house of a lord or wealthy person; or the house and the land around it
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
mortal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
mortal body
I will be ready to risk my life at any time ... for the mortal world with whose safety we are charged.
mortal = human (especially merely human)
(editor's note: In this book, the "Mortal Cup" gets its name because some mortals who drink from it become Shadowhunters.)
(editor's note: In this book, the "Mortal Cup" gets its name because some mortals who drink from it become Shadowhunters.)
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
mundane
36 uses
No mundane doctor would know how to heal those wounds.
mundane = ordinary; or belonging to our ordinary world
(editor's note: In this book, mundane is typically used as a noun with a special meaning—to refer to an ordinary human.)
(editor's note: In this book, mundane is typically used as a noun with a special meaning—to refer to an ordinary human.)
Definition
Generally mundane means:ordinary or lacking interest or excitement — possibly to the point of being boring
or more rarely:
belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly
or more rarely:
belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly
Word Statistics
| Book | 36 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
pandemonium
17 uses
Lily darted toward him, crying out his name, and in the pandemonium, Clary felt someone seize her wrist.
pandemonium = a state of noisy confusion and disorder
(editor's note: In this book, pandemonium is typically capitalized and refers to a noisy, confusing nightclub by that name.)
(editor's note: In this book, pandemonium is typically capitalized and refers to a noisy, confusing nightclub by that name.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |