alacrity
2 uses
"Give me the Herr's luggage," said the driver, and with exceeding alacrity my bags were handed out and put in the caleche.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
allay
3 uses
He was in a panic of superstitious fear, and I am afraid the panic may spread. To allay it, I shall today search the entire ship carefully from stem to stern.
allay = reduce
Definition
Generally allay means:reduce the intensity of or calm
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
anemic
4 uses
She has lost the anemic look which she had.
anemic = pale (having too few red blood cells)
Definition
Generally anemic means:suffering from too few red blood cells
or metaphorically: lacking vitality
or metaphorically: lacking vitality
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
chronological
2 uses
Mrs. Harker says that they are knitting together in chronological order every scrap of evidence they have.
chronological = arranged according to time
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 8 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
corresponding by email
"This is the spot," said the Professor as he turned his lamp on a small map of the house, copied from the file of my original correspondence regarding the purchase.
correspondence = written letters
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —6 uses as in:
foreign correspondent of the paper
By the courtesy of the chief boatman, I was, as your correspondent, permitted to climb on deck, and was one of a small group who saw the dead seaman whilst actually lashed to the wheel.
correspondent = reporter
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondent means:a reporter — typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
desecrate
3 uses
I am willing to be patient in all things that are reasonable, but in this, this desecration of the grave, of one who ....
desecration = violation of the sacred nature
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally desecrate means:violate the sacred nature of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
euthanasia
2 uses
"Euthanasia" is an excellent and a comforting word!
euthanasia = meaning: "intentionally killing someone painlessly"
Definition
Generally euthanasia means:the act of intentionally killing someone painlessly — typically someone suffering from an incurable illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
harrowing
4 uses
These occasions are becoming harrowing times for us all. For each sunrise and sunset opens up some new danger,
harrowing = frightening
Definition
Generally this sense of harrowing means:frightening or unsettling
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
inquest
6 uses
The question of an inquest had to be considered, and it would never do to put forward the truth, as no one would believe it.
inquest = formal investigation into a death
Definition
Generally inquest means:a formal inquiry or investigation — typically into the cause of an undesirable event — often an investigation of an unexpected death
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
inure
2 uses
Inured as I was to sick beds and death, this suspense grew and grew upon me.
inured = untroubled by something because one is so accustomed to it
Definition
Generally inure means:cause to become untroubled by something unpleasant due to prior exposure to it
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
laconic
5 uses
"Count me in, Professor," said Mr. Quincey Morris, laconically as usual.
laconically = using few words
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
sheer (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 5 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
sheer fun
For a while sheer anger mastered me.
sheer = complete and without restriction
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:complete or pure — without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
2 —2 uses as in:
a sheer cliff
To the west was a great valley, and then, rising far away, great jagged mountain fastnesses, rising peak on peak, the sheer rock studded with mountain ash and thorn, whose roots clung in cracks and crevices and crannies of the stone.
sheer = so steep it is almost vertical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
3 —1 use as in:
sheered to the left
Sometimes he sheered off the subject, or turned the conversation by pretending not to understand, but generally he answered all I asked most frankly.
sheered = change direction abruptly
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:change direction abruptly; or to cause such a change of direction — (usually said of a boat)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
suave
4 uses
Then, without any seeming change, he brought the conversation gently round to his visit, and suavely said, 'My dear young miss, I have the so great pleasure because you are so much beloved.'
suavely = in a charming, sophisticated manner
Definition
Generally suave means:having a sophisticated charm — often said of a man who is not sincere
("sophisticated" in the sense of knowing the proper or polite way to act, being confident, and effortlessly acting in a proper and gracious manner)
("sophisticated" in the sense of knowing the proper or polite way to act, being confident, and effortlessly acting in a proper and gracious manner)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
The Danube
9 uses
As I knew that he wanted to get back to Transylvania, I felt sure that he must go by the Danube mouth, or by somewhere in the Black Sea, since by that way he come.
The Danube = important European river that flows from southwestern Germany to the Black Sea
Definition
Generally The Danube means:the 2nd longest European river (after the Volga); flows from southwestern Germany to the Black Sea
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
thesis
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
the thesis of her editorial
Tell me the thesis, so that I may apply your knowledge as you go on.
thesis = unproved statement put forward as a premise for discussion
Definition
Generally this sense of thesis means:an unproved statement put forward as a premise for discussion
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
trifle (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a trifling matter
She is a trifle stouter, and her cheeks are a lovely rose-pink.
trifle = little
Definition
Generally this sense of trifle means:something of small importance; or a small quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
2 —1 use as in:
trifle with her affections
To my surprise, Van Helsing rose up and said with all his sternness, his iron jaw set and his bushy eyebrows meeting, "No trifling with me!"
trifling with = treating without respect
Definition
Generally this sense of trifle with means:to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |