abundant
2 uses
Samuel married them, of course, and all the people left in the compound came to wish them happiness and an abundance of roofleaf forever.
abundance = large amount or quantity
Definition
Generally abundant means:present in great quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
antiseptic
1 use
We provide antiseptics and cotton and a place for the children to cry and nurse their wounds.
antiseptics = chemicals used to clean wounds because they kill germs
Definition
Generally antiseptic means:a substance used to clean wounds because it prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria
or more rarely when used as an adjective: describing something as thoroughly clean and free of micro-organisms
or more rarely when used as an adjective: describing something as thoroughly clean and free of micro-organisms
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
complicity
1 use
Rather than cherish that medal, Madame, you should regard it as a symbol of your unwitting complicity with this despot who worked to death and brutalized and eventually exterminated thousands and thousands of African peoples.
complicity = guilt as an accomplice in a crime
Definition
Generally complicity means:guilt as a helper in a crime or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
So I am an object of pity and contempt,
contempt = a lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
dumfounded
1 use
The children ... I realize I shouldn't call them children, they're grown, went in search of Tashi; an hour later they returned dumbfounded.
dumbfounded = bewildered (confused or surprised)
Definition
Generally dumfounded means:very surprised - often too surprised to know what to say or do
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
eccentric
1 use
An eccentric recluse who spends most of his time shooting wild game.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
(editor's note: a recluse is someone who lives alone and avoids contact with others)
(editor's note: a recluse is someone who lives alone and avoids contact with others)
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
glutton
1 use
Then some is gluttons.
gluttons = people who regularly eat or drink to excess
Definition
Generally glutton means:someone who consumes more than they should — especially eating and drinking too much
The expression: "a glutton for punishment" refers to someone who persist in some activity despite negative consequences (as though loving the punishment)
The expression: "a glutton for whatever" refers to people who like whatever a lot — such that "a glutton for sunshine" loves sunshine.
The expression: "a glutton for punishment" refers to someone who persist in some activity despite negative consequences (as though loving the punishment)
The expression: "a glutton for whatever" refers to people who like whatever a lot — such that "a glutton for sunshine" loves sunshine.
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
infirmary
1 use
There are farms. There is a school. An infirmary. A temple.
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
innate
1 use
Such is the innate politeness of the Olinka that they rushed about preparing food for them, though precious little is left, since many of the gardens that flourish at this time of the year have been destroyed.
innate = existing as an inseparable part of her
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
listless
1 use
She'd lost a considerable amount of weight, and seemed listless, dull-eyed and tired.
listless = lacking energy and normal enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
luminous
1 use
Because the black is so black the eye is simply dazzled, and then there is the shining that seems to come, really, from moonlight, it is so luminous, but their skin glows even in the sun.
luminous = glowing or shining
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
recluse
1 use
An eccentric recluse who spends most of his time shooting wild game.
recluse = someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
repentance
2 uses
I was too big a fool to repent.
repent = feel regret
Definition
Generally repentance means:the feeling or expression of regret for having done something wrong with a firm decision to be a better person in the future
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
Tashi didn't want to do it, but to make her people feel better, she's resigned.
resigned = accepting something undesired as the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
sojourn
1 use
Our days are fuller than ever, our sojourn in England already a dream.
sojourn = visit
Definition
Generally sojourn means:a temporary visit to a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
soliloquy
1 use
Adam was always very good as Hamlet giving his To Be or Not to Be soliloquy.
soliloquy = a speech you make to yourself or as a long uninterrupted part of a conversation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
somber
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a somber mood
Until you see his eyes you think he's somber, even mean, but he has the most thoughtful and gentle brown eyes.
somber = very serious—without humor or fun
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 |
sullen
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sullen mood
She sullen, mean, mischievous and too stubborn to live in this world.
sullen = showing a gloomy or bad mood
Definition
Generally this sense of sullen means:being unhappy and withdrawn
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
tedious
1 use
It seems the notion of becoming a missionary struck her one evening she was getting ready for yet another tedious date, and lay in the tub thinking a convent would be better than the castle in which she lived.
tedious = boring or monotonous
Definition
Generally tedious means:boring — especially because something goes on too long or without variation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
verbose
1 use
He seemed fond of his grandmother and used to her, but her verbosity produced in him a kind of soberly observant speechlessness.
verbosity = wordiness (tendency to use too many words)
Definition
Generally verbose means:using or containing too many words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |