agony
1 use
She was in agony from a toothache.
agony = intense suffering
Definition
Generally agony means:intense feelings of suffering — can be from mental or physical pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
approach
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
approached the city
Winter is approaching.
approaching = getting nearer
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
bedlam
1 use
Amid all sorts of bedlam the teacher continued taking attendance.
bedlam = a state of extreme confusion and disorder
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
constant
1 use
The history of computers is a history of constant technological advancement.
constant = continuous
Definition
Generally constant means:unchanging, continuous, or happening repeatedly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 64 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |
content
1 use
She grew more contented with age.
contented = satisfied
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 54 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
contrary
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a contrary personality
She has a contrary personality.
contrary = disagreeable
Definition
Generally this sense of contrary means:disagreeable — typically in reference to someone's personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
glimpse
2 uses
I caught a glimpse of them at the game.
glimpse = a quick look
Definition
Generally glimpse means:a quick look or partial understanding
The exact meaning of glimpse can depend upon its context. For example:
- "I caught a glimpse of her when I was walking to class." — a very quick look
- "I glimpsed at the headlines." — looked quickly
- "Reading the book gave me a glimpse of the life of a devout Muslim immigrant in America." — a quick, incomplete view
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 43 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
Hitler
2 uses
Hitler killed disabled children as his first action of "racial hygiene." He pretended to end the program when the public protested.
Hitler = German Nazi dictator during World War II who murdered millions of Jews and others who were not of the Aryan race
Definition
Generally this sense of Hitler means:German Nazi dictator during World War II; murdered millions of Jews and others who were not of the Aryan race (1889-1945)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
morsel
1 use
I ate every tasty morsel.
morsel = a very small quantity
Definition
Generally morsel means:a very small quantity — usually of food
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
Nazi
4 uses
The Nazis murdered about six million Jews as well as others they considered to be inferior or incurably sick.
Nazis = members of Hitler's political party who thought they were superior to all others
Definition
Generally Nazi means:Hitler's fanatical and oppressive political party in World War II Germany
or:
a member of Hitler's fanatical and oppressive political party in World War II Germany
or more rarely:
derogatory term for a person who is fanatical in their belief of superiority and their determination to control others
or:
a member of Hitler's fanatical and oppressive political party in World War II Germany
or more rarely:
derogatory term for a person who is fanatical in their belief of superiority and their determination to control others
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
quota
1 use
All the salespeople met their quota for the month.
quota = a required or fixed number or share
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
refugee
1 use
We're asking for humanitarian aid to assist and resettle the refugees.
refugees = people who fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation
Definition
Generally refugee means:someone who has fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation; or related to such people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
retch
1 use
The smell made me retch.
retch = an involuntary vomiting spasm
Definition
Generally retch means:an involuntary vomiting spasm, but generally with nothing coming up
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
spectacle
1 use
She argues that the Olympic Games have become indistinguishable from other commercialized sports spectacles.
spectacles = events that attract attention
Definition
Generally spectacle means:a notable or unusual event that attracts attention
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
squatter
1 use
She estimates that there are over a billion squatters in the world.
squatters = people who live in an unoccupied place without the legal right
Definition
Generally squatter means:someone who lives in an unoccupied place without the legal right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 39 |
taunt
1 use
She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.
taunt = intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone
Definition
Generally taunt means:to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone — especially by mocking them or hurling insults
or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
wallow
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
wallow in self-pity
Don't wallow in your sorrows.
wallow = indulge
Definition
Generally this sense of wallow means:to excessively give into a desire (indulge)
(This is often said of something negative such as self-pity when no attempt is made to move beyond it. But it is also sometimes said without connotation just to indicate that someone is enjoying a lot of something such as luxury or rest.)
(This is often said of something negative such as self-pity when no attempt is made to move beyond it. But it is also sometimes said without connotation just to indicate that someone is enjoying a lot of something such as luxury or rest.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
Warsaw
15 uses
80% of Warsaw's buildings were destroyed during the Second World War, but it thrives today.
Warsaw = the capital and largest city of Poland; located in central Poland
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
waver
1 use
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.
wavered = faltered (stopped being strong)
Definition
Generally waver means:to move back and forth (shake or quiver)
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
writhe
1 use
The patient writhed in pain.
writhed = moved in a twisting or contorted motion
Definition
Generally writhe means:to move in a twisting or contorted motion — often of a person when struggling or in pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |