accompany
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accompany on the journey
Of all people, why had the captain chosen Lunardi to accompany me?
accompany = travel with
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14. |
altitude
10 uses
"Tell me," Kate asked, "at what altitude does the Aurora sail?"
altitude = elevation (height above sea level)
Definition
Generally altitude means:elevation (height) — typically above sea level or above the earth's surface
or:
(metaphorically) a desirable height
or:
(metaphorically) a desirable height
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |
atoll
1 use
This region isn't very well charted, but there are countless little coral atolls dotting the ocean.
atolls = islands (that are made of circular coral reefs)
Definition
Generally atoll means:an island made of a coral reef — often in the shape of a circle
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16. |
benevolent
2 uses
Szpirglas smiled benevolently.
benevolently = with kindness
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8. |
capricious
1 use
Winds are capricious all through there
capricious = unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6. |
collide
7 uses
As we turned and climbed, she turned and climbed with us, keeping herself on a collision course.
collision = to crash together with violent impact
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally collide means:crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1. |
conjure
4 uses
It was strange the way I felt about
him: connected was the only word I could conjure up.
him: connected was the only word I could conjure up.
conjure = think of (summon into action from his mind)
Definition
Generally conjure means:summon into action or bring into existence — often as if by magic
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11. |
contrite
1 use
Kate looked at the sand, contrite, and I almost regretted my sharpness.
contrite = feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8. |
foliage
12 uses
I felt absurd hiking through the ferns and foliage hefting a carpetbag with a rose pattern on the outside.
foliage = plant leaves
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |
grave
4 uses
She nodded gravely. "He was in a lot of pain, and he still kept going. I don't like thinking about it."
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9. |
guile
1 use
His eyes were as wide and guileless as those of his boy.
guileless = innocent — without cunning (shrewdness, cleverness) or deceit
(Editor's note: The suffix "-less" in guileless means without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearless, homeless, and endless.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-less" in guileless means without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearless, homeless, and endless.)
Definition
Generally guile means:cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16. |
imply
2 uses
I guess technically it's not really a desert island. That would imply very little flora or fauna, which is obviously not the case here.
imply = suggest (say indirectly) (in this case, because of the meaning of desert)
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8. |
indignant
5 uses
"I've heard there's one group already writing a paper claiming the whole thing's a hoax."
"How could they?" I asked indignantly.
"How could they?" I asked indignantly.
indignantly = anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11. |
infirmary
10 uses
Anyway, we got him inside and took him to the infirmary, and the doctor tended to him.
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 1. |
nimble
7 uses
Tall gleaming black boots stepped nimbly down the rungs.
nimbly = moving quickly with coordination and balance
Definition
Generally nimble means:quick and agile — typically physically, but can also reference quick, agile thinking
(someone who is agile does things easily)
(someone who is agile does things easily)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2. |
ominous
3 uses
Then Vlad had reached over to his block of big cutting knives and started laying them ominously out on the counter, arranged by size.
ominously = suggestive of bad things to come
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4. |
relevant
1 use
He would never have divulged the contents of another captain's log to any but the relevant officers and authorities.
relevant = relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question (in this case, those who needed the information and had the right to know)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |
reproach
3 uses
She stared down at me, silently reproachful.
reproachful = full of criticism
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13. |
rigorous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a rigorous math class
After the rigors of last night a bit of sleep might have been in order.
rigors = difficulties (things that are difficult and demanding)
Definition
Generally this sense of rigorous means:difficult and demanding
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10. |
volatile
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a volatile situation
"Watch out for that one," Baz had told me on my very first day, three years ago. "Chef Vlad, he's volatile."
volatile = emotionally explosive
Definition
Generally this sense of volatile means:quick to change; or emotionally explosive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4. |