amorous
7 uses
Is she so fair? art thou so amorous?†
amorous = romantic or sexual
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.10 |
arbitration
1 use
"Certes," quoth Prudence, "it is an hard thing, and right perilous, that a man put him all utterly in the arbitration and judgement and in the might and power of his enemy."
arbitration = decision
Definition
Generally arbitration means:the process of solving a disagreement with the help of an impartial referee
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7.18 |
avarice
7 uses
Thus can I preach against the same vice
Which that I use, and that is avarice.
Which that I use, and that is avarice.
avarice = excessive desire for wealth
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.14 |
beguile
16 uses
*secret "Nay, thereof care thee nought," quoth Nicholas: "A clerk had *litherly beset his while*, *ill spent his time* *But if* he could a carpenter beguile."†
beguile = to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
blasphemy
1 use
Anger, with all its fruits in revenge, ... blasphemy, swearing ...
blasphemy = disrespectful of something considered sacred
Definition
Generally blasphemy means:something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred — especially God or religion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10.24 |
chattel
8 uses
*fitted For chattels hadde they enough and rent, And eke their wives would it well assent: And elles certain they had been to blame.†
chattels = things that are tangible and owned
Definition
Generally chattel means:owned property (in law, tangible property other than real estate)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.0 |
discreet
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
discreet--not foolish
Discreet he was, and of great reverence:
He seemed such, his wordes were so wise,†
He seemed such, his wordes were so wise,†
discreet = sensible and careful
Definition
Generally this sense of discreet means:sensible and careful; possibly having good manners
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
disparage
4 uses
Who durste be so bold to disparage
My daughter, that is come of such lineage?
My daughter, that is come of such lineage?
disparage = criticize
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.9 |
dissent
1 use
rancour and dissension
dissension = disagreement
(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 dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.9 |
endure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
endured the pain
We must endure; this is the short and plain.
endure = suffer through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
2 —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
But worldly joy may not always endure
endure = continue to exist
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.10 |
eschew
10 uses
Then is it wisdom, as it thinketh me, To make a virtue of necessity, And take it well, that we may not eschew*, *escape And namely what to us all is due.†
eschew = avoid and stay away from deliberately
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7.20 |
morose
1 use
He seemeth elvish* by his countenance, *surly, morose
morose = unhappy
Definition
Generally morose means:unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7.17 |
obstinate
2 uses
But in his teaching discreet and benign.
To drawen folk to heaven, with fairness,
By good ensample, was his business:
But it were any person obstinate,
...
To drawen folk to heaven, with fairness,
By good ensample, was his business:
But it were any person obstinate,
...
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.0 |
ostentatious
1 use
those who spend on ... ostentation of worldly estate and luxury, shall receive the malison [condemnation] that...
ostentation = things intended to attract notice and impress others
(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 ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10.24 |
reprove
13 uses
Great swearing is a thing abominable,
And false swearing is more reprovable.
And false swearing is more reprovable.
reprovable = worthy of criticism
(Editor's note: The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.)
Definition
Generally reprove means:to express disapproval of one's actions to them
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.14 |
revere
42 uses
neighbours that do him reverence without love
reverence = respect and admiration
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 42 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10.24 |
sophistry
2 uses
Coulde no man, by twenty thousand
Counterfeit the sophimes* of his art; *sophistries, beguilements
Counterfeit the sophimes* of his art; *sophistries, beguilements
sophistries = invalid arguments that are seemingly believable and display ingenuity in reasoning
Definition
Generally sophistry means:seemingly believable, but invalid arguments that display ingenuity in reasoning
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.11 |
usurp
1 use
Men lay the one as low as lies the other.
Right so betwixt a titleless tyrant usurper
And an outlaw, or else a thief errant, wandering
The same I say, there is no difference
Right so betwixt a titleless tyrant usurper
And an outlaw, or else a thief errant, wandering
The same I say, there is no difference
usurper = one who seizes or takes control without authority
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9.23 |
wanton
8 uses
And wantonly again with him she play'd,
wantonly = in an inappropriate sexual manner
Definition
Generally wanton means:of something considered bad: excessive, thoughtless indulgence — such as waste, cruelty, violence, and (especially in the past) sexual promiscuity
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.0 |