abyss
15 uses
— The cord thrown into the abyss.†
abyss = a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen — often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | T.O. |
approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
approached the city
Never ran water so swiftly through a duct, to turn the wheel of a land-mill, when it approaches nearest to the paddles, as my Master over that border, bearing me along upon his breast, as his own son, and not as his companion.†
approaches = comes
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Canto 22-24 |
attain
6 uses
This end was attained through that knowledge of God of which the soul was capable, and through love which was in proportion to knowledge.†
attained = gained or reached something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | T.O. |
avarice
7 uses
The Fourth Circle: the Avaricious and the Prodigal.†
avaricious = having or showing excessive desire for wealth
Definition
Generally avarice means:excessive desire for wealth
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | T.O. |
consequence
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
They had been going to the left at the foot of the precipice, and consequently turn to the right to ascend the bridge.†
consequently = resultantly (as a result)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | T.O. |
correspond
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
corresponding time period
See now how great must be that whole which corresponds to such parts.†
corresponds = connects or fits together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | T.O. |
discern
13 uses
Dark, profound it was, and cloudy, so that though I fixed my sight on the bottom I did not discern anything there.†
discern = notice or understand something
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Canto 13-15 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
...tell me the reason why such great discord has assailed it.
discord = conflict
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Canto 4-6 |
disdain
8 uses
Fame of them the world permitteth not to be; mercy and justice disdain them.†
disdain = a lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Canto 7-9 |
dismal
16 uses
This one over the belly, and that over the shoulders of another was lying, and this one, crawling, was shifting himself along the dismal path.†
dismal = depressing or gloomy
Definition
Generally dismal means:of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Canto 4-6 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
Brothers of the order of Santa Maria, established in 1261, with knightly vows and high intent.†
established = founded (started)
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Canto 22-24 |
fraudulent
20 uses
— Seventh pit: Fraudulent Thieves.†
fraudulent = intended to deceive
Definition
Generally fraudulent means:intentional deception — usually for financial gain or ego
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | T.O. |
heed
13 uses
Two men are just, but there they are not heeded; Pride, Envy, Avarice are the three sparks that have inflamed their hearts.†
heeded = paid close attention to; or did what was suggested
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Canto 4-6 |
minute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size
To the illustration and carrying out of this interior meaning even the minutest details of external incident are made to contribute, with an appropriateness of significance, and with a freedom from forced interpretation or artificiality of construction such as no other writer of allegory has succeeded in attaining.†
minutest = smallest
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | T.O. |
narrator
1 use
[1] Because the narrator is falsely taxed with falsehood.†
narrator = someone who tells a story—especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Canto 16-18 |
precede
1 use
Beneath my head are stretched the others that preceded me in simony, flattened through the fissures of the rock.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Canto 19-21 |
prophecy
8 uses
—Prophecies of misfortune to Dante.†
prophecies = predictions of the future
Definition
Generally prophecy means:a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | T.O. |
repentance
7 uses
Lethe thou shalt see, but outside of this ditch, there where souls go to lave themselves when sin repented of is taken away.†
repented = expressed regret for having done something wrong
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Canto 25-27 |
vengeance
12 uses
1 —12 uses as in:
vengeance is mine
The fall of man had made him a just object of the vengeance of God; but the elect were to be redeemed, and for their redemption the history of the world from the beginning was directed.†
vengeance = the act of taking revenge
Definition
Generally this sense of vengeance means:the act of taking revenge
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | T.O. |
wrath
7 uses
—The Fifth Circle: the Wrathful and the Sullen.†
wrathful = full of extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | T.O. |