allude
1 use
Certainly she never alluded to it; I dare say she never took sufficient interest in me.†
alluded = indirectly referenced
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
arbitrary
1 use
And, since this rule appeared to be idiotic and arbitrary, she broke it on purpose day after day.
arbitrary = based on chance or impulse
Definition
Generally arbitrary means:based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
But I am unwilling to attribute my feelings at that time to anything so concrete as a shock.†
attribute = credit (point to as the source of something)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Edward swore that he would provide for her for life if she would come to him and leave off talking so horribly; but she only shrugged one shoulder slowly and contemptuously.†
contemptuously = with disrespect
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 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
convey
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convey her thoughts
The last words conveyed nothing to Nancy—nothing real, that is to say.†
conveyed = communicated or expressed
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I do not mean to say that she was submissive—that she deferred, in her judgements, to his.
deferred = submitted
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
She felt a sudden safeness descend upon her, and for an hour or so her mind was at rest.†
descend = come
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
dispose
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
disposed the troops along...
It was as if Leonora and Nancy banded themselves together to do execution, for the sake of humanity, upon the body of a man who was at their disposal.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
elaborate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
elaborate on your plan
It was those two between them who really elaborated the rules.†
elaborated = added details or explained in detail
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:add details or explain in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
Still, with her sense of justice, she saw that, since she was managing a property bringing in three thousand a year with a view to re-establishing it as a property of five thousand a year and since the property really, if not legally, belonged to Edward, it was reasonable and just that Edward should get a slice of his own.†
re-establishing = restoring
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-establishing means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-establishing means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
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 | Part 3 |
innumerable
1 use
But it always comes back—the memory of his innumerable acts of kindness, of his efficiency, of his unspiteful tongue.
innumerable = too numerous to be counted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
Ironically enough, the first real trouble between them came from his desire to build a Roman Catholic chapel at Branshaw.
ironically = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
manor
9 uses
They could not possibly keep up Branshaw Manor at that rate after the money had gone to the Grand Duke's mistress.†
manor = a large house of a lord or wealthy person; or the house and the land around it
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
omit
1 use
One remembers points that one has forgotten and one explains them all the more minutely since one recognizes that one has forgotten to mention them in their proper places and that one may have given, by omitting them, a false impression.†
omitting = to exclude or neglect something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
precede
2 uses
It was that sound that had always preceded his entrance for the terrible lunches of her childhood....†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
recollect
8 uses
I mention these last three because my recollection of that night is only the sort of pinkish effulgence from the electric-lamps in the hotel lounge.†
recollection = memory
(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 recollect means:to remember — especially experiences from long ago
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
remorse
11 uses
At any rate, he would have had fewer chances of ruining and of remorse.†
remorse = deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
tact
5 uses
She treated me so very well—with such tact—that, if I ever thought of it afterwards I put it down to her deep affection for me.†
tact = the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
tranquil
10 uses
... IV So began those nine years of uninterrupted tranquillity.†
tranquillity = peace and quiet; or calmness
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use tranquility.)
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use tranquility.)
Definition
Generally tranquil means:calm and undisturbed
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
yield
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
yield to pressure
But there were times, she said, when she was so near yielding to the temptation of speaking that afterwards she shuddered to think of those times.†
yielding = giving in, giving up, or giving way (easily moved or soft)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |