acquit
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
she acquitted herself well
Osmond at present acquitted himself very honourably.†
acquitted = handled (conducted or behaved)
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
allude
20 uses
And on this the aunt and the niece went to breakfast, where Mrs. Touchett, as good as her word, made no allusion to Gilbert Osmond.†
allusion = an indirect reference
(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 allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
candid
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
your candid opinion
Was the extremity of her candour but the perfection of self-consciousness?†
candour = honesty and directness
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use candor.)
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use candor.)
Definition
Generally this sense of candid means:honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
consequence
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Henrietta was not in his confidence, though he was in hers, and Isabel consequently received no side-light upon his state of mind.†
consequently = resultantly (as a result)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 45 |
contrary
9 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
on the contrary
On the contrary, to-day, in the train, he seemed particularly well; the idea of our reaching Rome—he's very fond of Rome, you know—gave him strength.†
on the contrary = an expression used to intensify denial of an idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
cultivate
10 uses
Isabel wondered at her; she had never had so directly presented to her nose the white flower of cultivated sweetness.†
cultivated = developed, grown, or prepared for growing crops
Definition
Generally cultivate means:enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
- to grow crops or prepare land for them
- enhance a relationship — especially for a purpose
- develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
- to grow a culture in a petri dish
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
deceive
13 uses
You can't deceive me any more; for God's sake be honest with a man who's so honest with you.†
deceive = lie or mislead
Definition
Generally deceive means:to lie to or mislead someone — occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
duplicity
2 uses
It was true her aunt's complaint had been not so much of Madame Merle's activity as of her duplicity: she had brought about the strange event and then she had denied her guilt.
duplicity = deception
Definition
Generally duplicity means:deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 40 |
grave
16 uses
But all the same I can't help feeling that you're running a grave risk.†
grave = serious and solemn
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 | 16 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Pansy was already dressed; she was always in advance of the time: it seemed to illustrate her pretty patience and the graceful stillness with which she could sit and wait.†
illustrate = help make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 45 |
inclined
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I'm inclined to
Isabel now saw more of her than she had done since her marriage; but by this time Isabel's needs and inclinations had considerably changed.†
inclinations = tendencies (attitudes favoring)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 40 |
ingenious
11 uses
Her talk with him moreover pointed to presence of mind; it expressed a kindness so ingenious and deliberate as to indicate that she was in undisturbed possession of her faculties.†
ingenious = showing cleverness and originality
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 40 |
intellectual
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
intellectual stimulation
Intellectually, doubtless, she had made immense strides; but she appeared to have achieved few of those social conquests of which Mrs. Ludlow had expected to admire the trophies.†
intellectually = in a manner that relates to intelligence
Definition
Generally this sense of intellectual means:related to intelligence — such as requiring, appealing to, or possessing intelligence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
irrelevant
5 uses
It was under the pressure of this control that she became, after a little, irrelevant.†
irrelevant = not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 48 |
moreover
12 uses
It belonged to the past, moreover; it had occurred six months before and she had already laid aside the tokens of mourning.†
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
obligation
9 uses
She had a great sense of beauty in all ways, and it involved a good many intellectual obligations.†
obligations = a duty
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
precede
4 uses
Of course not: she must have meant something else—something which in the press of the hours that preceded her departure she had not had time to explain.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
propriety
9 uses
"We should have been glad to see you at any time," Osmond observed with propriety.†
propriety = socially correct or appropriate behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
superficial
7 uses
—which perhaps was exactly why Ralph had made his old-time look of superficial sociability a reproach to him.†
superficial = relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating
Definition
Generally superficial means:relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42 |
vulgar
15 uses
What cared Isabel Archer for the vulgar judgments of obscure people?
vulgar = unsophisticated
Definition
Generally vulgar means:of bad taste — often crude or offensive
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42 |