abscond
1 use
There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honor of the time.
absconded = run away
Definition
Generally abscond means:to run away (usually taking something you shouldn't)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
adopt
1 use
For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity—to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires.†
adopted = took on as one's own
Definition
Generally adopt means:to take on as one's own
The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:
- "adopt a child" — to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child
- "adopt a plan" — to accept or begin to use something
- "adopt a pet" — to take in a pet — especially one from an animal shelter
- "Congress adopted the resolution." — had a formal vote and passed
- "adopted a confident attitude" — took on or displayed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 30 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
afflict
1 use
It is not the engagement, but the severe cold with which I perceive you are afflicted.
afflicted = suffering
Definition
Generally afflict means:cause suffering — such as illness, pain, or unhappiness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
bewilder
1 use
In an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered.
bewildered = confused
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
cease
1 use
I ceased my labors and sat down upon the bones.
ceased = discontinued
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
circumscribe
1 use
It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use in itself, but formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite.
circumscribing = encircling or surrounding
Definition
Generally circumscribe means:to restrict something within set limits; or draw a circle around or surround
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
comprehend
1 use
You do not comprehend?
comprehend = understand
Definition
Generally comprehend means:to understand something — especially to understand it completely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
enable
1 use
Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see.
enable = make it possible
(editor's note: In this context, termination refers to where something ends. This sentence appears when Fortunato is using the light of a dull torch to try to look into the depths of a small section of the crypt where people are buried.)
(editor's note: In this context, termination refers to where something ends. This sentence appears when Fortunato is using the light of a dull torch to try to look into the depths of a small section of the crypt where people are buried.)
Definition
Generally enable means:to make possible
in various senses, including:
- to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something — as in "The study will enable an informed discussion."
- to activate a computer system for use — as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page."
- to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern — as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
however
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
However, complications may...
You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.†
however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
immolate
1 use
I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.
immolation = burning
(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 immolate means:commit suicide by burning as a protest or sacrifice
or:
offer as a sacrifice by killing or by giving up to destruction
or:
offer as a sacrifice by killing or by giving up to destruction
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
indicate
1 use
The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of the recess.
indication = sign
(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 indicate means:to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 40 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
motley
1 use
The man wore motley.
motley = a multicolored woolen fabric woven of mixed threads
(editor's note: Today this is a less common sense of motley which more commonly refers to something that consists of a haphazard assortment of different kinds of something. Sometimes it implies that the collection does not go well together and is of low quality.)
(editor's note: Today this is a less common sense of motley which more commonly refers to something that consists of a haphazard assortment of different kinds of something. Sometimes it implies that the collection does not go well together and is of low quality.)
Definition
Generally motley means:consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds of a thing — sometimes implying that the collection does not go well together and is of low quality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
positive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
Then I must positively leave you.†
positively = absolutely (used for emphasis)
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
promiscuous
1 use
From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.
promiscuously = indiscriminately (non-selectively)
Definition
Generally promiscuous means:indiscriminate (non-selective) — especially having many sexual partners
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
rampart
1 use
Against the new masonry I re-erected the old rampart of bones.†
rampart = an embankment or wall built for defensive purposes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
redress
3 uses
A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser.
unredressed = not made right
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unredressed means not and reverses the meaning of redressed. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unredressed means not and reverses the meaning of redressed. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally redress means:fix a problem; or make up for a wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
repose
1 use
"I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us."
repose = lie (are reclined)
Definition
Generally this sense of repose means:to rest or lie
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
succession
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a succession of events
A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back.
succession = series (one after another)
Definition
Generally this sense of succession means:series or sequence (one after another)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
sufficient
1 use
These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance, one and all, as soon as my back was turned.
sufficient = adequate
Definition
Generally sufficient means:adequate (enough — often without being more than is needed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
virtuoso
1 use
Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit.
virtuoso = someone who is spectacularly skilled in a particular field
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |