abridge
1 use
The first commercially available audiobook was a 1981 abridged version of the Doctor Who story, State of Decay.
abridged = shortened
Definition
Generally abridge means:reduce in scope while retaining essential elements — especially to a book
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
amorous
1 use
She rejected his amorous advances.
amorous = romantic or sexual
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
atrocious
1 use
She was alarmed by his atrocious behavior.
atrocious = exceptionally bad or cruel
Definition
Generally atrocious means:exceptionally bad, cruel, or ugly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
contemptible
3 uses
She is uninformed and her views are contemptible.
contemptible = very bad (deserving no respect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
desist
2 uses
The Federal Trade Commission ordered the company to cease-and-desist from making such claims.
desist = to not do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
detestable
1 use
I think Umbridge is the most detestable character in the Harry Potter books.
detestable = deserving intense dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
digress
1 use
She always digresses when telling a story.
digresses = wanders from a direct course
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — typically verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
expiate
1 use
She knows she can't expiate her sins, but hopes to heal some of the wounds.
expiate = make up for (do enough good to make up for the wrongs)
Definition
Generally expiate means:atone (demonstrate sorrow for a wrong either by doing something good to make up for the wrong, or accepting punishment)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
flout
1 use
The current enforcement policy encourages people to flout the law.
flout = openly disregard
Definition
Generally flout means:to openly disregard — typically a law, rule, or custom
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
harangue
1 use
My parents continuously harangue me about my grades.
harangue = annoyingly try to persuade or criticize
Definition
Generally harangue means:to try to persuade, or to criticize in an impassioned and often annoying manner; or a speech with such an intent
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
importune
7 uses
She began to importune school trustees as soon as she learned of the problem.
importune = beg insistently or urge repeatedly
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
incognito
1 use
They are travelling incognito.
incognito = with hidden identity (perhaps false names or even disguises)
Definition
Generally incognito means:with identity hidden — such as via a disguise or false name
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
inextricable
1 use
the inextricable tie between culture, religion, and politics
inextricable = impossible to disentangle
Definition
Generally inextricable means:impossible to extract, disentangle, or avoid; or hopelessly intricate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
infamy
2 uses
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live on in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
infamy = famous for something bad
Definition
Generally infamy means:famous for something that is bad; or an extremely bad event
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
oblige (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
I obliged her every request.
She asked for help and we obliged her.
obliged = granted a favor to
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:grant a favor to someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
2 —1 use as in:
I'm much obliged for your kindness
I am much obliged to you for your help.
obliged = grateful or indebted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
unquizzed meaning —4 uses
officious
3 uses
She plays the role of a well-meaning but officious classmate who thinks she knows what's best for everyone.
officious = too eager to tell others what to do
Definition
Generally officious means:too eager to tell others what to do — often regarding unimportant matters
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
recant
1 use
According to popular legend, after being forced to recant his theory that the Earth moved around the Sun, Galileo whispered, "And yet it moves."
recant = say he no longer believed (something previously said)
Definition
Generally recant means:for one to say they no longer believe a previously made statement or belief — often while under pressure
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
superfluous
1 use
Eliminate superfluous words.
superfluous = more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
supposition
4 uses
It is a foolish supposition.
supposition = something supposed (rather than something known to be so)
Definition
Generally supposition means:something supposed (rather than something known to be so) — especially when others doubt that reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |