absolve
4 uses
Rome alone can absolve those who break Christ's indenture.†
absolve = find blameless; or forgive
Definition
Generally absolve means:to find someone blameless; or forgive; or relieve (of a requirement or obligation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
alliance
2 uses
Sooner shall enmity turn to alliance.†
alliance = association formed to support common interests
Definition
Generally alliance means:an association formed to support common interests
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
compel
2 uses
Some presage of an act Which our eyes are compelled to witness, has forced our feet Towards the cathedral.†
compelled = forced; or (more rarely) convinced
Definition
Generally compel means:to force someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
...their contempt towards the Church shown.
contempt = 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 | Chapter 2 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
You defer to the fact.
defer = submit
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 | Chapter 2 |
disdain
1 use
Fare forward, shun two files of shadows : Mirth merrymaking, melting strength in sweetness, Fiddling to feebleness, doomed to disdain; And godlovers' longings, lost in God.†
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dismay
2 uses
The Archbishop shall be at our head, dispelling dismay and doubt.†
dismay = sadness, disappointment, or worry
Definition
Generally dismay means:to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry — typically in response to something surprising
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
duplicity
1 use
I see nothing quite conclusive in the art of temporal government, but violence, duplicity and frequent malversation.
duplicity = deception — such as lying
Definition
Generally duplicity means:deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
That is in accordance with our long established principle of Trial by Jury.†
established = existing
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 | Chapter 2 |
insolent
2 uses
Saving your insolence and greed.†
insolence = rude, disrespectful behavior or action
Definition
Generally insolent means:rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
martyr
29 uses
Who has stretched out his hand to the fire and remembered the Saints at All Hallows, Remembered the martyrs and saints who wait? and who shall Stretch out his hand to the fire, and deny his master? who shall be warm By the fire, and deny his master?†
martyrs = dies or suffers due to upholding principle; or people who have suffered such a fate
Definition
Generally martyr means:someone who dies or suffers to uphold principles — especially someone killed for refusing to renounce their religion, or someone who commits a suicide death in the name of their religion
or:
someone who suffers a great deal
or:
someone who suffers a great deal
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
perish
1 use
Leave us to perish in quiet.†
perish = die, be destroyed, or cease to exist
Definition
Generally perish means:to die — especially in an unnatural way
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
persecution
2 uses
It is fortified By persecution: supreme, so long as men will die for it.†
persecution = very bad and unfair treatment
Definition
Generally persecution means:very bad and unfair treatment of others — usually because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
precede
2 uses
I always precede expectation.†
precede = to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
pretense
5 uses
For a little time the hungry hawk Will only soar and hover, circling lower, Waiting excuse, pretence, opportunity.†
pretence = a false appearance or action to help one pretend
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.)
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
refute
1 use
If you make charges, Then in public I will refute them.†
refute = disprove or argue against
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
...he resigned the office of Chancellor,
resigned = quit
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
scorn
2 uses
Shall the Son of Man be born again in the litter of scorn?†
scorn = disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
treachery
2 uses
Pursue your treacheries as you have done before : No one shall say that I betrayed a king.†
treacheries = acts of betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
treason
3 uses
Only John, the Dean of Salisbury, Fearing for the King's name, warning against treason, Made them hold their hands.†
treason = an act of betrayal
Definition
Generally treason means:betraying someone or something — typically betraying one's own country
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal—often by helping enemies)
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal—often by helping enemies)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |