alias
1 use
"Send the warrant round to me, and I'll put in an alias," cried Hiram, from behind his cover.
alias = alternative name
Definition
Generally alias means:an alternative name
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 39 |
allude
13 uses
The swivel alluded to in this work was buried and abandoned by the troops on this occasion, and it was subsequently found in digging the cellars of the authors paternal residence.†
alluded = indirectly referenced
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
contrast
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
there is a contrast
Some of the latter had been left by the Indians, and began already to assume the moss and inclination of age, therein forming a very marked contrast to the infant plantations that peered over most of the picketed fences of the village.†
contrast = difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
convey (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
convey her thoughts
The color of its outside was a modest green, and that of its inside a fiery red, The latter was intended to convey the idea of heat in that cold climate.†
convey = communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —2 uses as in:
convey her safely to
As exercise in the open air was in some degree necessary to the habits of the family, when the constant recurrence of frosts and thaws rendered the roads, which were dangerous at the most favorable times, utterly impassable for wheels, saddle-horses were used as substitutes for other conveyances.†
conveyances = means of transport
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:transport
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
countenance (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
...fixing her eyes with a searching look on his countenance,
countenance = face
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |
2 —1 use as in:
giving countenance
...greatly countenanced by Mr. Richard Jones.
countenanced = supported
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
discordant laugh
discordant = unpleasant sounding
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
dispute
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
She disputes his claim.
I've often heard that point disputed; but it's so easy to get a man naturalized, that it's of little consequence where he was born.†
disputed = challenged, argued about, or fought over
Definition
Generally this sense of dispute means:challenge, argue about, or fight over
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
dissent
3 uses
The sparks of dissension soon kindled into a blaze; and the colonies, or rather, as they quickly declared themselves, THE STATES, became a scene of strife and bloodshed for years.
dissension = disagreement
(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 dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
dwell
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
a modest dwelling
In the midst of this incongruous group of dwellings rose the mansion of the Judge, towering above all its neighbors.†
dwellings = houses or shelters in which people live
Definition
Generally this sense of dwelling means:a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
endeavor
23 uses
The same pride of family that had, by its self-satisfied indolence, conduced to aid their fail, now became a principle to stimulate them to endeavor to rise again.†
endeavor = to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
establish
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Soon after the village had been formally laid out into the streets and blocks that resembled a city, a meeting of its inhabitants had been convened, to take into consideration the propriety of establishing an academy.†
establishing = creating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
grave
3 uses
"Richart," said Major Hartmann, turning his grave countenance toward the gentleman he addressed, with much earnestness, "ter poy is goot."†
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
magistrate
27 uses
Then he is a magistrate, and might shame many a man, in his distribution of justice, who has had better opportunities.†
magistrate = judicial official
Definition
Generally magistrate means:a judge or judicial official
The exact meaning of magistrate varies widely depending upon the context. For example:
- in the U.S. federal court: assists district court judges by handling minor offenses or administrative tasks such as preliminary hearings (often referred to as a magistrate judge rather than just a magistrate)
- in some U.S. states: a judge in the state court
- in France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and other civil law countries: a sitting magistrate is a judge and a standing magistrate is a prosecutor
- in England: may be a volunteer without formal legal training who performs a judicial role with regard to minor matters
- in ancient Rome: a powerful officer with both judicial and executive power
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
melancholy
27 uses
The reflections of the daughter were less melancholy, and mingled with a pleased astonishment at the novel scenery she met at every turn in the road.†
melancholy = a sad feeling or manner
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
Monsieur
58 uses
Monsieur Le Quoi has come out with only one cap; Old Fritz would not stay to finish the bottle; and Mr. Grant has got to put the 'lastly' to his sermon, yet.†
Monsieur = Mr. or Sir (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
| Book | 58 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
notwithstanding
22 uses
Notwithstanding Dr. Todd's practice, and his success with the leg, he was not a little appalled on entering the hall of the mansion-house.†
notwithstanding = in spite of; or in spite of the thing just mentioned (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally notwithstanding means:in spite of; or in spite of the thing mentioned
(Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
(Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
novel
1 use
The reflections of the daughter were less melancholy, and mingled with a pleased astonishment at the novel scenery she met at every turn in the road.†
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
precede
27 uses
The eyes of the group in the sleigh naturally preceded the movement of the rifle, and they soon discovered the object of Natty's aim.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |