abundant
14 uses
The tall buildings round the yard shut out a good deal of the sky, but the large window let in abundant light to show every corner of the house-place.†
abundant = present in great quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
alias
1 use
This dreadful threat had the desired effect, and through the two remaining fields the three pair of small legs trotted on without any serious interruption, notwithstanding a small pond full of tadpoles, alias "bullheads," which the lads looked at wistfully.
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 18 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
...hand thrust between the buttons of his waistcoat, his left hand in his breeches pocket, and his head very much on one side; looking, on the whole, like an actor who has only a mono-syllabic part entrusted to him, but feels sure that the audience discern his fitness for the leading business; curiously in contrast with old Jonathan Burge, who held his hands behind him and leaned forward, coughing asthmatically, with an inward scorn of all knowingness that could not be turned into cash.†
in contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
2 —4 uses as in:
there is a contrast
The family likeness between her and her niece Dinah Morris, with the contrast between her keenness and Dinah's seraphic gentleness of expression, might have served a painter as an excellent suggestion for a Martha and Mary.†
contrast = notable 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 1 |
contrived
14 uses
John considered a young master as the natural enemy of an old servant, and young people in general as a poor contrivance for carrying on the world.†
contrivance = a device created for a purpose; or
something arranged; or a planned
something arranged; or a planned
Definition
Generally contrived means:unnatural seeming (due to careful planning)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
defer (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
...the funeral had already been deferred two days.
deferred = postponed
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
2 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
...it would be better for him to defer to people who were more knowing than himself.
defer = yield
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 16 |
despair
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
do not despair
For there is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and to have recovered hope.†
despaired = lost hope
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:to lose hope
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
discern
15 uses
There was light enough for her, if she opened her Bible, to discern the text sufficiently to know what it would say to her.†
discern = notice or understand something
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
forsake
16 uses
'My God, my God!' he cries, 'why hast Thou forsaken me?'†
forsaken = abandoned or given up on
Definition
Generally forsake means:to abandon or give up on — such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
grave
10 uses
You're such a grave, steady fellow, you don't understand the temptation to such trifling.†
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 | 10 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
The letters, he complained, were so "uncommon alike, there was no tellin' 'em one from another," the sawyer's business not being concerned with minute differences such as exist between a letter with its tail turned up and a letter with its tail turned down.†
minute = minor
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
moreover
11 uses
Moreover, Hetty was particularly clever at making up the butter; it was the one performance of hers that her aunt allowed to pass without severe criticism; so she handled it with all the grace that belongs to mastery.†
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
passage
1 use
Arthur felt there was not air enough in the room to satisfy his renovated life, when he had read that passage in the letter.†
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
rectify
1 use
These fellow-mortals, every one, must be accepted as they are: you can neither straighten their noses, nor brighten their wit, nor rectify their dispositions; and it is these people—amongst whom your life is passed—that it is needful you should tolerate, pity, and love: it is these more or less ugly, stupid, inconsistent people whose movements of goodness you should be able to admire—for whom you should cherish all possible hopes, all possible patience.
rectify = fix
Definition
Generally this sense of rectify means:correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
reproach
14 uses
I could ha' wished myself as Adam could ha' made another choice, but I wouldn't reproach him for what he can't help.†
reproach = a criticism; or to express criticism
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
subtle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a subtle difference or thinker
Adam was not inclined to enter into the subtleties of religious experience, but he was inclined to interchange a word or two of brotherly affection and confidence with Seth.†
subtleties = things that are not obvious, but noticeable by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge
Definition
Generally this sense of subtle means:not obvious, but understandable by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps depending upon fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
tremulous
15 uses
Hetty spoke more audibly now, but still rather tremulously; she thought, perhaps she seemed as stupid to Captain Donnithorne as Luke Britton did to her.†
tremulously = with quivering (shakiness)
Definition
Generally tremulous means:quivering (shaky) — usually from weakness or fear — especially of the voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
The boy's flutelike voice has its own spring charm; but the man should yield a richer deeper music.†
yield = produce or give
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 51 |
2 —1 use as in:
yield to pressure
" The amatory David was a young man of an unconscious abstracted expression, which was due probably to a squint of superior intensity rather than to any mental characteristic; for he was not indifferent to Ben's invitation, but blushed and laughed and rubbed his sleeve over his mouth in a way that was regarded as a symptom of yielding.†
yielding = giving in, giving up, or giving way (easily moved or soft)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 53 |