ambiguous
1 use
Thus, from beneath the black veil, there rolled a cloud into the sunshine, an ambiguity of sin or sorrow, which enveloped the poor minister, so that love or sympathy could never reach him.
ambiguity = something that is unclear
Definition
Generally ambiguous means:unclear — because there could be two or more interpretations
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
amiable
1 use
Yet, though so well acquainted with this amiable weakness, no individual among his parishioners chose to make the black veil a subject of friendly remonstrance.
amiable = easy to get along with
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
antipathy
1 use
In truth, his own antipathy to the veil was known to be so great, that he never willingly passed before a mirror, nor stooped to drink at a still fountain, lest, in its peaceful bosom, he should be affrighted by himself.
antipathy = strong dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
comely
1 use
Even if his bewildered soul could have forgotten, there was a faithful woman at this pillow, who, with averted eyes, would have covered that aged face, which she had last beheld in the comeliness of manhood.
comeliness = attractiveness
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
Definition
Generally comely means:attractive — especially of a woman
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
discern
1 use
After he had seated himself, she fixed her eyes steadfastly upon the veil, but could discern nothing of the dreadful gloom that had so overawed the multitude:
discern = notice (something that is not obvious)
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
entreat
1 use
And with this gentle, but unconquerable obstinacy did he resist all her entreaties.
entreaties = requests or persuasions
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
knell
1 use
If ever another wedding were so dismal, it was that famous one where they tolled the wedding knell.
knell = the sound of a bell rung slowly
Definition
Generally knell means:the sound of a bell rung slowly — especially to announce death or a funeral
or:
announcing the demise or end of something
or:
announcing the demise or end of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
obstinate
1 use
And with this gentle, but unconquerable obstinacy did he resist all her entreaties.
obstinacy = the trait of being stubborn in not doing what others want
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
omniscient
1 use
The subject had reference to secret sin, and those sad mysteries which we hide from our nearest and dearest, and would fain conceal from our own consciousness, even forgetting that the Omniscient can detect them.
omniscient = the one who is all-knowing (God)
(editor's note: This use of omniscient as a proper noun is uncommon. Usually, it is used as an adjective that means "all-knowing". The expression "the Omniscient" is like saying "the one who knows everything.")
(editor's note: This use of omniscient as a proper noun is uncommon. Usually, it is used as an adjective that means "all-knowing". The expression "the Omniscient" is like saying "the one who knows everything.")
Definition
Generally omniscient means:all-knowing (to know everything)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
ostentatious
1 use
some talked loudly, and profaned the Sabbath day with ostentatious laughter.
ostentatious = attracting notice in an unrefined way
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
pathos
1 use
An unsought pathos came hand in hand with awe.
pathos = a quality that arouses pity or sorrow
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
perturb
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she was perturbed
But Mr. Hooper appeared not to notice the perturbation of his people.
perturbation = anxiety (uneasiness)
(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 this sense of perturb means:to disturb in mind or make uneasy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
portend
1 use
When Mr. Hooper came, the first thing that their eyes rested on was the same horrible black veil, which had added deeper gloom to the funeral, and could portend nothing but evil to the wedding.
portend = indicate by a sign that something is going to happen
Definition
Generally portend means:indicate by signs that something is going to happen — especially something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
remonstrate
1 use
Yet, though so well acquainted with this amiable weakness, no individual among his parishioners chose to make the black veil a subject of friendly remonstrance.
remonstrance = argument of opposition
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue, complain, or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
repose
1 use
There was a general bustle, a rustling of the women's gowns and shuffling of the men's feet, greatly at variance with that hushed repose which should attend the entrance of the minister.
repose = rest
Definition
Generally this sense of repose means:to rest or lie
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
resolute
1 use
...resolute to struggle ... with a dying man.
resolute = firm in purpose
Definition
Generally resolute means:firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
sagacious
1 use
A few shook their sagacious heads, intimating that they could penetrate the mystery;
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
torpor
1 use
At length the death-stricken old man lay quietly in the torpor of mental and bodily exhaustion, with an imperceptible pulse, and breath that grew fainter and fainter, except when a long, deep, and irregular inspiration seemed to prelude the flight of his spirit.
torpor = inactivity
Definition
Generally torpor means:in people: inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy
or:
in animals: a condition of biological rest or suspended animation — (could be in the evening, during the cold, or as in a dormant state all winter)
or:
in animals: a condition of biological rest or suspended animation — (could be in the evening, during the cold, or as in a dormant state all winter)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
tremulous
1 use
But the bride's cold fingers quivered in the tremulous hand of the bridegroom, and her deathlike paleness caused a whisper that the maiden who had been buried a few hours before was come from her grave to be married.
tremulous = quivering (shaky)
Definition
Generally tremulous means:quivering (shaky) — usually from weakness or fear — especially of the voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
typify
2 uses
"If it be a sign of mourning," replied Mr. Hooper, "I, perhaps, like most other mortals, have sorrows dark enough to be typified by a black veil."†
typified = was a typical example of
Definition
Generally typify means:to be a typical example of; or to represent or be characteristic of
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |