adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
Scattered here and there upon this shelf were clumps of aspens, and he walked through them into a glade that surpassed in beauty and adaptability for a wild home, any place he had ever seen.†
adaptability = the degree to which something can change to fit a different situation
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
approach
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
approached the city
He told me how the men—rustlers an' outlaws—who from time to time tried to approach you familiarly—he told me how he shot them dead.†
approach = get near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
cleave
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
cleave through
The rims of the canyons gleamed crimson and the deep clefts appeared to belch forth blue smoke.†
clefts = splits or cracks
Definition
Generally this sense of cleave means:to split something — especially with violent force
or:
to cut through something
or:
to cut through something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
contradict
1 use
But now, as she clung to his arm, the rider's costume she wore did not contradict, as it had done at first, his feeling of her femininity.†
contradict = disagree
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
It was all in strange contrast to the endless slopes of lonely sage and the wild rock environs beyond.†
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
awaited the long-deferred breaking of the storm
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 15 |
duplicity
2 uses
Fay looked thoughtful and appeared to be debating the duplicity of men or searching for a supreme test to prove this cavalier.
duplicity = deception
Definition
Generally duplicity means:deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
dwell
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
a modest dwelling
The few cliff-dwellings he had seen—all ruins—had left him with haunting memory of age and solitude and of something past.†
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
establish
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Moreover, it established in her mind a fact that there existed actually other than selfish reasons for her wanting to see him.†
established = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
foreshadow
2 uses
Strangely his foreshadowing of change did not hold a thought of the killing of Tull.†
foreshadowing = being a sign of
Definition
Generally foreshadow means:to be a sign of future events
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
grave
1 use
She gave him a grave, thoughtful look.†
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
infinite
10 uses
But in her it had infinitely more—a revelation of mortal spirit.†
infinitely = unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
moreover
8 uses
It had the same comfort as was manifested in the home-like outer court; moreover, it was warm and rich in soft hues.†
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
nevertheless
10 uses
Nevertheless he sent the dog Ring ahead and waited.†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
ponder
9 uses
Venters lay low in the shade of the cottonwoods, pondering this chance meeting, and not for many moments did he consider it safe to move on.†
pondering = thinking deeply or carefully about
Definition
Generally ponder means:to think deeply or carefully about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
precede
2 uses
A faint, musical jingle preceded his step—then his tall form crossed the threshold.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
scorn
10 uses
The one thing in man or woman that she scorned above all scorn, and which she could not forgive, was hate.†
scorned = disrespected or rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
wistful
12 uses
Then the flashing changed to a long, thoughtful look, in which there was a wistful, unconscious searching of his face, a look that trembled on the verge of hope and trust.†
wistful = showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
wrath
13 uses
Let not the sun go down upon thy wrath.'†
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
yield
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
yield to pressure
Lassiter had gone off, yielding to his incurable blood lust, probably to his own death; and she was sorry, but there was no feeling in her sorrow.†
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |