agitate
9 uses
Then a strange, slow-coming cold agitation possessed Shefford.†
agitation = the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or a state of emotional unrest
(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 agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
agony
10 uses
But, more likely, it was her agony that bound the court into silence which grew painful.†
agony = intense suffering
Definition
Generally agony means:intense feelings of suffering — can be from mental or physical pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
approached the city
The mule showed his cunning and always appeared to present his heels to Withers, who tried to approach him with a pack-saddle.†
approach = get near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
2 —1 use as in:
approached her with the proposal
Remembering Withers's revelation about the Navajo, Shefford scarcely knew how to approach him now.†
approach = begin communication with
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to begin communication with someone about something — often a proposal or a delicate topic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
austere
6 uses
Why was the very mention of Mormons attended by something austere and secret?†
austere = a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration; or stern in manner
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
chasm
10 uses
They wind down into this great purple chasm—'way over here to the left—and that's the Grand Canyon.†
chasm = a large gap or divide
Definition
Generally chasm means:a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap
or:
a very large difference — often of opinion
or:
a very large difference — often of opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
cleave
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
cleave through
The color low down was red, dark blue, and purple in the clefts, yellow upon the heights, and in the distance rainbow-hued.†
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
deceive
12 uses
Had he embarked yet on the river—did that blue line, so faint, so deceiving, hold him and the boat?†
deceiving = lying or misleading
Definition
Generally deceive means:to lie to or mislead someone — occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
despair
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
do not despair
The hopes of all, except the Indian, seemed mounting; and if he ever hoped or despaired it was never manifest.†
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 19 |
grave
2 uses
"Young man, are you open to faith?" he questioned gravely.†
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
imply
1 use
His tone held faint scorn and implied a joke, but his face did not change in the slightest.†
implied = suggested (said indirectly)
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
manifest
13 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
manifest destiny
Manifestly, however, curiosity got the better of fear, for presently Shefford caught a pair of wondering dark eyes peeping at him.†
manifestly = obvious; or to make obvious; or to show or demonstrate
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
nevertheless
9 uses
Nevertheless, it made his blood run cold.†
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 | 9 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
novel
1 use
Shefford experienced again a feeling that had been novel to him—and it was that he was loose, free, unanchored, ready to veer with the wind.†
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 |
poignant
8 uses
Memory was too poignant; the past was too close; he wanted to forget until he had toiled into the heart of this forbidding wilderness—until time had gone by and he dared to face his unquiet soul.†
poignant = sharp or intense
Definition
Generally poignant means:sharp or intense — typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
precede
2 uses
He associated the assault with the three strange visitors of the preceding day.†
preceding = prior (in time or space)
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 8 |
scorn
7 uses
His tone held faint scorn and implied a joke, but his face did not change in the slightest.†
scorn = disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
somber
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
a somber mood
Withers rode off, with a parting word to Shefford, and finally Joe somberly mounted his bay and trotted down the valley.†
somberly = solemnly (in a manner that is serious—not cheerful or lighthearted)
Definition
Generally this sense of somber means:serious and without humor or fun — perhaps sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
wistful
10 uses
And the wistfulness of her silence touched him.†
wistfulness = full of longing or unfulfilled desire
(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 wistful means:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
wither
164 uses
Withers, the trader who keeps it, hauls his supplies in from Colorado and New Mexico.†
withers = shrivels or becomes weaker
Definition
Generally wither means:to shrivel (wrinkle and contract — usually from lack of water)
or:
to become weaker; or feel humiliated
or:
to become weaker; or feel humiliated
Word Statistics
| Book | 164 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |