amiable
17 uses
He seemed to have a preoccupied air that somehow did not fit the amiableness of his face.†
amiableness = friendliness and agreeableness
(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 amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
And when he was reduced to his original share he indeed showed that yellow streak which Jesse Smith had attributed to him.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the cause of something)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
despair
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
do not despair
The tenderness, the timidity, and the yearning in Cleve's voice told Joan as never before how he had hoped and feared and despaired.†
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 14 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
there was a discordant blast
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 17 |
divine
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
divined through intuition
...he would divine the truth in the flash of an eye.
divine = discover through intuition
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:to discover something — usually through intuition or reflection
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
duplicity
2 uses
...all that had been born of her wild experience inflamed her to play the game, to match Kells's villainy with a woman's unfathomable duplicity.
duplicity = deception — such as lying
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 8 |
fleeting
7 uses
From the fleeting expression on Kells's face Joan read that he knew Gulden's project would defeat his own and render both enterprises fatal.†
fleeting = lasting a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
hideous
7 uses
In that other cabin, from which she was mercifully shut out, there were different sounds, hideous by contrast.†
hideous = extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
manifest
15 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
manifest destiny
There was just a flickering of life in him, manifest only in his slow, faint heart-beats.
manifest = shown
Definition
Generally this sense of manifest means:obvious; or to make obvious; or to show or demonstrate
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
nevertheless
7 uses
Nevertheless, resignation would not come to her and her hope began to flag.†
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
novel
1 use
The situation was novel, strange to him.†
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 4 |
precede
3 uses
The next day in no wise differed from the preceding.†
preceding = prior (in time or space)
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
proclivity
2 uses
Joan remembered that he had intended to parade her in Dandy Dale's costume to gratify some vain abnormal side of his bandit's proclivities.
proclivities = tendencies
Definition
Generally proclivity means:a tendency, inclination, preference, or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
ravine
9 uses
The pack drivers led across the stream and the valley to enter an intersecting ravine.†
ravine = a deep narrow steep-sided valley — especially one formed by running water
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
remorse
11 uses
Her remorse and dread increased.†
remorse = deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
retort
9 uses
Joan retorted.†
retorted = quickly replied
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
scorn
20 uses
She lifted her chin scornfully and remained silent.†
scornfully = in a disrespectful or rejecting manner
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
somber
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
a somber mood
We'd better run for it at the first chance," he said, somberly.†
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 13 |
waive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
waive the discussion
"Gulden, suppose we waive the question till we're on the grounds?" he suggested.†
waive = do not engage in
Definition
Generally this sense of waive means:not engage in
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
yield
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
yield to pressure
It appeared to be her skill, rather than her willingness, that he yielded to.†
yielded = gave in, gave way, or gave up
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 4 |