acquit
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
she acquitted herself well
He told the story of a Border action in which the Dogra companies of the Ludhiana Sikhs had acquitted themselves well.†
acquitted = handled (conducted or behaved)
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
Allah
19 uses
Below, in coarse verse: 'O Allah, who sufferest lice to live on the coat of a Kabuli, why hast thou allowed this louse Lutuf to live so long?'†
Allah = Islamic way of referencing God
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
allude
3 uses
Lear was not so full of historical allusions as Julius Caesar; the book cost four annas, but could be bought second-hand in Bow Bazar for two.†
allusions = indirect references
(editor's note: The suffix "-sions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in discussions from discuss, explosions from explode, and revisions from revise.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in discussions from discuss, explosions from explode, and revisions from revise.)
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
attain
4 uses
'By it one attains freedom from the Wheel of Things,' the lama went on, unheeding.†
attains = gains or reaches something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
auspicious
9 uses
I would not take thee till the time was ripe and auspicious.
auspicious = favorable; or suggestive of good things to come
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
calamity
9 uses
Let the box and the bedding-roll be sent for; and if there has been a fault, let the Hand of Friendship turn aside the Whip of Calamity.†
calamity = a disastrous event; or the distress resulting from it
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
condescending
5 uses
There would be new boys to condescend to,
condescend = treat as inferiors
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Consequently—and this set Kim to skipping—there was a mystery somewhere, and Mahbub Ali probably spied for the Colonel much as Kim had spied for Mahbub.†
consequently = resultantly (as a result)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
2 —1 use as in:
of little consequence
The Government had given him a good holding in the village, and though the demands of his sons, now grey-bearded officers on their own account, had impoverished him, he was still a person of consequence.†
consequence = importance
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
deference
4 uses
Kim saw their heads bent over Mahbub Ali's message, and heard the voices—one low and deferential, the other sharp and decisive.†
deferential = politely respectful
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
When one grows older, the power, usually, departs, but while it lasts it may descend upon a man at any moment.†
descend = come
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
grave
11 uses
Here was like to have been a grave misunderstanding, for the old soldier asked him why the Friend of the Stars had gone that way only six days before.†
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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
insolent
7 uses
Kim hailed a sweeper, who promptly retorted with a piece of unnecessary insolence, in the natural belief that the European boy could not follow it.†
insolence = rude, disrespectful behavior or action
Definition
Generally insolent means:rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
moreover
16 uses
There is, moreover, a written paper of the hours of the trains that go south.'†
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
omit
1 use
Now, slowly, let us hear what befell afterwards—step by step, omitting nothing.'†
omitting = to exclude or neglect something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
precede
1 use
The man dashed out bareheaded as a big landau with four native troopers behind it halted at the veranda, and a tall, black haired man, erect as an arrow, swung out, preceded by a young officer who laughed pleasantly.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
prophecy
19 uses
Did one make a prophecy?†
prophecy = prediction of the future
Definition
Generally prophecy means:a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
retort
8 uses
'A little flour, a little butter and a mouthful of cardamoms,' Kim retorted, flushed with the praise, but still cautious—'Does one grow rich on that?†
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 | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
scorn
5 uses
Kim turned a scornful back—he did not want to hear the old story how the Devil played with the boys and repented of it and walked idly across country.†
scornful = full of strong disrespect or rejection
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
temperate
6 uses
'Such an one,' said the lama, disregarding the dogs, 'is impolite to strangers, intemperate of speech and uncharitable.†
intemperate = given to excess — especially of weather or behavior
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in intemperate means not and reverses the meaning of temperate. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in intemperate means not and reverses the meaning of temperate. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally temperate means:lacking extremes — especially of weather, climate, or behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |