analytical
2 uses
Humphrey Van Weyden, "the cold-blooded fish," the "emotionless monster," the "analytical demon," of Charley Furuseth's christening, in love!†
analytical = relating to logical examination to improve understanding
Definition
Generally analytical means:relating to logical and systematic examination of something to better understand it — often implying some kind of quantitative analysis
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 23 |
apprehensive
5 uses
From time to time they stole glances at Wolf Larsen, and I could see that they were apprehensive of the man.†
apprehensive = nervous or worried
Definition
Generally apprehensive means:worried over possible misfortune
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 25 |
attain
5 uses
For he has what they have not—purpose, something to do and be done, an all-absorbing end to strive to attain, the desire to kill me, the hope that he may kill me.†
attain = gain or reach something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 11 |
cease
30 uses
As we drew nearer, the firing ceased, and we saw that the fight was over.
ceased = stopped
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
Book | 30 uses |
Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 11 |
compel
27 uses
The cabin was small, to begin with, and to move around, as I was compelled to, was not made easier by the schooner's violent pitching and wallowing.†
compelled = forced; or (more rarely) convinced
Definition
Generally compel means:to force someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
Word Statistics
Book | 27 uses |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 4 |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
there is a contrast
She was in striking contrast to Wolf Larsen.†
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 | 2 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
despair
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
do not despair
But I no longer despaired in the old way.†
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 36 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
...humming coster songs in a nerve-racking and discordant falsetto.
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 6 |
endeavor
12 uses
Thus we landed on Endeavour Island, as we came to it, land-sick from long custom of the sea.†
endeavour = to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavor.)
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavor.)
Word Statistics
Book | 12 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 28 |
establish
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Then speech would suddenly desert him, in the middle of a sentence perhaps, and for hours, sometimes, we would wait for the connection to be re-established.†
re-established = restored
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-established means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-established means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
grave
3 uses
She was in very good spirits, however, and made quite merry in accepting our plight as a grave one.†
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 | 3 uses |
Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 37 |
melancholy
8 uses
This loneliness is bad enough in itself, but, to make it worse, he is oppressed by the primal melancholy of the race.†
melancholy = a sad feeling or manner
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
Book | 8 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 10 |
placid
7 uses
For an immeasurable period, lapped in the rippling of placid centuries, I enjoyed and pondered my tremendous flight.†
placid = calm and not easily excited
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 14 |
precede
1 use
The five boats went over the side with a rush, spread out like the ribs of a fan, and set a northerly course, as on the preceding afternoon, for us to follow.†
preceding = prior (in time or space)
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 25 |
rectify
1 use
Again Maud rectified the twist with the watch-tackle, and again she lowered away from the windlass.
rectified = fixed or corrected
Definition
Generally this sense of rectify means:correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 37 |
retort
10 uses
"I am not afraid," the sailor retorted, a slight angry flush rising through his sunburn.†
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 | 10 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 12 |
taut
7 uses
The halyards became instantly taut.†
taut = pulled or drawn tight;
or: subjected to great tension
or: subjected to great tension
Word Statistics
Book | 7 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 6 |
whimsical
6 uses
He greeted me with one of his whimsical smiles.†
whimsical = playful, amusing, or impulsive rather than seriously rational
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 30 |
wrath
10 uses
The dark sun-bronze of his face went black with wrath, his eyes were ablaze.†
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
Book | 10 uses |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 17 |
writhe
9 uses
He wrenched and writhed about convulsively.†
writhed = moved in a twisting or contorted motion
Definition
Generally writhe means:to move in a twisting or contorted motion — often of a person when struggling or in pain
Word Statistics
Book | 9 uses |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 26 |