anxiety
10 uses
Marguerite tried not to look at Brogard, lest she should betray before him the burning anxiety with which she waited for his reply.
anxiety = nervousness or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
apparent
18 uses
He seemed in no hurry to go, and apparently was quite unconscious of his immediate danger.
apparently = seemingly (appearing clear or obvious—though not necessarily so)
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
astute
7 uses
Had his astute mind guessed the secret, then?
astute = smart and perceptive
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
capacious
3 uses
put his hand in his breast pocket, and drew out from its capacious depths a number of silver coins.
capacious = large in capacity
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
conciliatory
2 uses
Evidently he had no desire to terrorize the man, but to conciliate him, for his own purposes, for his manner was pleasant and suave.
conciliate = attempt to end bad feelings or build trust
Definition
Generally conciliatory means:intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
decorum
2 uses
He, whose notions of propriety and decorum were supersensitive, had not suggested even that an attendant should remain within call.
decorum = proper manners and conduct
Definition
Generally decorum means:manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
disdain
1 use
a look of haughty disdain and intense bitterness shot through her melancholy eyes,
disdain = a lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
dispose
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
disposed the troops along...
You have other means at your disposal; you must use them, my friend.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
dubious
1 use
when he spread it out, and saw it was full of holes, he shook his head dubiously for a while,
dubiously = doubtfully
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
earnest
24 uses
cannot you see that I am in deadly earnest?
earnest = sincere or serious
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
eccentric
4 uses
This creature will only think that I am an eccentric Englishwoman
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
incredulous
1 use
But the Comtesse shook her head, still incredulously.
incredulously = with disbelief; or with difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
inevitable
2 uses
the inevitable came with sure and rapid footsteps.
inevitable = event that was certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
innate
2 uses
seemed keener, more gentle, more innately sympathetic
innately = of a quality: present at birth or existing as an inseparable trait
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
mischievous
1 use
What food for gossip to those mischievously inclined.
mischievously = with a tendency of playful misbehavior
Definition
Generally mischievous means:playfully causing minor trouble; or describing the smile of someone doing so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
obstinate
5 uses
a look of relentless obstinacy crept into the habitually lazy blue eyes.
obstinacy = the trait of being stubborn in not doing what others want
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
ostentatious
2 uses
...she added, ostentatiously smothering an imaginary yawn,
ostentatiously = in a manner intended to make an impression
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
prudent
4 uses
But if he were warned, he might form new plans, be more wary, more prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
revere
1 use
she could now so plainly see the strength, energy, and resourcefulness which had caused the Scarlet Pimpernel to be reverenced and trusted by his followers.
reverenced = respected
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
zeal
1 use
Robespierre and Danton both had commended Bibot for his zeal and Bibot was proud of the fact that he on his own initiative had sent at least fifty aristos to the guillotine.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |