apathy
2 uses
she ... listened apathetically to the music,
apathetically = without interest or enthusiasm
Definition
Generally apathy means:lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
audacious
10 uses
That ... audacious Scarlet Pimpernel, alone and with thirty men at his heels, could not reasonably be expected to escape a second time.
audacious = bold and daring
Definition
Generally audacious means:bold and daring (inclined to take risks) — especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
capricious
1 use
He thought this was but a mood, a caprice, and he was too proud to lend himself to it once again.
caprice = impulsive act
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
He may have wished to hide his love for a wife who held him in contempt...
contempt = complete lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
cunning
1 use
between you, you will have cunning as well as valour!
cunning = cleverness
Definition
Generally this sense of cunning means:being good at achieving goals through cleverness — and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
deference
4 uses
Everyone was staring curiously, yet deferentially, at the foreigners.
deferentially = with polite respect
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 3 |
denounce
6 uses
She denounced the Marquis de St. Cyr and all his family to the awful tribunal of the Terror.
denounced = accused publicly (in this case of being an enemy of the people's revolution)
Definition
Generally denounce means:to strongly criticize or accuse publicly
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
elaborate
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
an elaborate design
Distinguished men, beautiful women, notabilities from every European country had already filed past him, had exchanged the elaborate bows and curtsies with him, which the extravagant fashion of the time demanded, and then, laughing and talking, had dispersed in the ball, reception, and card rooms beyond.
elaborate = with many details or features
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
enigma
11 uses
As for that enigmatic Scarlet Pimpernel, what is he to you?
enigmatic = mysterious
Definition
Generally enigma means:something mysterious that seems unexplainable
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
fugitive
29 uses
It was a crumpled piece of paper, evidently forgotten there by the fugitives, in their hurry to get away.
fugitives = people running away to avoid arrest or an unpleasant situation
Definition
Generally this sense of fugitive means:someone who is running away or hiding to avoid arrest or an unpleasant situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
heed
13 uses
But she did not heed any of these petty discomforts:
heed = pay attention to
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
impetuous
2 uses
Her impetuous act might prove the death-signal of the man she would have died to save.
impetuous = impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
impudent
16 uses
"and your impudence passes belief," she said merrily.
impudence = improper boldness or disrespect
Definition
Generally impudent means:improperly bold or disrespectful — especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
incessant
7 uses
A beautiful starlit night had followed on the day of incessant rain:
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
What food for gossip to those mischievously inclined.
inclined = disposed (having a tendency to favor something) (in this case, mischievousness or liking to cause trouble)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
2 —1 use as in:
on an incline or incline his head
The men, obedient as machines, rushed down the rocky incline towards the beach,
incline = slope (angle)
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
jovial
16 uses
As she drew near, the sound of ... jovial laughter, grew louder and more distinct.
jovial = cheerful and friendly
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
malicious
9 uses
"I think I can rely on you, citoyen soldiers," laughed Chauvelin, maliciously, "to give this old liar the best and soundest beating he has ever experienced."
maliciously = with a desire to see others suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
Monsieur
39 uses
I am happy to know you, Monsieur le Vicomte.
Monsieur = Mr. (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
| Book | 39 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
remorse
6 uses
By her own blindness she had sinned; now she must repay, not by empty remorse, but by prompt and useful action.
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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |