alacrity
1 use
She completed each assignment with alacrity.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
amorous
1 use
She rejected his amorous advances.
amorous = romantic or sexual
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
atoll
2 uses
Darwin explained the creation of coral atolls in the South Pacific.
atolls = islands (that are made of coral reefs)
Definition
Generally atoll means:an island made of a coral reef — often in the shape of a circle
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
banal
1 use
The movie was banal, but it led to a fascinating conversation.
banal = uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
Definition
Generally banal means:uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
beguile
2 uses
Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.
beguiling = enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive
Definition
Generally beguile means:to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
chronological
1 use
Events are listed in chronological order.
chronological = arranged according to time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
denizen
2 uses
The book has photographs of deep sea creatures, and is called "Denizens of the Deep."
denizens = animals that inhabit a particular place
Definition
Generally denizen means:a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
didactic
1 use
Though John loved her lessons, George hated her didactic tone.
didactic = describing someone as inclined too inclined to instruct
Definition
Generally didactic means:describing something intended to instruct; or someone excessively inclined to instruct
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
ensconced
1 use
She moved to New York for college and has been happily ensconced in the city ever since.
ensconced = settled comfortably
Definition
Generally ensconced means:fixed firmly; or settled comfortably
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
expound
1 use
You will be asked to expound on a teacher-selected topic from the book.
expound = discuss in detail
Definition
Generally expound means:explain or discuss in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
garnish
1 use
She garnished the plate with parsley.
garnished = decorated or adorned
Definition
Generally this sense of garnish means:to decorate or adorn something (most typically food with another food); or the item added for decoration
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
iniquity
1 use
That was when I realized I had to climb up from the depths of iniquity.
iniquity = immorality
Definition
Generally iniquity means:immorality; or an immoral act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
innuendo
1 use
She's been convicted in the press based on rumor or innuendo.
innuendo = things implied, but not actually stated with facts
Definition
Generally innuendo means:something suggested indirectly — (often a negative comment about someone, or sexual humor)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
ligament
1 use
She tore a knee ligament and has to miss the rest of the season.
ligament = tough fibrous tissue that connects bones
Definition
Generally ligament means:a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilages
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
misanthrope
2 uses
Homer Simpson's boss is a greedy misanthrope.
misanthrope = person who dislikes other people
Definition
Generally misanthrope means:someone who dislikes people — and often distrusts them
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
pneumatic
1 use
The pneumatic wrench is noisy.
pneumatic = of or relating to or using air
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
punctilious
1 use
punctilious in his attention to rules of etiquette
punctilious = paying careful attention to details
Definition
Generally punctilious means:paying careful attention to details — especially social conventions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
remiss
1 use
I'd be remiss in this overview if I didn't also mention...
remiss = careless — not doing a good job
Definition
Generally remiss means:careless — especially with regard to a duty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
reprehensible
1 use
Cheating is reprehensible.
reprehensible = bad — deserving criticism
Definition
Generally reprehensible means:bad — deserving severe criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
sonorous
1 use
The candidate discussed weighty matters in rich, sonorous tones.
sonorous = (of sound:) full and deep
Definition
Generally sonorous means:full and deep sounding
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |