advocate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an advocate supporting
This article made a great deal of noise, and, being copied into all the papers, seriously depressed the advocates of the rash tourist.†
advocates = supporters
Definition
Generally this sense of advocate means:a person who publicly supports and works to advance a cause
or more rarely:
someone acting in the role of a defense lawyer in England's past and in some jurisdictions today
or more rarely:
someone acting in the role of a defense lawyer in England's past and in some jurisdictions today
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
alacrity
2 uses
The passengers granted the request with alacrity, and straightway disappeared on the platform.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
austere
1 use
These descendants of the sect of Zoroaster—the most thrifty, civilised, intelligent, and austere of the East Indians...
austere = stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
capricious
6 uses
The road followed the capricious windings of the southern branch of the Platte River, on its left bank.
capricious = making sudden changes (in this case, in direction)
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
consulate
8 uses
And where is the consulate?
consulate = a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country and help its citizens visiting that country; or the offices of that person and assistants
Definition
Generally consulate means:the offices where a consul works; or a consul (a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country, help its citizens visiting that country, and protect its commercial interests there)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
No one ventured to gainsay the missionary, whose excited tone contrasted curiously with his naturally calm visage.
contrasted = differed
(editor's notes: In this context, gainsay is a synonym for contradict and visage is a synonym for facial expression.)
(editor's notes: In this context, gainsay is a synonym for contradict and visage is a synonym for facial expression.)
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
2 —1 use as in:
it is a contrast
The guards who followed the young woman presented a violent contrast to her, armed as they were with naked sabres hung at their waists, and long damascened pistols, and bearing a corpse on a palanquin.
contrast = something notably different compared (to something)
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:something noticeably different (compared to something else or to other things)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
convey
8 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
convey her safely to
To do this he had employed every means of conveyance—steamers, railways, carriages, yachts, trading-vessels, sledges, elephants.†
conveyance = transport
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
The storm of rain and wind descended upon them towards eight o'clock.
descended = came or arrived
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 21 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
The discordant tones of the voices and instruments drew nearer,
discordant = unpleasant sounding together
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 12 |
disdain
1 use
...a steamer which, disdaining to rise upon the waves, invariably cut through them.
disdaining = as though the waves are not worthy of consideration
(editor's note: Verne is being playful in saying that the ship is so large and powerful that it cuts through the waves rather than rising upon them. He says it as though the ship had feelings and did not think the waves important enough to make any adjustment for them.)
(editor's note: Verne is being playful in saying that the ship is so large and powerful that it cuts through the waves rather than rising upon them. He says it as though the ship had feelings and did not think the waves important enough to make any adjustment for them.)
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 33 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
When I decided to bring you far away from the country which was so unsafe for you, I was rich, and counted on putting a portion of my fortune at your disposal; then your existence would have been free and happy.†
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
eccentric
11 uses
You know that Mr. Fogg is very eccentric.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
A great crowd was collected in Pall Mall and the neighbouring streets on Saturday evening; it seemed like a multitude of brokers permanently established around the Reform Club.†
established = settled
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 27 |
2 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
But he must go to the consul's in person, so as to establish his identity.†
establish = prove
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
Monsieur
29 uses
Just think, monsieur, I had no idea that we should go farther than Paris;
Monsieur = sir (in French — a polite way to address a male)
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 | 29 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
obstinate
5 uses
The storm exasperated him, the gale made him furious, and he longed to lash the obstinate sea into obedience.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
prudent
8 uses
It may be taken for granted that, rash as the Americans usually are, when they are prudent there is good reason for it.
prudent = careful
Definition
Generally prudent means:sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
taciturn
3 uses
Mr. Fogg was as calm and taciturn as ever.
taciturn = reserved and uncommunicative
Definition
Generally taciturn means:with a tendency to be reserved and not to talk
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
tranquil
14 uses
The tranquil Fogg waited, without betraying any emotion.
tranquil = calm
Definition
Generally tranquil means:calm and undisturbed
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |