acquit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she acquitted herself well
After this followed archery, which I liked to encourage, foreseeing that a time might come when ammunition would fail; and in this practise I saw with pleasure that my elder sons were really skilful, while even little Franz acquitted himself well.†
acquitted = handled (conducted)
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
anxiety
20 uses
I could not conceal my anxiety, and at length determined to follow him.
anxiety = worry
Definition
Generally anxiety means:nervousness or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
apparent
28 uses
In a moment the truth became apparent!
apparent = clear or obvious
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 28 uses |
| Library | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
approach
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
approached the city
I knew not whether he was aware, by instinct, of the approach of some fierce wild beast.†
approach = coming
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
capacious
1 use
My wife was charmed; and gathering a great quantity in three capacious bags, we resumed our journey.
capacious = large in capacity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
deride
1 use
"Just as if every big bird must be an eagle!" replied Ernest, in a tone of derision.
derision = superiority (treating another as inferior while mocking him)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
deter
2 uses
our gallant dogs, surrounded by a dozen or more large jackals, were fighting bravely, four of their opponents lay dead, but the others were in no way deterred by the fate of their comrades.
deterred = discouraged (prevented from continuing)
Definition
Generally deter means:try to prevent; or prevent
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
disdain
1 use
"Let us take care how we treat even our ass with disdain," I told him.
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 2 |
emerge
16 uses
We emerged from the wreck and glided into the open sea.
emerged = came out of
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 58 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
establish
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Windows and doors were thrown open to admit fresh air; the animals established in their stalls; and the cart's miscellaneous cargo discharged and arranged.†
established = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
expedient
3 uses
She was as unruly as ever, and as a last expedient I resolved to adopt a plan which, though cruel, was I knew attended with wonderful success by the American Indians, by whom it is practised.
expedient = action that is speedy or practical
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
ingenious
9 uses
Ernest at length hit upon an ingenious plan.
ingenious = showing cleverness and originality
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
obstinate
1 use
The perverse creature had obstinately resisted our attempts to bring her with us,
obstinately = in a manner that was stubbornly unyielding to the wishes of others
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
perfidy
1 use
...my wife, who was never happy when we were on the sea, declared that our chances of drowning were, with the pinnace and canoe, already sufficiently great, and that there was not the slightest necessity for our adding to these chances by constructing another craft which would tempt us out upon the perfidious element.
perfidious = not trustworthy (prone to betrayal)
Definition
Generally perfidy means:an act of deliberate betrayal; or such behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
precipitate
1 use
1 —1 use
(adj) as in: a precipitate decision
The monkey had come out on Jack's shoulder, but no sooner did it catch sight of the jackal, than it fled precipitately back into the tent, and hid itself in a heap of moss until nothing was visible but the tip of its little nose.
precipitately = with great haste
Definition
Generally this sense of precipitate means:acting with great haste — often without adequate thought
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
ratify
1 use
Fritz looked gratefully towards me as I spoke; and his mother ratified my words, embracing him affectionately, and saying, with emotion, 'God bless and preserve thee, my boy!'
ratified = approved
Definition
Generally ratify means:to approve — typically the formal approval of an agreement by an organization
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
sufficient
37 uses
If there is sufficient oxygen to maintain a flame, the action of the flame increases air circulation, which then brings in more oxygen.
sufficient = adequate (enough)
Definition
Generally sufficient means:adequate (enough — often without being more than is needed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 37 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
superfluous
1 use
From the reservoir thus made we led the water down by pipes into the turtle's shell, which we placed near our dwelling, and from which the superfluous water flowed off through the hole made in it by Fritz's harpoon.
superfluous = more than is desired
Definition
Generally superfluous means:more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
trepidation
1 use
...preparing to garrison our fortress in warlike array, but with considerable trepidation,
trepidation = nervousness
Definition
Generally trepidation means:nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
zeal
2 uses
I loosed the three dogs, whose impatience had been almost uncontrollable, and who now rushed to the attack of the unfortunate monkeys, as though burning with zeal to execute justice upon desperate criminals.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |