accompany
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accompany on the journey
With these thoughts I accompanied Jack and Franz to the fort.
accompanied = traveled along with
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 18 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
The effects of course vary according to the quantity taken, and such remedies should be applied as will best counteract the effect of each poison:
according to = depending upon (in keeping with)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
done of her own accord
The perverse creature had obstinately resisted our attempts to bring her with us, but finding herself deserted, had followed of her own accord,
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
capricious
1 use
the sea has only just ceased from its raging, and being at the best of times of uncertain and capricious nature, we may chance to be detained on the island, or forced to land at a considerable distance from home.
capricious = tending to make sudden changes
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 10 |
contrived
40 uses
Why could not we contrive a place like that, where we could sleep safely at night?
contrive = arrange
(editor's note: This book also frequently uses the form contrivance to refer to something that is arranged. Today contrive is often used to indicate that something is arranged in an artificial way.)
(editor's note: This book also frequently uses the form contrivance to refer to something that is arranged. Today contrive is often used to indicate that something is arranged in an artificial way.)
Definition
Generally contrived means:unnatural seeming (due to careful planning)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 40 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
There was so much to be done ... that Fritz, who had hoped to set out on his solitary expedition that day, deferred it until the next;
deferred = postponed
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
diligent
5 uses
let us search diligently, but as quietly as possible.
diligently = with hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
an outburst of the most hideous and discordant noises.
discordant = unpleasant sounding
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
See how secure it is; guarded on all sides by these high cliffs, and accessible only by the narrow passage to the ford, while from this point it is so easy to reach the ship that the whole of its valuable cargo is at our disposal.†
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 3 |
distend
3 uses
He will soon begin to gorge his prey, and slowly but surely it will disappear down that distended maw!
distended = extended or swollen
Definition
Generally distend means:to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
dwell
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a modest dwelling
Having already undergone one rainy reason, we knew well its discomforts, and thought of many useful arrangements in the laying-out of our dwelling.
dwelling = a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
excursion
23 uses
At the mention of an excursion, the four children were wild with delight, and, capering around me, clapped their hands for joy.
excursion = a short journey
Definition
Generally excursion means:a short journey taken for pleasure
or:
a digression from the main path of a journey
or:
a digression from the main path of a journey
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
impetuous
2 uses
Jack, with his usual impetuosity, wished to send a shot in amongst the robber band, but I prevented him, for I knew that the bird or two he might kill would be of no use to us, while his shot would not drive away the rest, even had we wished it.
impetuosity = impulsiveness (tendency to act 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 7 |
incessant
13 uses
Incessant rain battered down above us,
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
inclined
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
My wife and Franz were left behind, for our proposed work was even more horrible than that of the preceding day; they could not assist, and had no inclination to witness it.
inclination = desire (a tendency; or an attitude that favors something)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
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 10 |
indolent
3 uses
Ernest, two years younger, was tall and slight; in disposition, mild, calm and studious; his early faults of indolence and selfishness were almost entirely overcome.
indolence = laziness
Definition
Generally this sense of indolent means:lazy; disinclined to work
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
induce
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
induce her to
This they found no easy matter, for the birds, left so long alone, were shy, and nothing would induce them to come on shore and be caught.
induce = persuade
Definition
Generally this sense of induce means:to persuade somebody to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
oblige
25 uses
1 —25 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
Vague ideas passed through my mind, but every one I was obliged to reject.
obliged = required (to do something)
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
prudent
6 uses
I exclaimed, "Why, you are a model of prudence and industry!"
prudence = good sense and caution
Definition
Generally prudent means:sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
resolve
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
We resolved to transplant a supply of both roots to our kitchen garden.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |