amity
1 use
If we cannot be close friends, we can at least live in amity.
amity = a state of friendly relations
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
assuage
2 uses
The panel will have an equal number of Democrats and Republicans to help assuage concern that it could be used for political ends.
assuage = soothe
Definition
Generally assuage means:to soothe (make something less unpleasant or frightening)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
bestow
3 uses
They gave her the highest honor they can bestow.
bestow = give (as an honor)
Definition
Generally bestow means:to give — typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
bountiful
1 use
the bountiful Thanksgiving dinner
bountiful = an abundant (large) amount
Definition
Generally bountiful means:given in abundance (a large amount); or an abundant (large) amount
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
carouse
2 uses
They were out carousing last night.
carousing = having fun in a noisy manner while drinking alcohol
Definition
Generally carouse means:having fun with others in a noisy manner while drinking alcohol
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
chattel
1 use
In that culture, family members were legally dependent upon the oldest male, but they were not chattel.
chattel = owned property
Definition
Generally chattel means:owned property (in law, tangible property other than real estate)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
doleful
2 uses
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
edify
1 use
She edifies and inspires supporters everywhere she speaks.
edifies = teaches or instructs
Definition
Generally edify means:to instruct — morally or intellectually
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
epic
6 uses
I think Game of Thrones is the most epic fantasy written since The Rings Trilogy.
epic = an outstanding literary work that is long and heroic
Definition
Generally epic means:something that is outstanding — especially a literary work that is long and heroic
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
fetter
4 uses
She is fettered by old ideas whose time has passed.
fettered = hindered (held back)
Definition
Generally fetter means:to restrain or hinder
or more archaically:
a shackle for the ankles
or more archaically:
a shackle for the ankles
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
garnish
4 uses
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
harangue
1 use
My parents continuously harangue me about my grades.
harangue = annoyingly try to persuade or criticize
Definition
Generally harangue means:to try to persuade, or to criticize in an impassioned and often annoying manner; or a speech with such an intent
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
heed
5 uses
Heed the advice of the old women.
heed = pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
malicious
1 use
I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.
malicious = evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
moreover
1 use
The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long term lease on expensive office space.
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
perish
2 uses
...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln -- Gettysburg Address
perish = be destroyed or cease to exist
Definition
Generally perish means:to die — especially in an unnatural way
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
purge
4 uses
She thinks fasting once a month helps purge her body of impurities.
purge = rid
Definition
Generally purge means:get rid of things thought undesirable
The exact meaning of purge can depend upon its context. For example:
- "purge the government of our enemies" — get rid of people for political reasons
- "purge my closet of everything I haven't worn in a year" — get rid of undesired things
- "To purge yourself of crippling sorrow, you'll need to express it." — get rid of unwanted feelings
- "I'm doing a 24-hour purge and then starting a new diet." — emptying the intestinal tract
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
pyre
4 uses
While cremation is not uncommon in the western world, open air funeral pyres are typically illegal.
pyres = piles of wood or other burnable materials
Definition
Generally pyre means:a pile of wood or other burnable material — especially to burn a dead body as in a funeral rite
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
Scandinavia
1 use
They look like a stereotypically blonde, blue-eyed Scandinavian family.
Scandinavian = people of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and sometimes Finland & Iceland
Definition
Generally Scandinavia means:Norway, Sweden, Denmark and sometimes Finland & Iceland
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
vengeance
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
vengeance is mine
Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.
vengeance = revenge
Definition
Generally this sense of vengeance means:the act of taking revenge
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
(Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |