abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
Abruptly her tone and manner change to...
abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
apprehensive
3 uses
His manner is nervously apprehensive and he looks more sickly than in the previous act.†
apprehensive = nervous or worried
Definition
Generally apprehensive means:worried over possible misfortune
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
contempt
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
You shouldn't treat him with such contempt all the time.
contempt = a lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Yet at the same time, in contrast to this, her expression shows more of that strange aloofness which seems to stand apart from her nerves and the anxieties which harry them.†
in contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
deride
7 uses
He winks at her, with a derisive glance at his father.†
derisive = contemptuous (treating as inferior and unworthy of respect)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
disdain
2 uses
Disdainfully.†
disdainfully = with a lack of respect; or with a sense of superiority
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
humiliate
4 uses
One avoids looking at them, the more so because one is conscious she is sensitive about their appearance and humiliated by her inability to control the nervousness which draws attention to them.†
humiliated = extremely embarrassed (decreased dignity)
Definition
Generally humiliate means:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride — especially in front of others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
impulsive
5 uses
He leans over and kisses her cheek impulsively-then turning back adds with a constrained air.†
impulsively = without forethought
Definition
Generally impulsive means:action without forethought; or such a tendency
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
irony
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
situational irony
Edmund suddenly cannot hold back a burst of strained, ironical laughter. ... "It's so damned crazy."
ironical = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
malicious
1 use
JAMIE Maliciously.†
maliciously = with a desire to see others suffer; or in a threatening manner
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 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
melancholy
4 uses
There is a lot of stolid, earthy peasant in him, mixed with streaks of sentimental melancholy and rare flashes of intuitive sensibility.†
melancholy = a sad feeling or manner
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
mortgage
4 uses
It's all mortgaged— JAMIE Because you always buy more instead of paying off mortgages.†
mortgages = real estate loans; or pledges something for a loan
Definition
Generally mortgage means:a real estate loan; or to offer real estate as collateral for a loan
(collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
(collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
MARY With strange objective calm.
objective = fact-based and not influenced by personal feelings or preferences
Definition
Generally this sense of objective means:fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
precede
1 use
But despite all the whiskey in him, he has not escaped, and he looks as he appeared at the close of the preceding act, a sad, defeated old man, possessed by hopeless resignation.†
preceding = prior (in time or space)
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
All we can do is try to be resigned — again.
resigned = accepting as inevitable something undesired
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
scorn
7 uses
JAMIE With a scornful shrug of his shoulders.†
scornful = full of strong disrespect or rejection
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
Shakespeare
10 uses
If it takes my snoring to make you remember Shakespeare instead of the dope sheet on the ponies, I hope I'll keep on with it.†
Shakespeare = author widely regarded as the greatest in the English language and whose works include Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet
Definition
Generally this sense of Shakespeare means:English dramatist and poet frequently cited as the greatest writer in the English language and who wrote such works as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet (1564-1616)
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
solicitous
4 uses
Putting her arm around Edmund's shoulder— with a fond solicitude which is at the same time remote.†
solicitude = behavior that shows care or concern for someone
(editor's note: Solicitude is the noun form of the adjective solicitous. The suffix "-tude" is often used to create a noun that means "state, condition, or quality" as seen in the words gratitude, fortitude, and multitude.)
(editor's note: Solicitude is the noun form of the adjective solicitous. The suffix "-tude" is often used to create a noun that means "state, condition, or quality" as seen in the words gratitude, fortitude, and multitude.)
Definition
Generally solicitous means:showing care or concern for someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
swindle
4 uses
You were swindled again as you always are, because you insist on secondhand bargains in everything.†
swindled = tricked or cheated someone — usually to get money
Definition
Generally swindle means:tricking or cheating someone — usually to get money
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
tact
2 uses
I don't care to listen — MARY Tactfully.†
tactfully = in a manner that makes others feel good
Definition
Generally tact means:the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |