alacrity
4 uses
He put away the box without a trace of alacrity.†
alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
anguish
18 uses
That next corner would be haven or bay, and as he neared it, he burst into the anguished spring of a flagging quarry— —Where?†
anguished = extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
beguile
5 uses
Beguiled by the mildness of noon, he had left the house wearing only his thin blue jersey.†
beguiled = deceived through charm or enchantment
Definition
Generally beguile means:to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
brusque
11 uses
His head jerked brusquely toward the child.†
brusquely = abruptly (suddenly and quickly — without taking the time to be friendly)
Definition
Generally brusque means:abrupt (sudden and quick — without taking the time to be friendly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
contempt
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
"Bargains of course!" his father broke in contemptuously.†
contemptuously = with disrespect
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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
curt
7 uses
"Well then let me explain," he said curtly.†
curtly = in a manner that uses few words or is abrupt and perhaps discourteous or rude
Definition
Generally curt means:brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
diffident
4 uses
"Yea," diffidently.†
diffidently = with hesitancy and unassertiveness
Definition
Generally diffident means:hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
dismay
10 uses
You don't seem dismayed-you don't seem downcast enough!†
dismayed = to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry — typically in response to something surprising
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
incredulous
11 uses
He stared at her incredulously.†
incredulously = with disbelief; or with difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
The stable lineaments of the mask of the world had overlapped, shifted configuration as secretly and minutely as clock-hands, as sudden as the wink of an eye.†
minutely = slightly
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
mollify
2 uses
...his father had been mollified and danger was over.
mollified = calmed
Definition
Generally mollify means:calm someone who is or may become angry or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
ominous
16 uses
He shook his finger at David ominously.†
ominously = threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
peasant
14 uses
It's for peasants," to make his father laugh, to make his father answer, "/ think I do.†
peasants = used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: people of low income, education, and social standing — especially those who raise crops or livestock
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
precede
6 uses
The boy immediately preceding David had just rolled over the lower of two railings before the tailor'!†
preceding = prior (in time or space)
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
revise
1 use
Izzy crisply revised the dream.†
revised = changed
Definition
Generally revise means:to change (and hopefully improve) — most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
scrutiny
12 uses
The eyes of both were fastened on him, regarding him with a curious and amused scrutiny of men beholding for the first time some astonishing freak.†
scrutiny = careful look or inspection
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
taut
14 uses
Then his features grew taut when his eyes fixed on Yussie.†
taut = pulled or drawn tight;
or: subjected to great tension
or: subjected to great tension
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
wrath
11 uses
The harsh voice, the wrathful glare, the hand flung toward the child frightened him.†
wrathful = full of extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
writhe
16 uses
With writhing lips, he reached his left hand behind his back, fumbled in the right rear pocket and drew out his black leather pocket-book.†
writhing = moving in a twisting or contorted motion
Definition
Generally writhe means:to move in a twisting or contorted motion — often of a person when struggling or in pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
yield
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
yield to pressure
Being near them, hearing the erratic spatter of their voices, yielding to their flickering moods was like basking in a hectic familiar oblivion.†
yielding = giving in, giving up, or giving way (easily moved or soft)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |