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The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty

Extra Credit Words with Typical Sample Sentences

instructions
aggrieve
1 use
He fears a lawsuit from one of the aggrieved parties.
aggrieved = feeling harmed from unfair treatment
DefinitionGenerally aggrieve means:
feeling harmed by unfair treatment; or (more rarely) harming someone unfairly
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 2.20
Web Links
ascetic
1 use
The ascetic life has been more pronounced in Hinduism and Buddhism than in other major religions.
ascetic = the practice of self-denial
DefinitionGenerally ascetic means:
someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial

or:

severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 3.31
Web Links
askance
1 use
He looked askance at the offer.
askance = with disapproval, distrust, or suspicion
DefinitionGenerally askance means:
with disapproval, distrust, or suspicion

or:

directed to one side — especially a sideways glance
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 3.31
Web Links
beatific
1 use
She has a beatific smile that makes you feel like all is well in the world.
beatific = expressing a calm joy
DefinitionGenerally beatific means:
expressing or producing a calm joy — especially from a holy source
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 3.29
Web Links
belittle
1 use
The gradualness of the change does not belittle its importance.
belittle = make it less important
DefinitionGenerally belittle means:
to make someone or something seem less important
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 1.3
Web Links
cavort
1 use
The puppies cavorted in the basket.
cavorted = played in a lively, unrestrained manner
DefinitionGenerally cavort means:
to play in a lively, unrestrained manner — typically with someone — sometimes implying sexual play
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 3.27
Web Links
compunction
1 use
While most developed nations recognize the embargo, China ignores it without compunction.
compunction = a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
DefinitionGenerally compunction means:
guilt for a misdeed; or a feeling that it would be wrong to do something
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 3.31
Web Links
derogatory
3 uses
It is unacceptable to use derogatory terms to reference a race or ethnicity.
derogatory = disrespectful
DefinitionGenerally derogatory means:
expressing disrespect or criticism
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 1.16
Web Links
distend
1 use
One method of declawing is to severe the tendon that allows the claws to distend.
distend = extend
DefinitionGenerally distend means:
to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 1.16
Web Links
ebullient
1 use
Her family was jumping for joy, but she was less ebullient.
ebullient = filled with energy and joy
DefinitionGenerally ebullient means:
happy and energetic
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 3.27
Web Links
engender
1 use
The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.
engender = cause (bring into being)
DefinitionGenerally engender means:
cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 4.38
Web Links
ensconced
1 use
She moved to New York for college and has been happily ensconced in the city ever since.
ensconced = settled comfortably
DefinitionGenerally ensconced means:
fixed firmly; or settled comfortably
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 2.20
Web Links
enumerate
1 use
She enumerated the many obstacles she had encountered
enumerated = to name items individually (as though making a list)
DefinitionGenerally enumerate means:
to name items individually (as though making a list); or to count
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useStory 4.33
Web Links
flout
2 uses
The current enforcement policy encourages people to flout the law.
flout = openly disregard
DefinitionGenerally flout means:
to openly disregard — typically a law, rule, or custom
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 3.27
Web Links
mallet
2 uses
She split the logs with a mallet and wedge.
mallet = a tool resembling a hammer but with a large cylindrical head
DefinitionGenerally mallet means:
a piece of equipment for pounding or hitting
such as:
  • a tool resembling a hammer but with a large cylindrical head that is usually made of rubber or wood
  • a long stick with a thick cylindrical head used to hit a ball in polo or croquet
  • a light drumstick with a rounded head that is used to strike percussion instruments
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 3.30
Web Links
metamorphosis
3 uses
the metamorphosis of the old house into something new and exciting
metamorphosis = a complete transformation or change
DefinitionGenerally metamorphosis means:
a complete change; or more specifically, the rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some insects
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 2.20
Web Links
mollify
2 uses
She managed to mollify the angry customer.
mollify = calm
DefinitionGenerally mollify means:
calm someone who is or may become angry or upset
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 1.16
Web Links
rondo
91 uses
The most common rondo forms are ABACA and ABACABA.
rondo = a musical form in which one recurring theme is interspersed with a series of new themes
DefinitionGenerally rondo means:
a musical form in which one recurring theme is interspersed with a series of new themes; often used in the last movement of a sonata
Word Statistics
Book91 uses
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 1.6
Web Links
testimonial
3 uses
Her testimonial for the candidate was especially persuasive.
testimonial = statement that serves as evidence
DefinitionGenerally testimonial means:
something that recommends (or expresses commendation) — especially a verbal statement
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 1.16
Web Links
untoward
4 uses
She was embarrassed by his untoward behavior.
untoward = improper or awkward
DefinitionGenerally untoward means:
improper, awkward, or unfavorable
Word Statistics
Book4 uses
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useStory 1.9
Web Links
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