alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
Alternatively, you should have left Useless the Elder and his younger brother at home!†
alternatively = as another possibility
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
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apprentice
13 uses
They weren't related to each other, but they were both apprentices of the magus.†
apprentices = one who works for an expert to learn a trade; or (as a verb) performance of that kind of work
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
attain
1 use
"We might someday attain a relationship of mutual respect," he said softly.†
attain = gain or reach something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
chagrin
2 uses
I retired chagrined from the field of contest.†
chagrined = made to feel embarrassed, disappointed, or annoyed
Definition
Generally chagrin means:a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance — especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
chasm
4 uses
Sometimes we walked along the edge of a chasm in which the water flowed; sometimes the chasm grew wider and shallower and we walked on the sand beside the river itself.†
chasm = a large gap or divide
Definition
Generally chasm means:a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap
or:
a very large difference — often of opinion
or:
a very large difference — often of opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
concur
2 uses
The sores were already much better, and I concurred when he decided to leave them exposed to the air for the day, although I could see that it didn't matter if I concurred or not.†
concurred = agreed
Definition
Generally this sense of concur means:to agree
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
condescending
4 uses
His voice dripped condescension.
condescension = a manner that treats others as inferiors
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
In the dark he hadn't been able to see the contempt on my face, but he could hear it in my voice.
contempt = disrespect and dislike
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
deference
1 use
Sophos and even Ambiades treated him with too much deference.†
deference = polite respect
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
descend from royalty
Well, they have a queen, like Attolia, so the throne can't descend only in the male line.†
descend = pass onward
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:figuratively, to have come down a path from the past; i.e., to originate or come from — such as in reference to ancestors or evolutionary origins
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
disdain
1 use
I pulled myself upright and tried to look disdainful, but the bath wasn't over.†
disdainful = full of disrespect
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
flaunt
2 uses
How much smarter than a hammer can you be if you flaunt the proof of your crimes in a wineshop?†
flaunt = show off
Definition
Generally flaunt means:the act of showing off (displaying something in an obvious way for others to admire or envy)
or:
openly defiant of rules or expectations
or:
openly defiant of rules or expectations
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
inquiry
2 uses
The magus answered with another question, which Ambiades answered patiently, obviously used to this response to his inquiries.†
inquiries = questions or investigations
Definition
Generally inquiry means:the act of asking a question or performing an investigation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
motivation
1 use
But he didn't have my motivation.†
motivation = the reason for doing something; or the level of desire to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
optimistic
4 uses
By that time I was too tired to be optimistic.†
optimistic = expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
persist
4 uses
I wondered what he thought I was going to wear if he persisted in shredding my clothes.†
persisted = continued
Definition
Generally persist means:to continue — often despite difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
plausible
1 use
I couldn't think of a plausible excuse for coming into town at such an hour, so I avoided the problem altogether by circling away from the gate and climbing over the wall out of the guard's sight.†
plausible = apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
scorn
1 use
Ambiades looked scornful, but Sophos was visibly relieved.†
scornful = full of strong disrespect or rejection
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
sulk
5 uses
When he'd come with Sounis's marriage proposals, I had been sulking in my rooms.†
sulking = overly unhappy and unsociable
Definition
Generally sulk means:to be overly unhappy and unsociable — often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
tact
1 use
My capacity for tact sometimes surprises even myself.†
tact = the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |