abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
He stopped pacing abruptly and turned his back on his queen...
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 | Chapter 11 |
alliance
6 uses
A strong alliance between Sounis and Attolia is not to their advantage.†
alliance = association formed to support common interests
Definition
Generally alliance means:an association formed to support common interests
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
alternative
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an alternative plan
"We can send someone else," Eddis said, ignoring him while she considered alternatives.†
alternatives = possibilities
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
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apprentice
11 uses
Dressed as an apprentice, he walked behind the magus, keeping his wooden hand close to his side, and none of the guards looked twice at either of them.†
apprentice = one who works for an expert to learn a trade; or (as a verb) performance of that kind of work
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
arbitration
1 use
Eddis suggested arbitration by the Court of the Ten Nations, but Attolia refused.
arbitration = an official process of solving a disagreement with the help of an impartial referee
Definition
Generally arbitration means:the process of solving a disagreement with the help of an impartial referee
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
Nahuseresh had attributed her reluctance to an entirely understandable female timidity.†
attributed = credited (pointed to a source for something)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
chasm
7 uses
All traffic between Attolia and Sounis climbed the mountain pass, crossing several bridges in the process, the most important being the Main Bridge, which spanned the chasm of the Seperchia near the top of the pass.†
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
condescending
3 uses
I beg Your Majesty will condescend to forgive me.
condescend = do something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
convention
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
conventional behavior
Perhaps not the conventional ideal of physical beauty.†
conventional = normal or typical
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
dais
7 uses
Her ministers collected around her, following as she led down the three shallow steps through the doorway and across the painted floor to the dais.†
dais = a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
"I defer to you," Attolia said, subdued.
defer = submit or yield
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
dispose
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
disposed the troops along...
If she catches me again, what better deterrent than me could she wish to have at her disposal?†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
evaluate
1 use
Horreon looked her over, reevaluating what he saw.†
reevaluating = to think carefully and make a judgment about something
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in reevaluating means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in reevaluating means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
grave
5 uses
Eugenides laughed outright, and Agape's grave expression gave way to a smile.†
grave = serious and solemn
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
irrelevant
1 use
We can seize the megaron without meaning to hold it because once the queen is gone, the megaron is irrelevant.†
irrelevant = not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
mortal
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
mortal body
For me, alone among mortals, the gods send their messenger to tell me to stop whining.†
mortals = humans (especially merely humans) or people subject to death
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
plausible
3 uses
With plausible seriousness, the queen asked, "What could you steal for me, Thief?"†
plausible = apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
positive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
had a positive effect
If Attolia returned from the dancing flushed from more than the exercise, no one took it as a positive sign.†
positive = good
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:good or beneficial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
scorn
3 uses
His grandfather would heap scorn on him like coals.†
scorn = disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
sentry
8 uses
The sentry offered to send a message to the Thief.†
sentry = someone who stands guard
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |