abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
He growled—an abrupt, shocking rasp of sound—and the blackest fury rolled across his expression like storm clouds.
abrupt = sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
blasphemy
1 use
I was still horrified that I was physically capable of such blasphemy.
blasphemy = something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred
Definition
Generally blasphemy means:something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred — especially God or religion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
censure
1 use
Sam asked out loud, censure in his tone.
censure = harsh criticism
Definition
Generally censure means:harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization — such as the U.S. Senate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
disdain
1 use
"Of course there were no survivors," she said. No survivors, blunt and uncaring. ... She sniffed disdainfully.
disdainfully = with a lack of respect — suggesting distaste and 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
dubious
2 uses
He gave me a dubious look.
dubious = doubtful or suspicious
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
illustrate
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
as illustrated by this example
Her hands started combing through my hair, hefting it, twisting it, illustrating in detail what she wanted.†
illustrating = helping to make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
immortal
46 uses
She is not an immortal.
immortal = someone who lives forever
Definition
Generally immortal means:living or existing forever
or:
someone famous throughout history
or:
someone who will never die — such as a mythological god
or:
someone famous throughout history
or:
someone who will never die — such as a mythological god
Word Statistics
| Book | 46 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
incredulous
6 uses
In the mirror, the perfect eyebrows lifted incredulously above her glowing crimson eyes—
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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
latent
2 uses
That would indicate a rather powerful latent talent, if it was manifesting so clearly even before the transformation.
latent = potentially existing but presently not clearly evident or active
Definition
Generally latent means:potentially existing but not presently evident or active
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
oblivious
9 uses
He couldn't be oblivious to the fact that Nessie was the only female of his kind that wasn't his half-sister.
oblivious = unaware of
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
perspective (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 9 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
Look at it from her perspective
It shaped his whole perspective.
perspective = way of seeing and thinking about things
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
2 —2 uses as in:
Keep it in perspective
She thought about the things that were worse, the black pictures in my head, while I tried to tune her out without much success. She was able to look at them with some distance, some perspective, and I had to admit that this was helpful.
perspective = a sensible view of a situation
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a sensible view of a situation that considers its different parts in a balanced way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
She'd sighed, resigned. "Once you make up your mind, there is no reasoning with you."
resigned = having accepted something undesired as unavoidable
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 | Book 1 |
resolve (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 8 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
I resolved that I would do at least as well as I had on the hunt.
resolved = decided (with determination)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
2 —3 uses as in:
Her resolve weakened.
I didn't feel the same resolve the others seemed to feel.
resolve = determination (firmness of purpose)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
3 —3 uses as in:
How did you resolve the problem?
"I'm so glad this could be resolved without violence," he said sweetly.
resolved = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to solve a problem or settle a disagreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
satiate
1 use
The traditional vampires were going as far away as possible to satiate their thirst.
satiate = indulge their hunger; or fill to satisfaction
Definition
Generally satiate means:to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired—such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
speculate
9 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
don't know, but I'll speculate
I guessed he was trying not to speculate too much, trying to keep my behavior off his mind.
speculate = think to try to figure something out when there can be no certainty
Definition
Generally this sense of speculate means:to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
subtle (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a subtle shade of blue
I pulled into an open spot and looked up at a tastefully subtle sign that read JASON SCOTT, ATTORNEY AT LAW.
subtle = understated so as not to draw attention to itself
(editor's note: Don't be confused by the fact that the sign's words are written in uppercase on the book's page. That draws attention to the words in the sentence, but the story describes a sign that is understated where it hangs.)
(editor's note: Don't be confused by the fact that the sign's words are written in uppercase on the book's page. That draws attention to the words in the sentence, but the story describes a sign that is understated where it hangs.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
a subtle difference or thinker
The difference between Renesmee an hour ago and Renesmee now was subtler.
subtler = less noticeable
Definition
Generally this sense of subtle means:not obvious, but understandable by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps depending upon fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 3 |