alleviate
2 uses
His friend seemed so stressed out lately, and there was little Vlad could do to alleviate it.†
alleviate = to lessen something that is bad — especially to lessen pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
anguish
4 uses
A RESTLESS NIGHT THE DARK FIGURE STABBED THE BLADE into Vlad's side and forced it as deeply as he was able, inciting an anguished scream from Vlad.†
anguished = extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16. |
aversion
1 use
As with wooden stakes, sunlight, and Italian food, vampires have a natural aversion to both punctuation and capitalization.†
aversion = dislike that leads to avoidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Adde |
begrudge
1 use
Begrudgingly, Ignatius turned from the boy's home and fled.†
begrudgingly = in a resentful manner; or giving unwillingly
Definition
Generally begrudge means:to resent (feel bitterness—usually over unfairness); or to give unwillingly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15. |
blatant
2 uses
Poised on his tongue was a blatant lie.†
blatant = obvious
Definition
Generally blatant means:obvious — often without any attempt to hide bad behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |
compendium
5 uses
In a burst of self-directed fury, he threw the Compendium across the room with all the force he could muster.†
compendium = a list of items or a collection; or a summary of a subject area
Definition
Generally compendium means:a list of items or a collection — especially a publication containing a variety of works
or:
a concise but comprehensive summary of a subject area
or:
a concise but comprehensive summary of a subject area
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13. |
curt
3 uses
Vlad nodded curtly to Eddie, who did the same, gesturing to his new camera.†
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
divulge
1 use
He trusted Henry .... or rather, he had, before he'd mistakenly thought Kylie had insinuated that Henry had divulged his deepest darkest secret.†
divulged = made known (secret or private information)
Definition
Generally divulge means:make known (secret of private information)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17. |
eulogy
1 use
Vlad mused that he'd like Henry to give his eulogy.†
eulogy = formal expression of praise — typically speeches delivered at someone's funeral
Definition
Generally eulogy means:a formal expression of praise — typically a speech given at someone's funeral
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11. |
imbibe
2 uses
However, it is crucial that the vampire restrain him or herself from imbibing any of the drudge's blood, lest the ritual become tainted and ineffective.†
imbibing = taking in
Definition
Generally imbibe means:to take in — especially to drink alcohol or be influenced by ideas
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17. |
incarnate
1 use
The high school stadium had been t ransformed into a carnival this year, which was much b etter than previous incarnations of the Freedom Fest.†
incarnations = embodiments
Definition
Generally incarnate means:embody (made real in a material sense) — especially in the form of a human body, but sometimes figuratively
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27. |
indebted
1 use
I am indebted to you.†
indebted = to be grateful for a favor; or to owe money; or to be in the position of owing a debt of gratitude
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24. |
indulge
1 use
But seeing something that resembled his own fangs sinking into flesh—not breaking skin, but biting nonetheless—sent Vlad's fangs shooting from his gums, and suddenly it was all he could do not to rip the girl from Kristoff's arms and indulge in every last delicious drop of her.†
indulge = enjoy to excess
Definition
Generally indulge means:to give into a desire or enjoy something — especially in excess of what is thought good—such as a desire to eat too much cake, or be too lazy
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18. |
oblivious
4 uses
Meredith looked from Nelly to Vlad and back, shaking her head, completely oblivious to what had almost transpired.†
oblivious = unaware of
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
omniscient
1 use
It was as if he were watching the scene through the lens of a large, omniscient camera.†
omniscient = all-knowing (to know everything)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2. |
presumption
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
presumption of innocence
The door closed, sealing them all inside the long hallway that led, presumably, to the club.†
presumably = probably
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ably" is a combination of the suffixes "-able" and "-ly". It means in a manner that is capable of being. This is the same pattern you see in words like agreeably, favorably, and comfortably.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ably" is a combination of the suffixes "-able" and "-ly". It means in a manner that is capable of being. This is the same pattern you see in words like agreeably, favorably, and comfortably.)
Definition
Generally this sense of presumption means:to think of something as true or likely, even though it is not known with certainty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18. |
quip
3 uses
He rinsed his hands in the sink, and as he reached for the towel, he quipped, "Unless, of course, you're interested in trying fresh blood."†
quipped = made a clever, witty remark
Definition
Generally quip means:a clever, witty remark; or making such a remark
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4. |
subconscious
1 use
It hadn't been Vlad's bad dreams at all, but Otis's r eality, reflected in Vlad's subconscious.†
subconscious = mental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior
(editor's note: Many people use this as a synonym for unconscious; though experts in the mind may distinguish a difference.)
(editor's note: Many people use this as a synonym for unconscious; though experts in the mind may distinguish a difference.)
Definition
Generally subconscious means:mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21. |
sustenance
3 uses
Think of them as sustenance.†
sustenance = food or something else that supports or strengthens the body or spirit; or the support provided
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
theorize
1 use
Through my studies, I have learned that the great vampire philosopher Diogenes once theorized that there is a way to steal the status, the traits, the power of the Pravus.†
theorized = to form a theory (a belief about how something works or came about — often without having absolute proof)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22. |