alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
And there are alternatives to taking blood against a human's will.†
alternatives = possibilities
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 3. |
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approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
As he whipped through the town, it occurred to Ignatius that a more direct approach would be called for.†
approach = technique (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15. |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
He still couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom, but attributed it to the fact that outside of Henry, Joss, and Meredith, he'd never really hung out with anyone for an extended period of time.†
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 18. |
banish
1 use
If he were any other vampire, he would be banished from Elysia and shunned.
banished = expelled (kicked out)
Definition
Generally banish means:to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
- to force someone to leave a country as punishment
- to push an idea from the mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26. |
bequeath
1 use
He decided to bequeath Henry his video games.
bequeath = give or pass down
Definition
Generally bequeath means:give or pass down — often upon death in a will
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11. |
condescending
1 use
D'Ablo cast a condescending smile, "As you wish."
condescending = a manner treating others as inferiors
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24. |
conflict
1 use
He looked conflicted.†
conflicted = tension from opposing ideas or feelings
Definition
Generally conflict means:a struggle or disagreement
in various senses, including:
- a serious disagreement — as in "political conflict"
- the tension from two opposing ideas or feelings — as in "I'm conflicted about where I should go to college."
- a violent fight or war — as in "the Israeli-Palestinian conflict"
- an idiom that refers to tension between responsibilities to different entities — "conflict of interest"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21. |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Henry scowled with contempt.
contempt = a lack of respect
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 14. |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
In stark contrast, he kept his tone light.†
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24. |
direct
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
As he whipped through the town, it occurred to Ignatius that a more direct approach would be called for.†
direct = straightforward (uncomplicated)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8. |
disdain
1 use
D'Ablo tilted his head slightly, eyeing them with utter disdain.†
disdain = a lack of respect
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 24. |
grave
1 use
Maybe he was making a grave mistake, but he didn't think he was.†
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21. |
indignant
2 uses
Henry sat with an air of indignation.†
indignation = anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21. |
inevitable
2 uses
It was inevitable.†
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2. |
mentor
6 uses
He paused, mourning the loss of such a great mentor and friend, before continuing along the town's borders in an effort to quiet his mind.†
mentor = someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19. |
nevertheless
1 use
It hadn't seemed like a remark worth Otis's reaction, but nevertheless, his uncle furrowed his brow and leaned closer, as if they were about to share a dire secret.†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 26. |
obnoxious
5 uses
It was the only obnoxious thing about Otis staying with them.†
obnoxious = rude or unpleasant
Definition
Generally obnoxious means:very rude or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4. |
prophecy
7 uses
The half-vampire, half-human, ruling-over-vampirekind, enslaving-the-human-race subject of prophecy that Elysia had been watching out for for centuries.†
prophecy = prediction of the future
Definition
Generally prophecy means:a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2. |
taint
3 uses
But tainting their precious time together was the matter of Henry, and the gnawing feeling that Vlad was somehow responsible for his cloudy mood.†
tainting = spoiling (so as not to be desirable)
Definition
Generally taint means:to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
utter
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
utter stupidity
Vlad blinked, utterly confused.†
utterly = completely or totally
Definition
Generally this sense of utter means:complete or total (used as an intensifier—typically when stressing how bad something is)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |