abstract (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
MARTHA: [comparing the subject of biology to that of math] ... Biology's even better. It's less . . . abstruse.
GEORGE: Abstract.
MARTHA: ABSTRUSE! In the sense of recondite. (Sticks her tongue out at GEORGE) Don't you tell me words.
GEORGE: Abstract.
MARTHA: ABSTRUSE! In the sense of recondite. (Sticks her tongue out at GEORGE) Don't you tell me words.
abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
(editor's note: One of the senses of abstruse means "not known by the great majority of people." That is exactly what Martha wanted to say, but George thought she wanted to say that math is especially abstract or conceptual. Martha emphasizes her mastery of vocabulary by explaining that she meant abstruse in the sense of recondite—which is a less commonly known word. It means "incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge.")
(editor's note: One of the senses of abstruse means "not known by the great majority of people." That is exactly what Martha wanted to say, but George thought she wanted to say that math is especially abstract or conceptual. Martha emphasizes her mastery of vocabulary by explaining that she meant abstruse in the sense of recondite—which is a less commonly known word. It means "incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge.")
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
abstract art
NICK: (Indicating the abstract painting) Who . . . who did the . . . ?
abstract = not imitating external reality or objects of nature
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means:not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
admonish
3 uses
GEORGE (Admonishing): Tut, tut, tut.
admonishing = expressing disapproval
Definition
Generally admonish means:to express disapproval to someone of their actions; or to warn or advise someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
archaic
1 use
GEORGE: I've got the ice . . .
MARTHA: . . . gotten . . .
GEORGE: Got, Martha. Got is perfectly correct . . . it's just a little . . . archaic, like you.
MARTHA: . . . gotten . . .
GEORGE: Got, Martha. Got is perfectly correct . . . it's just a little . . . archaic, like you.
archaic = so extremely old as to seem to belong to an earlier period
Definition
Generally archaic means:so extremely old as to seem to belong to an earlier period; or obsolete
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
condescending
2 uses
GEORGE: Don't you condescend to me!
condescend = to treat others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
contempt
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
MARTHA: (Going after them, looks back at GEORGE, contemptuously)
contemptuously = with disrespect
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
convoluted
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convoluted thinking
Have you ever listened to the way you talk? You're so frigging. . . convoluted . . . that's what you are. You talk like you were writing one of your stupid papers.
convoluted = complex (hard to understand)
Definition
Generally this sense of convoluted means:complex — often more complex than necessary
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
deride
4 uses
. . . the one thing I've tried to carry pure and unscathed through the sewer of this marriage; through the sick nights, and the pathetic, stupid days, through the derision and the laughter . . .
derision = critical disrespect — typically while laughing at or making fun of
(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 deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
disdain
3 uses
NICK (With great disdain): I just don't see why you feel you have to subject other people to it.
disdain = 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
disparage
1 use
MARTHA: George talks disparagingly about the little bugger because . . . well, because he has problems.
disparagingly = with criticism or in a manner to make the child seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
feigned
5 uses
GEORGE (Feigned awe): Very good!
feigned = pretending to feel
(editor's note: In this context, awe means "great respect and admiration.")
(editor's note: In this context, awe means "great respect and admiration.")
Definition
Generally feigned means:pretended — usually pretending to feel something
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
incredulous
7 uses
GEORGE (Incredulous): You're amused?
incredulous = unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
malleable
1 use
Accommodation, malleability, adjustment . . . those do seem to be in the order of things, don't they?
malleability = to be easily influenced to fit in with surroundings
Definition
Generally malleable means:of people: easily influenced
of materials: capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
of materials: capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
pathetic
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Her pathetic look saddened us.
GEORGE (To NICK): Let her go. (MARTHA slumps to the floor in a sitting position) She'll be all right now.
MARTHA (Pathetic): No; no, he is not dead; he is not dead.
MARTHA (Pathetic): No; no, he is not dead; he is not dead.
pathetic = pitiful (arousing pity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
petulant
2 uses
HONEY (Petulantly): No! If I can't do my interpretive dance, I don't want to dance with anyone.
petulantly = with unreasonable upset
Definition
Generally petulant means:unreasonably annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
pragmatic
3 uses
a pragmatic extension of the big dream
pragmatic = practical — especially where results triumph over ideal theory
Definition
Generally pragmatic means:concerned with practical matters — especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
preoccupied
9 uses
GEORGE (Seemingly relaxed and preoccupied, never looking): Oh, that's nice.
preoccupied = took up the attention of
Definition
Generally preoccupied means:busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or done
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
He is hurt, but it is more a profound humiliation than a physical injury.
profound = of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
GEORGE (Resignedly): Yes, Martha.
resignedly = in a manner indicating that he has 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 | Act 1 |
undulate
2 uses
(NICK and MARTHA move apart now and dance on either side of where GEORGE and HONEY are sitting; they face each other, and while their feet move but little, their bodies undulate congruently. . . . . It is as if they were pressed together)
undulate = move in a smooth wave-like motion
(editor's note: In this context, congruently means: together in synchronization or in harmony or in a coinciding manner)
(editor's note: In this context, congruently means: together in synchronization or in harmony or in a coinciding manner)
Definition
Generally undulate means:a smooth wave-like motion (physical or auditory)
or:
having a wavy or rippled form or surface
or:
having a wavy or rippled form or surface
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |