abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
He breaks away from her abruptly towards the upstage corner.
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 | Scene 2.33 |
abstract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
My desire might be to make this boy ... a worshipper of abstract and unifying God.
abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.35 |
agitate
3 uses
ALAN is very agitated.
agitated = stirred up emotionally (not calm)
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.5 |
anguish
2 uses
[DORA wrings her hands in anguish.]
anguish = extreme pain, suffering, or distress
Definition
Generally anguish means:extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.7 |
belligerent
1 use
ALAN [belligerently, standing up]:
belligerently = with an attitude of one eager to fight
Definition
Generally belligerent means:hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.6 |
convention
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
conventional behavior
Too conventional, for him. Finding a religion in Psychiatry is really for very ordinary patients.
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 | Scene 2.25 |
converge
2 uses
For a moment they seem to converge on the boy as he stands in the middle of the stable,
converge = come together
Definition
Generally converge means:to come together; or to be adjacent or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.16 |
furtive
3 uses
Furtively ALAN enters the square from the top end,
furtively = in a manner indicating nervousness
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.29 |
insolent
1 use
ALAN moves away from him, insolently takes up a packet of DYSART's cigarettes from the bench, and extracts one.
insolently = rudely disrespectfully
Definition
Generally insolent means:rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.17 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
DYSART: Mrs Strang, what on earth has got into you? Can't you see the boy is highly distressed?
DORA [ironic]: Really?
DORA [ironic]: Really?
ironic = saying one thing while meaning another
(editor's note: Dora is being sarcastic because Dysart has asked a question with such an obvious answer. So when she says "Really?", rather than meaning "Do you really think so?", she is saying "Of course I see he is distressed. Why would you ask such a stupid question?")
(editor's note: Dora is being sarcastic because Dysart has asked a question with such an obvious answer. So when she says "Really?", rather than meaning "Do you really think so?", she is saying "Of course I see he is distressed. Why would you ask such a stupid question?")
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.23 |
mane
4 uses
Now all you do is hold onto his mane.
mane = long coarse hair growing on the back of the neck of a horse
Definition
Generally mane means:long coarse hair such as that which grows around a lion's head or on the back of a horse's neck
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.35 |
novel
1 use
Of course, there's nothing novel in that.
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.17 |
perceptive
1 use
Wicked and—of course, perceptive.
perceptive = to be better at noticing or realizing things than most people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.17 |
pretense
1 use
At least that's the pretence.
pretence = a false appearance or action to help one pretend
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.)
(editor's note: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.25 |
provincial
1 use
I shrank my own life. ... I settled for being pallid and provincial, out of my own eternal timidity.
provincial = unsophisticated
(editor's note: In this context, pallid means feeble or weak.)
(editor's note: In this context, pallid means feeble or weak.)
Definition
Generally this sense of provincial means:unsophisticated (meant disapprovingly to refer to old-fashioned or narrow-minded attitudes and ideas)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.25 |
rein
6 uses
He reins the horse round, and wheels to face the parents.
reins = forces (the horse) in a direction by pulling on straps that are attached to the bit in its mouth
(editor's note: This word rein is also used outside the context of horses to indicate that something is "restrained or controlled".)
(editor's note: This word rein is also used outside the context of horses to indicate that something is "restrained or controlled".)
Definition
Generally this sense of rein means:to restrain or control; or a means of control
The meaning of rein depends upon its context. For example:
- "keep a tight rein on the new employee," or "rein in a horse" — to control or restrain
- "give the new employee free rein," or "give the horse full rein" — do not restrain
- "the reins of government" — means of control
- "the reins of the horse" — leather straps used with a bit to control a horse (You might like to think of other senses of rein as being figurative derivations from this sense.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.10 |
relentless
3 uses
Relentlessly, as this happens, three more horses appear in cones of light: not naturalistic animals like the first three, but dreadful creatures out of nightmare.
relentlessly = in an extreme manner that does not stop
Definition
Generally relentless means:to continue without stopping in an extreme manner — often of something that is harsh or oppressive
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.6 |
resume
2 uses
FRANK resumes his seat.
resumes = begins again to take (goes back to)
Definition
Generally resume means:begin or take on again
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.13 |
revere
2 uses
Lost in wonder, he starts almost involuntarily to kneel on the floor in reverence—but is sharply interrupted by...
reverence = deep respect with a mixture of wonder
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.14 |
spontaneous
1 use
He kisses her spontaneously.
spontaneously = instinctively and uninhibitedly (without plan)
Definition
Generally spontaneous means:behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.33 |