audible
5 uses
On the last night of Aunt Emily's stay, there is a barely audible whispering that keeps me awake wondering late into the night.
audible = capable of being heard
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
beckon
11 uses
The two women step out, beckoning to the girls to follow them.
beckoning = calling (to follow by using a hand gesture or a nod)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
censor
4 uses
I'm told our letters aren't censored yet, but may be at any time.
censored = edited to remove anything authorities consider objectionable
Definition
Generally this sense of censor means:to remove or suppress anything considered obscene, immoral, or politically unacceptable
or:
a person who does such suppression
or:
a person who does such suppression
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
conciliatory
1 use
"Maybe," I said feebly, "he's trying to be conciliatory and see the point of view of the other side."
conciliatory = end bad feelings
Definition
Generally conciliatory means:intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
decorum
2 uses
Such lack of decorum, it is clear, is as unthinkable as nudity on the street.
decorum = proper manners and conduct
Definition
Generally decorum means:manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
deport
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
deport from the U.S.
Deportation on racial grounds has been defined as a crime against humanity,
deportation = forcing someone to leave a country
(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 this sense of deport means:force someone to leave a country
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
discriminate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
suffered discrimination
The Orders-in-Council are based upon racial discrimination.
discrimination = unfair treatment of a group of people (in this case based upon race)
(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 this sense of discriminate means:to treat people of different groups differently — especially unfair treatment due to race, religion or gender
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 39 |
exile
9 uses
The Orders-in-Council provide for the exile of Canadian citizens.
exile = forcing someone to live outside of their home country
Definition
Generally exile means:to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition
or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
expedient
3 uses
Expedience still demands decisions which will one day be judged unjust.
expedience = the need for practical actions
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
extricate
2 uses
But the silence and the constancy of the nightmare had become unbearable for Grandma and she hoped that by sharing them with her husband, she could be helped to extricate herself from the grip of the past.
extricate = free
Definition
Generally extricate means:free or remove from constraint or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
frayed
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
frayed cloth
I am a flag fraying against the sky.
fraying = showing wear with threads beginning to separate or hang loose
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
furtive
2 uses
At sundown we scuttle into our holes like furtive creatures.
furtive = nervous about being seen
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
futile
2 uses
I throw up my hands in futility.
futility = realization that the effort was pointless
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
grave
4 uses
Obasan moves her head slowly and gravely in a nod as she listens.
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
indifferent
3 uses
And there are others who, although they wouldn't persecute us, are ignorant and indifferent and...
indifferent = unconcerned or uninterested
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
pervasive
3 uses
The hardship is so pervasive, so inescapable, so thorough it's a noose around my chest and I cannot move anymore.
pervasive = present all around (widespread)
Definition
Generally pervasive means:existing throughout something; or generally widespread
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
protrude
7 uses
Rusted nails protrude from the walls.
protrude = stick out
Definition
Generally protrude means:to stick out from
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
Fumi is resigned to not coming with us.
resigned = accepted something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
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 | Chapter 14 |
scrutiny
1 use
RCMP carefully scrutinized each bundle, each suitcase, each barrel.
scrutinized = examine
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
virulent
1 use
This particular nurse was a Jap-hater of the most virulent sort.
virulent = harsh or hateful
Definition
Generally virulent means:of disease: very bad — perhaps very contagious
or
harsh or hateful
or
harsh or hateful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |