acute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
acute pain
Yes . . . we've all got acute ghetto-itis.
acute = severe (a bad case of)
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (severe or strong) — usually negative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
amiable
1 use
(Amiably, as he sits himself easily on a chair, leaning forward on his knees with interest and looking expectantly into the newcomer's face) What can we do for you, Mr. Lindner!
amiably = in a friendly manner
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
convention
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to convene
You know, when these New Negroes have their convention—
convention = large conference or meeting
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:a large conference or meeting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
coquette
1 use
She is coquettishly fanning herself with an ornate oriental fan,
coquettishly = in a manner that playfully and casually arouses sexual interest of men
(Editor's note: Adding the suffix "-ishly" means in a manner having the characteristics of. This is the same pattern you see in words like childishly and foolishly.)
(Editor's note: Adding the suffix "-ishly" means in a manner having the characteristics of. This is the same pattern you see in words like childishly and foolishly.)
Definition
Generally coquette means:a woman who is casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men, but does not imply serious sexual interest
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
What happens to a dream deferred?
deferred = postponed (delayed—possibly forever)
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
deference
1 use
They all laugh except MAMA, out of deference to TRAVIS' feelings.
deference = polite respect
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
deliberate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deliberate insult
(Her hands pressed together, in a deliberately childish gesture)
deliberately = intentionally
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
disheveled
1 use
She wipes her face with a moist cloth and runs her fingers through her sleep-disheveled hair in a vain effort and ties an apron around her housecoat.
disheveled = messy
Definition
Generally disheveled means:messy (untidy or disordered) — especially of a person's clothes and hair
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
dumfounded
2 uses
(Dumbfounded, looking at LINDNER) Is this what you came marching all the way over here to tell us?
dumbfounded = bewildered (confused or surprised)
Definition
Generally dumfounded means:very surprised - often too surprised to know what to say or do
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
epitaph
1 use
You done wrote his epitaph too—like the rest of the world?
epitaph = short text to be inscribed on a tomb in memory of the person buried there
Definition
Generally epitaph means:a short text in memory of a dead person — especially text written on a tombstone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
facetious
1 use
MAMA: (Sensing their facetiousness) What's the matter with you all?
facetiousness = humor
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
Definition
Generally facetious means:trivial humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
furtive
1 use
RUTH: (Studying her mother-in-law furtively and...)
furtively = while taking pains to avoid being observed
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
futile
1 use
...you should know all the dreams I had 'bout buying that house and fixing it up ... And didn't none of it happen. (Dropping her hands in a futile gesture)
futile = indicating that effort is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
heritage
4 uses
On our Great West African Heritage!
heritage = things handed down from the past — such as traditional practices
Definition
Generally heritage means:something handed down from the past
in various senses, including:
- traditions — as in "Americans inherit a heritage of freedom"
- cultural practices — as in "Hospitality to strangers is part of Arabic cultural heritage."
- physical items built and/or protected from long ago — as in "The cathedral is a World Heritage site," or "The national parks are part of our heritage as Americans."
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
implication
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the implication is that...
The implication is pregnancy.
implication = something said indirectly (not said, but implied)
Definition
Generally this sense of implication means:Something that follows from something else.
The thing that follows could be:
- something suggested indirectly (not said directly)
- something that can be concluded (often a logical consequence)
- something that results from something else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
malicious
1 use
I can just see that chick someday looking down at some poor cat on an operating table and before she starts to slice him, she says . . . (Pulling his sleeves back maliciously) "By the way, what are your views on civil rights down there? "
maliciously = with a desire to see others suffer; or in a threatening manner
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
ominous
1 use
In the living room BENEATHA sits at the table, still surrounded by the now almost ominous packing crates.
ominous = threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
She waits a long time, and then with resignation starts to put away her things.
resignation = 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 | Scene 2.1 |
scrutiny
2 uses
He scrutinizes MURCHISON again, drinks his beer, squints his eyes and leans in close, confidential, man to man.
scrutinizes = looks at or examines very carefully
(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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
sullen
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sullen mood
(WALTER is silent and sullen) I—I just seen my family falling apart today . . .
sullen = showing a gloomy mood
(editor's note: More rarely, sullen can refer to the color of a gloomy sky, as in the lighting instructions at the start of Act 3: "At curtain, there is a sullen light of gloom in the living room, gray light ...")
(editor's note: More rarely, sullen can refer to the color of a gloomy sky, as in the lighting instructions at the start of Act 3: "At curtain, there is a sullen light of gloom in the living room, gray light ...")
Definition
Generally this sense of sullen means:being unhappy and withdrawn
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |