accommodate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
the room can accommodate four
Its furnishings are typical and undistinguished and their primary feature now is that they have clearly had to accommodate the living of too many people for too many years—and they are tired.
accommodate = provide for
Definition
Generally this sense of accommodate means:provide (or have the ability to provide) for something desired or needed
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
agitate
3 uses
...(Pointing at his sister)—that is going to be the chairman of the Committee on Unending Agitation.
agitation = stirring up emotional unrest
(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 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 2.3 |
appreciate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
I appreciate her efforts.
I'm going to try to get right to the point. I'm sure we'll all appreciate that in the long run.
appreciate = be grateful for
Definition
Generally this sense of appreciate means:to recognize the value or importance of
and/or:
to be grateful for
and/or:
to be grateful for
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
2 —1 use as in:
I appreciate the complexities
BENEATHA: (With appreciation of the two meanings, which escape RUTH and WALTER) Un-huh.
appreciation = understanding (of a situation)
(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 appreciate means:to understand a situation-often one with important complications
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.3 |
beseech
1 use
(Beseechingly) Then why can't there never be no peace in this house then?
beseechingly = in a manner that asks strongly or begs
Definition
Generally beseech means:to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
contradict
1 use
The YOUNGER living room would be a comfortable and well-ordered room if it were not for a number of indestructible contradictions to this state of being. ... the furnishings of this room were actually selected with care and love and even hope—and brought to this apartment and arranged with taste and pride. That was a long time ago. ... Weariness has, in fact, won in this room.
contradictions = things that disagree with themselves (In this case, in one sense the room demonstrates good taste and care, but in other ways it is shabby and neglected.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
dominate
1 use
(Cutting GEORGE off and staring at him as she replies to RUTH) It means someone who is willing to give up his own culture and submerge himself completely in the dominant, and in this case oppressive, culture!
dominant = most influential or powerful
Definition
Generally dominate means:to control; or to be most influential, powerful, abundant, important, or conspicuous
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.1 |
eccentric
4 uses
Oh, don't be so proud of yourself, Bennie—just because you look eccentric.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
elude
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
your point eludes me
She is lost, vague, trying to catch hold, to make some sense of her former command of the world, but it still eludes her.
eludes = escapes understanding (is not understood by)
Definition
Generally this sense of elude means:to escape understanding (not understand)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
exasperated
6 uses
BENEATHA: (Staring at him and crossing away with exasperation) Oh—Asagai—at this moment you decide to be romantic!
exasperation = great annoyance
(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 exasperated means:greatly annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
flippant
1 use
(Coming to her with genuine romantic flippancy) I will show you our mountains and our stars; and give you cool drinks from gourds and teach you the old songs and the ways of our people—and, in time, we will pretend that—(Very softly)—you have only been away for a day.
flippancy = lack of seriousness
Definition
Generally flippant means:showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
idealism
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
youthful idealism
And it is very odd but those who see the changes—who dream, who will not give up—are called idealists . . . and those who see only the circle we call them the "realists"!
idealists = people who believe behavior should be guided by high ideals or standards — often implying that they are unrealistic
Definition
Generally this sense of idealism means:the belief that behavior should be guided by high ideals or standards and often that good things will result — sometimes used to imply that such beliefs are unrealistic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
inclined
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
This is a woman who decided long ago to be enthusiastic about EVERYTHING in life and she is inclined to wave her wrist vigorously at the height of her exclamatory comments.
inclined = has a tendency
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
indifferent
4 uses
WALTER: Me and you ought to sit down and talk sometimes, man. Man, I got me some ideas.
GEORGE: (With boredom) Yeah—sometimes we'll have to do that, Walter.
WALTER: (Understanding the indifference, and offended) Yeah—well, when you get the time, man...
GEORGE: (With boredom) Yeah—sometimes we'll have to do that, Walter.
WALTER: (Understanding the indifference, and offended) Yeah—well, when you get the time, man...
indifference = lack of interest
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
indignant
3 uses
(Indignantly) What's the matter with you all!
indignantly = with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
negative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
negative feedback from customers
(Shaking his head negatively but gently) No. Between a man and a woman there need be only one kind of feeling. I have that for you .... Now even .... right this moment ...
negatively = indicating an answer of "no"
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:to express criticism or disagreement, or (especially when talking over a radio or in a military setting) to say "no"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
(RUTH: Almost gently, with profound understanding) You think you a woman, Bennie—but you still a little girl.
profound = deep (of great intensity or depth)
Definition
Generally this sense of profound means:of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
rapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
rapt attention
The boy and his mother study it raptly over MAMA'S shoulders.
raptly = with deep interest and focus
Definition
Generally this sense of rapt means:deeply interested and focused (on something) — often while admiring
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
She waits several seconds, trying to make up her mind about something, and looks at RUTH a little tentatively before going on.
tentatively = in an unsure or hesitant manner
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
unobtrusive
1 use
She is one of those women of a certain grace and beauty who wear it so unobtrusively that it takes a while to notice.
unobtrusively = in a manner that does not to attract much attention
Definition
Generally unobtrusive means:fitting in so as not to attract much attention or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |