alacrity
1 use
(With alacrity, suddenly looking at George) Oh, yes!
alacrity = eagerness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
aloof
1 use
(Unable to stand longer her mother's aloofness, slowly drops album on table, and moves quickly to L. of Mother) (Passionately) On, Mama, just look at me one minute as though you really saw me.
aloofness = emotionally distance
(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 aloof means:socially distant or uninterested in something that interests others — often thinking oneself superior to others
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3 |
banal
1 use
(Finally she forces herself to speak a banality:) Oh, Mama, you shouldn't have.
banality = something uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
Definition
Generally banal means:uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3 |
congregation
1 use
...the very soft singing of the hymns by the congregation.
congregation = people who worship together in the same building
(editor's note: A hymn is a religious song.)
(editor's note: A hymn is a religious song.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
deprecate
1 use
Stage Manager now looks over the audience, puffs his pipe, consults watch, deprecates late-comers, etc.
deprecates = expresses disapproval of
Definition
Generally deprecate means:to diminish or treat something as unimportant or of low quality; or to express disapproval
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
descend the mountain
They cross to R. steps, increasing speed, descend steps into theatre aisle and run off in an increasing blaze of light.
descend = move down
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:move or slope downward
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
diligent
1 use
I guess we're all huntin' like everybody else for a way the diligent and sensible can rise to the top and the lazy and quarrelsome sink to the bottom.
diligent = hard workers
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
dogged
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
dogged determination
George starts doggedly out...
doggedly = with continuing effort despite difficulties
Definition
Generally this sense of dogged means:continuing effort to achieve something despite difficulties (persistent)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
ecstatic
2 uses
Emily, ecstatic at seeing her father, watches him from the moment he...
ecstatic = feeling intense happiness and excitement
Definition
Generally ecstatic means:feeling intense happiness and excitement (as when in a state of ecstasy)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
epitaph
1 use
Chose his own epitaph.
epitaph = a short text in memory of a dead person — typically written on their tombstone
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 |
futile
1 use
But she is shown how impossible, how futile it is to return.
futile = 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 | Intr. |
languid
3 uses
At once he starts eating sleepily, she to eat languidly, staring vaguely out.
languidly = in a slow, relaxed manner without much energy
Definition
Generally languid means:lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
morbid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a morbid curiosity
In the last act it is important to remove from the picture of the seated dead any suggestion of the morbid or lugubrious.
morbid = suggesting the horror of death
Definition
Generally this sense of morbid means:suggesting death and decay; or an unhealthy interest in disturbing thoughts — such as of death or cruelty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
pantomime
1 use
It seems advisable that at the opening of the play where the audience is first introduced to pantomime and imaginary props, that Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Webb in the preparation of breakfast perform much of their business with their backs to the audience, and do not distract and provoke its attention with too distinct and perhaps puzzling a picture of the many operations of coffee-grinding, porridge-stirring, etc.
pantomime = a performance or expression of something through gestures and body movements
Definition
Generally pantomime means:a performance or expression of something through gestures and body movements without words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
perplex
2 uses
(More perplexed than ever)
perplexed = confused or puzzled
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
placid
2 uses
They remain placid throughout the act,
placid = calm
Definition
Generally placid means:calm and not easily excited
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3 |
poignant
2 uses
...all those elements of poignant sorrow and abundant happiness that make for...
poignant = intensely touching the emotions
Definition
Generally poignant means:sharp or intense — typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
saunter
1 use
At the appointed "curtain hour", the Stage Manager saunters from Right, a script in his hand, a pipe in his mouth, hat on head.
saunters = walks leisurely
Definition
Generally saunter means:to walk leisurely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
subtle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a subtle shade of blue
There remain, however, two ways of producing the play. One, with a constant subtle adjustment of lights and sound effects; and one through a still bolder acknowledgment of artifice and make-believe: the rooster's crow, the train and factory whistles and school bells frankly man-made and in the spirit of "play."
subtle = understated so as not to draw attention to itself
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
tranquil
1 use
(Resuming her tranquility) Emily, look at that star.
tranquility = calm attitude
Definition
Generally tranquil means:calm and undisturbed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3 |