aggravate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she aggravates me
This aggravates his father no end, and several other adults have made nasty remarks about it too.
aggravates = annoys or irritates
Definition
Generally this sense of aggravate means:annoy or irritate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
audible
1 use
I gasped audibly.
audibly = in a manner that can be heard
Definition
Generally this sense of audible means:capable of being heard
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
compassion
4 uses
But as I was saying, it is a fact that John has compassion deep inside of him, which is the real reason we got involved with the Pigman.
compassion = sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
compulsive
1 use
Although I didn't know John and his family until two years ago when I moved into the neighborhood, from what I've been able to gather I think his father was a compulsive alcoholic.
compulsive = involuntary (in this case, not being able to resist the urge to drink)
Definition
Generally compulsive means:describing something someone does as done too much because of an uncontrollable desire — such as excessive gambling or eating
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
deliberate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deliberate insult
Would he think we had forsaken him and deliberately ripped his wife's clothes—viciously broken the pigs?
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 | Chapter 14 |
disdain
1 use
"Wandermeyer," I offered, with just the right touch of disdain I thought.
disdain = lack of respect (in this case, for a game that is being played)
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
distort
6 uses
Also, you'll find out soon enough that John distorts—when he isn't out-and-out lying.
distorts = alters the truth
Definition
Generally distort means:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
elaborate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an elaborate design
She finally got out of the house again that night by performing an elaborate ritual about having to go to the library.
elaborate = detailed (perhaps complex)
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
factor
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
It was the deciding factor.
Now, I don't like school, which you might say is one of the factors that got us involved with this old guy we nicknamed the Pigman.†
factors = things that affect a result or outcome
Definition
Generally this sense of factor means:something that affects a result or outcome
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
hoard
2 uses
The only part that impressed me out of the whole article was about the crazy lady in the sanitarium who hoarded food and sheets and towels and...
hoarded = gathered to store (as though they were things of great value)
Definition
Generally hoard means:to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
hypnotize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
hypnotized by her performance
Snakes can hypnotize their prey.
hypnotize = fascinate so much that awareness of other things is lost
Definition
Generally this sense of hypnotize means:fascinate so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
nocturnal
3 uses
we went into the nocturnal room of the Mammal Building.
nocturnal = (for animals that are) active during the night
Definition
Generally nocturnal means:active during the night; or relating to night
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
omen
9 uses
Right there and then I should have known the dream was an omen of death.
omen = sign of something about to happen
Definition
Generally omen means:a sign of something about to happen
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
pathetic (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
Her pathetic look saddened us.
He walked very slowly, and he had lost so much weight. It was pathetic, that's what it was.
pathetic = pitiful (something that arouses pity)
Definition
Generally this sense of pathetic means:pitiful (arousing pity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
2 —1 use as in:
a pathetic attempt to insult me
I mean those particular cops were so dumb it was pathetic.
pathetic = so bad it is laughable or contemptible
Definition
Generally this sense of pathetic means:very bad — possibly so bad it is laughable (possibly mixed with some feeling of pity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
philanthropy
1 use
I could pretend I belonged to the Howard Avenue Civic League or some other fictitious philanthropy.
philanthropy = an organization that helps others
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
pneumonia
3 uses
He sounded just like the kind of guy who'd commit suicide by taking a cold shower and then leaving the windows open to die of pneumonia!
pneumonia = a lung disease
Definition
Generally pneumonia means:respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and accumulation of fluid in the lungs; caused by infectious agents (e.g., viruses or bacteria) or by inhalation of certain irritants
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
putrid
2 uses
as he opened up a bottle of a putrid brand of beer
putrid = disgusting
Definition
Generally putrid means:rotting (an advanced state of decomposition) with a foul odor; or anything that is disgusting
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
strenuous
1 use
Everybody was in it, so I knew it was going to be a strenuous bore.
strenuous = difficult (in this case to endure or sit through the whole thing)
Definition
Generally strenuous means:energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
subconscious
4 uses
"...and you can't even tell a subconscious suicide when you talk to one. ... He sounded just like the kind of guy who'd commit suicide by taking a cold shower and then leaving the windows open to die of pneumonia!"
subconscious = mental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior
(editor's note: Many people use this as a synonym for unconscious; though experts in the mind may distinguish a difference.)
(editor's note: Many people use this as a synonym for unconscious; though experts in the mind may distinguish a difference.)
Definition
Generally subconscious means:mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |