abstruse
4 uses
The professor's lectures were so abstruse that students tended to avoid them.
abstruse = difficult to understand
Definition
Generally abstruse means:difficult to understand; or not known by the great majority of people
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
affectation
3 uses
She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.
affectation = behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
allay
1 use
They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.
allay = reduced the intensity of
Definition
Generally allay means:reduce the intensity of or calm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
cognizant
7 uses
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Edgar Allan Poe
cognizant = aware (having knowledge or understanding)
Definition
Generally cognizant means:having or showing knowledge or understanding
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
corporeal
1 use
Her time of corporeal suffering will soon pass.
corporeal = regarding the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
Definition
Generally corporeal means:having material or physical form or substance
or:
regarding the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
or:
regarding the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
defunct
1 use
They are salvaging equipment out of the now-defunct factory.
defunct = no longer working
Definition
Generally defunct means:no longer in force; or having ceased to exist or live
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
derogatory
1 use
It is unacceptable to use derogatory terms to reference a race or ethnicity.
derogatory = disrespectful
Definition
Generally derogatory means:expressing disrespect or criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
disavow
1 use
She disavowed her assistant's comments.
disavowed = to refuse to have responsibility for, or association with
Definition
Generally disavow means:to refuse to have knowledge of, responsibility for, or association with
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
doleful
1 use
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
effrontery
1 use
She had the effrontery to laugh at the mayor's request.
effrontery = rudeness
Definition
Generally effrontery means:rude and disrespectful behavior — often made by someone who does not realize they are being rude — as when someone is presumptuous or impolitely bold
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
fatuous
1 use
We could always count on her to make a fatuous remark about the day's headlines.
fatuous = unintelligent
Definition
Generally fatuous means:without intelligence — often implying a smugness or complacency
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
flaccid
1 use
His flaccid handshake, didn't fill me with confidence.
flaccid = lacking firmness or strength
Definition
Generally flaccid means:lacking in firmness or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
forgo
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a foregone conclusion
It is a foregone conclusion.
foregone conclusion = a conclusion that is certain to be reached
Definition
Generally this sense of foregone means:done in the past
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
inarticulate
1 use
She becomes inarticulate when she's nervous.
inarticulate = unable to express herself clearly
Definition
Generally inarticulate means:unable to communicate clearly (or to use words)
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example:
- unable to find good words to express oneself — as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous."
- verbally expressing a feeling without words — as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair."
- unable to make oneself heard and understood — as in "She mumbled inarticulately."
- unable to speak — as in "She was inarticulate with rage."
- a feeling or idea that is not expressed — as in "We shared an inarticulate fear."
- inability to express or understand feelings or ideas — as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
indigent
1 use
We serve meals and provide shelter for the indigent.
indigent = poor people who lack basic necessities like food and shelter
Definition
Generally indigent means:so poor as to lack basic necessities like food and shelter; or people in that condition
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
misanthrope
2 uses
Homer Simpson's boss is a greedy misanthrope.
misanthrope = person who dislikes other people
Definition
Generally misanthrope means:someone who dislikes people — and often distrusts them
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
pernicious
2 uses
By the 21st century, it had evolved into a pernicious lack of employment.
pernicious = harmful
Definition
Generally pernicious means:harmful or something spreading harm — especially in a gradual or subtle way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
proclivity
2 uses
She has a proclivity for exaggeration.
proclivity = tendency
Definition
Generally proclivity means:a tendency, inclination, preference, or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
stonewall
1 use
Nixon stonewalled the Watergate investigation.
stonewalled = blocked progress by not answering questions
Definition
Generally stonewall means:to block progress - typically by refusing to answer questions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
testimonial
2 uses
Her testimonial for the candidate was especially persuasive.
testimonial = statement that serves as evidence
Definition
Generally testimonial means:something that recommends (or expresses commendation) — especially a verbal statement
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |