beckon
15 uses
"Do not trouble yourself, Director," he exclaimed, beckoning her to rise.
beckoning = signaling (by using a hand gesture or a nod)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 – |
benevolent
6 uses
The figure before him did not look benevolent, however.
benevolent = kind or generous
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 – |
bronze
7 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
The kneeling woman did not turn, but kept her attention on the pedestal's bronze plaque.
bronze = made of a brownish metal
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
conjure
12 uses
David conjured a fire.
conjured = brought into existence — as if by magic
Definition
Generally conjure means:summon into action or bring into existence — often as if by magic
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 – |
contract (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
legal contract
Anyway, this contract cannot be broken.
contract = an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 – |
2 —2 uses as in:
the metal contracted
There was a popping sound and a putrid odor, as her pustules contracted and burst open.
contracted = pulled back (got shorter or smaller)
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:when something gets shorter or smaller
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 – |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
descend the mountain
Ahead, the road descended toward an ancient bridge, a crumbling span that arced across a gurgling stream.†
descended = sloped downward
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 | Chapter 20 – |
digress
1 use
When the demon digressed into observations about his chef's latest dishes, Max broke in.
digressed = wandered off topic
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — typically verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 – |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
His thoughts were shattered by the sound of a distant horn—a discordant note that wrenched him from his reverie.
discordant = unpleasant sound
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 – |
disdain
5 uses
With cold disdain, the gladiator stepped over Max, took up a position some ten yards away, and turned his back.
disdain = a lack of respect
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 – |
dubious
6 uses
"I'm not a monster—I'm a friend."
"Friend?" inquired the girl with a dubious tone.
"Friend?" inquired the girl with a dubious tone.
dubious = doubtful; or suspicious
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 – |
immutable
1 use
Several people began to object, but Bellagrog brushed the protests aside, citing Hag Law as though it were a spell, an immutable custom beyond all question or resistance.
immutable = unchangeable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 – |
languish
4 uses
All these people languishing in filth, praying for the 'Great Prusias' to stop and make their fortune.
languishing = suffering in a bad situation for a long time
Definition
Generally languish means:to suffer in a bad situation for a long time
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 – |
latent
1 use
Max frowned and searched his friend's face for any indication of a chink in the armor, a latent willingness to share.
latent = potentially existing but not presently evident or active
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 – |
mystic
38 uses
This branch of mystic study is hereby ended.
mystic = relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience
Definition
Generally mystic means:relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience; or one who attempts to tune into such realities
Word Statistics
| Book | 38 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 – |
profound (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
profound idea
... "This is some of my great wisdom!"
But Vainamoinen merely smiled and asked his challenger to speak of more profound things.
But Vainamoinen merely smiled and asked his challenger to speak of more profound things.
profound = deep or far-reaching in intellect or consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 – |
2 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
Something was profoundly wrong here,
profoundly = with greatest intensity
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 | Chapter 15 – |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
The man's posture suggested a prisoner resigned to execution rather than a willing combatant.
resigned = having accepted something undesired as unavoidable
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means: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 | Chapter 5 – |
reticent
1 use
Max's roommate seemed on the verge of saying something else but did not. Cooper was not so reticent.
reticent = reluctant to speak freely
Definition
Generally reticent means:reluctant — especially to speak freely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 – |
stoic
8 uses
Her expression remained stoic as she appraised Max.
stoic = emotionless
Definition
Generally stoic means:seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |