abstain
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
12 votes yes and 3 abstained
She abstained from the vote because her sister was bidding for the job.
abstained = formally did not vote either "yes" or "no" (so that other voters made the decision)
Definition
Generally this sense of abstain means:to formally not vote either "yes" or "no" (so that other voters will make the decision)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
cadence
1 use
The sound of the waves crashing on the shore had a comforting cadence.
cadence = rhythm or recurring pattern
Definition
Generally cadence means:rhythm or recurring pattern of sounds or movements
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
converge
1 use
The lines converge at this point
converge = come together
Definition
Generally converge means:to come together; or to be adjacent or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
deride
1 use
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
divine
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlights in hair
The salon added highlights to her hair.
highlights = strips of hair that are lighter in color
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:noun: a strip of hair that is lighter
verb: making strips of hair lighter
verb: making strips of hair lighter
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
hypocrite
1 use
She calls him a hypocrite for suggesting a green lifestyle except when it is personally inconvenient.
hypocrite = someone who violates claimed moral standards
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
impulsive
1 use
letting him borrow her car was an impulsive act that she immediately regretted
impulsive = action taken without forethought
Definition
Generally impulsive means:action without forethought; or such a tendency
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
incantation
1 use
She believes in the power of magical incantations.
incantations = combinations of words believed to have a magical effect when they are said aloud
Definition
Generally incantation means:words believed to have a magical effect when they are said aloud; or the saying of such words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
incognito
1 use
They are travelling incognito.
incognito = with hidden identity (perhaps false names or even disguises)
Definition
Generally incognito means:with identity hidden — such as via a disguise or false name
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
listless
1 use
She was listless and bored.
listless = lacking energy and normal enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
menial
1 use
The fraternity pledges are given all the menial jobs.
menial = of work: unskilled and uninteresting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
morose
1 use
She drank alone in the corner, looking morose.
morose = unhappy
Definition
Generally morose means:unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
patron
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a patron of the arts
She is well known as a patron of the arts in our city.
patron = someone who contributes money to an organization
Definition
Generally this sense of patron means:someone who contributes money to an organization
or:
a supporter of an organization or person
or:
a supporter of an organization or person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
phosphorescence
1 use
She loves to swim in the ocean on nights when phosphorescence shines in her wake.
phosphorescence = a dim glowing light
Definition
Generally phosphorescence means:a dim glowing light
or more technically: a fluorescence (dim light) created by a chemical reaction within a living organism; or a dim light that continues to shine from something after the bombarding radiation (stronger light that fell upon it) has ceased
or more technically: a fluorescence (dim light) created by a chemical reaction within a living organism; or a dim light that continues to shine from something after the bombarding radiation (stronger light that fell upon it) has ceased
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
I'm positive I've seen her before.
positive = certain
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
a positive attitude
With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.
positive = optimistic
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:optimistic (expecting or focusing good things); or agreeable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
recoil
2 uses
She recoiled in horror.
recoiled = suddenly moved back (away from)
Definition
Generally recoil means:to move backward suddenly (sometimes figuratively)
especially:
- the backward jerk of a gun or cannon when it is fired
- when a person flinches (suddenly draws back) from someone or something, as with fear, disgust, or pain
- when a person is emotionally repulsed, as by disgust
- when something intended to go in one direction figuratively falls back in the opposite direction; for example, a story told to hurt someone that comes back to hurt the teller
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
salve
1 use
She smeared some salve on the wound and then wrapped it in a bandage.
salve = a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal
Definition
Generally salve means:a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal
or:
anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
or:
anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
Thalia
423 uses
Thalia is often shown holding a comic mask.
Thalia = Greek mythology: the Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry
Definition
Generally Thalia means:Greek mythology: the Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry
or:
Greek mythology: one of the three Graces
or:
Greek mythology: one of the three Graces
Word Statistics
| Book | 423 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |