auburn
1 use
The auburn-haired girl turned toward me.
auburn = colored a moderate reddish-brown
Definition
Generally auburn means:(of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
bronze
15 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
I reached down and took the hairpin, and as I did, it grew longer and heavier in my hand, until I held a familiar bronze sword.†
bronze = made of a type of high-quality 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 | 15 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
chide
2 uses
"Frederick," she chided.
chided = gently encouraged better behavior
Definition
Generally chide means:to tell someone they have done wrong — sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
cower
4 uses
It took all my willpower not to cower.
cower = show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
despair
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she felt despair
Her voice was ragged with despair.
despair = hopelessness
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 12 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
Once I attacked, however, Atlas was free to attack back directly, with all his might.†
directly = personally (without anything in between)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
2 —3 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
After his direct assault on Ladon failed, I gave him the idea of how to steal the apples, how to trick my father, but he took all the credit.†
direct = straightforward (uncomplicated—not requiring deception, extra steps, or secondary effects)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
3 —5 uses as in:
directed the movie
You thought, perhaps, that the immortal, all-powerful director of camp would not notice you leaving without permission?†
director = supervisor (person in charge)
(editor's note: The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor.)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
discriminate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
suffered discrimination
Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth.
discriminate = unfairly treat people differently (in this case treating normal people more poorly than those born into nobility)
Definition
Generally this sense of discriminate means:to treat people of different groups differently — especially unfair treatment due to race, religion or gender
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
fetter
1 use
It was Artemis, but she was wrapped in chains, fettered to the rocks.
fettered = shackled (restrained with chains)
Definition
Generally fetter means:to restrain or hinder
or more archaically:
a shackle for the ankles
or more archaically:
a shackle for the ankles
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
impetuous
1 use
She's too impetuous.
impetuous = impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
loathe
2 uses
Ares regarded me with loathing,
loathing = disgust or intense dislike
Definition
Generally loathe means:hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
muse
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
her musings
"Perhaps it is for the best," Chiron mused.
mused = reflected (thought) (in this case, aloud)
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
parry
2 uses
A Hunter came out of nowhere and slashed at me with her knife, but I parried and kept running.
parried = deflected (pushed it to the side)
Definition
Generally parry means:to avoid — especially to deflect (cause something to change direction)
in 2 primary senses:
- to avoid an attack — especially a physical attack as when deflecting the thrust of a sword
- to avoid answering a question with a clever response that directs attention elsewhere
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
pavilion
10 uses
The torches and braziers kept the outdoor pavilion warm,
pavilion = a large structure separate from other structures (in this case, as is often the case, the separate structure is less finished)
Definition
Generally pavilion means:a large structure separate from a main structure
in various senses, including:
- a large roofed structure without walls — often found in parks
- a temporary structure — such as a large tent to house exhibits at a fair, to provide sports facilities, or to put on a show
- a section of a large hospital or office complex adjacent to other parts
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
prevail
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
reason will prevail
The important thing is you have prevailed. And you saved Annabeth!
prevailed = succeeded or won
Definition
Generally this sense of prevail means:prove superior or win
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
skeptical
1 use
"I'll be fine."
Blackjack cocked his head skeptically.
Blackjack cocked his head skeptically.
skeptically = in a doubtful manner (regarding the truth or accuracy of the statement)
Definition
Generally skeptical means:doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
A few tentative hands went up—
tentative = careful or unsure
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
volley
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a volley of...
...his first volley of missiles zipped harmlessly over our heads.
volley = a rapid or simultaneous discharge of projectiles
Definition
Generally this sense of volley means:a rapid or simultaneous discharge of bullets or other projectiles
or:
a rapid or simultaneous series of similar (and usually antagonistic) events — such as protests or criticisms
or:
a rapid or simultaneous series of similar (and usually antagonistic) events — such as protests or criticisms
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
yield
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
yield to pressure
"Yield!" the monster roared.†
yield = surrender (give up)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |