approach
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
approached the city
It won't let anyone approach.†
approach = get near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
appropriate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it is appropriate
An appropriate name.
appropriate = suitable (fitting)
Definition
Generally this sense of appropriate means:suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
chaos
3 uses
You have to rise above the squabbling and chaos, and keep believing.
chaos = extreme confusion and disorder
Definition
Generally chaos means:a state of extreme confusion and disorder
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
comprehend
2 uses
I just couldn't comprehend what I'd seen.
comprehend = understand — especially to understand it completely
Definition
Generally comprehend means:to understand something — especially to understand it completely
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
cower
1 use
At the last second, the empousa turned toward me like a cowering victim.
cowering = showing fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Definition
Generally cower means:show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 7 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
But I wanted to hear it directly from you.†
directly = personally (without anyone 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 14 |
2 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
Calypso picked up her gardening spade and directed me to the edge of the garden, where she began to dig.†
directed = guided
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
3 —2 uses as in:
directed the movie
Annabeth went to join her brethren from the Athena cabin, who had set up a command tent and were directing operations.†
directing = supervising
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
disconcerting
1 use
It was kind of disconcerting, because Poseidon listened so intently.
disconcerting = disturbing or unsettling
Definition
Generally disconcerting means:disrupt composure — such as to confuse or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
dissipate
1 use
The flames dissipated, and standing before us was a tall man in gray overalls and a metal leg brace, his beard and hair smoldering with fire.
dissipated = gradually disappeared
Definition
Generally dissipate means:to gradually disappear; or to gradually waste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
focus (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
Turn your focus to question #2.
He blinked at all of us, like he was trying to remember who we were, and then he focused on someone behind me.†
focused = looked
Definition
Generally this sense of focus means:verb: to concentrate, look at, or pay attention to
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing)
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 75 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
The camera focuses automatically
The two-faced man regarded Annabeth as best he could out of the corners of his eyes. It was impossible to look at him straight on without focusing on one side or the other.†
focusing = adjusting vision (to see something clearly)
Definition
Generally this sense of focus means:to adjust a lens to make an image clear
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
forage
1 use
O'Leary bounded happily around him, foraging for dinner scraps.
foraging = searching — often for food and provisions
Definition
Generally forage means:to search for and gather — often food and provisions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
indulgent
1 use
Hera smiled indulgently.
indulgently = with extra kindness or tolerance
Definition
Generally indulgent means:to treat with extra kindness or tolerance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
inevitable
1 use
And I love you for that, but you only delayed the inevitable.
inevitable = something that is certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
muse
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
her musings
"A painless death," Daedalus mused.
mused = thought (in this case, aloud)
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
positive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a positive attitude
Think positive.†
positive = optimistically
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 1 |
revere
1 use
Reverently, he lifted the weapon,
reverently = with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
summon
12 uses
He was summoning the dead again.
summoning = calling forth; or calling to come
Definition
Generally summon means:to call forth
The exact meaning of summon can depend upon its context. For example:
- "summon to court" — officially demand that someone appear in court (call them to court)
- "summon the team to a meeting" — call upon the team members to attend a meeting
- "summon help" — call others to come and help
- "summon her courage" — call forth her courage from within
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 35 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
treachery
1 use
...Kelli said "...we already have what we want from you, and we have other agreements to honor. ... And all Minos asked in return was your head, old man."
Daeadalus paled. "Treachery."
"Get used to it," Kelli said.
Daeadalus paled. "Treachery."
"Get used to it," Kelli said.
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |