apathy
1 use
Right now I'm worried about Leigh, whose eyes are wide with emotion—a strange mix of hate, love, and apathy.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
assess
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
assess the situation
Heather gives Hunter a top to bottom assessment, something like how a scientist checks out his pet lab animal.
assessment = inspection to form a judgment
Definition
Generally this sense of assess means:consider something and make a judgment
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
assuage
2 uses
It's up to the daddy in question to assuage her ire.
assuage = soothe
(editor's note: Ire is a synonym for anger.)
(editor's note: Ire is a synonym for anger.)
Definition
Generally assuage means:to soothe (make something less unpleasant or frightening)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
augment
1 use
Buzzed again. Augmented by a different cycling.
augmented = increased
Definition
Generally augment means:enlarge or increase
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
aversion
1 use
a ... cheerleader with an aversion to me
aversion = dislike that leads to avoidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
baptism
16 uses
Hunter's getting baptized in less than half an hour.
baptized = "spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally baptism means:a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth
or:
a challenging experience that initiates or purifies
or:
a challenging experience that initiates or purifies
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
chagrin
1 use
Wrong time, wrong place, much to Bree's chagrin.
chagrin = bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance
Definition
Generally chagrin means:a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance — especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
contrite
1 use
Trey is contrite.
contrite = feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
cryptic
1 use
I kept the request cryptic, of course, and asked to meet away from the Sev.
cryptic = secretive
Definition
Generally cryptic means:secretive or difficult to understand
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
diligent
2 uses
Slice-and-bake dough, a brand-new oven, and spotless Teflon cookie sheets, and no matter how hard I tried, how diligently I watched them, I burned every single batch.
diligently = with hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
But in two more days not only will I be old enough to buy them, I'll have them at my easy disposal.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
dubious
1 use
"Isn't she pretty?"
The kids give dubious looks, and I suspect a fair amount of jealousy.
The kids give dubious looks, and I suspect a fair amount of jealousy.
dubious = uncertain or doubtful
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
elicit
3 uses
He pulls me to him, kisses me easily on the mouth, eliciting jealous stares from customers and salesgirls.
eliciting = bringing out in response
Definition
Generally elicit means:get or bring out in response — such as information or a feeling
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
extricate
1 use
So far I've managed to extricate myself without getting physical, relying on what's left of my brain to use a little humor, crack jokes about my baby fat or how Mom always warned me against storeroom sex.
extricate = free or remove from constraint or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
indulge
5 uses
Now, I haven't indulged that habit in quite a while either.
indulged = given into the desire of
Definition
Generally indulge means:to give into a desire or enjoy something — especially in excess of what is thought good—such as a desire to eat too much cake, or be too lazy
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
mitigate
1 use
Hunter wakes from an overlong nap hungry, wet, and otherwise irritated.
When I go to mitigate that, Dad decides to tag along.
When I go to mitigate that, Dad decides to tag along.
mitigate = make less unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
monotonous
1 use
Getting out of this deep well of monotony I'm slowly drowning in.
monotony = lack of variety
Definition
Generally monotonous means:lacking in variety — typically boring
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
pragmatic
1 use
Devon: Santa was here! He ate up all the cookies.
LaTreya, more pragmatic: Holy cow. Look at the presents!
LaTreya, more pragmatic: Holy cow. Look at the presents!
pragmatic = concerned with practical matters
Definition
Generally pragmatic means:concerned with practical matters — especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
rectify
1 use
He glances down, but doesn't make a move to rectify the situation.
rectify = correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
satiate
1 use
Little wonder, how the gods toyed with humans. ...toyed with men, to satiate their Seven Deadly Sins.
satiate = satisfy (the hunger of)
Definition
Generally satiate means:to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired—such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |