alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
I'm only helping you because you stole my memories and you're better than the alternative.
alternative = other possibility
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 48 |
Web Links
appease
3 uses
He didn't want to know that he had an unstable mother who'd gotten rid of him to appease a goddess.
appease = pacify (make less angry or upset)
Definition
Generally appease means:satisfy or pacify (make less angry or upset) — typically by giving something wanted
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
bronze
23 uses
1 —23 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
It was about sixty feet long, snout to tail, its body made of interlocking bronze plates.
bronze = a type of 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 | 23 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
chide
5 uses
Don't get ahead of yourself, she chided.
chided = gently scolded
Definition
Generally chide means:to tell someone they have done wrong — sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
direct (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 14 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
Jason glanced up at the helicopter, which was now circling directly overhead.†
directly = straight (in a straight line)
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
Still, mortals do notice it indirectly.†
indirectly = in a non-obvious manner
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
3 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
The question was directed at the third Cyclops, apparently the leader.†
directed = aimed (intended for)
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 24 |
4 —7 uses as in:
directed the movie
I am Chiron, camp activities director, and I'm happy you have all arrived here alive and with most of your limbs attached.†
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
disdain
2 uses
"Look, fighting is all fine, I suppose. And people who build things ..." She looked at Leo in disdain. "Well, I suppose someone has to get their hands dirty. But you need charm on your side."
disdain = disrespect and distaste
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
dubious
1 use
Leo looked dubious, but he held up the plug, and... [When he learns that the spirit horse Tempest will provide the electricity for his curcular saw]
dubious = doubtful; or full of uncertainty
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 50 |
incredulous
4 uses
"But you accidentally turned your own daughter to gold," Piper remembered. "And you realized how greedy you'd been. So you repented."
"Repented!" King Midas looked at Lit incredulously. "You see, son? You're away for a few thousand years, and the story gets twisted all around."
"Repented!" King Midas looked at Lit incredulously. "You see, son? You're away for a few thousand years, and the story gets twisted all around."
incredulously = with disbelief or surprise
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
mollify
1 use
"We just want information," Piper said in her most calming voice. "We hear you know everything."
Aeolus straightened his lapels and looked slightly mollified.
Aeolus straightened his lapels and looked slightly mollified.
mollified = calmed
Definition
Generally mollify means:calm someone who is or may become angry or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
mortal
20 uses
1 —20 uses as in:
mortal body
Gods are different from mortals, boy.
mortals = humans
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
patron
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a patron of the arts
"Would you attack your patron?" the woman chided.
patron = supporter
(editor's note: In this context, chided is a synonym for "scolded" or "criticized".)
(editor's note: In this context, chided is a synonym for "scolded" or "criticized".)
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 7 |
premonition
1 use
As soon as I got to camp, I had a premonition about Hera's cabin.
premonition = a feeling, not based on reason, that something will happen
Definition
Generally premonition means:a feeling, not based on reason, that something will happen — especially something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
prophecy
47 uses
Even if you succeeded, you heard the prophecy: unleashing Hera's rage would mean your destruction.
prophecy = prediction
Definition
Generally prophecy means:a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Word Statistics
| Book | 47 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
strata
1 use
For another thing, he didn't have any idea how to "name three sedimentary strata you observe" or "describe two examples of erosion."
strata = layers
Definition
Generally strata means:layers
or:
levels, classes, or groups into which people or other things are divided
or:
levels, classes, or groups into which people or other things are divided
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
vestige
1 use
Every vestige of winter was gone from the valley.
vestige = last trace (or last little remaining bit)
Definition
Generally vestige means:a remaining trace (little bit of something) that was previously abundant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 51 |
volatile
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a volatile situation
Quite a powerful and rare metal, but like the Roman emperors, quite volatile. Be sure never to break that blade....
volatile = explosive (emotionally or physically)
Definition
Generally this sense of volatile means:quick to change; or emotionally explosive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
Zeus
102 uses
She hates all children of Zeus.
Zeus = Greek mythology: the most supreme of the gods
Word Statistics
| Book | 102 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |