capricious
2 uses
...his capricious temper and vicious nature.
capricious = impulsive or unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
complacent
2 uses
His face lit up with pride and pleasure at that thought, and he said with a cheery complacency, "I like that—it's the true old blood—hey, Pembroke?"
complacency = satisfaction
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
countenance
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
Tom's countenance darkened, for his memory reverted to his kicking.
countenance = facial expression
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
digress
2 uses
After this long digression we have now arrived once more at the point where Pudd'nhead Wilson, while waiting for the arrival of the twins...
digression = instance of wandering form the main storyline
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — typically verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
diligent
3 uses
For with all his tireless diligence he had discovered no sign or trace of the...
diligence = 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
disdain
1 use
She swung herself around disdainfully, and started away.
disdainfully = with a lack of respect; or with a sense of superiority
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
endure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
endured the pain
She couldn't endure the thought of it.
endure = bear (suffer through; or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
2 —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.
enduring = lasting (continue to exist)
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
guile
2 uses
Tom answered guilelessly: "It don't stand at all; it's all over."
guilelessly = without cunning (shrewdness, cleverness) or deceit
(Editor's note: The suffix "-lessly" in guilelessly means in a manner that is without. This is the same pattern you see in words like harmlessly, fearlessly, and remorselessly.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-lessly" in guilelessly means in a manner that is without. This is the same pattern you see in words like harmlessly, fearlessly, and remorselessly.)
Definition
Generally guile means:cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
pious
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a good, pious woman
Her piety was no sham, but was strong and sincere.
piety = religious belief
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
A profound terror had taken possession of her.
profound = of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
rectify
2 uses
Then a man spoke from the crowd, and said that while he was very sorry that the mistake had been made, it would not be possible to rectify it at the present meeting.
rectify = fix
Definition
Generally this sense of rectify means:correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
refute
1 use
He was eager to hear the slander refuted from headquarters...
refuted = proved false
(editor's note: A slander is a false statement that hurts someone's reputation.)
(editor's note: A slander is a false statement that hurts someone's reputation.)
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 9 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
Roxy had no home now; so she resolved to go around and say good-by to her friends and then clear out and see the world—
resolved = definitely decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
Her resolve weakened.
He was loath to withdraw his faith from the twins, and was resolved not to do it on the present indecisive evidence; but—well, he would think, and then decide how to act.
resolved = determined (having firm intent)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
revere
4 uses
...she was surprised to see how steadily and surely the awe which had kept her tongue reverent and her manner humble toward her young master was transferring itself to...
reverent = feeling or showing respect and admiration
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
scrutiny
3 uses
[Every man in the room had his hand up to the light now ... and was minutely scrutinizing the balls of his fingers; there were whispered ejaculations of 'Why, it's so—I never noticed that before!'] The patterns on the right hand are not the same as those on the left.
scrutinizing = looking at very carefully
(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 scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
trifle
11 uses
1 —11 uses as in:
a trifling matter
Wilson showed a trifle of irritation when he replied...
trifle = a small amount
Definition
Generally this sense of trifle means:something of small importance; or a small quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
usurp
5 uses
"Tom" was a bad baby, from the very beginning of his usurpation.
usurpation = act of seizing or taking control without authority
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
vivacious
2 uses
The company broke up reluctantly, and drifted toward their several homes, chatting with vivacity and all agreeing that it would be many a long day before Dawson's Landing would see the equal of this one again.
vivacity = n engaging liveliness
Definition
Generally vivacious means:having an engaging liveliness — when said of a person, typically said of a female
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |