abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
She had stormed out of the room then, ripping the radio out of the socket, abruptly stopping Angel's dance.
abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
assess
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
assess the situation
The ambulance drivers, dressed in blue, seemed to Gerald to take an awfully long time while they poked and measured and assessed Aunt Queen.
assessed = considered and evaluated
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
coherent
1 use
"Fire!" she whispered incoherently.
incoherently = in an unclear manner (not understandable to others)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in incoherently means not and reverses the meaning of coherently. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in incoherently means not and reverses the meaning of coherently. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally coherent means:sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
contract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
legal contract
Rob, with his natural grace and ability, was already talking of college scholarships and NBA contracts.
contracts = written agreements that are enforceable by law
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
curt
1 use
"I don't know where he is," replied Gerald curtly.
curtly = in a manner that uses few words or is abrupt and perhaps discourteous or rude
Definition
Generally curt means:brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
despise
1 use
The prosecutor, a round woman dressed all in green, including green fingernails done to match her bright green shoes, began by explaining to the jury what the charges were against Jordan, describing him as "a despicable monster."
despicable = terrible (vile; disgusting) — worthy of being strongly disliked and looked down upon
(Editor's note: The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.)
Definition
Generally despise means:to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
elaborate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an elaborate design
She was dressed in bright red from the top of her elaborate turban to the tips of her polished fingernails,
elaborate = with special features or arrangement
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
emerge
3 uses
Monique emerged from the bedroom then, lips bloody and face swollen from crying.
emerged = came out
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 58 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
focus
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
Turn your focus to question #2.
All of that was focused into his final lunge at Jordan.†
focused = concentrated
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 75 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
however
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
However, complications may...
However, she knew to stay away from Jordan, who would knock her off the table with a sweep of his arm, or kick her if she got in his way.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
inquire
2 uses
"What about your job?" Monique inquired hesitantly.
inquired = asked
Definition
Generally inquire means:to ask about or look into something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
intimidate
1 use
Doctor Orangehair ... was not intimidated by Aunt Queen's dramatic entrance.
intimidated = made fearful of inadequacy
Definition
Generally intimidate means:make fearful of inadequacy
or:
threaten
or:
threaten
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
literally
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
literally at death's door
Ms. Queen Marie Antionette Lincoln literally filled a room when she entered it.
literally = an intensifier (to intensify what is said)
Definition
Generally this sense of literally means:an intensifier (to intensify what is said — especially a metaphor)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
muse
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
her musings
"Maybe Monique has already left us," Gerald mused.
mused = thought (in this case, thinking aloud)
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
prescribe
1 use
Jordan kept her supplied with refills of her prescription, and when the doctor wouldn't give her any more, he brought these weird-lookin' shiny red pills and these bright blue-and-yellow pills that I ain't never seen before.
prescription = medication recommended by a medical doctor
(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 prescribe means:to recommend or require what should be done
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
probation
2 uses
I heard him tell Monique that he got a job, and reports to his probation officer right on time.
probation officer = a person who monitors a criminal who does not have to be in prison as long as they demonstrate good behavior and obey special restrictions
Definition
Generally probation means:a period of testing (especially of person)
in various senses, including:
- a period during which a criminal does not have to be in prison as long as they demonstrate good behavior and obey special restrictions
- a period during which a new employee is tried out on the job and during which the employee does not have all the privileges of a regular employee
- a period during which a student's grades or behavior must improve to prevent being kicked out of school
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
regal
1 use
She was dressed in bright red from the top of her elaborate turban to the tips of her polished fingernails, and an air of regal self-assurance seemed to travel with her.
regal = so fine, magnificent, or dignified as to be suitable for royalty
Definition
Generally regal means:so fine, magnificent, or dignified as to be suitable for royalty; or belonging to a king or queen
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
rehabilitate
1 use
Oh, but I am her daddy, boy, and court says I been rehabilitated.
rehabilitated = restored to a state of good condition
Definition
Generally rehabilitate means:to restore someone (or more rarely, something) to a state of good condition — such as recovery from addiction, illness, prison, or poor reputation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
retort
1 use
"So let him sweat like the rest of us," Gerald retorted.
retorted = quickly replied
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
seethe
2 uses
He was angry—hot, seething angry—but he knew that, because of Angel, he had to control himself.
seething = in a state where held-in anger is exceedingly upsetting
(editor's note: Seething can also refer to moving vigorously in-place — such as boiling water, an agitated crowd, or a basket of writhing (squirming) snakes. This book uses it in that sense when the author writes: "In the kitchen, the pot of hot dogs, which had long since boiled out of water, was seething and shaking on top of the wild gas flames.")
(editor's note: Seething can also refer to moving vigorously in-place — such as boiling water, an agitated crowd, or a basket of writhing (squirming) snakes. This book uses it in that sense when the author writes: "In the kitchen, the pot of hot dogs, which had long since boiled out of water, was seething and shaking on top of the wild gas flames.")
Definition
Generally this sense of seethe means:to be angry — especially when holding the anger within
or:
to move vigorously in-place — such as boiling water, an agitated crowd, or a basket of writhing (squirming) snakes
or:
to move vigorously in-place — such as boiling water, an agitated crowd, or a basket of writhing (squirming) snakes
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |