askance
1 use
The young man looked askance at Arya, then cautiously made his way to the center of the patterned disk, casting apprehensive glances at the egg that was rocking back and forth.†
askance = with disapproval or distrust; or directed to one side
Definition
Generally askance means:with disapproval, distrust, or suspicion
or:
directed to one side — especially a sideways glance
or:
directed to one side — especially a sideways glance
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 29 |
assuage
1 use
Brigman resumed his tirade: "I won't let you squander our lives merely to assuage your pride.†
assuage = soothe
Definition
Generally assuage means:to soothe (make something less unpleasant or frightening)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 18 |
beguile
3 uses
And donot think you can beguile me with honeyed words.†
beguile = to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 43 |
belittle
1 use
The other men crowded around him, also laughing, as well as praising him with extravagant phrases, boasting that under his leadership they would capture Aroughs without so much as a single casualty, and belittling the courage and character of the city's inhabitants.†
belittling = making someone or something seem less important
Definition
Generally belittle means:to make someone or something seem less important
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 18 |
carouse
1 use
All that evening, Eragon and Saphira caroused with Garzhvog, and Eragon fell into his waking dreams while listening to an Urgal chanter recite the tale of Nar Tulkhqa's victory at Stavarosk—or so Garzhvog told him, for Eragon could understand nothing of the Urgals' tongue, other than that it made the dwarves' sound as sweet as honeyed wine.†
caroused = having fun with others in a noisy manner while drinking alcohol
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 77 |
cavort
1 use
As am I...... Are Saphira and Firnen still cavorting about as they were earlier?†
cavorting = playing in a lively, unrestrained manner
Definition
Generally cavort means:to play in a lively, unrestrained manner — typically with someone — sometimes implying sexual play
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 75 |
commensurate
1 use
His strength decreased commensurately, but not enough to incapacitate him.†
commensurately = appropriate in proportion to
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 28 |
compendium
1 use
Although it was hardly an original idea, he had not appreciated the value of such a compendium until very recently.†
compendium = a list of items or a collection; or a summary of a subject area
Definition
Generally compendium means:a list of items or a collection — especially a publication containing a variety of works
or:
a concise but comprehensive summary of a subject area
or:
a concise but comprehensive summary of a subject area
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 15 |
compunction
1 use
The elves worried Roran; he had seen them kill soldiers who were trying to surrender, cutting them down without the slightest compunction.†
compunction = guilt for a misdeed; or a feeling that it would be wrong to do something
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 69 |
denizen
1 use
Another few minutes and the streets would he teeming with the denizens of Aroughs.†
denizens = people or animals that inhabit or frequently visit a particular place
Definition
Generally denizen means:a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 21 |
epitaph
2 uses
Chapter 72 —A FITTING EPITAPH.†
epitaph = a short text in memory of a dead person
Definition
Generally epitaph means:a short text in memory of a dead person — especially text written on a tombstone
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 72 |
ferret out
2 uses
I'm going to wash, find a tunic, and then check with Baldor and see if he's ferreted out any more of Galbatorix's killers.†
ferreted out = searched for and discovered through persistent investigation
Definition
Generally ferret out means:search for and discover through persistent investigation
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 51 |
forthwith
2 uses
If I ended our pact with the Urgals, they would likely be so angry, they would attack us forthwith, and we cannot fight both them and the Empire at the same time.†
forthwith = immediately
Definition
Generally forthwith means:immediately — (most typically seen in legal documents, formal use, or classic literature)
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
fraught
2 uses
The air between them was fraught with tension as he studied her and she him, their movements quick and jerky, almost birdlike, from the overabundance of energy coursing through their veins.†
fraught = full of negative things; or marked by or causing distress
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 24 |
introspection
2 uses
And yet, though they had examined themselves as honestly as they could, their introspection had yielded no results.†
introspection = contemplation of one's own thoughts and feelings
Definition
Generally introspection means:the contemplation of one's own thoughts and feelings
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 53 |
mallet
2 uses
From within his robes, he produced a file, a chisel, and a wooden mallet.†
mallet = a piece of equipment for pounding or hitting
Definition
Generally mallet means:a piece of equipment for pounding or hitting
such as:
- a tool resembling a hammer but with a large cylindrical head that is usually made of rubber or wood
- a long stick with a thick cylindrical head used to hit a ball in polo or croquet
- a light drumstick with a rounded head that is used to strike percussion instruments
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 29 |
modicum
2 uses
In the waning light, the Varden settled on a series of cultivated fields just southeast of Dras-Leona, where the land rose up to a slight plateau, which would provide them with a modicum of protection should the enemy charge their position.†
modicum = a small amount
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 17 |
sonorous
2 uses
Then, in his sonorous, magisterial voice, Glaedr said, This has gone on long enough...... Eragon, you should not spend so much time sparring.†
sonorous = full and deep sounding
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 24 |
veritable
2 uses
At the front, the explosion had shattered the stone walls, as well as the walls beyond for hundreds of feet, exposing a veritable warren of tunnels and rooms.†
veritable = used for emphasis to introduce a dramatic metaphor
Definition
Generally veritable means:used for emphasis: to describe one thing as almost like another (more intense) thing
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 70 |
zenith
2 uses
When the moon was nearing its zenith, Eragon saw a nest of dim orange lights floating in the darkness.†
zenith = the highest point
Definition
Generally zenith means:the highest point - physically or as a metaphor
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 44 |