adorn
1 use
ELESIN [slows down a bit, laughing] A tryst where the cockerel needs no adornment.†
adornment = decoration
Definition
Generally adorn means:to decorate — especially a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ailment
1 use
Speak now in plain words and let us pursue the ailment to the home of remedies.†
ailment = illness
Definition
Generally ailment means:an illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
belittle
1 use
PRAISE-SINGER Far be it for me to belittle the dwellers of that place but, a man is either born to his art or he isn't.†
belittle = to make someone or something seem less important
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
confound
1 use
Damn it, what a confounded nuisance!†
confounded = confused or frustrated
Definition
Generally confound means:to confuse, prove wrong, frustrate, or express frustration
in various senses, including:
confuse or surprise — sometimes specifically to confuse one thing with another
- "confounded by the puzzle" — confused or perplexed
- "Test results confounded the experts." — surprised and confused
- "Do not confound confidence with correctness." — mistake one thing for another
prove wrong, defeat, or frustrate
- "The test results confounded my theory." — proved wrong
- "Their defense confounded our offense." — defeated or frustrated
make worse
- "She confounded the problem by painting without sanding." — made worse
- "The task is complicated by other confounding factors." — making worse
an exclamation expressing anger or frustration
- "Confound it! Will I ever get this thing to work?"
- "I don't understand the confounded directions!"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
corroborate
1 use
— uncorroborated word of a sergeant.†
uncorroborated = not supported
(Editor's note: The prefix "un-" in uncorroborated means not and reverses the meaning of corroborated. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "un-" in uncorroborated means not and reverses the meaning of corroborated. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally corroborate means:to support an opinion — typically with additional evidence or testimony
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
crescendo
1 use
There is a change of rhythm, it rises to a crescendo and then, suddenly, it is cut off.†
crescendo = gradual increase in intensity; or maximum intensity
Definition
Generally crescendo means:a gradual increase in intensity; or the time of maximum intensity — especially in the loudness of music
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
dais
1 use
As they gain the end of the hall where the orchestra dais begins the music comes to an end.†
dais = a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
deity
2 uses
No goodness teems with such open hands Even in the dreams of deities.†
deities = gods or goddesses
Definition
Generally deity means:god or goddess
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dexterity
1 use
ELESIN dances towards the market-place as he chants the story of the Not-I bird, his voice changing dexterously to mimic his characters.†
dexterously = adroitly (skillfully)
Definition
Generally dexterity means:adroitness (skill) — with the hands or mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
edify
1 use
I take it then that you did not find your stay in England altogether edifying.†
edifying = instructive
Definition
Generally edify means:to instruct — morally or intellectually
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
enmity
1 use
And since he has been so helpful to me I don't want him to incur the enmity of our people.†
enmity = hatred
Definition
Generally enmity means:hatred toward someone or between people — typically long-lasting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
homage
1 use
Just let Elesin fulfil his oath and we will retire home and pay homage to our King.†
homage = respect or loyalty
Definition
Generally homage means:respect or loyalty; or something done to show respect or loyalty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
insight
1 use
You were the final gift of the living to their emissary to the land of the ancestors, and perhaps your warmth and youth brought new insights of this world to me and turned my feet leaden on this side of the abyss.†
insights = a clear understanding of some aspect of a complex situation; or a tendency to have such understandings
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
intermediary
1 use
He knows the peril to the race when our dead father, who goes as intermediary, waits and waits and knows he is betrayed.†
intermediary = someone who acts as a link between two others who don't talk directly
Definition
Generally intermediary means:someone who acts as a link between two others who don't talk directly — such as a realtor between a buyer and seller, or a friend between two people so angry they will not speak with each other
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
intractable
1 use
—Tractable.†
tractable = easily managed
Definition
Generally intractable means:difficult
in various senses, including:
- of problems or disease — difficult to solve or cure
- of people or animals — difficult to manage or control
- of materials — difficult to manipulate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
obstruct
2 uses
Tell these women to stop obstructing me in the performance of my duty.†
obstructing = blocking or hindering
Definition
Generally obstruct means:to block or hinder
The exact meaning of obstruct can depend upon its context. For example:
- "obstruct the path" — block passage through
- "obstruct justice" — hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
- "obstruct her view" — get in the way so as to hide from sight
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
pauper
1 use
However sunk he was in debt he is no pauper's carrion abandoned on the road.†
pauper = someone who is very poor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
tether
2 uses
The elephant Trails no tethering-rope; that king Is not yet crowned who will peg an elephant— Not even you my friend and King.†
tethering = tying to something so as to limit the boundaries of movement
Definition
Generally tether means:to tie so as to limit the boundaries of movement; or the rope or other material used to do the tying
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
transfigure
1 use
PRAISE-SINGER Iyaloja, mother of multitudes in the teeming market of the world, how your wisdom transfigures you!†
transfigures = change completely the nature or appearance of — especially in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
treachery
2 uses
Even the honour of my people you have taken already; it is tied together with those papers of treachery which make you masters in this land.†
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |