abject
1 use
She grew up in abject poverty; though she didn't know it.
abject = extreme
Definition
Generally abject means:extreme (in a negative sense such as misery, hopelessness, submissiveness, cruelty, or cowardice)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
cease
5 uses
They signed a cease-fire agreement.
cease = to stop or discontinue (in this case, to stop firing weapons at each other)
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
circumscribe
1 use
I will not let their expectations circumscribe how I live my life.
circumscribe = restrict the boundaries of
Definition
Generally circumscribe means:to restrict something within set limits; or draw a circle around or surround
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
component
1 use
It has only three major components.
components = parts
Definition
Generally component means:a part of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
despair
5 uses
Don't despair—help is on the way!
despair = give up hope
Definition
Generally despair means:hopelessness
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
emerge
4 uses
China recently emerged as a world power.
emerged = came out (became)
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 42 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |
expiate
1 use
She knows she can't expiate her sins, but hopes to heal some of the wounds.
expiate = make up for (do enough good to make up for the wrongs)
Definition
Generally expiate means:atone (demonstrate sorrow for a wrong either by doing something good to make up for the wrong, or accepting punishment)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 39 |
grave
1 use
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
(see word notes for more detailed definitions based on context)
(see word notes for more detailed definitions based on context)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
impervious
1 use
She has made up her mind and is impervious to criticism.
impervious = unaffected
Definition
Generally impervious means:not admitting passage through; or not capable of being affected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
integrity
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
system integrity
The antivirus software helps to assure system integrity.
integrity = an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
latent
1 use
She is unschooled, but I think she has latent talent as an engineer.
latent = potentially existing but not presently active
Definition
Generally latent means:potentially existing but not presently evident or active
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
lax
1 use
Lax safeguards contributed to the oil spill.
lax = relaxed; or lacking in strictness or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
rein
12 uses
The court reined in agency power—describing it as out of control.
reined = restrained
Definition
Generally this sense of rein means:to restrain or control as in "rein a horse"; or a means of control — such as the reins of a horse or of government
(The reins of a horse are the pair of straps attached to a bit in a horse's mouth and used to control it.)
(The reins of a horse are the pair of straps attached to a bit in a horse's mouth and used to control it.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
sacrilege
2 uses
They consider it sacrilege to depict Muhammad in a drawing.
sacrilege = disrespect of something others consider important or sacred
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
soporific
1 use
Her lecture put the whole class in a soporific daze.
soporific = tending to make one sleepy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
sullen
4 uses
She changed from outgoing child to sullen teenager.
sullen = showing a gloomy or bad mood — often by not interacting with others in a friendly way
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 45 |
tedious
1 use
I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.
tedious = boring or monotonous
Definition
Generally tedious means:boring — especially because something goes on too long or without variation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
tremulous
1 use
She spoke timidly in a tremulous voice.
tremulous = quivering (shaky) — usually from weakness or fear — especially of the voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
vindicate
1 use
He was eager to vindicate his actions.
vindicate = show to be right
Definition
Generally vindicate means:show to be right or justified
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
volition
1 use
She left the company of her own volition.
volition = will (done consciously and voluntarily without being forced or threatened)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |