ascetic
1 use
The ascetic life has been more pronounced in Hinduism and Buddhism than in other major religions.
ascetic = the practice of self-denial
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 46 |
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 | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
cessation
2 uses
The Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
cessation = ending
Definition
Generally cessation means:a stopping
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
chattel
1 use
In that culture, family members were legally dependent upon the oldest male, but they were not chattel.
chattel = owned property
Definition
Generally chattel means:owned property (in law, tangible property other than real estate)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
descend
4 uses
We saw the rocket descend.
descend = move or slope downward
or:
come from a higher or prior level in a hierarchy — as a person from an ancestor
or:
come or arrive — especially from above — such as night or darkness
or:
come from a higher or prior level in a hierarchy — as a person from an ancestor
or:
come or arrive — especially from above — such as night or darkness
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 33 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 52 |
desist
1 use
The Federal Trade Commission ordered the company to cease-and-desist from making such claims.
desist = to stop doing something
Definition
Generally desist means:to not do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
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 | 27 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 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 | 46 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |
fluctuate
1 use
"I'm not overweight. I fluctuate between chubby and curvy."
fluctuate = alternately increase and decrease in quantity
Definition
Generally fluctuate means:to alternately increase and decrease in quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
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
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
minuteness
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size; or minute description
Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.
minute = small, detailed, or careful
Definition
Generally this sense of minuteness means:very small
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
penury
1 use
The couple suffered from substance abuse, gambling, lack of family support, and other social ills that lead to penury.
penury = extreme poverty
Definition
Generally penury means:a state of extreme poverty or destitution
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
perishable
1 use
Spoilage is an important cost for businesses that deal in perishable goods.
perishable = things that decay (spoil)
Definition
Generally perishable means:things that decay (spoil) — (often said of foods that need refrigeration such as meats or milk)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
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; or a means of control
The meaning of rein depends upon its context. For example:
- "keep a tight rein on the new employee," or "rein in a horse" — to control or restrain
- "give the new employee free rein," or "give the horse full rein" — do not restrain
- "the reins of government" — means of control
- "the reins of the horse" — leather straps used with a bit to control a horse
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
sheer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sheered to the left
The boat sheered to port to avoid a collision.
sheered = turned sharply
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:change direction abruptly; or to cause such a change of direction — (usually said of a boat)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
simultaneous
1 use
It is published in simultaneous print and electronic editions.
simultaneous = at the same time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 57 |
stagnate
1 use
We don't want the economy to stagnate.
stagnate = stay still or not develop
Definition
Generally stagnate means:staying still or not developing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
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 |
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 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
twilight
4 uses
It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.
twilight = the light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
Definition
Generally twilight means:the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
or:
a condition of decline following successes
or:
a condition of decline following successes
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |