acquisition
2 uses
From the fifth grade onward, most vocabulary acquisition occurs incidentally while reading.
acquisition = obtaining (in this case, understanding of words)
Definition
Generally acquisition means:obtaining possession of something; or the thing possessed
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
attribute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
It is an attribute of...
The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example the second column has the average full-grown weight.
attributes = characteristics
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:a characteristic (of something or someone)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the source of)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
aversion
14 uses
Of the two, she has a greater aversion to risk.
aversion = dislike that leads to avoidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
candid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
your candid opinion
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
corresponding time period
The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.
corresponds = is equivalent
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —2 uses as in:
corresponding by email
We correspond regularly via email.
correspond = write to each other
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
Despair descended upon us.
descended = came suddenly
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
desist
2 uses
The Federal Trade Commission ordered the company to cease-and-desist from making such claims.
desist = to not do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
dilatory
1 use
They are resorting to every dilatory tactic at their disposal to slow the investigation.
dilatory = slowing
Definition
Generally dilatory means:slow; or causing or tending to delay things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
There is too much discord in the team.
discord = conflict
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
entreat
17 uses
She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.
entreated = asked
Definition
Generally entreat means:to ask — especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
interloper
1 use
All the new settlers made him feel like an interloper in the country of his fathers.
interloper = someone who intrudes or encroaches (inserts himself without invitation)
Definition
Generally interloper means:someone or something that, without invitation, inserts itself — such as an uninvited guest at a party or a species that invades non-native territory
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
mania
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
mania surrounding the big event
Election mania is gripping the entire state.
mania = extremely strong enthusiasm
Definition
Generally this sense of mania means:extremely strong enthusiasm — often widely shared for something in particular
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
mitigate
2 uses
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.
mitigating = serving to make less harmful or unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
obstinate
9 uses
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
petulant
5 uses
She stomped her foot like a petulant child.
petulant = unreasonably annoyed or upset
Definition
Generally petulant means:unreasonably annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
sagacious
1 use
She is a smart and sagacious statesman.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
stolid
1 use
She listened to both arguments thoughtfully, but with a face as stolid as a cow's.
stolid = emotionless
Definition
Generally stolid means:having or revealing little emotion — sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable
or (much more rarely):
of an object: not interesting — often large and unmoving
or (much more rarely):
of an object: not interesting — often large and unmoving
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
sultry
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sultry afternoon
It was a sultry afternoon. I could barely breath.
sultry = hot and humid
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |