accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 20 uses
1 —19 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
Wemmick explained to me ... that this was according to custom, and...
according to = in agreement with
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 51 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
2 —1 use as in:
accord her the respect deserved
He further gave me leave to accompany the prisoner to London; but declined to accord that grace to my two friends.
accord = give special treatment
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:to give someone special treatment — especially respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 54 |
acquit (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
she was acquitted
"Yes; but not only that," said Wemmick, "she went into his service immediately after her acquittal, tamed as she is now."
acquittal = official finding of "not guilty"
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges; or (informally) to find someone innocent of a charge of having done wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 48 |
2 —1 use as in:
she acquitted herself well
For such reasons, I was very glad when ten o'clock came and we started for Miss Havisham's; though I was not at all at my ease regarding the manner in which I should acquit myself under that lady's roof.†
acquit = handle (conduct or behave)
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
But, it was only the pleasanter to turn to Biddy and to Joe, whose great forbearance shone more brightly than before, if that could be, contrasted with this brazen pretender.
contrasted = compared to show differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
2 —3 uses as in:
there is a contrast
The air of completeness and superiority with which she walked at my side, and the air of youthfulness and submission with which I walked at hers, made a contrast that I strongly felt.
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
defer (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
I deferred asking him about Miss Havisham until next day.
deferred = delayed
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 57 |
2 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I silently deferred to his experience.
deferred = submitted or yielded
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
direct (6 meanings)
6 meanings, 37 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
depart directly
His expression was, 'a round score o' year ago, and a'most directly after I took up wi' Compeyson.'†
directly = immediately
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —7 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
It lay directly in my way, and had been worked that day, as I saw by the tools and barrows that were lying about.†
directly = exactly where stated (used for emphasis)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 56 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
3 —4 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
Am I right in so understanding what you have told me, as that he never referred to her, directly or indirectly, in any way?†
indirectly = in a complicated, non-obvious manner
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
4 —10 uses as in:
directed her question to
We found that a steamer for Hamburg was likely to suit our purpose best, and we directed our thoughts chiefly to that vessel.†
directed = focused
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 34 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
5 —2 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
I think it will be conceded by my most disputatious reader, that she could hardly have directed an unfortunate boy to do anything in the wide world more difficult to be done under the circumstances.†
directed = instructed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
6 —1 use as in:
directed the movie
He advised my attending certain places in London, for the acquisition of such mere rudiments as I wanted, and my investing him with the functions of explainer and director of all my studies.†
director = supervisor (person in charge)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 17 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
It was an odd sensation to see his very familiar face established quite at home in that very unfamiliar room and region;†
established = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —4 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
So convinced I was of that woman's being her mother, that I wanted no evidence to establish the fact in my own mind.†
establish = prove
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 40 |
forbearance
6 uses
...and he seems to have felt pity for her, and forbearance towards her.
forbearance = patience or tolerance
Definition
Generally forbearance means:refraining (holding back) from acting
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
oblige
27 uses
1 —12 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
I was obliged to admit that I did know it for a certainty,
obliged = required (to do something)
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
unquizzed meaning —15 uses
resolve
25 uses
1 —25 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
Never had I breathed, and never would I breathe—or so I resolved —a word of Estella to Provis.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
retort
32 uses
"And do you remember," retorted Mr. Jaggers, "that but for me you wouldn't be here and couldn't be here?"
retorted = quickly replied
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 32 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |