bound (7 meanings)
7 meanings, 7 uses
1 —1 use as in:
south-bound lanes
There was an accident in the south-bound lanes.
bound = travelling (in that direction)
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:traveling in a particular direction or to a specific location
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.198.2 |
2 —1 use as in:
She's bound to succeed.
She's bound to get into a good college.
bound = almost certain to
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:almost certain to; or determined to
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.137.4 |
3 —1 use as in:
bound together
The pieces of bread are moistened and bound together with eggs and a small amount of flour.
bound = held together
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:held together (connected or united) or wrapped
The exact meaning of this sense of bound is subject to its context. For example:
- "The pages of the book are bound with glue." — held together physically
- "The book is bound in leather." — wrapped or covered
- "The United States and England are bound together by a common language." — connected or united (tied together metaphorically)
- "She cleaned the wound and bound it with fresh bandages." — wrapped
- "She is wheelchair-bound." — connected (moves with a wheelchair because she is unable to walk)
- "The jacket has bound buttonholes." — edges wrapped by fabric or trim rather than stitches
- "She's the one in the bound-edge hat." — where the edge of the hat is wrapped in a decorative material.
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16, p.217.9 |
4 —1 use as in:
I can't/must. I'm bound by...
The suspect sat in the cell with her wrists bound by rope.
bound = tied together
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:to be constrained in some way — such as tied up, prevented, required, or obligated
The exact meaning of this sense of bound is subject to its context. For example:
- "Her wrists were bound." — tied up
- "I am bound by my word." — required or obligated (in this case to keep a promise)
- "It is a binding contract." — must be obeyed (The people who signed the contract are legally required to do what it says or suffer legal penalties.)
- "He is muscle bound." — prevented from moving easily (due to having such large, tight muscles)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.170.2 |
5 —1 use as in:
the binding is loose
The library buys books with a durable binding or rebinds them to make them stronger.
binding = things that hold the pages together (in this case, careful assembly with glue and perhaps strings)
Definition
Generally this sense of binding means:something that holds things together, or wraps or covers or ties something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.131.2 |
6 —1 use as in:
out of bounds; bounded on the east
The ball went out of bounds.
bounds = the boundaries of an area where a game is played
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:a boundary or limit
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18, p.245.1 |
7 —1 use as in:
The deer bound across the trail.
She's the sort of person who bounds out of bed in the morning and runs five miles before starting her day.
bounds = jumps
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:to leap or jump
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13, p.195.2 |
caustic
1 use
Don't get it on your skin. It's caustic.
caustic = harsh or capable of hurting skin (like a strong acid)
Definition
Generally caustic means:of a chemical substance: corrosive; capable of destroying or eating away such as a strong acid
or:
of a person: sarcastic, critical, or harsh
or:
of a person: sarcastic, critical, or harsh
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.17.4 |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12, p.178.8 |
correspond
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10, p.147.9 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12, p.174.5 |
function
2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
Its main function is to...
The function of the lens of the eye is to focus light on the retina.
function = job or purpose
Definition
Generally this sense of function means:purpose, job, or natural activity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12, p.179.7 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
impudent
8 uses
She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.
impudent = improperly bold or disrespectful
Definition
Generally impudent means:improperly bold or disrespectful — especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13, p.194.7 |
mollify
1 use
She managed to mollify the angry customer.
mollify = calm
Definition
Generally mollify means:calm someone who is or may become angry or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12, p.185.5 |
negative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
negative feedback from customers
The responses to my plan were negative.
negative = indicated criticism or disagreement
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:to express criticism or disagreement, or (especially when talking over a radio or in a military setting) to say "no"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.45.5 |
orthodox
8 uses
The new findings challenge orthodox views.
orthodox = normal
Definition
Generally orthodox means:normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10, p.148.2 |
propaganda
10 uses
There is no free press in that country — just government-approved propaganda.
propaganda = one-sided information spread to influence opinions
Definition
Generally propaganda means:one-sided information that is purposefully spread to influence opinions — often misleading information of a political nature
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.51.1 |
strait
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
strait = a narrow water way that joins two larger bodies of water
Definition
Generally this sense of strait means:a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.107.1 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.8.6 |
2 —1 use as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.163.1 |