consonant
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
consonant or vowel?
It takes longer for babies to learn to voice back-of-the-mouth consonants (like k) than front-of-the-mouth consonants (like p).
consonants = speech sounds that are not a vowels
Definition
Generally this sense of consonant means:a letter of the alphabet (or a speech sound) that is not a vowel
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
convoluted
1 use
It's hard to follow her convoluted reasoning.
convoluted = very complex
Definition
Generally convoluted means:highly complex or intricate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
dictum
1 use
She is fond of quoting Ken Kesey's dictum: "You can count the seeds in the apple, but you can't count the apples in the seed."
dictum = saying
Definition
Generally dictum means:a short saying intended to make a point
in various senses, including:
- a popular saying — such as "Nothing is certain but death and taxes."
- a formal declaration from a respected source — such as the Constitution's statement that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech"
- a non-binding remark in a judge's opinion — short for obiter dictum
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
liberal arts
1 use
It is a prestigious liberal arts school.
liberal arts = focusing on studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills
Definition
Generally liberal arts means:studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
linguist
1 use
She is a linguist specializing in Native American languages.
linguist = someone who specializes in the study of language
Definition
Generally linguist means:a specialist in the study of language
or:
a person who is skilled in multiple languages
or:
a person who is skilled in multiple languages
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
loam
1 use
In those days the loam in that area was four feet thick.
loam = rich soil
Definition
Generally loam means:a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
metropolis
1 use
I want to live and work in the middle of a vibrant metropolis.
metropolis = large, important city
Definition
Generally metropolis means:a large city — especially one that is considered important
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
nettle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
beware of nettles near the river
I ran into some stinging nettles.
nettles = a type of plant that has fine irritating hairs
Definition
Generally this sense of nettle means:a type of plant with stinging or irritating hairs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
olfactory
1 use
Dogs bred for scent-based tasks have higher olfactory capacities than other dogs.
olfactory = relating to the sense of smell
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
pantomime
1 use
Though she didn't speak Chinese, she was able to pantomime her meaning.
pantomime = express something through gestures and body movements without words
Definition
Generally pantomime means:a performance or expression of something through gestures and body movements without words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
patronage
1 use
Most ambassadors are selected from career Foreign Service officers, but many are appointed through political patronage.
patronage = political appointment in return for political support
Definition
Generally patronage means:support or favor given
The exact sense of patronage depends upon its context. For example::
- "wants to increase federal patronage of the arts" — donations made to support an organization or person
- "a political patronage appointee" — favors given such as political appointments or contracts given in return for political support
- "rewards repeat patronage" — business from customers — especially recurring business
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
pedantic
1 use
Her lectures were too pedantic for my taste.
pedantic = overly concerned with book learning
Definition
Generally pedantic means:too concerned with formal rules, details, or book learning
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
proclivity
1 use
She has a proclivity for exaggeration.
proclivity = a natural inclination
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
quibble
1 use
Let's not quibble over pennies.
quibble = argue about unimportant things
Definition
Generally quibble means:to argue about unimportant things; or an argument or complaint about something unimportant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
rationalize
1 use
Criminals typically rationalize their behavior. Even when convicted, many blame others for their decisions.
rationalize = think of a good excuse for
Definition
Generally this sense of rationalize means:to think of a good excuse for behavior that seems bad or unreasonable, and to believe the excuse is good or reasonable — typically done subconsciously and often after the behavior in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
rebuttal
1 use
She presented a rebuttal to the President's State of the Union speech.
rebuttal = statement arguing something is not true
Definition
Generally rebuttal means:a statement that argues that something is not true
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
resolve
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Her resolve weakened.
She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.
resolve = determination (firmness of purpose)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
simile
1 use
When she said he was "as subtle as a sledgehammer," she was using ironic simile.
simile = a phrase expressing a similarity between things of different kinds
Definition
Generally simile means:a phrase expressing a similarity between things of different kinds — usually formed with "like" or "as"
as in "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," or "She is as quiet as a mouse."
as in "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," or "She is as quiet as a mouse."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
stock
1 use
She bought Google stock before it doubled in value.
stock = shares of ownership of different corporations
Definition
Generally this sense of stock means:shares of ownership of a corporation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
strata
1 use
The Grand Canyon has many exposed rock strata ranging from 200 million to 2 billion years old.
strata = layers
Definition
Generally strata means:layers
or:
levels, classes, or groups into which people or other things are divided
or:
levels, classes, or groups into which people or other things are divided
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |