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 6.8 |
candid
9 uses
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
contempt
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
credulous
1 use
The trick would fool none but the most credulous.
credulous = gullible (being too willing to believe)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.1 |
delirium
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
fever induced delirium
She should not be left alone in case the fever returns and makes her delirious.
delirious = mentally confused
Definition
Generally this sense of delirium means:a usually brief state of mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
depravity
10 uses
It is a terrible story of an innocent who trusted a man who treated her with ruthless depravity.
depravity = complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.1 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
There is too much discord in the team.
discord = conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.4 |
disdain
5 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.2 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
2 —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 4.2 |
fastidious
1 use
He is fastidious in his grooming.
fastidious = giving careful attention to detail
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
haughty
17 uses
It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.1 |
impetuous
1 use
She regretted her impetuous promise.
impetuous = impulsive (made suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.
ironic = saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
loathe
20 uses
I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.
loathe = detest or intensely dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
peasant
34 uses
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.
peasants = used historically: people of low income, education, and social standing
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
perplex
17 uses
Scientists are perplexed by the mystery.
perplexed = confused or puzzled
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
reproach
15 uses
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
resolute
16 uses
She stood resolute as some complained that she was asking too much of the team.
resolute = firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
servile
1 use
She acknowledged her submission in a servile tone.
servile = excessively submissive
Definition
Generally servile means:submissive — typically excessively so (so submissive or eager to serve and please that one seems to have no self-respect)
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |