accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 90 uses
1 —80 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.
accordance = keeping
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 | 80 uses |
| Library | 47 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
2 —10 uses as in:
done of her own accord
She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
animate
95 uses
1 —95 uses as in:
animated by her strong belief
The right to pursue happiness is an animating principle of American government.
animating = inspiring people to action
Definition
Generally this sense of animate means:inspire, make more lively, or bring to life
Word Statistics
| Book | 95 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
apprehend
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
apprehend the situation
She doesn't yet apprehend the seriousness of the charge against her.
apprehend = understand
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to understand or perceive (see or become aware of)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
approached her with the proposal
They approached her about becoming a member of the committee.
approached = began communication with
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to begin communication with someone about something — often a proposal or a delicate topic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
complacent
11 uses
She had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = unworried and satisfied
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
disdain
13 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 | 13 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
forage
12 uses
forage for firewood
forage = searched for and gathered
Definition
Generally forage means:to search for and gather — often food and provisions
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
however
22 uses
1 —22 uses as in:
However much she tried...
However hard he tried, he couldn't do it.
however = to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
impetuous
11 uses
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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
irony (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
2 —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 2 |
obscure (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 15 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
it obscured my view
The stars are obscured by the clouds.
obscured = hidden or made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
2 —9 uses as in:
the view or directions are obscure
For some obscure reason that goes back many years, they don't like each other.
obscure = not clearly understood
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not clearly seen, understood, or expressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
3 —4 uses as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
The obscure battle is hardly mentioned in history books.
obscure = not known to many people
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
pedantic
3 uses
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
rectify
3 uses
I am doing what I can to rectify the error.
rectify = correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
repudiate
2 uses
The parents repudiated their son.
repudiated = strongly rejected
Definition
Generally repudiate means:strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
resolute
53 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 | 53 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
venerate
3 uses
Most contemporary Hindus do not actually worship the cow; though many venerate her.
venerate = regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |