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 with; or agreement with
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
Word Statistics
| Book | 80 uses |
| Library | 46 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 = mind
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
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 |
complacent
11 uses
He had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = 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 |
desist
2 uses
The Federal Trade Commission ordered the company to cease-and-desist from making such claims.
desist = to stop doing something
Definition
Generally desist means:to not do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 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
11 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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
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, 4 uses
1 —3 uses 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 1000 |
| 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 1000 |
| 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 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
philanthropy
6 uses
Her primary interests are family and philanthropy.
philanthropy = helping others
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
querulous
5 uses
He said it in a slightly querulous tone.
querulous = habitually complaining — especially in a high-pitched whiny voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
reprehensible
2 uses
Cheating is reprehensible.
reprehensible = bad and unacceptable — deserving severe criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
reproach
71 uses
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 71 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
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 | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
vacillate
3 uses
She was determined and did not vacillate in the least.
vacillate = to change one's mind back and forth between conflicting ideas
Definition
Generally vacillate means:to change one's mind back and forth between conflicting ideas
or:
to sway back and forth
or:
to sway back and forth
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
zeal
11 uses
She attacks each challenge with zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |