accord
12 uses
1 —12 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
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 | 12 uses |
| Library | 46 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Ded. |
amorphous
2 uses
From month-to-month, the committee's instructions have been amorphous, contradictory, and transitory.
amorphous = without clearly defined boundaries
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Ded. |
calumny
1 use
The committee is characterized by chaos and calumny.
calumny = false accusations
Definition
Generally calumny means:false accusation against a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
consequence
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
contempt
3 uses
1 —3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
convention
9 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
conventional behavior
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth was flat.
conventional = normal or typical
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Ded. |
copious
1 use
She took copious notes.
copious = a lot of
Definition
Generally copious means:abundant (large in quantity or number)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
didactic
1 use
Though John loved her lessons, George hated her didactic tone.
didactic = describing someone as inclined too inclined to instruct
Definition
Generally didactic means:describing something intended to instruct; or someone excessively inclined to instruct
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Ded. |
earnest
14 uses
Both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate.
earnest = sincere or serious
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
effrontery
1 use
She had the effrontery to laugh at the mayor's request.
effrontery = impolite boldness
Definition
Generally effrontery means:rude and disrespectful behavior — often made by someone who does not realize they are being rude — as when someone is presumptuous or impolitely bold
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
hypochondria
2 uses
Hypochondriacs don't just harm themselves; they clog the whole health-care system.
hypochondriacs = people who worry excessively about imaginary illnesses
Definition
Generally hypochondria means:excessive worry about imaginary illnesses
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
indignant
17 uses
She was indignant, but agreed to be searched when they accused her of shoplifting.
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
novel
1 use
We're looking for novel advertising ideas.
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
prejudice
10 uses
The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.
prejudice = unreasonable and unfair belief or feeling
Definition
Generally prejudice means:to have unreasonable belief — especially when unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
pugnacious
1 use
The pugnacious Congressman was in no mood to compromise.
pugnacious = combative in tone (as though ready to fight)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
revere
1 use
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
satiate
2 uses
The candy satiated my craving for sugar.
satiated = satisfied
Definition
Generally satiate means:to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired—such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Ded. |
spurious
1 use
Don't be fooled by such spurious arguments.
spurious = false; or not genuine — often seeming plausible, or intentionally deceptive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Ded. |
stringent
1 use
We insist that our employees follow stringent safety measures.
stringent = strict
Definition
Generally stringent means:demanding strict attention to detailed rules and procedures
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Ded. |
variant
1 use
Andrew Carnegie helped eliminate many variant spellings through the Simplified Spelling Board.
variant = a little different (of the same type)
Definition
Generally variant means:something a little different from others of the same type
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |