acquit (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
she was acquitted
It took the jury only 30 minutes to acquit her of the murder charge.
acquit = officially find "not guilty"
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges; or (informally) to find someone innocent of a charge of having done wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
2 —3 uses as in:
she acquitted herself well
Although they did not win, the team acquitted itself well and we were proud to have them represent us.
acquitted = handled (itself in a specified way)
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
alacrity
6 uses
She completed each assignment with alacrity.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
approbation
19 uses
She is not motivated by popular approbation.
approbation = approval
Definition
Generally approbation means:approval - often official
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
commendation
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
offered my personal commendation
The action deserves neither commendation nor condemnation.
commendation = praise
Definition
Generally this sense of commendation means:praise or a message expressing praise
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
delicacy (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 26 uses
1 —19 uses as in:
discuss with delicacy
She is admired for her delicacy in negotiations.
delicacy = sensitivity and tact
Definition
Generally this sense of delicacy means:care and gentleness — especially speaking or acting with sensitivity and tact
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —7 uses as in:
delicacy of the brushwork
The lacework was done with great delicacy.
delicacy = pleasant subtlety or fineness
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
disinclined
6 uses
She is disinclined to spend money while she is still in debt.
disinclined = reluctant
Definition
Generally disinclined means:feeling reluctant to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
felicity (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 17 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
domestic felicity
She is destined for felicity and prosperity.
felicity = happiness
Definition
Generally this sense of felicity means:happiness or luck; or an instance or source of such
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
2 —2 uses as in:
felicity of expression
Adams described Jefferson as having "felicity of expression."
felicity = pleasing and appropriate
Definition
Generally this sense of felicity means:pleasing and appropriate manner or style; or an instance of such
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
impropriety
5 uses
The senator denied any impropriety.
impropriety = behavior that was not proper
Definition
Generally impropriety means:behavior thought not to be proper — such as immoral or rude behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
impute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
imputed the outburst to stress
Her critics impute a more cynical motive.
impute = attribute (say something is caused by)
Definition
Generally this sense of impute means:attribute (to say one thing is the cause of another—often to blame and often wrongly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
2 —1 use as in:
impatience often imputed to youth
She is too quick to generalize and impute personality traits based upon stereotypes.
impute = attribute (something as a characteristic of a group)
Definition
Generally this sense of impute means:to say something is a characteristic of someone or something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
nominal (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
a nominal fee
The insurance company proposes a nominal fee for all elective care so that patients will join the effort to eliminate unnecessary expense.
nominal = small
Definition
Generally this sense of nominal means:insignificantly small
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —1 use as in:
he's nominally in charge
It was nominally written by the artist, but everyone suspects a ghostwriter did the bulk of the work.
nominally = in name only
Definition
Generally this sense of nominal means:in form or name, but not in reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
officious
4 uses
She plays the role of a well-meaning but officious classmate who thinks she knows what's best for everyone.
officious = too eager to tell others what to do
Definition
Generally officious means:too eager to tell others what to do — often regarding unimportant matters
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
remiss
4 uses
I'd be remiss in this overview if I didn't also mention...
remiss = careless — not doing a good job
Definition
Generally remiss means:careless — especially with regard to a duty
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 40 |
reprobate
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
she fears their reprobation
Their misbehavior merits all of our reprobation.
reprobation = expression of criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
sanguine
12 uses
She argues that we've been too sanguine about the challenge in inner city schools.
sanguine = confidently optimistic and cheerful
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
untoward
4 uses
She was embarrassed by his untoward behavior.
untoward = improper or awkward
Definition
Generally untoward means:improper, awkward, or unfavorable
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |