accordion
1 use
An accordion wall can be closed to divide the room.
accordion = characterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open — such as a door or musical instrument with that characteristic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
assert
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
asserted her opinion that...
The defense also asserts that the defendant has no previous record.
asserts = says (that something is true — especially something disputed)
Definition
Generally this sense of assert means:to say that something is true — especially something disputed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
banal
1 use
The movie was banal, but it led to a fascinating conversation.
banal = uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
Definition
Generally banal means:uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
delicacy
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
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 10 |
importune
1 use
She began to importune school trustees as soon as she learned of the problem.
importune = beg insistently or urge repeatedly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
intrigue
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
involved in intrigue
I try to avoid political intrigue.
intrigue = secret schemes or plots
Definition
Generally this sense of intrigue means:a secret scheme or plot
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
laconic
1 use
I need more than the book and my teacher's laconic answers to understand this material.
laconic = using few words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
perceive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
perceive the system as unfair
She finally perceived the futility of her protest.
perceived = viewed in a certain way so as to form a belief or opinion
Definition
Generally this sense of perceive means:to view in a certain way so as to form a belief or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
2 —1 use as in:
though blind, can perceive light
I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.
perceive = become aware of
Definition
Generally this sense of perceive means:to become aware of — especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
pithy
1 use
I follow her pithy commentary on Twitter.
pithy = concise (said in few words), but full of meaning
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
positive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
had a positive effect
Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.
positively = in a good or beneficial manner
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:good or beneficial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
reflection
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
my reflection in the mirror
I was looking at my reflection in her sunglasses.
reflection = image
Definition
Generally this sense of reflection means:an image (seen on a mirror or other shiny surface)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
remonstrate
1 use
When she has a complaint with her staff, she will remonstrate quietly and in private.
remonstrate = argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
retort
6 uses
She wanted to retort that he that he sounded more foolish than he looked, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.
retort = quickly reply
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
sultry
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sultry afternoon
It was a sultry afternoon. I could barely breath.
sultry = hot and humid
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
superficial
3 uses
She has only superficial knowledge on the subject.
superficial = relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
superfluous
1 use
Eliminate superfluous words.
superfluous = more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
sustain
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sustained by her faith
We sustained ourselves on bread and water.
sustained = supported
Definition
Generally this sense of sustain means:provide support or necessities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
vary
1 use
Your mileage may vary.
vary = be different
Definition
Generally vary means:to be different, or to change
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |