abstract
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
abstract thought
We all agree that we want what's "best for the country", but that is an abstract concept and we cannot agree on which specific laws should be passed.
abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
apprehend
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
assert
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
asserted her opinion that...
The defense also asserts that the defendant has no previous record of crime.
asserts = says
Definition
Generally this sense of assert means:to say that something is true — especially something disputed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 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 |
breech
4 uses
It was a difficult breech birth.
breech = rear (in this case indicating that the baby came out of the birth canal butt-first)
Definition
Generally breech means:rear
Most commonly used today in the phrase breech birth in reference to a baby who comes out of the birth canal butt-first rather than head-first.
Most commonly used today in the phrase breech birth in reference to a baby who comes out of the birth canal butt-first rather than head-first.
More-archaic senses seen in classic literature include:
- breechcloth — a form of loincloth consisting in a strip of material passed between the thighs and held up in front and behind by a belt or string
- breeches — pants
- a cannon's breech — the rear of a gun
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
convention
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
conventional behavior
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.
conventional = normal
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
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 |
dispute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
their border dispute
The area has long been a source of dispute between India and Pakistan.
dispute = disagreement
Definition
Generally this sense of dispute means:disagreement, argument, or conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
immaterial
1 use
For political reasons, most senators had to vote for the bill. The fine print was immaterial to the final vote.
immaterial = not important
Definition
Generally this sense of immaterial means:not important, or not relevant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
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 |
melancholy
5 uses
Since her dog died she's been in a melancholy mood.
melancholy = very sad
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
monotonous
5 uses
We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.
monotonous = lacking variety and boring
Definition
Generally monotonous means:lacking in variety — typically boring
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
reflect
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I want to reflect on it.
At the beginning of this passage, the author reflects on her life as a waitress.
reflects = thinks carefully
Definition
Generally this sense of reflect means:think carefully — possibly aloud or in writing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
retort
6 uses
She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, 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 |
simulate
2 uses
A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.
simulate = imitate or represent
Definition
Generally simulate means:make an imitation or representation of
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 = shallow
Definition
Generally superficial means: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 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
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 |