acquit
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
she was acquitted
So incredible that they acquitted her.
acquitted = found her "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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.59.6 |
condone
2 uses
I'm glad to say they did not condone her behaviour.
condone = accept without criticism; or approve of
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.100.9 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
If amyl nitrite were withheld—well, the consequences might easily be fatal.†
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 30 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.103.8 |
2 —1 use as in:
of little consequence
"It's of no consequence," said the judge.
consequence = importance
From page 34.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.34.9 |
contradict
3 uses
He can swear the body's been dead at least an hour and who's to contradict him?
contradict = disagree with
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Epil., p.261.2 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it is a contrast
It was such a contrast to his restraint of a few minutes ago that Armstrong was quite taken aback.
contrast = something notably different compared (to something)
From page 95 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:something noticeably different (compared to something else or to other things)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.95 |
convention
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
conventional behavior
The mid-day meal had been duly eaten-but there had been no conventional formality about it.
conventional = normal or typical
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.19.4 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
All his suspicions were directed against Lombard and I pretended to concur in these.
directed = focused
From page 269.7 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 38 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Epil., p.269.7 |
2 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
On at least two occasions I stopped cases where to my mind the accused was palpably innocent, directing the jury that there was no case.
directing = instructing
From page 262.7 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Epil., p.262.7 |
3 —1 use as in:
directed the movie
She looked at the other three, her glance and voice had that slight suggestion of command in it that comes from having occupied a position of authority. She might have been directing which tennis sets the girls were to play in.
directing = supervising
From page 18.2 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 32 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.18.2 |
disparage
1 use
...said to him: "You've seen a bit of the world, I fancy?" Lombard shrugged his shoulders disparagingly.
disparagingly = making it seem unimportant
From page 22.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.22.1 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
"Old established firm," he volunteered.
established = long-existing
From page 51.2 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.51.2 |
2 —3 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
It is established, I think, that there is a possibility of such a thing as I have outlined occurring.
established = known or proven
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.142.9 |
exonerate
3 uses
...no one of us can be completely exonerated from suspicion.
exonerated = found free of blame
Definition
Generally exonerate means:to free someone from blame
or more rarely:
to free someone from an obligation
or more rarely:
to free someone from an obligation
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.60.4 |
grave
9 uses
The position is fraught with grave danger.
grave = serious
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.6.9 |
nevertheless
9 uses
He was very ably defended and made a good impression on the jury in the witness box. Nevertheless, on the evidence, he was certainly guilty.
nevertheless = in spite of what was just said (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.59.1 |
perjury
4 uses
It's my opinion that he committed ... perjury in the Landor case.
perjury = the criminal offense of making false statements under oath
Definition
Generally perjury means:the criminal offense of telling lies after formally promising to tell the truth — such as when testifying in a court trial
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.127.5 |
reflect (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —1 use as in:
reflect in the mirror
He stood up and scrutinized himself anxiously in the glass. The face reflected there was of a slightly military cast with a moustache.
reflected = shown (back)
From page 14.5 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of reflect means:show an image back (on a mirror or other shiny surface)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.14.5 |
2 —4 uses as in:
I want to reflect on it.
Constance Culmington, he reflected to himself, was exactly the sort of woman who would buy an island and surround herself with mystery!
reflected = thought
Definition
Generally this sense of reflect means:think carefully — possibly aloud or in writing
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.218 |
tone
11 uses
He had said in the same casual tone: "And you can't give me any further information?"
tone = general feeling or mood
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.6.2 |