acquit
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
she was acquitted
Matthews had been confident. Not a doubt of the verdict. Acquittal practically certain.
acquittal = an official finding of "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 |
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 | 28 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
His hands shook. 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 else)
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 |
determine (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
is determined to succeed
Vera said in a determined voice: "Now let us look for the revolver."
determined = firm in purpose
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13, p.193.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
I determined what to do
And I determined to commit not one murder, but murder on a grand scale.
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
From page 264.6 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of determine means:decide
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Epil., p.264.6 |
direct (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
All his suspicions were directed against Lombard and I pretended...
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 | 36 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
(editor's note: In this context, palpably is a synonym for clearly.)
(editor's note: In this context, palpably is a synonym for clearly.)
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 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
engage
5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
engage her services
We were engaged by letter, through an agency.
engaged = hired
Definition
Generally this sense of engage means:hire, reserve, book, or occupy
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.53.5 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
"Old established firm," he volunteered.
established = long-existing
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 25 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
We have now dealt with the second killing, and have established the fact that no one of us can be completely exonerated from suspicion.
established = demonstrated
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 |
grave
11 uses
General Macarthur said gravely: "None of us are going to leave the island."
gravely = solemnly (in a very serious manner)
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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.6.9 |
indignant
4 uses
Your indignation is very natural.
indignation = anger or annoyance at something unjust
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.77.9 |
nevertheless
9 uses
Death was very near to Philip Lombard now. It had never, he knew, been nearer. Nevertheless he was not beaten yet.
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 |
preserve
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
preserve the records
Five people who watched each other, who now hardly troubled to hide their state of nervous tension. ... They were five enemies linked together by a mutual instinct of self-preservation.
preservation = protection
Definition
Generally this sense of preserve means:to protect something or to keep it as it is
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.61.4 |
reflect
5 uses
1 —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 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
sheer (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
sheer fun
And anyway it's a sheer impossibility that Armstrong can be in the house.
sheer = complete
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:complete or pure — without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.100.6 |
2 —2 uses as in:
a sheer cliff
It's pretty sheer. [the cliff]
sheer = steep
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:so steep it is almost vertical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.111.5 |
tone
11 uses
There was urgency in Rogers' tone.
tone = quality of voice expressing a feeling
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 | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.6.2 |