abstract
8 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
abstract thought
Peter Keating had never felt the need to formulate abstract convictions.
abstract = a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means:of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8 |
aesthetic
15 uses
I am not in the habit of asking for the esthetic opinions of my draftsmen.
esthetic = opinions of what is beautiful
Definition
Generally aesthetic means:related to beauty or good taste — often referring to one's appreciation of beauty or one's sense of what is beautiful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.7 |
alternative
8 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
an alternative plan
In which case, the name of another architect, one Gordon L. Prescott, has been mentioned most favorably as an alternative.
alternative = someone available as another possibility
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.10 |
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apprehend
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
apprehend the situation
Wynand thought that this was the way he liked to apprehend space and time: through the power of his yacht, through the tan of Roark's skin or the sunbrown of his own arms folded before him on the rail.†
apprehend = understand
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to understand or perceive (see or become aware of)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.19 |
ascetic
3 uses
Then she did not want him to stop or glance at her, because she wanted to watch the ascetic purity of his person, the absence of all sensuality; to watch that—and to think of what she remembered.
ascetic = characteristic of someone who practices self-denial
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
benevolent
10 uses
He stood smiling benevolently in silence.
benevolently = kindly
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Well, you see, one can make one's point best by contrast, by comparison.
by contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.7 |
2 —10 uses as in:
there is a contrast
Keating thought with relief that there was nothing frightening about her; there was only a disquieting contrast between her words and the candid innocence of the manner she used to utter them; he did not know which to trust.
contrast = difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.9 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 9 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
The 'common good' of a collective—a race, a class, a state—was the claim and justification of every tyranny ever established over men.†
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.12 |
2 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
He stared at the flames, unblinking, to force himself into a complete obedience to an established truth.†
established = known
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
fastidious
15 uses
He looked like a drawing from a men's magazine, fastidiously groomed, a white handkerchief in the breast pocket of his dark suit.
fastidiously = with careful attention to detail
Definition
Generally fastidious means: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 | 15 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.7 |
inflexible
2 uses
Her body, sagging limply from her shoulders, contradicted the inflexible precision of the legs; the cold austerity of her face contradicted the pose of her body.
inflexible = unbending (uncompromising)
Definition
Generally inflexible means:not bendable or adaptable
in various senses, including:
- not willing to compromise or make concessions — as when a boss says "Do it my way or you're fired."
- not able to adjust well to different conditions — as of a schedule that cannot be changed
- not easily bent without physical damage or injury — as of brittle steel or person with stiff joints
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.12 |
inhibit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
inhibited the growth of...
Were I still in Hell's Kitchen, I would have begun this interview by saying: Listen, louse!—but since I am an inhibited capitalist, I shall not do so.†
inhibited = restricted in actions (by law and propriety)
Definition
Generally this sense of inhibit means:to limit the activity of someone or something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.4 |
insolent
26 uses
You'd better not be insolent. I can have you fired at a moment's notice, you know.
insolent = rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 26 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.14 |
integrity
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a person of high integrity
he took it as an insult to his journalistic integrity
integrity = honesty and other moral principles
Definition
Generally this sense of integrity means:having strong moral principles — especially honesty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
philanthropy
5 uses
EARLY IN May, Peter Keating departed for Washington, to supervise the construction of a museum donated to the city by a great philanthropist easing his conscience.
philanthropist = someone who helps others — especially by donating money to worthy causes
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8 |
reproach
24 uses
"I don't want you to make excuses for me." He said it simply, without reproach.
reproach = criticism
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
repudiate
1 use
I haven't asked you to repudiate it.
repudiate = strong rejection
Definition
Generally repudiate means:strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.3 |
resignation (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
He hoped she would resign. He could not face the thought of having to fire her.
resign = quit (from her job)
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
2 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
Then he stood straight, but with a kind of quiet resignation,
resignation = look of having accepted the need to endure (suffer through) something undesired
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.3 |