ascetic
8 uses
The ascetic life has been more pronounced in Hinduism and Buddhism than in other major religions.
ascetic = the practice of 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 | 8 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
austere
7 uses
He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.
austere = lacking luxury (and stern)
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
capricious
9 uses
Nothing seems more capricious than a tornado.
capricious = impulsive or unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
complacent
5 uses
He had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
contempt
17 uses
1 —17 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect — often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
contrary (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 77 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
a contrary idea
The facts point to a contrary conclusion.
contrary = different (perhaps opposite or mutually exclusive)
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —2 uses as in:
contrary to
Contrary to popular belief, the largest pyramid is in Mexico—not Egypt.
contrary to = in opposition to
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
3 —62 uses as in:
on the contrary
She was not smiling. On the contrary, she frowned.
on the contrary = In opposition to what was just said
Definition
Generally this sense of on the contrary means:in opposition to what was just said
Word Statistics
| Book | 62 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
disdain
15 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
enigma
12 uses
As Churchill said about Russia, it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.
enigma = something mysterious that seems unexplainable
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
heresy
9 uses
It is a hardline form of Sunni Islam that condemns all other strains as heresy.
heresy = something immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
impetuous
6 uses
She regretted her impetuous promise.
impetuous = impulsive (made suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
monastery
140 uses
Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries was the largest legally enforced transfer of property in English history since the Norman Conquest.
monasteries = the residences of religious communities
Definition
Generally monastery means:the residence of a religious community
Word Statistics
| Book | 140 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
monk
180 uses
a Tibetan monk wearing an orange robe
monk = a male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
Word Statistics
| Book | 180 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
obstinate
13 uses
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
orthodox
10 uses
The new findings challenge orthodox views.
orthodox = standard (adhering to what is commonly accepted)
Definition
Generally orthodox means:thinking and behavior that is (or was) commonly accepted
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
philanthropy
6 uses
Her primary interests are family and philanthropy.
philanthropy = helping others
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
scoundrel
90 uses
He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.
scoundrel = someone without moral principles
Word Statistics
| Book | 90 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |