animate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
animated by her strong belief
The right to pursue happiness is an animating principle of American government.
animating = inspiring people to action
Definition
Generally this sense of animate means:inspire, make more lively, or bring to life
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
anxiety
1 use
She suffers from more than the usual pre-test anxiety.
anxiety = nervousness or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
apparent
1 use
The effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the dry fields.
apparent = clear or obvious
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 55 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
appropriate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
it is appropriate
These clothes aren't appropriate for work.
appropriate = suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
audible
1 use
She spoke in a barely audible whisper.
audible = capable of being heard
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
candid
2 uses
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
comprehend
1 use
I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.
comprehends = fully understands
Definition
Generally comprehend means:to understand something — especially to understand it completely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
cultivate
1 use
We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.
cultivate = develop or grow
Definition
Generally cultivate means:enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
- to grow crops or prepare land for them
- enhance a relationship — especially for a purpose
- develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
- to grow a culture in a petri dish
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
expulsion
1 use
Her records shows expulsion from two schools.
expulsion = the act of forcing out — in this case, kicking someone out of school
Definition
Generally expulsion means:the act of forcing out
especially in 2 primary senses:
- kicking someone out of an organization — such as a school or country
- squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
indifferent
1 use
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.
indifferent = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
inquiry
1 use
They created a commission of inquiry to look into the matter.
inquiry = investigation
Definition
Generally inquiry means:the act of asking a question or performing an investigation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
insistent
1 use
We questioned her repeatedly and she remained insistent that she knew nothing of the event.
insistent = firm and continuing
Definition
Generally insistent means:persistent or continuing or firm — especially in maintaining a view or demanding something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
mortgage
4 uses
We are the proud owners of a new home and a $100,000 mortgage.
mortgage = a real estate loan agreement that promises to turn the real estate over to the lender if the loan isn't paid
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
mystic
1 use
She is a mystic who believes enlightenment will come from communing with nature.
mystic = someone who attempts to tune into realities beyond scientific understanding
Definition
Generally mystic means:relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience; or one who attempts to tune into such realities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
peasant
11 uses
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.
peasants = used historically: people of low income, education, and social standing
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
petty
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a petty crime
She handles petty crimes.
petty = of less importance
Definition
Generally this sense of petty means:of less importance — at times implying insignificance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
redemption
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
its main redeeming quality is...
Our dog is dirty, noisy, and ill-behaved, but her redeeming quality is that she is so loving.
redeeming = thing that makes up for bad things
Definition
Generally this sense of redemption means:to make up for something bad; or to save
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
senile
1 use
Her memory is getting worse and she's afraid of going senile.
senile = (into) mental weakness caused by old age
Definition
Generally senile means:mental weakness caused by old age; or describing a medical condition as caused by old age
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
strenuous
1 use
The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.
strenuous = difficult (requiring much effort)
Definition
Generally strenuous means:energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
vulgar
3 uses
Her vulgarity was a turnoff.
vulgarity = crudeness (showing of bad taste)
Definition
Generally vulgar means:of bad taste — often crude or offensive
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |