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 |
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 |
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 — such as:
- 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 — such as:
- 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 |
frivolous
1 use
Instead of helping, her remarks were frivolous.
frivolous = not serious
Definition
Generally frivolous means:not serious (in 1 or both of these ways):
- in behavior or attitude — as when acting silly or without appropriate seriousness
- in content — as when describing something as trivial or unimportant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 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 |
magnanimous
1 use
He was magnanimous toward those he conquered.
magnanimous = kind and generous in spirit
Definition
Generally magnanimous means:kind and generous in spirit — especially toward those defeated in battle
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
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 |
Nietzsche
2 uses
Nietzsche famously said, "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger."
Nietzsche = influential German philosopher remembered for his concept of the superman and for his rejection of Christian values; considered, along with Kierkegaard, to be a founder of existentialism (1844-1900)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
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
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 or performed energetically
Definition
Generally strenuous means:characterizes physical or mental actions as difficult or requiring endurance; or as performed energetically
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
vex
1 use
It is a vexing problem.
vexing = annoying
Definition
Generally vex means:to annoy or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
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 |
wretch
4 uses
Pity the poor wretch.
wretch = someone you feel sorry for
Definition
Generally wretch means:someone you feel sorry for
or:
a person of bad character
or:
a person of bad character
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |