abdicate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abdicated the throne
The King abdicated when he married her.†
abdicated = to have formally given up power, as of monarchs and emperors
Definition
Generally this sense of abdicate means:to formally give up power — as when giving up a position of royalty such as to resign from being king
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
apparent
4 uses
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 54 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
audible
2 uses
She spoke in a barely audible whisper.
audible = capable of being heard
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
bequeath
1 use
It is our duty to bequeath a better world to our grandchildren.
bequeath = leave (or give by will) usually upon death
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
Bern
30 uses
Bern is the federal city (de facto capital) of Switzerland.
Bern = the capital of Switzerland; located in western Switzerland
Word Statistics
| Book | 30 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
beseech
2 uses
She teaches and beseeches her students to think about their future.
beseeches = asks strongly or begs
Definition
Generally beseech means:to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
consequence
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
conspicuous
1 use
She tried not to look conspicuous as she slipped into class after the tardy bell.
conspicuous = easily noticed — typically attracting attention such as by being large, flashy, or unusual
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
despair
3 uses
Don't despair—help is on the way!
despair = give up hope
Definition
Generally despair means:hopelessness
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 27 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
distill
1 use
distill the essential ideas to fit on a single page
distill = extract essential elements
Definition
Generally distill means:to purify, concentrate, or separate a liquid (such as whisky) by boiling it and condensing its vapors
or:
to extract essential ideas
or:
to extract essential ideas
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
embark
4 uses
she embarked upon a new career†
embarked = set out on a venture — especially to board a ship
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
infallible
1 use
She considers the Pope infallible.
infallible = never wrong
Definition
Generally infallible means:never wrong; or never failing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
ingratiate
1 use
She tried to ingratiate herself with her superiors.†
ingratiate = gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
liege
2 uses
He was her liege lord.
liege = a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service
Definition
Generally liege means:a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service
or:
a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
or:
a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
lithe
1 use
The lithe dancers seem to float across the stage.
lithe = moving and bending with ease
Definition
Generally lithe means:a graceful, flexible body — often implying thinness
or:
graceful, flexible body movement
or:
graceful, flexible body movement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
luminous
1 use
The sky was luminous with stars.
luminous = glowing or shining
Definition
Generally luminous means:glowing or shining
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
minuteness
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
keep the minutes
The secretary keeps the minutes of the meeting.
minutes of the meeting = formal notes of the meeting
Definition
Generally this sense of minutes means:a written record of what happened at a meeting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
odious
1 use
Though they think the country's government is odious, they're unwilling to help topple it for fear of the consequences.
odious = extremely unpleasant, disgusting, or dislikable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
prudent
1 use
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
usurp
2 uses
The lawsuit claims that the Federal Government is usurping rights reserved by the Constitution for state governments.
usurping = seizing or taking control without authority
Definition
Generally usurp means:seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |