abdicate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abdicated the throne
Prince Edward abdicated the British throne to marry the American.
abdicated = formally gave up power
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 | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
avenge
3 uses
In the story, she wants to avenge the murder of her brother.
avenge = take revenge for
Definition
Generally avenge means:take revenge for a perceived wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
bequeath
1 use
It is our duty to bequeath a better world to our grandchildren.
bequeath = pass down
Definition
Generally bequeath means:give or pass down — often upon death in a will
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
beseech
2 uses
She teaches and beseeches her students to think about their future.
beseeches = begs
Definition
Generally beseech means:to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 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 | 28 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 |
consul
3 uses
They have an ambassador in Washington and consuls in various cities.
consuls = diplomats appointed by their government to protect the government's commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
Definition
Generally consul means:a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
dispute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
She disputes his claim.
She disputes her landlord's claim that the music was that loud.
disputes = challenges
Definition
Generally this sense of dispute means:challenge, argue about, or fight over
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
distill
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
distill the whisky
The ship distills fresh water from salt water.
distills = separates
Definition
Generally this sense of distill means:to make a more pure or concentrated liquid by boiling it and condensing its vapors (as is done when making whisky or some petroleum products)
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 = left on a trip
Definition
Generally embark means:to leave on a trip — especially to board a ship
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
however
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
However, complications may...
Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.
however = despite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
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 |
King Arthur
1 use
It is another story about the boy who would become King Arthur.
King Arthur = mythical king of the Britons recognized as such when he was able to pull the sword Excalibur from the stone that had locked its blade; created the Knights of the Round Table
Definition
Generally King Arthur means:mythical king of the Britons (English) recognized as such when he was able to pull the sword Excalibur from the stone that had locked its blade; created the Knights of the Round Table to protect his people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
luminous
1 use
The sky was luminous with stars.
luminous = 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 |
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 = worthy of hate
Definition
Generally odious means:extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use 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 |
sulk
4 uses
She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.
sulk = to overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable
Definition
Generally sulk means:to be overly unhappy and unsociable — often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
usurp
2 uses
The lawsuit claims that the Federal Government is usurping rights reserved by the Constitution for state governments.
usurping = taking 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 |