aphorism
1 use
She often quotes St. Augustine's aphorism, "Love the sinner and hate the sin."
aphorism = short saying intended to impart wisdom
Definition
Generally aphorism means:a short saying intended to impart wisdom
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 55-56 |
approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.
approach = method (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19-20 |
attribute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I attribute it to...
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the source of)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
benevolent
8 uses
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-12 |
bronze
8 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.
bronze = a brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 47-48 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
descend (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
descend the mountain
We saw the rocket descend.
descend = move downward
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:move or slope downward
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 83-84 |
2 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
Despair descended upon us.
descended = came suddenly
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 123-124 |
divine
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
doleful
1 use
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 135-136 |
hypothesis
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a study to test her hypothesis
The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.
hypothesis = a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea
Definition
Generally this sense of hypothesis means:a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-22 |
immaterial
1 use
For political reasons, most senators had to vote for the bill. The fine print was immaterial to the final vote.
immaterial = not important
Definition
Generally this sense of immaterial means:not important, or not relevant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-44 |
niche
29 uses
She found her niche in the academic world.
niche = a role for which someone is especially well-suited
Definition
Generally niche means:a smaller market within a larger market — such as the market for scissors designed for people who are left-handed
or:
a role for which someone is especially well-suited
or:
a shallow recess, cranny or crevice
or:
a role for which someone is especially well-suited
or:
a shallow recess, cranny or crevice
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 61-62 |
olfactory
1 use
Dogs bred for scent-based tasks have higher olfactory capacities than other dogs.
olfactory = relating to the sense of smell
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35-36 |
piazza
72 uses
They filmed it at the Piazza Navona in Rome.
piazza = Italian term for a plaza (large open square created or defined by several buildings forming a perimeter enclosure)
Definition
Generally piazza means:architecture: Italian term for a plaza (large open square created or defined by several buildings forming a perimeter enclosure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 72 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 79-80 |
rectify
1 use
I am doing what I can to rectify the error.
rectify = correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19-20 |
relevant
4 uses
Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.
relevant = important (related in a meaningful way)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 35-36 |
specimen
27 uses
The museum holds over a million insect specimens.
specimens = examples regarded as typical of its class
Definition
Generally specimen means:a sample regarded as typical of its class; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19-20 |
ubiquitous
1 use
We are all familiar with the company's ubiquitous advertisements.
ubiquitous = found everywhere all the time
Definition
Generally ubiquitous means:being present everywhere or all the time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 59-60 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 89-90 |
2 —2 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 85-86 |