adage
2 uses
Remember the old adage: "It's not how much you earn; it's how much you save."
adage = saying
Definition
Generally adage means:an old saying considered wise by many; e.g., "Actions speak louder than words."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-05 |
admonition
3 uses
She has always followed the admonition that commanders of the armed services should stay out of partisan politics.
admonition = warning or bit of advice
Definition
Generally admonition means:a warning or bit of advice — such as "Don't drink and drive."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-09 |
annex
76 uses
1 —76 uses as in:
annex of the main building
The YMCA added an annex where younger children can play.
annex = an addition that extends a main building
Definition
Generally this sense of annex means:an addition that extends a main building
or:
to attach something — especially to something larger or more important
or:
to attach something — especially to something larger or more important
Word Statistics
| Book | 76 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-07 |
bourgeois
1 use
Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.
bourgeois = typical middle class
Definition
Generally bourgeois means:typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-05 |
capitulate
4 uses
The Romans induced many enemy armies to capitulate by offering good terms of surrender.
capitulate = surrender
Definition
Generally capitulate means:to stop resisting something — such as surrendering to someone else's decision or accepting a military defeat
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-09 |
carp
2 uses
She carps incessantly about political matters and the press.
carps = repeatedly complains about unimportant things
Definition
Generally this sense of carp means:to repeatedly complain — typically about unimportant things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-10 |
coincide
1 use
The two events coincided
coincided = happened at the same time
Definition
Generally coincide means:to be similar — especially to happen at the same time or place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-12 |
contingent
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
the Canadian contingent
Each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics.
contingent = group
Definition
Generally this sense of contingent means:a sub-group united by something in common
in various senses, including:
- a squad of soldiers sent to do a job
- members of an association at a convention of many associations
- all the women at a meeting with women and men
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-09 |
coquette
5 uses
Her early roles limited her to the decorative coquette, but she had a breakout role in...
coquette = a woman who is casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men
Definition
Generally coquette means:a woman who is casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men, but does not imply serious sexual interest
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-07 |
disparage
1 use
She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-03 |
dissent
2 uses
The Alien and Sedition Acts were attempts to silence early political dissent in America.
dissent = disagreement
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-05 |
egotistical
4 uses
She is accused of being egotistical and aloof.
egotistical = conceited and self-centered
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-12 |
frayed (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
frayed cloth
The cuffs were frayed from so many washings.
frayed = showing wear with threads beginning to separate or hang loose
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-05 |
2 —1 use as in:
into the fray
I'm hesitant to join the political fray.
fray = fight or struggle
Definition
Generally this sense of fray means:a noisy fight, controversial debate, or other exciting situation that usually is not well organized
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-09 |
genealogy
5 uses
The world wide web is making genealogy easier than ever.
genealogy = the study of family ancestry (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.)
Definition
Generally genealogy means:family ancestry or its study
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-01 |
hypochondria
1 use
Hypochondriacs don't just harm themselves; they clog the whole health-care system.
hypochondriacs = people who worry excessively about imaginary illnesses
Definition
Generally hypochondria means:excessive worry about imaginary illnesses
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-09 |
mediate
1 use
She suggested asking Saudi Arabia to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
mediate = help others to settle a disagreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-02 |
muse (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
her musings
He mused aloud about the afternoon's developments.
mused = reflected (thought) deeply
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-06 |
2 —1 use as in:
She was his muse
She was his muse. He hasn't written anything of quality since she left.
muse = the source of an artist's inspiration
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:the source of an artist's inspiration - especially a person or mythological goddess
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-04 |
veritable
3 uses
All the pictures make the living room look like a veritable shrine to her children.
veritable = used for emphasis to introduce a dramatic metaphor
Definition
Generally veritable means:used for emphasis: to describe one thing as almost like another (more intense) thing
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-03 |