defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I defer to her expertise.
defer = submit or yield
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
She described the loud discordant music as a form of torture.
discordant = unpleasant sounding
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
disdain
7 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
elated
10 uses
The elated winner couldn't stop smiling.
elated = had a feeling of happiness and excitement
Definition
Generally elated means:full of happiness and excitement
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
fanatic
16 uses
We think it was not a solitary fanatic, but a hired assassin.
fanatic = a person motivated by extreme enthusiasm
Definition
Generally fanatic means:a person motivated by extreme enthusiasm (as for a cause) — sometimes to a fault
or:
extremely enthusiastic — sometimes to a fault
or:
extremely enthusiastic — sometimes to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
futile
6 uses
It was a futile effort that was doomed form the start.
futile = effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
jihad
33 uses
They urged a jihad against Jews and crusaders.
jihad = a holy war waged by Muslims against infidels
Definition
Generally jihad means:a holy war waged by Muslims against infidels; or any relentless battle for a belief
or more rarely: a holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral, spiritual, or political goal
or more rarely: a holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral, spiritual, or political goal
Word Statistics
| Book | 33 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
obscure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
it obscured my view
The stars are obscured by the clouds.
obscured = hidden or made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
the view or directions are obscure
For some obscure reason that goes back many years, they don't like each other.
obscure = not clearly understood
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not clearly seen, understood, or expressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | A2 - |
poise
26 uses
She has great charm and great poise.
poise = composure; or calm confidence — even when under pressure
Definition
Generally poise means:in control or prepared
(see word notes for more detailed definitions based on context)
(see word notes for more detailed definitions based on context)
Word Statistics
| Book | 26 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
prescient
40 uses
She is prescient in her political predictions.
prescient = knowing what will happen before it happens
Definition
Generally prescient means:knowing (or at least expecting) what will happen before it happens
Word Statistics
| Book | 40 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
probe
20 uses
There was a congressional probe into the scandal.
probe = investigation
Definition
Generally probe means:to investigate; or an investigation
or:
any of various instrument used for investigation — such as:
or:
any of various instrument used for investigation — such as:
- an instrument to measure electronic voltage
- a surgical tool used for examination
- an unmanned spacecraft used for exploration
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
profound (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
profound idea
She shared a profound way of thinking about the problem.
profound = deep or far-reaching in intellect or consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
Her apology was heartfelt—expressing profound sorrow and regret.
profound = of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Term |
prophecy
22 uses
The prophecy came true.
prophecy = prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Definition
Generally prophecy means:a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
stagnate
3 uses
We don't want the economy to stagnate.
stagnate = stay still or not develop
Definition
Generally stagnate means:staying still or not developing
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
subtle (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a subtle poison
She is working subtly against us.
subtly = working in an indirect or hidden way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
a subtle difference or thinker
She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.
subtle = making use of slight distinctions
Definition
Generally this sense of subtle means:not obvious, but understandable by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps depending upon fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
transitory
1 use
Do not be concerned about mild, transitory symptoms.
transitory = lasting a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
treachery
23 uses
Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.
treachery = an act of deliberate betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |