abstract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
We all agree that we want what's "best for the country", but that is an abstract concept and we cannot agree on which specific laws should be passed.
abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Book 3 |
apprehensive
1 use
She is apprehensive about her new job.
apprehensive = worried
Definition
Generally apprehensive means:worried over possible misfortune
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Book 3 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 3 |
converge
1 use
The lines converge at this point
converge = come together
Definition
Generally converge means:to come together; or to be adjacent or similar
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 3 |
denounce
1 use
She denounced him as a liar.
denounced = strongly criticized or accused publicly
Definition
Generally denounce means:to strongly criticize or accuse publicly
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 4 |
elaborate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an elaborate design
It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.
elaborate = complicated
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Book 3 |
fallacy
1 use
The entire argument is built on a fallacy.
fallacy = a mistaken belief
Definition
Generally fallacy means:a mistaken belief; or a common form of incorrect reasoning
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 4 |
fracture
4 uses
fractured the shinbone
fractured = broke
Definition
Generally fracture means:a crack (or break) of a hard object — such as bone or rock; or the act of cracking or breaking
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
gaunt
2 uses
She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.
gaunt = very thin
Definition
Generally gaunt means:very thin and bony — often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 2 |
hemorrhage
4 uses
A hemorrhage in the brain is common with shaken baby syndrome.
hemorrhage = to bleed excessively
Definition
Generally hemorrhage means:severe bleeding — typically inside the body
or:
figurative use to describe any rapid loss
or:
figurative use to describe any rapid loss
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
peasant
10 uses
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.
peasants = an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
Book | 10 uses |
Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |
plateau
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
found on the plateau
The plateau is about half a mile above sea level.
plateau = high land that is reasonably flat
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 3 |
prescribe
1 use
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.
prescribed = gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take
Definition
Generally prescribe means:to recommend or require what should be done
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Book 2 |
probe
4 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
or:
any of various instrument used for investigation
instruments such as:
- an instrument to measure electronic voltage
- a surgical tool used for examination
- an unmanned spacecraft used for exploration
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 2 |
remorse
2 uses
There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.
remorse = regret for doing something wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 3 |
sacrilege
1 use
They consider it sacrilege to depict Muhammad in a drawing.
sacrilege = disrespect of something sacred
Definition
Generally sacrilege means:disrespect of something others consider important or sacred
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 4 |
scrutiny
1 use
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Book 3 |
superficial
1 use
She has only superficial knowledge on the subject.
superficial = shallow
Definition
Generally superficial means:relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Book 1 |
uniform
1 use
A diverse committee will provide a better solution than a committee that is uniform.
uniform = the same (does not vary)
Definition
Generally this sense of uniform means:consistent (the same in some way)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Book 1 |
valor
3 uses
She received a medal for valor.
valor = courage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger — especially in battle)
Definition
Generally valor means:exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger — especially in battle
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Book 1 |