abstract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow
abstract = conceptual (not associated with any specific instance)
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means: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
I watched them go down the road, their shawls close around them, looking back apprehensively at us.
apprehensively = 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
I stared at him contemptuously
contemptuously = disrespectfully
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
There were many trucks too and some carts going through on other streets and converging on the main road.
converging = coming 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
Don't denounce me. You know we like each other.
denounce = strongly criticize
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
I think he believed it was something more elaborate than bread pudding.
elaborate = complex/special
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
No, that is the great fallacy; the wisdom of old men.
fallacy = a common form of incorrect reasoning
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
You haven't any fracture.
fracture = crack (in the bone)
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
It was a very tall gaunt captain of artillery with a red scar along his jaw.
gaunt = very thin and bony
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
He said there was so much dirt blown into the wound that there had not been much hemorrhage.
hemorrhage = bleeding
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
He doesn't want to see peasants. Let him go to centres of culture and civilization.
peasants = uneducated farmers
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
I had expected it to be flatter, more like a plateau.
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
Only if the doctor prescribes it.
prescribes = gives medical instructions ordering
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
Lacerations of the scalp (he probed Does that hurt?)
probed = investigated (explored the wound with a medical instrument)
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
Even with remorse you will have a better time.
remorse = regret for doing something that was 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
Don't be sacrilegious.
sacrilegious = disrespectful of something others consider important
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
The officers were scrutinizing every one in the column,
scrutinizing = carefully looking 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
Multiple superficial wounds of the left and right thigh and left and right knee and right foot.
superficial = surface
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
I tried to make out whether they were members of the family or what; but they were all uniformly classical.
uniformly = consistently (the same in this way)
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
He has been proposed for the silver medal of valor.
valor = exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger
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 |