acquaint
1 use
You should acquaint yourself with the new computer program.
acquaint = cause to know better
Definition
Generally acquaint means:to cause to know; or to cause to be familiar with
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.14.2 |
analysis
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
analysis of relevant data
According to my analysis, we should focus on improving customer service.
analysis = detailed examination
Definition
Generally this sense of analysis means:the process or result of examining and thinking about something to better understand it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.17.4 |
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 | Section 3, p.14.6 |
artificial
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an artificial heart
The plants look real, but they are artificial.
artificial = made by humans
Definition
Generally this sense of artificial means:made by humans — often to replace something that can be found in nature
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.18.2 |
cerebral
1 use
Moderate exercise increases cerebral blood volume which improves thinking.
cerebral = relating to the brain
Definition
Generally cerebral means:relating to the brain — especially the cerebrum (front of the brain)
or:
involving careful thinking rather than emotions or instinct
or:
involving careful thinking rather than emotions or instinct
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.18.4 |
conflict
1 use
Violent conflict has broken out again in the Middle East.
conflict = struggle
Definition
Generally conflict means:a struggle or disagreement
in various senses, including:
- a serious disagreement — as in "political conflict"
- the tension from two opposing ideas or feelings — as in "I'm conflicted about where I should go to college."
- a violent fight or war — as in "the Israeli-Palestinian conflict"
- an idiom that refers to tension between responsibilities to different entities — "conflict of interest"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Section 2, p.6.3 |
cower
1 use
She cowered in fear.
cowered = showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Definition
Generally cower means:show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.14.9 |
deceive
1 use
The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.
deceive = mislead
Definition
Generally deceive means:to lie to or mislead someone — occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.14.1 |
fissure
1 use
The earthquake opened a small fissure across the road.
fissure = a long narrow crack
Definition
Generally fissure means:a long, narrow crack; or its creation — especially in the ground or in rock
or:
a crack in the unity of a group; or its creation
or:
a crack in the unity of a group; or its creation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.18.4 |
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 | Section 4, p.18.1 |
intellectual
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
intellectual stimulation
The job pays my expenses, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.
intellectual = relating to the use of intelligence
Definition
Generally this sense of intellectual means:related to intelligence — such as requiring, appealing to, or possessing intelligence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.14.5 |
mock
1 use
I will not permit the defendant to make a mockery of this trial.
mockery = something that is ridiculous
Definition
Generally mock means:making fun of
or:
not real
or:
not real
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.14.2 |
neurology
2 uses
In the United States a specialty in neurology requires 8 years of post-undergraduate education and clinical training.
neurology = the branch of medicine that deals with the nervous system (including the brain)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.13.9 |
opportunist
1 use
Her opponents describe her as a self-serving opportunist who will say anything and stab anyone in the back to get what she wants.
opportunist = someone who takes advantage of unplanned circumstances
Definition
Generally opportunist means:someone who takes advantage of unplanned circumstances — possibly unethically
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 2, p.11.7 |
progressive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
progressive decline
It is a progressive disease.
progressive = gradually getting more severe
Definition
Generally this sense of progressive means:gradually advancing or becoming more severe
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.17.9 |
Web Links
proportional
1 use
Sales people at our company earn income proportional to their sales.
proportional = related in amount
Definition
Generally proportional means:appropriate or related in size, amount, or degree
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.18.2 |
refute
1 use
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.
refuted = argued against
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.14.3 |
stimulus
1 use
We're hoping the stimulus package will increase the number and quality of available jobs.
stimulus = something that creates growth (in this case economic growth)
Definition
Generally stimulus means:something that creates growth or excitement, or something that causes an action
in various senses, including:
- economic stimulus — something that makes the economy grow
- biological or psychological stimulus — something that makes the body react in a particular way such as when more light make the eye pupil shrink, or when lack of sleep causes stress
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.18 |
tradition
1 use
My family's Thanksgiving tradition is to gather together and eat turkey.
tradition = a long-established practice
Definition
Generally tradition means:a long-established or previously long-established practice or belief
and/or:
one or more practices, beliefs, or stories passed down through generations within a specific culture or group
and/or:
one or more practices, beliefs, or stories passed down through generations within a specific culture or group
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 40 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.13.9 |
vacuous
1 use
It is a vacuous, feel-good philosophy.
vacuous = lacking intelligent thought
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.15.3 |