acquire
2 uses
Children acquire language at an amazing rate.
acquire = obtain (get)
Definition
Generally acquire means:obtain (come into the possession of something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.17.1 |
amnesia
2 uses
The movie is about a woman who suffers amnesia and doesn't even remember her husband.
amnesia = loss of memory
Definition
Generally amnesia means:loss of memory (partial or total)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.17.9 |
conscious
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
the conscious mind
In that kind of situation, there's no time for conscious thought. You just have to react instinctively.
conscious = mental activity of which one is self-aware
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 2, p.6.3 |
contrary
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contrary to
Contrary to popular belief, the largest pyramid is in Mexico—not Egypt.
contrary to = in opposition to
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.13.7 |
despise
1 use
She despises the people he has to work for.
despises = dislikes strongly and looks down upon
Definition
Generally despise means:to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 2, p.13.3 |
deteriorate
5 uses
The situation could quickly deteriorate.
deteriorate = become worse
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.19 |
function
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
Its main function is to...
The function of the lens of the eye is to focus light on the retina.
function = job or purpose
Definition
Generally this sense of function means:purpose, job, or natural activity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.17.3 |
illiterate
1 use
She is functionally illiterate, so she will need help filling out the employment application.
illiterate = unable to read or write
Definition
Generally illiterate means:unable to read or write (not literate)
or:
uninformed in a particular field or general subject area
or:
uninformed in a particular field or general subject area
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.15.8 |
impair
2 uses
Alcohol impairs the ability to drive safely.
impairs = makes worse
Definition
Generally impair means:make worse or less effective
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.17.9 |
indicate
2 uses
These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.
indicated = pointed out (shown)
Definition
Generally indicate means:to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 40 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.17.9 |
laboratory
7 uses
We've had success in the laboratory, but are a long way from treating patients.
laboratory = a workplace where people do scientific or medical research
Definition
Generally laboratory means:a workplace where people do scientific or medical research, or produce drugs or chemicals
or (as an adjective): related to such a place
or (as an adjective): related to such a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 33 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 2, p.7.2 |
motivation
1 use
A generous commission structure provides motivation to our salespeople.
motivation = reason for doing something
Definition
Generally motivation means:the reason for doing something; or the level of desire to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.16.5 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Section 4, p.17.8 |
plateau
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
reached a plateau in our growth
She projects that the world's population will plateau at about ten billion people.
plateau = reach a period of little change after more rapid change
Definition
Generally this sense of plateau means:a time of little change after more rapid change — typically to stop increasing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 2, p.8.5 |
postscript
2 uses
PS: Bob just walked through and says hello.
PS = an abbreviation for "postscript" that is placed at the end of a letter (after the signature) to indicate that an additional note follows
Definition
Generally postscript means:a note added to the end of a letter after the signature — usually preceded with "PS:" or "P.S."
or:
any written or spoken addition added after the end of something
or:
any written or spoken addition added after the end of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 5, p.22.7 |
regress
2 uses
The drug caused tumors to regress in 60% of the patients who were treated.
regress = returned to a former (less advanced) state
Definition
Generally regress means:returning to a former (less advanced) state
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.17.2 |
subconscious
3 uses
In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.
subconscious = mental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior
(editor's note: Many people use this as a synonym for unconscious; though experts in the mind may distinguish a difference.)
(editor's note: Many people use this as a synonym for unconscious; though experts in the mind may distinguish a difference.)
Definition
Generally subconscious means:mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Section 2, p.6.1 |
tangible
1 use
They set tangible goals.
tangible = clear (easily understood and measured)
Definition
Generally tangible means:capable of being touched, or easily understood so there is no question of its value or reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.13.7 |
technique
5 uses
She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.
technique = way of doing something
Definition
Generally technique means:a way of doing something
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Section 2, p.11.6 |
therefore
1 use
Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.
therefore = for that reason
Definition
Generally therefore means:for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Section 3, p.13.8 |