contempt
4 uses
1 —4 uses 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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
convey
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
convey her thoughts
She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.
convey = communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
desist
1 use
The Federal Trade Commission ordered the company to cease-and-desist from making such claims.
desist = to not do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
grindstone
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
back to the grindstone
I need to get back to the grindstone.
grindstone = hard work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
inquisitor
31 uses
15th century inquisitors were on the lookout for witches.
inquisitors = a questioner who is excessively harsh
Definition
Generally inquisitor means:a questioner who is excessively harsh
or:
an officer of the Inquisition
or:
an officer of the Inquisition
Word Statistics
| Book | 31 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
lockjaw
1 use
The Masai guide said members of his tribe have a gap cut between their front teeth so that nutrients cam be consumed in the event of lockjaw (tetanus).
lockjaw = a deadly bacterial infection that results in a spasm of the jaw muscles so that the jaw remains tightly closed
Definition
Generally lockjaw means:a bacterial infection typically contracted through a puncture wound with a dirty object; causes a spasm of the jaw muscles so that the jaw remains tightly closed; prevented by the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine and by subsequent booster shots every 10 years
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
malevolent
7 uses
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.
malevolent = evil
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
passage
1 use
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
prominent (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a prominent politician
She is a prominent member of our community.
prominent = well-known and respected
Definition
Generally this sense of prominent means:well-known or important — especially of a person who is respected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
2 —2 uses as in:
a prominent jaw
The skull resembles that of modern humans, but was smaller with a sloped forehead, larger teeth, and a prominent jaw.
prominent = protruding (sticking out)
Definition
Generally this sense of prominent means:sticking out and easily noticed
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
remonstrate
1 use
When she has a complaint with her staff, she will remonstrate quietly and in private.
remonstrate = criticize or argue
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue, complain, or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
resignation (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.
resignation = a document expressing that someone is quitting a job
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = (accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
servile
1 use
We expect our waiters to give world-class service, but not to be so servile they sacrifice their human dignity.
servile = excessively submissive
Definition
Generally servile means:submissive — typically excessively so (so submissive or eager to serve and please that one seems to have no self-respect)
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
or:
relating to the work that requires obeying demeaning commands
or:
slave-like or relating to slaves
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
stagnate
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
sultry
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sultry afternoon
It was a sultry afternoon. I could barely breath.
sultry = hot and humid
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
supercilious
2 uses
I have come to hate her supercilious smile.
supercilious = arrogant
Definition
Generally supercilious means:arrogant (acting as if better, more important, and superior in ideas than others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
taciturn
1 use
She is taciturn by nature, but people like her once they get to know her.
taciturn = with a tendency to be reserved and not to talk
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |