accord (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 19 uses
1 —14 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
They settled to work in the smallest bedroom, which was kept, according to Griphook's preference, in semidarkness.
according to = in keeping with (based upon)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 46 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
2 —4 uses as in:
done of her own accord
My wand acted of its own accord.
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
3 —1 use as in:
accord her the respect deserved
The locket was accorded this place of honor not because it was valuable - in all usual senses it was worthless - but because of what it had cost to attain it.
accorded = giving special treatment
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:to give someone special treatment — especially respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 13 uses
1 —12 uses as in:
approached the city
Small and fragile and wounded though it was, he did not want to approach it.†
approach = get near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 88 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
2 —1 use as in:
approached her with the proposal
While he tried to decide on the best way to approach his request, the goblin broke the silence.†
approach = speak with someone about
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to begin communication with someone about something — often a proposal or a delicate topic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
assuage
3 uses
Harry felt that nothing but action would assuage his feelings of guilt and grief
assuage = soothe
Definition
Generally assuage means:to soothe (make something less unpleasant or frightening)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
bard
14 uses
You've never heard of The Tales of Beedle the Bard?
bard = lyric poet
Definition
Generally bard means:someone who composes and recites or sings poems about important events and people
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
bound (5 meanings)
5 meanings, 30 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
She's bound to succeed.
The Death Eaters know Ron's with you now, they're bound to target the family —
bound = almost certain to
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:almost certain to; or determined to
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —1 use as in:
bound together
Hermione rummaged for a moment and then extracted from the pile a large volume, bound in faded black leather.
bound = held together (connected or wrapped)
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:held together (connected or united) or wrapped
(see word notes for a more detailed definition based upon context)
(see word notes for a more detailed definition based upon context)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
3 —18 uses as in:
I can't/must. I'm bound by...
The moment she had sat down, chains clinked out of the arms of the chair and bound her there.
bound = tied up
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:tied up, prevented, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
4 —2 uses as in:
the binding is loose
Scrimgeour now pulled out of the bag a small book that looked as ancient as the copy of Secrets of the Darkest Art upstairs. Its binding was stained and peeling in places.
binding = the part of a book that holds the pages together
Definition
Generally this sense of binding means:something that holds things together, or wraps or covers or ties something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
5 —3 uses as in:
The deer bound across the trail.
But with a great creaking of rusty bedsprings, Ron bounded off the bed and got there first.
bounded = jumped or leaped
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:to leap or jump
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
disparage
1 use
Snape made a small, disparaging noise.
disparaging = contemptuous (critical and disrespectful)
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
"It sort of floated toward me," said Ron, illustrating the movement with his free index finger, "right to my chest, and then — it just went straight through."†
illustrating = demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
nevertheless
14 uses
Ginny did not seek another one-to-one meeting with Harry for the rest of the day, nor by any look or gesture did she show that they had shared more than polite conversation in her room. Nevertheless, Charlie's arrival came as a relief to Harry.
It provided a distraction...
It provided a distraction...
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
reflect
11 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
reflect in the mirror
Harry sat up and examined the jagged piece on which he had cut himself, seeing nothing but his own bright green eye reflected back at him.
reflected = shown (back)
Definition
Generally this sense of reflect means:show an image back (on a mirror or other shiny surface)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
tone
25 uses
There was something strange in Lupin's tone, it was almost cold.
tone = the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
trace (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 15 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
found a trace of
The sky was now tinged with the faintest trace of pink.
trace = small quantity or indication
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:a small quantity or indication
The exact meaning of this sense of trace is often subject to its context. For example:
The exact meaning of this sense of trace is often subject to its context. For example:
- "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace." — any small indication that something was present
- "She speaks English with just a trace of a southern accent." — a very small amount (especially an amount too small to be accurately measured)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
2 —5 uses as in:
trace the origin or development
"Yes, but we're still going to have to try and trace the real locket, aren't we?" said Hermione, "to find out whether or not it's destroyed."
trace = find
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:to find, search, research, or keep track of
This sense of trace usually has to do with information. It's specific meaning depends on its context. Here are some representative samples by category:
This sense of trace usually has to do with information. It's specific meaning depends on its context. Here are some representative samples by category:
- to find or search for something through investigation — often the origin of something
- "The police traced the call." — found out where it originated
- "We are tracing the lost luggage" — searching for
- "Can you trace the problem to its source?" — find through investigation
- "She traced her family history to discover that her great-grandmother came to the United States from Lithuania when the Nazis occupied it." — discovered something through investigation
- to research or report on the development of something
- "She traced the history of the automobile in her paper." — researched the development of something
- "Her presentation traced recent progress in alternative energy solutions." — reported on
- to monitor or keep track of the progress or development of something
- She traces the progress of at-risk students — monitors information
- "I used binoculars to trace her progress up the mountain." — monitor, follow, or track
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
3 —1 use as in:
trace a picture or outline
The letter was an incredible treasure, proof that Lily Potter had lived, really lived, that her warm hand had once moved across this parchment, tracing ink into these letters, these words, words about him, Harry, her son.
tracing = drawing
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:copy the lines of an image; or draw an outline; or carefully draw a specific pattern
This sense of trace has to do with drawing, but it's specific meaning depends on its context. Here are some representative samples by category:
This sense of trace has to do with drawing, but it's specific meaning depends on its context. Here are some representative samples by category:
- copying the outline of an image
- "She used tracing paper to make a copy." — paper you can see through, so that when it is placed on a picture, you can use a pencil to follow the lines of the image being copied
- She projected the image onto the wall, then hung a sheet of paper there, and traced the projected image onto the paper." — followed the lines with her pencil
- draw an outline or a specific pattern
- "She used her toe to trace half the fish symbol in the sand." — draw a simple outline
- "The child used a stick to trace circles and swirls in the mud." — draw
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |