afflict
1 use
She is afflicted by diabetes.
afflicted = made to suffer
Definition
Generally afflict means:cause suffering — such as illness, pain, or unhappiness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
altitude
1 use
The altitude gave her a headache.
altitude = elevation (height above sea level)
Definition
Generally altitude means:elevation (height) — typically above sea level or above the earth's surface
or:
(metaphorically) a desirable height
or:
(metaphorically) a desirable height
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
authenticate
3 uses
The expert authenticated her signature.
authenticated = established that something is real or what people say it is
Definition
Generally authenticate means:establish that something is real or what people say it is
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 47 |
consonant
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
consonant or vowel?
It takes longer for babies to learn to voice back-of-the-mouth consonants (like k) than front-of-the-mouth consonants (like p).
consonants = speech sounds that are not a vowels
Definition
Generally this sense of consonant means:a letter of the alphabet (or a speech sound) that is not a vowel
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
contrite
1 use
She apologized, but didn't seem genuinely contrite.
contrite = feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 40 |
distinct
2 uses
Martinez and his colleagues identified 21 distinct emotions made by the human face.
distinct = different
Definition
Generally distinct means:clear, easily noticed, and/or identifiable as different or separate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
grotesque
1 use
The disease causes grotesque deformity.
grotesque = ugly distorted
Definition
Generally grotesque means:distorted and unnatural in shape or size — especially in a disturbing way
or:
ugly or gross
or:
ugly or gross
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
increment
1 use
They charge for international calls in six second increments.
increments = regular measures of increase
Definition
Generally increment means:an increase — especially in small, consistent amounts; or the amount of increase
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
indefinitely
1 use
I need a deadline. This can not go on indefinitely.
indefinitely = for an unspecified, but long period of time
Definition
Generally indefinitely means:an unspecified, but long period of time; or forever
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 48 |
perimeter
1 use
Don't go beyond the perimeter of the campgrounds.
perimeter = the outer edge
Definition
Generally perimeter means:the outer edge — in various senses such as:
- stay inside the defensive perimeter — the outer edges of the area that is defended
- on the city's perimeter — one of the outer edges of the city
- What is the perimeter? — the sum of the length of the sides of a geometric shape — such as a square
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
precarious
1 use
Her footing on the ladder looked precarious.
precarious = unsafe or unsure
Definition
Generally precarious means:unsafe or unsure — especially in danger of falling
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
preposterous
1 use
They can't be seriously considering such a preposterous idea.
preposterous = absurd, outrageous, silly, or completely unreasonable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
protrude
1 use
Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.
protrude = stick out
Definition
Generally protrude means:to stick out from
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
rant
1 use
The captain is ranting and roaring about our lack of military discipline.
ranting = complaining or verbally attacking in an excited rather than thoughtful way
Definition
Generally rant means:to complain or verbally attack in an excited rather than thoughtful way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 47 |
recede
1 use
Her unhappy childhood memories receded as she grew older.
receded = diminished (decreased)
Definition
Generally recede means:to move away or diminish
(see word notes for more detailed definitions based on context)
(see word notes for more detailed definitions based on context)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
Shakespeare
1 use
As Shakespeare said, "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."
Shakespeare = English dramatist and poet frequently cited as the greatest writer in the English language (1564-1616)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
stifle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
stifling the urge
These excessive rules that stifle creativity.
stifle = suppress
Definition
Generally this sense of stifle means:to suppress (prevent something or decrease its development) — often political freedom
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
strenuous
1 use
The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.
strenuous = difficult or performed energetically
Definition
Generally strenuous means:characterizes physical or mental actions as difficult or requiring endurance; or as performed energetically
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 46 |
suppress
1 use
The dictator suppressed criticism in the press.
suppressed = kept or tried to keep under control
Definition
Generally suppress means:trying to keep under control — in many senses such as:
- to stop others from doing something by force
- to keep something from happening
- to keep news from spreading
- to control an emotion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 45 |
toxic
1 use
She suffered from exposure to toxic substances.
toxic = poisonous or harmful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |