authenticate
3 uses
How did they authenticate that it was painted by Leonardo da Vinci?
authenticate = prove or show
Definition
Generally authenticate means:establish that something is real or legitimate
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 47, p.215.1 |
coincidence
2 uses
It was a pure coincidence that both got sick the same weekend.
coincidence = a situation where things happened at the same time by chance even though it was unlikely
Definition
Generally coincidence means:a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely
(for example, if two students in the same class met by accident while visiting another country)
(for example, if two students in the same class met by accident while visiting another country)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.24.5 |
contrite
1 use
She apologized, but didn't seem genuinely contrite.
contrite = sorry
Definition
Generally contrite means: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, p.179.4 |
deft
2 uses
She painted with deft, swift touches.
deft = skillful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.32.9 |
fidget
2 uses
The child is always fidgeting in his seat
fidgeting = making small restless movements
Definition
Generally fidget means:to make small restless movements
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32, p.145.1 |
incarcerate
1 use
About 7 out each 1,000 Americans is incarcerated.
incarcerated = in prison or jail
Definition
Generally incarcerate means:put in prison, or otherwise confine
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 48, p.222.8 |
increment
1 use
Bidding starts at $100 with minimum increments of $10.
increments = increases
Definition
Generally increment means:one of a series of increases; or the amount of an increase — especially in small, consistent amounts
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37, p.167.8 |
parched
2 uses
Nothing will grow in this parched soil.
parched = dried out
Definition
Generally parched means:dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24, p.106 |
perimeter
1 use
Don't go beyond the perimeter of the campgrounds.
perimeter = outer edges
Definition
Generally perimeter means:the outer edge
The exact meaning of perimeter can depend upon its context. For example:
- "Stay inside the defensive perimeter." — the outer edges of the area that is defended
- "It is common on the city's perimeter." — the outer edges of the city
- "What is the perimeter of the square?" — the sum of the length of the sides of a geometric shape
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.28.4 |
precarious
1 use
Her footing on the ladder looked precarious.
precarious = unsure (in danger of falling)
Definition
Generally precarious means:unsafe or in danger of getting worse — especially in danger of falling
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44, p.202.3 |
precipice
2 uses
She approached and then pulled back from the precipice.
precipice = steep cliff (or other dangerous situation)
Definition
Generally precipice means:a very steep cliff
or:
any dangerous situation
or:
any dangerous situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 38, p.171.1 |
premise
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
located on the premises
She was injured on the premises of the defendant.
premises = property
Definition
Generally this sense of premises means:land and/or buildings — especially of a business or organization
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.12.2 |
presumption
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
presumption of innocence
I presumed she was an expert since she spoke so confidently.
presumed = assumed
Definition
Generally this sense of presumption means:to think of something as true or likely, even though it is not known with certainty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16, p.74.4 |
proper noun
1 use
A common noun refers to a class of entity (e.g., girl) whereas a proper noun refers to an individual entity (e.g., Isabella).
proper noun = part-of-speech for a name
Definition
Generally proper noun means:in grammar, the part-of-speech for the name of a person, place, or organization — almost always written with an initial capital letter
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22, p.97.9 |
ratio
2 uses
There is much interesting study on the predictive value of the ratio of the length of the index finger to the ring finger within a given gender and race.
ratio = relative lengths
Definition
Generally ratio means:the relative magnitudes of two quantities — often expressed as a:b (which could also be expressed as the fraction a/b)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.7.5 |
stationery
6 uses
It was a form-letter, but written on the President's stationery with a White House return address.
stationery = paper and envelopes for writing letters
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.6.4 |
stock
2 uses
She bought Google stock before it doubled in value.
stock = shares of ownership of different corporations
Definition
Generally this sense of stock means:shares of ownership of a corporation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.9.6 |
strenuous
1 use
The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.
strenuous = difficult (requiring much effort)
Definition
Generally strenuous means:energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 46, p.210.9 |
suppress
1 use
She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.
suppressed = kept from spreading
Definition
Generally suppress means:trying to keep under control
The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example:
- "suppressed the revolution" — to stop others from doing something by force
- "suppressed a smile" — kept something from happening
- "suppressed the story" — kept news from spreading
- "suppressed her fear" — controlled an emotion
- "suppressed the memory" — avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 45, p.205.7 |
writhe
2 uses
The patient writhed in pain.
writhed = moved in a twisting or contorted motion
Definition
Generally writhe means:to move in a twisting or contorted motion — often of a person when struggling or in pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22, p.99.8 |