accord (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 13 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
prices fell in accordance with that peculiar law which proves...
accordance = keeping (or in agreement with)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
2 —2 uses as in:
done of her own accord
Selden had come of his own accord.
own accord = voluntarily (without someone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
3 —1 use as in:
accord her the respect deserved
Even such scant civilities as Lily accorded to Mr. Rosedale would have made Miss Stepney her friend for life;
accorded = gave respectfully
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:to give someone special treatment — especially respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.11 |
allude
11 uses
She spoke with the intention of making him see that, if his words implied a tentative allusion to her private affairs, she was prepared to meet and repudiate it.
allusion = an indirect reference
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
aphorism
1 use
Nothing could have been less consonant with Selden's mood than Van Alstyne's after-dinner aphorisms, but as long as the latter confined himself to generalities his listener's nerves were in control.
aphorisms = short sayings intended to impart wisdom
Definition
Generally aphorism means:a short saying intended to impart wisdom
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.14 |
conjecture
16 uses
there was no time to pause and conjecture
conjecture = think about and form an opinion based on inconclusive evidence
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.14 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 17 uses
1 —16 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
But if you have run into debt, you must suffer the consequences
consequences = results (of that)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.15 |
2 —1 use as in:
of little consequence
As became persons of their rising consequence, the Gormers were engaged in building a country-house on Long Island; and it was a part of Miss Bart's duty to attend her hostess on frequent visits of inspection to the new estate.
consequence = importance or significance (often used in that day to refer to wealth)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
contempt
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
the sudden glimpse into his mocked and broken life disarmed her contempt for his weakness.
contempt = disrespect
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
countenance (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
she seated herself with a beaming countenance beside her visitor.
countenance = facial expression
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
2 —2 uses as in:
giving countenance
I shall certainly not do anything to give the impression that I countenance your behaviour.
countenance = approve
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.15 |
disdain
12 uses
The faint disdain of her smile seemed to lift her high above her antagonist's reach,
disdain = sense of superiority
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8 |
dispose
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
disposed the troops along...
You see my initiative doesn't go beyond putting myself at your disposal.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
ephemeral
2 uses
Her beauty itself was not the mere ephemeral possession it might have been in the hands of inexperience: her skill in enhancing it, the care she took of it, the use she made of it, seemed to give it a kind of permanence.
ephemeral = lasting only for a short time
Definition
Generally ephemeral means:existing only for a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
indolent
5 uses
All the secret ambitions which Mrs. Gormer's native indolence, and the attitude of her companions, kept in habitual abeyance,
indolence = laziness
Definition
Generally this sense of indolent means:lazy; disinclined to work
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
irony (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
situational irony
it struck her now with a peculiar irony that the money she had used had been Gus Trenor's.
irony = when what happened was very different than what might have been expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7 |
2 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
she remarked to Miss Bart with a faint touch of irony: "I suppose I ought to say good morning."
irony = saying one thing while meaning the opposite
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
mitigate
11 uses
The dislike, indeed, still subsisted; but it was penetrated here and there by the perception of mitigating qualities in him:
mitigating = making less unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
perceive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
though blind, can perceive light
but she had a fatalistic sense of being drawn from one wrong turning to another, without ever perceiving the right road till it was too late to take it.
perceiving = seeing
Definition
Generally this sense of perceive means:to become aware of — especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.12 |
perception
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
perception of external stimuli
In the silence Lily had a clear perception of what was passing through his mind.
perception = sense (understanding)
Definition
Generally this sense of perception means:something that someone senses; or the act of sensing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.11 |