abstract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
We all agree that we want what's "best for the country", but that is an abstract concept and we cannot agree on which specific laws should be passed.
abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means:of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
or more rarely:
describing someone as distracted — thinking about something outside of the immediate conversation or circumstances
or more rarely:
describing someone as distracted — thinking about something outside of the immediate conversation or circumstances
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
acute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
acute vision
Beavers have an acute sense of smell.
acute = sharp (highly perceptive or intelligent)
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
(often with a connotation that resulting awareness is painful)
(often with a connotation that resulting awareness is painful)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
ambiguous
1 use
Her answer was ambiguous.
ambiguous = unclear — because there could be two or more interpretations
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
amity
1 use
If we cannot be close friends, we can at least live in amity.
amity = a state of friendly relations
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
apathy
1 use
Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
approximate
3 uses
The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.
approximately = about (but not exactly)
Definition
Generally approximate means:almost, but not exact; or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
atom
37 uses
The world was forever changed when we learned to split the atom.
atom = the smallest part of any material that cannot be broken up by chemical means; comprised of a nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by orbiting electrons
Word Statistics
| Book | 37 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
atrophy
2 uses
Muscles that are not used will quickly atrophy.
atrophy = wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Definition
Generally atrophy means:to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
chagrin
2 uses
I bragged about how good our team was and then, much to my chagrin, we lost.
chagrin = bad feeling such as embarrassment or disappointment
Definition
Generally chagrin means:a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance — especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
conflagration
1 use
sparked the current conflagration by releasing the report
conflagration = a large, violent, uncontrolled event — especially a fire
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
destitute
2 uses
The article is entitled Destitute and Desperate in the Land of Plenty.
destitute = extremely poor
Definition
Generally destitute means:extremely poor; or lacking the necessities of life such as food and shelter
or in the form "destitute of": lacking
or in the form "destitute of": lacking
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
extricate
1 use
She was caught in the wreckage and could not extricate herself without help.
extricate = release from entanglement or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
fracture
10 uses
fractured the shinbone
fractured = broke
Definition
Generally fracture means:a crack (or break) of a hard object — such as bone or rock; or the act of cracking or breaking
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
iniquity
1 use
That was when I realized I had to climb up from the depths of iniquity.
iniquity = immorality
Definition
Generally iniquity means:immorality; or an immoral act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
Jesuit
19 uses
The University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy is an outstanding college-prep school.
Jesuit = a member of the Society of Jesus (known for their schools and missionary work)
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
notorious
3 uses
He was a notorious drug dealer.
notorious = well known for something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
philanthropy
1 use
Her primary interests are family and philanthropy.
philanthropy = helping others
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
radiation
22 uses
Ionizing radiation has enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules.
radiation = particles emitted by nuclear decay (i.e., particles smaller than an atom that are sent out due to radioactivity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
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 | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
2 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = having 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 | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |