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 | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
annul
1 use
The marriage was annulled.†
annulled = declared invalid; or ended or canceled
Definition
Generally annul means:declare invalid; or end or cancel
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
cartilage
1 use
a cartilage tear in the knee†
cartilage = tough elastic tissue found in such places as joints
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
cede
1 use
will not cede sovereign power to an international institution†
cede = to relinquish or give something up to another — especially after a contest
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
coagulate
1 use
The blood began to coagulate.
coagulate = change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
comprehend
1 use
I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.
comprehends = fully understands
Definition
Generally comprehend means:to understand something — especially to understand it completely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
detach
1 use
She spoke in a cold, detached manner as though she didn't care about him any more.
detached = emotionally uninvolved (separated from emotions)
Definition
Generally detach means:to separate something from something else (physically or emotionally)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
dorsal
3 uses
He was cut on the dorsal side of the thumb.†
dorsal = the back (spinal cord) side
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
mutilate
2 uses
The murder mutilates his victims bodies before killing them.
mutilates = severely injures or damages
Definition
Generally mutilate means:severely injure or damage — for example by cutting up
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
myriad
1 use
The development creates a myriad of exciting possibilities.†
myriad = a very large number — often of things that are not identical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
mystic
1 use
She is a mystic who believes enlightenment will come from communing with nature.
mystic = someone who attempts to tune into realities beyond scientific understanding
Definition
Generally mystic means:relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience; or one who attempts to tune into such realities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
paralysis
1 use
She suffers paralysis of her legs.
paralysis = loss of the ability to move
Definition
Generally paralysis means:loss of the ability to move the body or a part of it
or:
inability to act or make a decision
or:
inability to act or make a decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
placid
1 use
The sky is clear and the lake placid.
placid = calm
Definition
Generally placid means:calm and not easily excited
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
plankton
3 uses
Plankton are important in marine food chains.†
plankton = tiny or microscopic plants and animals that float in water such as oceans or lakes and are eaten by larger animals such as fish
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
proprietor
2 uses
After 40 years of greeting guests in person, the proprietor is retiring.
proprietor = the owner of a business
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
shoal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
run aground on a shoal
The rocks, shoals, and currents make it a treacherous journey.
shoals = sandbanks or other stretches of shallow water
Definition
Generally this sense of shoal means:an area of shallow water — especially a navigation hazard, and often caused by a deposit of sand (sandbank)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
spinal cord
1 use
Her spinal cord was partly severed, so that she is now paralyzed below the waist.†
spinal cord = nerve cells running from the base of the skull to the lower back and enclosed by vertebrae in adults
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
summon
1 use
I was summoned to the principal's office.
summoned = called to come
Definition
Generally summon means:to call forth
The exact meaning of summon can depend upon its context. For example:
- "summon to court" — officially demand that someone appear in court (call them to court)
- "summon the team to a meeting" — call upon the team members to attend a meeting
- "summon help" — call others to come and help
- "summon her courage" — call forth her courage from within
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 35 uses in 10 avg bks |
wallow
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a wagon wallowed through the mud
The tractor wallowed through the mud.
wallowed = moved with difficulty
Definition
Generally this sense of wallow means:to move with difficulty; or perhaps just to move through water or in a rolling/wave-like manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
waver
1 use
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.
wavered = faltered (stopped being strong)
Definition
Generally waver means:to move back and forth (shake or quiver)
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |