accord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
Let it open by itself and come back of its own accord.
own accord = own mind (i.e., voluntarily)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
attain
2 uses
He was too simple to wonder when he had attained humility.
attained = achieved (gained with effort)
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
burnish
1 use
the old man leaned over the stern and lifted the burnished gold fish with its purple spots over the stem.
burnished = shiny and smooth looking
Definition
Generally burnish means:polish and make shiny — especially metal
or more generally: to improve something — especially the impression that something makes
or more generally: to improve something — especially the impression that something makes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
congregate
1 use
there was a sudden deep of seven hundred fathoms where all sorts of fish congregated
congregated = came together
Definition
Generally congregate means:come together as a group
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
conscientious
1 use
Slowly and conscientiously he ate all of the wedge-shaped strips of fish.
conscientiously = with care
Definition
Generally conscientious means:careful to do what is right—especially to perform duties in a thorough manner (as when guided by conscience)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
he had a friendly contempt for the huge, stupid loggerheads,
contempt = lack of respect
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
devise
2 uses
You must devise a way so that you sleep a little if he is quiet and steady.
devise = come up with (invent)
Definition
Generally this sense of devise means:to come up with a way of doing something — typically a creative idea or plan
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
disperse
1 use
He had come up from deep down in the water as the dark cloud of blood had settled and dispersed in the mile deep sea.
dispersed = spread
Definition
Generally this sense of disperse means:to scatter or cause to spread
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
endure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
endured the pain
I do not think I could endure that
endure = continue to suffer through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
gaunt
1 use
The old man was thin and gaunt with deep wrinkles in the back of his neck.
gaunt = very thin and bony
Definition
Generally gaunt means:very thin and bony — often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
humiliate
2 uses
It is humiliating before others to have a diarrhoea
humiliating = extremely embarrassing (decreasing dignity)
Definition
Generally humiliate means:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride — especially in front of others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
immune
1 use
They were immune to its poison.
immune = not susceptible (not in danger from)
Definition
Generally immune means:not in danger of being affected by something — especially a disease
or:
relating to disease resistance
or:
relating to disease resistance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
interminable
1 use
He took all his pain and what was left of his strength and his long gone pride and he put it against the fish's agony and the fish came over onto his side and swam gently on his side, his bill almost touching the planking of the skiff and started to pass the boat, long, deep, wide, silver and barred with purple and interminable in the water.
interminable = seemingly endless
Definition
Generally interminable means:seemingly endless; or long and unpleasant (often boring or annoying)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
perceptible
2 uses
But watching the movement of the water against his hand he noted that it was perceptibly slower.
perceptibly = noticeably
Definition
Generally perceptible means:capable of being noticed — typically because it is different enough or large enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
phosphorescence
6 uses
They came in a pack and he could only see the lines in the water that their fins made and their phosphorescence as they threw themselves on the fish.
phosphorescence = dim glowing light (in this case caused by microorganisms that react to movement in the water)
Definition
Generally phosphorescence means:a dim glowing light
or more technically: a fluorescence (dim light) created by a chemical reaction within a living organism; or a dim light that continues to shine from something after the bombarding radiation (stronger light that fell upon it) has ceased
or more technically: a fluorescence (dim light) created by a chemical reaction within a living organism; or a dim light that continues to shine from something after the bombarding radiation (stronger light that fell upon it) has ceased
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
precede
1 use
...he said, and leaned back on the line to see if it was possible to gain any on his fish. But he could not and it stayed at the hardness and water-drop shivering that preceded breaking.
preceded = came before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
resolution
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Her resolution weakened.
But I know many tricks and I have resolution.
resolution = determination
Definition
Generally this sense of resolution means:determination (firmness of purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
sever
2 uses
...and he drove the blade between the vertebrae and the brain. It was an easy shot now and he felt the cartilage sever.
sever = split in two
Definition
Generally sever means:to split something into two unconnected parts — usually by cutting
or:
to break up or end a relationship; or to separate from something
or:
to break up or end a relationship; or to separate from something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
species
1 use
the fishermen called all the fish of that species tuna and only distinguished among them by their proper names when they came to sell them
species = a similar group of animals or plants
Definition
Generally species means:a group of animals or plants that are similar — typically identified as a group because they can procreate together (reproduce new members of the group)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
treachery
3 uses
I hate a cramp, he thought. It is a treachery of one's own body.
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |