Achilles
5 uses
In the Iliad, Achilles is proud, arrogant, and too easily offended.
Achilles = mythical Greek hero of the Iliad
Definition
Generally this sense of Achilles means:mythical Greek hero of the Iliad; central character and foremost Greek warrior at the siege of Troy
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
aloof
25 uses
People who don't know her, think she is aloof from the rest of the team, but she is just focused on the game.
aloof = socially distant or uninterested
Definition
Generally aloof means:socially distant or uninterested in something that interests others — often thinking oneself superior to others
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the source of)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
daunt
43 uses
It is a challenge that would daunt a lesser diplomat.
daunt = discourage or intimidate
Definition
Generally daunt means:to discourage or intimidate
Word Statistics
| Book | 43 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
defer
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
deferred the decision
The weather forced us to defer our departure another day.
defer = delay
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
There is too much discord in the team.
discord = conflict
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
frayed
40 uses
1 —40 uses as in:
into the fray
I'm hesitant to join the political fray.
fray = fight or struggle
Definition
Generally this sense of fray means:a noisy fight, controversial debate, or other exciting situation that usually is not well organized
Word Statistics
| Book | 40 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
haughty
29 uses
It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
Jupiter
1 use
Jupiter is the Roman counterpart to the Greek Zeus.†
Jupiter = Roman mythology: the most supreme of the gods
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
mortal
23 uses
1 —23 uses as in:
mortal body
Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.
mortal = human
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
perish
16 uses
...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln -- Gettysburg Address
perish = be destroyed or cease to exist
Definition
Generally perish means:to die — especially in an unnatural way
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
prudent
19 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
reproach
25 uses
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
scorn
23 uses
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
subdue
5 uses
1 —5 uses
verb as in: subdued the opposition
She was threatening people with a knife, but police used a Taser to subdue her.
subdue = overcome and control
Definition
Generally this sense of subdue means:to control, prevent, or make less intense — sometimes through force
The exact meaning of subdue depends upon its context. For example:
- "subdued a nation" — defeated militarily and brought under control
- "subdued the fever" — made it less intense or defeated it
- "subdued her enthusiasm" — made it less intense
- "subdued her fears" — made them less intense or overcame them
- "subdued my emotions" — kept them under control
- "subdued the crowd" — quieted or controlled it
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
valor
23 uses
She received a medal for valor.
valor = courage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger — especially in battle)
Definition
Generally valor means:exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger — especially in battle
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
Venus
1 use
In Roman mythology, Venus is the counterpart to the Greek Aphrodite.†
Venus = Roman mythology: goddess of love
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
Vulcan
1 use
Vulcan is the Roman counterpart to the Greek Hephaestus.†
Vulcan = Roman mythology: god of fire and metal working
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.17 |
wrath
100 uses
She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 100 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
yield
22 uses
1 —22 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |