Achilles
5 uses
In the film, Troy (2004), Brad Pitt played the character of Achilles.†
Achilles = mythical Greek hero of the Iliad; central character and foremost Greek warrior at the siege of Troy
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use 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 as though superior; or obviously uninterested in something that interests others
Definition
Generally aloof means:socially distant — often thinking oneself superior to others
or:
obviously uninterested in something that interests others — often as though thinking it beneath one's dignity or distasteful
or:
obviously uninterested in something that interests others — often as though thinking it beneath one's dignity or distasteful
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
assail
49 uses
Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns.
assailed = attacked
Definition
Generally assail means:attack physically or verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 49 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.
attributed = credited (pointed to a source for something)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something) — such as:
- to say that something happened because of someone or something else
- to indicate the source of an idea or quotation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
daunt
30 uses
It is a challenge that would daunt a lesser diplomat.
daunt = discourage or intimidate
Definition
Generally daunt means:to discourage or intimidate
(editor's note: The root word is most commonly seen as the adjective daunting which describes something as "discouraging or intimidating". Note that the "-less" suffix means without, so dauntless is to daunt as hopeless is to hope and careless is to care.)
(editor's note: The root word is most commonly seen as the adjective daunting which describes something as "discouraging or intimidating". Note that the "-less" suffix means without, so dauntless is to daunt as hopeless is to hope and careless is to care.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 30 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
deemed
60 uses
The producer deemed her too old to play the role.
deemed = believed or judged
Word Statistics
| Book | 60 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
defer
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
deferred the decision
The weather forced us to defer our departure another day.
defer = postpone or delay
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 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 or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
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 |
| 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 = the 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 (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
pyre
27 uses
While cremation is not uncommon in the western world, open air funeral pyres are typically illegal.
pyres = piles of wood or other burnable materials
Definition
Generally pyre means:a pile of wood or other burnable material — especially to burn a dead body as in a funeral rite
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
strife
50 uses
The region suffers from violent religious strife.
strife = conflict or angry disagreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 50 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
subdue
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
subdue opposition
She was threatening people with a knife, but police used a Taser to subdue her.
subdue = to control or put down by force or intimidation
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
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 — sometimes implying angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 100 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 24 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16 |
2 —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 | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |