abstract
5 uses
1 —5 uses 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
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.22.9 |
adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.
adapted = changed (to fit this situation)
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.182.5 |
ambivalent
3 uses
Polling indicates the public is ambivalent on the subject. Their opinions change depending upon the latest headlines.
ambivalent = with mixed feelings
Definition
Generally ambivalent means:having mixed feelings about something — such as when part of you wants to do something and part of you does not
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.66.3 |
analysis (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
analysis of relevant data
According to my analysis, we should focus on improving customer service.
analysis = detailed examination
Definition
Generally this sense of analysis means:the process or result of examining and thinking about something to better understand it
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.64.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
psychiatrist suggested analysis
I visited the psychiatrist who recommended I undergo analysis.
analysis = psychiatric treatment
Definition
Generally this sense of analysis means:psychiatric treatment — (using any of many theories of the human mind that use talk therapy to understand the unconscious mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.184.9 |
ascetic
3 uses
The ascetic life has been more pronounced in Hinduism and Buddhism than in other major religions.
ascetic = the practice of self-denial
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | A.N., p.ii.8 |
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 18, p.191.7 |
context
1 use
She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.
context = in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted)
Definition
Generally context means:the setting or situation in which something occurs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.96.9 |
existential
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
existential threat
Israel faces an existential threat from some of its neighbors.
existential = characterized by threatening existence
Definition
Generally this sense of existential means:relating to or dealing with existence — especially with human existence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.134.9 |
fluctuate
1 use
"I'm not overweight. I fluctuate between chubby and curvy."
fluctuate = alternately increase and decrease in quantity
Definition
Generally fluctuate means:to alternately increase and decrease in quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.173.9 |
hubris
3 uses
It is another example of hubris preceding a fall.
hubris = excessive pride and confidence
Definition
Generally hubris means:excessive pride, arrogance, or confidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.72.1 |
hypothesis
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
a study to test her hypothesis
The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.
hypothesis = a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea
Definition
Generally this sense of hypothesis means:a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.184.8 |
inimical
1 use
Her lack of discipline is inimical to achieving her goals.
inimical = harmful
Definition
Generally inimical means:harmful or unfriendly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.25.1 |
insulate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
insulate the attic
We had his bedroom insulated before winter came.
insulated = added material to reduce heat transfer
Definition
Generally this sense of insulate means:to separate two things to prevent passage of something such as heat, cold, noise, or electricity — often by covering one of the things with a material
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.5.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
insulate her from
They home schooled their young children to insulate them a little longer from what they consider to be a crass society.
insulate = separate (from influences thought to be harmful)
Definition
Generally this sense of insulate means:to separate someone or something from influences thought to be harmful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.181.9 |
onerous
2 uses
They argue that onerous regulation is driving business from the city.
onerous = requiring significant effort
Definition
Generally onerous means:difficult (requiring significant effort)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.22.8 |
pivotal
2 uses
It was a pivotal event in her life.
pivotal = very important and influencing other events
Definition
Generally pivotal means:very important and influencing other events or how things develop
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | A.N., p.iii.2 |
plausible
4 uses
She offered a plausible excuse.
plausible = sounding reasonable
Definition
Generally plausible means:apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.76.9 |
recumbent
1 use
She likes a recumbent bicycle.
recumbent = lying down (a bicycle ridden in a reclined position)
Definition
Generally recumbent means:lying down; or horizontal
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.140.4 |
tundra
5 uses
Tundra reindeer travel as much as 3,000 miles a year.
tundra = a treeless plain where the subsoil is always frozen
Definition
Generally tundra means:a vast treeless plain in the northern arctic regions where the subsoil is always frozen (between the ice cap and the tree line)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.60.4 |