absolve
1 use
Yes, he agreed, but it hadn't absolved me from my sin.
absolved = forgiven or made blameless
Definition
Generally absolve means:to find someone blameless; or forgive; or relieve (of a requirement or obligation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
accompany
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accompany on the journey
...sometimes they went as far as the village, accompanied by a nurse, of course.
accompanied = escorted (in the company of)
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
alternative
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an alternative plan
I gave myself leave, to consider the other alternative; that my appeal was successful. And then the trouble was to calm down that sudden rush of joy racing through my body and even bringing tears to my eyes.
alternative = possible outcome (something available as another possibility)
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
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aversion
1 use
However, as time went by, I came to feel that this aversion had no real substance.
aversion = dislike that leads to avoidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
condemn
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
was condemned to life in prison
"It wasn't because I'd been condemned to death," he said,
condemned = legally sentenced (to punishment)
Definition
Generally this sense of condemn means:force into an undesired activity or situation — such as to legally sentence someone to punishment
or:
find guilty — especially in court (and sometimes to death)
or:
provide the means of finding guilty
or:
find guilty — especially in court (and sometimes to death)
or:
provide the means of finding guilty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
contrite
1 use
Not once in the course of these proceedings did this man show the least contrition.
contrition = sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
convey (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
convey her thoughts
When, one morning, the jailer informed me I'd now been six months in jail, I believed him—but the words conveyed nothing to my mind.†
conveyed = communicated or expressed
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
2 —1 use as in:
convey her safely to
They came for me at half-past seven in the morning and I was conveyed to the law courts in a prison van.†
conveyed = transported
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:transport
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
demonstrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
demonstrate to protest
He said that the trial proper was about to begin, and he need hardly say that he expected the public to refrain from any demonstration whatsoever.†
demonstration = public protest or display of support
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of demonstrate means:a public display supporting a cause — usually joining with others in a political protest
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
direct
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
Then he was directed to address the court, in his turn.†
directed = instructed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
dispassionate
1 use
Looking at the matter dispassionately, I shared his view.
dispassionately = in a manner that is unaffected by strong emotion or bias
Definition
Generally dispassionate means:unaffected by strong emotion or bias
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
explicit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
explicit instructions
The Judge asked him to be more explicit; did she reproach me with having sent her to the Home, and he said, "Yes," again.†
explicit = clear and detailed
Definition
Generally this sense of explicit means:clear and with enough detail so there is no confusion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
focus
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
The focus of our study is...
It was such a new experience, being a focus of interest; in the ordinary way no one ever paid much attention to me.†
focus = place where attention is directed
Definition
Generally this sense of focus means:where attention is concentrated or directed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
grave
3 uses
"You're mistaken, my son," he said gravely.
gravely = in a serious and solemn manner
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
indignant
6 uses
...the natural and righteous indignation I feel at the sight of a criminal devoid of the least spark of human feeling.
indignation = anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
interpret
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
her interpretation of the data
It seemed to me then that I could interpret the look on the faces of those present; it was one of almost respectful sympathy.†
interpret = understand
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
odious
4 uses
And what made it even more odious was the personality of the prisoner, an inhuman monster wholly without a moral sense.
odious = extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
preside
6 uses
At a sign from the presiding judge, one of the court officers led her away,
presiding = in charge (with highest authority)
Definition
Generally preside means:to be in charge; or to head; or to be the chairperson — especially of a formal meeting or ceremony
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
relevant
1 use
He now proposed ... certain matters which, on a superficial view, might seem foreign to the case, but actually were highly relevant.
relevant = related in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
scrupulous
1 use
He explained that he was there to supervise the proceedings, as a sort of umpire, and he would take a scrupulously impartial view of the case.
scrupulously = very carefully
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |