accord (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 100 uses
1 —95 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.
accordance = keeping
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 95 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
2 —4 uses as in:
done of her own accord
She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
3 —1 use as in:
accord her the respect deserved
They expect to be accorded the same respect as any other nuclear armed nation.
accorded = given special treatment
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:to give someone special treatment — especially respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
acrimony
2 uses
The meeting ended in acrimony.
acrimony = anger
Definition
Generally acrimony means:anger—often accompanied by bitterness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
ameliorate
4 uses
The drug ameliorates the toxic effects of chemotherapy.
ameliorates = lessens (something that is bad)
Definition
Generally ameliorate means:to improve — especially a bad situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
ascetic
6 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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.7 |
augment
35 uses
Our school hired a new counselor to augment our college counseling service.
augment = enlarge or increase
Word Statistics
| Book | 35 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.10 |
austere
25 uses
He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.
austere = lacking luxury (and stern)
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7 |
bourgeois
135 uses
Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.
bourgeois = typical middle class
Definition
Generally bourgeois means:typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
Word Statistics
| Book | 135 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
descend the mountain
We saw the rocket descend.
descend = move downward
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:move or slope downward
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7 |
disdain
28 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 28 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.3 |
enigma
22 uses
As Churchill said about Russia, it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.
enigma = something mysterious that seems unexplainable
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
epoch
103 uses
Easter Island has passed through three epochs.
epochs = a significant period of time — such as an historical period or a unit of geological time smaller than a period and larger than an age
Definition
Generally epoch means:a significant period of time
The exact meaning of epoch depends upon its context. For example:
- "an epoch of scientific discovery" — an historical period
- "during the Late Jurassic epoch" — a unit of geological time smaller than a period and larger than an age
- "the epoch moment of the photo" — the time of an astronomical measurement
Word Statistics
| Book | 103 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.1 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 24 uses
1 —21 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7 |
perceive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
though blind, can perceive light
I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.
perceive = see (become aware of)
Definition
Generally this sense of perceive means:to become aware of — especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.4 |
perfidy
2 uses
She is guilty of perfidy if not treason.
perfidy = an act of deliberate betrayal
Definition
Generally perfidy means:an act of deliberate betrayal; or such behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
render
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
rendered her unconscious
Her verbal attack rendered me speechless.
rendered = made
Definition
Generally this sense of render means:to make or cause to become
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.3 |
repudiate
2 uses
The parents repudiated their son.
repudiated = strongly rejected
Definition
Generally repudiate means:strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.1 |
sagacious
14 uses
She is a smart and sagacious statesman.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |