accord
11 uses
1 —11 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
This was in accordance with the Third Law of Motion according to Sir Isaac Newton.
accordance = in agreement with
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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
acrimony
1 use
And now there was an acrimonious madrigal, with parts sung in all quarters of the car.
acrimonious = bitter or angry
(editor's note: a madrigal is a type of song — with different parts sung in counterpoint)
(editor's note: a madrigal is a type of song — with different parts sung in counterpoint)
Definition
Generally acrimony means:anger—often accompanied by bitterness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
adulation
1 use
The adulation that Trout was receiving, mindless and illiterate as it was, affected Trout like marijuana.
adulation = much admiration and praise
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
cease
5 uses
They ... ceased to talk, then died.
ceased = discontinued
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
convention (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
to convene
an international convention of optometrists in Montreal
convention = formal gathering
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:a large conference or meeting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
conventional behavior
...where 135,000 people died as the result of an at attack with conventional weapons.
conventional = normal or typical (in this case standard acceptable weapons that weren't nuclear)
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
elated
1 use
They were so elated by their own hospitality, and by all the goodies waiting inside, that they did not take a good look at their guests while they sang.
elated = had a feeling of happiness and excitement
Definition
Generally elated means:full of happiness and excitement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
grave
1 use
And then, speaking gravely and elegantly into the telephone, I ask...
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
hygiene
1 use
Somewhere in there was a lecture on personal hygiene by the head Englishman., and then a free election.
hygiene = practices promoting the prevention of illness and maintenance of health — such as cleanliness
Definition
Generally hygiene means:practices promoting the prevention of illness and maintenance of health — such as cleanliness or promoting sanitary conditions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
importune
1 use
Billy did not want to see what happened next, and a clerk importuned him to come over and see some really hot stuff they kept under the counter for connoisseurs.
importuned = urged
Definition
Generally importune means:beg insistently or urge repeatedly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
inevitable
1 use
They would inevitably surface within a rectangle of barbed wire, would find themselves greeted listlessly by dying Russians who spoke no English, who had no food or useful information or escape plans of their own.
inevitably = with certainty that it would happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
The irony is so great. A whole city gets burned down, and thousands and thousands of people are killed. And then this one American foot soldier is arrested in the ruins for taking a teapot.
irony = when what happened was very different than what might have been expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
lugubrious
2 uses
Derby now came to lugubrious attention.
lugubrious = excessively mournful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
luminous
2 uses
The creatures can see where each star has been and where it is going, so that the heavens are filled with rarefied, luminous spaghetti.
luminous = glowing or shining
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
optometry
31 uses
Her father owns the optometry school where Billy was going.
optometry = the practice of testing eyesight and providing glasses or contact lenses to improve vision
Word Statistics
| Book | 31 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
It gave him profound aches...
profound = intense
Definition
Generally this sense of profound means:of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
putrid
1 use
He was a valet to a preacher, expected no promotions or medals, bore no arms, and had a meek faith in a loving Jesus which most soldiers found putrid.
putrid = disgusting
Definition
Generally putrid means:rotting (an advanced state of decomposition) with a foul odor; or anything that is disgusting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
resolute
1 use
He has directly challenged the authority of the government, and future discipline depends upon a resolute reply to this challenge.
resolute = firm
Definition
Generally resolute means:firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
solicitous
1 use
He looked so peculiar that several people commented on it solicitously when the song was done.
solicitously = in a manner that showed concern for him
Definition
Generally solicitous means:showing care or concern for someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
tremulous
1 use
Derby was imagining letters to home, his lips working tremulously.
tremulously = with quivering
Definition
Generally tremulous means:quivering (shaky) — usually from weakness or fear — especially of the voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |