aggrieve
1 use
He fears a lawsuit from one of the aggrieved parties.
aggrieved = feeling harmed from unfair treatment
Definition
Generally aggrieve means:feeling harmed by unfair treatment; or (more rarely) harming someone unfairly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
aphorism
1 use
She often quotes St. Augustine's aphorism, "Love the sinner and hate the sin."
aphorism = short saying intended to impart wisdom
Definition
Generally aphorism means:a short saying intended to impart wisdom
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
authenticate
1 use
How did they authenticate that it was painted by Leonardo da Vinci?
authenticate = prove or show
Definition
Generally authenticate means:establish that something is real or legitimate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
bilingual
1 use
bilingual education
bilingual = using two languages
Definition
Generally bilingual means:using two languages; or someone fluent in two languages
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
consonant
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
consonant or vowel?
It takes longer for babies to learn to voice back-of-the-mouth consonants (like k) than front-of-the-mouth consonants (like p).
consonants = speech sounds that are not a vowels
Definition
Generally this sense of consonant means:a letter of the alphabet (or a speech sound) that is not a vowel
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
contentious
1 use
We started with the most contentious item on the agenda.
contentious = likely to cause disagreement
Definition
Generally contentious means:causing or likely to cause disagreement; or argumentative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
garnish
1 use
She garnished the plate with parsley.
garnished = decorated or adorned
Definition
Generally this sense of garnish means:to decorate or adorn something (most typically food with another food); or the item added for decoration
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
inarticulate
2 uses
She becomes inarticulate when she's nervous.
inarticulate = unable to express herself clearly
Definition
Generally inarticulate means:unable to communicate clearly (or to use words)
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example:
- unable to find good words to express oneself — as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous."
- verbally expressing a feeling without words — as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair."
- unable to make oneself heard and understood — as in "She mumbled inarticulately."
- unable to speak — as in "She was inarticulate with rage."
- a feeling or idea that is not expressed — as in "We shared an inarticulate fear."
- inability to express or understand feelings or ideas — as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
ineffable
1 use
Such a spiritual experience has ineffable qualities that cannot be entirely shared.
ineffable = indescribable (impossible to put into words)
Definition
Generally ineffable means:something that cannot be put into words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
inextricable
1 use
the inextricable tie between culture, religion, and politics
inextricable = impossible to disentangle
Definition
Generally inextricable means:impossible to extract, disentangle, or avoid; or hopelessly intricate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
laconic
1 use
I need more than the book and my teacher's laconic answers to understand this material.
laconic = using few words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
lecherous
1 use
He had a lecherous gleam in his eye.
lecherous = an inappropriate sexual interest
Definition
Generally lecherous means:inappropriately excessive in sexual interest or activity — usually said of men
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
omnipotent
1 use
When I was young, I believed in the myth of omnipotent science, technology and logic.
omnipotent = all powerful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
opportunist
1 use
Her opponents describe her as a self-serving opportunist who will say anything and stab anyone in the back to get what she wants.
opportunist = someone who takes advantage of unplanned circumstances
Definition
Generally opportunist means:someone who takes advantage of unplanned circumstances — possibly unethically
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
pathos
2 uses
The novel triumphs with humor and pathos.
pathos = a quality that arouses pity or sorrow
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
phobia
1 use
One of the most common phobias is agoraphobia—the fear of being in public places.
phobias = extreme and unreasonable fears of things
Definition
Generally phobia means:extreme and unreasonable fear of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
quibble
1 use
Let's not quibble over pennies.
quibble = argue about unimportant things
Definition
Generally quibble means:to argue about unimportant things; or an argument or complaint about something unimportant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
redolent
1 use
The film is redolent of the early Harry Potter movies.
redolent = reminiscent (serving to bring to mind)
Definition
Generally redolent means:reminiscent (serving to bring to mind)
or:
or smelling like something; or having a sweet fragrance
or:
or smelling like something; or having a sweet fragrance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
stimulus
2 uses
We're hoping the stimulus package will increase the number and quality of available jobs.
stimulus = something that creates growth (in this case economic growth)
Definition
Generally stimulus means:something that creates growth or excitement, or something that causes an action
in various senses, including:
- economic stimulus — something that makes the economy grow
- biological or psychological stimulus — something that makes the body react in a particular way such as when more light make the eye pupil shrink, or when lack of sleep causes stress
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
wizened
1 use
She was a wizened old woman with gray hair.
wizened = thin and wrinkled
Definition
Generally wizened means:thin and wrinkled — typically from age or illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |