accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
They'd been organized according to color and style.
according to = based on (in keeping 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 | 10 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
accord her the respect deserved
I accorded Elizabeth Barrister and Richard DeBlass respect and dignity.
accorded = given/gave 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 11 |
aesthetic
2 uses
He was almost ridiculously handsome: the narrow, aesthetic face; the slash of cheekbones; and sculpted mouth.
aesthetic = attractive
Definition
Generally aesthetic means:related to beauty or good taste — often referring to one's appreciation of beauty or one's sense of what is beautiful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
arrogant
8 uses
He was unquestionably arrogant.
arrogant = having an excessive sense of superiority
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
With obvious relief, the uniform deferred to her superior. "The civilian demands entry."
deferred = yielded (in this case, to let her superior make the decision)
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
deliberate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deliberate insult
But this was shocking, like a stage deliberately set to offend.
deliberately = intentionally
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
discretion (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
embarrassing lack of discretion
You must know, of course, our client data is strictly confidential. Paradise has a reputation for discretion as well as excellence.
discretion = behavior that does not attract attention or reveal private information
Definition
Generally this sense of discretion means:behavior that does not attract undesired attention or reveal private information
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
Parental discretion advised.
Feeling discretion would gain her more than aggression, Eve contacted the clients by 'link and explained herself.
discretion = good judgment or good taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
disdain
7 uses
Summerset opened the door with his usual disdain.
disdain = a lack of respect — suggesting distaste and a sense of superiority
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dubious
1 use
A woman of dubious reputation who...
dubious = doubtful or suspicious
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
elaborate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
elaborate on your plan
I can elaborate and add that I prefer a different type of bedmate, and that I prefer to make my own moves.
elaborate = add detail (to what's been said)
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:add details or explain in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
2 —3 uses as in:
an elaborate design
She eyed the gold foil and elaborate bow on the package she held with more suspicion than pleasure.
elaborate = fancy (complicated or special)
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
indulge
8 uses
Some of us aren't allowed to indulge ourselves.
indulge = enjoy to excess
Definition
Generally indulge means:to give into a desire or enjoy something — especially in excess of what is thought good—such as a desire to eat too much cake, or be too lazy
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
meticulous
5 uses
The contents of the drawers were meticulously ordered, lingerie folded precisely, sweaters arranged according to color and material.
meticulously = in a manner treating details with great care
Definition
Generally meticulous means:treating details with great care
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
muse
22 uses
1 —22 uses as in:
her musings
Nice life if you can get it, she mused,
mused = thought
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
It's not as simple as taking your word for it. I have a job to do, a responsibility to the victim, to the system. I have to stay objective, and I—
objective = fact-based and not influenced by personal feelings or preferences
Definition
Generally this sense of objective means:fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
relevant
1 use
No, lieutenant, though it hardly seems 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 3 |
resignation
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
In a gesture that was both weary and resigned,
resigned = indicating the acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
revere
3 uses
"The library," he announced in reverent terms, and opened the door for her.
reverent = with feelings of deep respect and admiration
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
seduce
8 uses
You're not a creature of impulse, and though I believe you could be seduced, with the right timing, and the right touch, it wouldn't be an ordinary occurrence.
seduced = enticed into having sex
Definition
Generally seduce means:to persuade someone to do something by tempting them with something pleasurable or desired — often to make them want to have sex
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |