aesthetic
1 use
You don't consider the aesthetics.
aesthetics = beauty
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
ameliorate
1 use
There was, however, an ameliorating support system.
ameliorating = tending to improve a bad situation
Definition
Generally ameliorate means:to improve — especially a bad situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
belligerent
1 use
With luck, thought the tuxedoed manager, the explanation that an impetuous bartender had mistaken a belligerent drunk for something far more serious would be acceptable to the police.
belligerent = hostile (eager to fight)
Definition
Generally belligerent means:hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
benevolent
2 uses
Surely, the generous Americans or the benevolent British will grant me asylum, sir?
benevolent = kind and generous
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
censure
1 use
You are to be pitied, Mr Conklin, not censured.
censured = given harsh or formal criticism
Definition
Generally censure means:harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization — such as the U.S. Senate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
contrite
1 use
The contrite people of Tuen Mun had been not only generous and protective but inventive as well.
contrite = feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
CT scan
1 use
I've ordered a CAT scan in the morning.
CAT scan = a 3-dimensional X-ray image of part of the body using computerized axial tomography
(editor's note: Today the term CT scan is replacing CAT scan. CT is for computerized tomography. CAT is for computerized axial tomography.)
(editor's note: Today the term CT scan is replacing CAT scan. CT is for computerized tomography. CAT is for computerized axial tomography.)
Definition
Generally CT scan means:a diagnostic medical test that uses X-rays to create a 3-dimensional image of part of the body
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
deride
3 uses
That's such a trite expression,' said the analyst with a derisive laugh.
derisive = disrespectful (treat as inferior and unworthy of respect)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
diligent
2 uses
and then for courtesy's sake reverting to English to show respect for his host's diligence in learning it.
diligence = hard work
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
emulate
1 use
'Because this impostor, this assassin who calls himself Bourne, can be trapped by the extraordinary man he emulates—'
emulates = imitates
Definition
Generally emulate means:imitate (copy)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
expedient
1 use
threats were too often a meaningless ploy - he had used a far more lethal expedient.
expedient = speedy or practical action
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
inevitable
10 uses
a master of chess plotting his own inevitable death.
inevitable = unavoidable (certain to happen)
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
innocuous
2 uses
This celebrated statesman was carrying on an innocuous conversation while his mind was riveted on an entirely different subject.
innocuous = harmless
Definition
Generally innocuous means:unlikely to harm or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
insidious
1 use
You were heavily and insidiously drugged.
insidiously = treacherously (in a dangerous, tricky manner)
Definition
Generally insidious means:not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time
or:
treacherous (dangerous due to trickery or from hidden or unpredictable risks)
or:
treacherous (dangerous due to trickery or from hidden or unpredictable risks)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
lethargic
1 use
Bus number 7421 rolled lethargically into place at the end of the line of vehicles disgorging tourists.
lethargically = slowly (unenergetically)
(editor's note: Lethargically is more commonly used to describe a person who lacks energy.)
(editor's note: Lethargically is more commonly used to describe a person who lacks energy.)
Definition
Generally lethargic means:lacking energy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
obstinate
1 use
He is obstinate and corruptly brave, but I am sure he knows what he will not tell us.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
orthodox
2 uses
It's too unorthodox, too obvious for...
unorthodox = non-standard (not what is commonly done)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unorthodox means not and reverses the meaning of orthodox. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unorthodox means not and reverses the meaning of orthodox. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally orthodox means:normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
ostentatious
1 use
they were always quite ostentatious and generally to be feared the most,
ostentatious = attempting to attract notice and impress others
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
reprehensible
1 use
Your behaviour is reprehensible.
reprehensible = unacceptable (deserving severe criticism)
Definition
Generally reprehensible means:bad — deserving severe criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
scrupulous
1 use
Bourne turned into the alleyway on his left and walked several hundred feet past sights he scrupulously ignored;
scrupulously = diligently (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 10 |