abominable
13 uses
These outcasts, or osu, seeing that the new religion welcomed twins and such abominations, thought that it was possible that they would also be received.
abominations = things that are exceptionally bad or detestable
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
Definition
Generally abominable means:exceptionally bad or detestable
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.18, p.155.8 |
accompany (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accompany on the journey
Sometimes when he went to big village meetings or communal ancestral feasts he allowed Ikemefuna to accompany him, like a son, carrying his stool and his goatskin bag.
accompany = come with
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.12, p.115.9 |
2 —1 use as in:
illness and accompanying symptoms
He pressed the trigger and there was a loud report accompanied by the wail of his wives and children.
accompanied = joined at the same time
(editor's note: In this context, a report is a loud noise made when a gun is shot.)
(editor's note: In this context, a report is a loud noise made when a gun is shot.)
From page 39.2 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to be present with at the same time and/or location
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5, p.39.2 |
accord (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 6 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
Fortunately, among these people a man was judged according to his worth and not according to the worth of his father.
according to = based upon
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1, p.8.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
How dare you, woman, to go before the mighty Agbala of your own accord?
own accord = own mind (without anyone saying to)
From page 101.8 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.11, p.101.8 |
3 —1 use as in:
accord her the respect deserved
He had been a great and fearless warrior in his time, and was now accorded great respect in all the clan.
accorded = given (special treatment)
From page 57.1 Typical Usage
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 1.7, p.57.1 |
anarchy
1 use
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.
anarchy = lack of political order
(editor's note: These lines are quoted form a poem before the story starts. The poem was written by a famous Irish poet, William Butler Yeats. Yeats is pronounced like "Yates" so that it rhymes with gates.)
(editor's note: These lines are quoted form a poem before the story starts. The poem was written by a famous Irish poet, William Butler Yeats. Yeats is pronounced like "Yates" so that it rhymes with gates.)
From page i.7 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally anarchy means:the complete absence of political authority; or more generally, complete absence of order
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1, p.i.7 |
descend (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —1 use as in:
descend the mountain
Okonkwo's machete descended twice and the man's head lay beside his uniformed body.
descended = moved down
From page 204.9 Typical Usage
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 3.24, p.204.9 |
2 —10 uses as in:
thieves descended upon us
These moods descended on her suddenly and for no apparent reason.
descended = came
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.7, p.55.9 |
despair (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
she felt despair
The old man, Uchendu, saw clearly that Okonkwo had yielded to despair and he was greatly troubled.
despair = hopelessness
(editor's note: In this context, yielded is a synonym for given in.)
(editor's note: In this context, yielded is a synonym for given in.)
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3, p.24.7 |
2 —2 uses as in:
do not despair
His father, Unoka, who was then an ailing man, had said to him during that terrible harvest month: "Do not despair."
despair = give up hope
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:to lose hope
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3, p.24.9 |
determine
3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
is determined to succeed
He was determined that his return should be marked by his people.
determined = firm in purpose
(editor's note: In this context, "be marked by his people" means "make an impression on his people.")
(editor's note: In this context, "be marked by his people" means "make an impression on his people.")
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.9, p.79.7 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
dispute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
their border dispute
Our duty is not to blame this man or to praise that, but to settle the dispute.
dispute = disagreement
Definition
Generally this sense of dispute means:disagreement, argument, or conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3, p.16.4 |
2 —2 uses as in:
She disputes his claim.
But if the Oracle said that my son should be killed I would neither dispute it nor be the one to do it.
dispute = challenge
Definition
Generally this sense of dispute means:challenge, argue about, or fight over
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.8, p.67.5 |
exile
15 uses
The clan had undergone such profound change during his exile that it was barely recognizable.
exile = state of being forced to live outside one's homeland
Definition
Generally exile means:to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition
or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.14, p.133.5 |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
He ground his teeth again and told a story to illustrate his point.
illustrate = help make clear
From page 140.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.15, p.140.3 |
interpret
21 uses
1 —21 uses as in:
interpret Spanish to English
Okeke interpreted wisely to the spirits and leaders of Umuofia: "The white man says he is happy you have come to him with your grievances, like friends."
interpreted = translated
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to translate words into spoken words of another language
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16, p.145.9 |
pacify
2 uses
He had already chosen the title of the book, after much thought: The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger.
pacification = getting others to peacefully submit to rule
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally pacify means:calm someone who is angry; or establish peace
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.25, p.209.8 |
prosperous
9 uses
He wanted him to be a prosperous man, having enough in his barn to feed the ancestors with regular sacrifices.
prosperous = financially successful
Definition
Generally prosperous means:successful or good — especially with regard to finances or wealth
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2, p.14.3 |
wrath
5 uses
This growing feeling was due to Mr. Brown, the white missionary, who was very firm in restraining his flock from provoking the wrath of the clan.
wrath = anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.13, p.125.9 |