advocate
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
to advocate
... I explained that my theory of education for the Negro would not, for example, confine him for all time to farm life ... but that, if he succeeded in this line of industry, he could lay the foundations upon which his children and grand-children could grow to higher and more important things in life. Such, in brief, were some of the views I advocated in this first address dealing with the broad question of the relations of the two races, and since that time I have not found any reason for changing my views on any important point.
advocated = publicly supported (argued for)
Definition
Generally this sense of advocate means:to recommend or publicly support (someone or something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
condemn
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
She condemned their plan
I have had the satisfaction of having many who once condemned me thank me heartily for my frank words.
condemned = strongly criticized
Definition
Generally this sense of condemn means:express strong criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
confer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
confer an honorary degree
It is Harvard which, first among New England colleges, confers an honorary degree upon a black man.
confers = gives (an honor)
Definition
Generally this sense of confer means:to give — especially an honor or title
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
convention (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
to convene
When the Louisiana State Constitutional Convention was in session, I wrote an open letter to that body pleading for justice for the race.
convention = large conference or meeting
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 17 |
2 —1 use as in:
conventional behavior
These were the ambitious youths of the race, at work with an earnestness that put to shame the conventional student life of most educational institutions.
conventional = normal or typical
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 | Intr. |
countenance
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
Then he turned his wonderful countenance to the sun without a blink of the eyelids, and began to talk.
countenance = face
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
cultivate
7 uses
From his example in this respect I learned the lesson that great men cultivate love, and that only little men cherish a spirit of hatred.
cultivate = enhance growth or development of
Definition
Generally cultivate means:enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
- to grow crops or prepare land for them
- enhance a relationship — especially for a purpose
- develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
- to grow a culture in a petri dish
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
epoch
3 uses
It is almost the only one of which it may be said that it points the way to a new epoch in a large area of our national life.
epoch = a significant period of time
Definition
Generally epoch means:a significant period of time
The exact meaning of epoch depends upon its context. For example:
- "an epoch of scientific discovery" — an historical period
- "during the Late Jurassic epoch" — a unit of geological time smaller than a period and larger than an age
- "the epoch moment of the photo" — the time of an astronomical measurement
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
forbearance
2 uses
We are to be tested in our patience, our forbearance, our perseverance, our power to endure wrong...
forbearance = patience, tolerance, or self-control
Definition
Generally forbearance means:refraining (holding back) from acting
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
illustrate
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
as illustrated by this example
Perhaps I can illustrate this point in no better way than by relating the following incident.†
illustrate = help make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
inclined
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
If in an audience of a thousand people there is one person who is not in sympathy with my views, or is inclined to be doubtful, cold, or critical, I can pick him out.
inclined = with a tendency
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
notwithstanding
16 uses
[M]y mother adopted into our family, notwithstanding our poverty, an orphan boy, to whom afterward we gave the name of James B. Washington.
notwithstanding = despite (in this case, even though they were poor, she adopted a child who was in need)
Definition
Generally notwithstanding means:in spite of; or in spite of the thing mentioned
(Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
(Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
philanthropy
11 uses
trying to secure money for philanthropic purposes
philanthropic = helping others
Definition
Generally philanthropy means:helping others — especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
prejudice
9 uses
I have also found that few things, if any, are capable of making one so blind and narrow as race prejudice.
prejudice = unreasonable and unfair belief or feeling (in this case against members of a race)
Definition
Generally prejudice means:to have unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
preside
10 uses
A similar reception was given me in New Orleans, which was presided over by the Mayor of the city.
presided = headed
Definition
Generally preside means:to be in charge; or to head; or to be the chairperson — especially of a formal meeting or ceremony
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
prevail
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
prevailing attitude
This custom prevails throughout this portion of the South today.
prevails = is common
Definition
Generally this sense of prevailing means:most common, powerful, or influential
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
prominent
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a prominent politician
In the spring of 1895 I received a telegram from prominent citizens in Atlanta asking me to accompany a committee from that city to Washington
prominent = well-known or important
Definition
Generally this sense of prominent means:well-known or important — especially of a person who is respected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 9 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
It is now long ago that I learned this lesson from General Armstrong, and resolved that I would permit no man, no matter what his colour might be, to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
Her resolve weakened.
There was never a time in my youth, no matter how dark and discouraging the days might be, when one resolve did not continually remain with me, and that was a determination to secure an education at any cost.
resolve = determination (firmness of purpose to do something)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
veritable
1 use
...we shall contribute one-third to the business and industrial prosperity of the South, or we shall prove a veritable body of death, stagnating, depressing, retarding every effort to advance the body politic.
veritable = used for emphasis to introduce a dramatic metaphor
Definition
Generally veritable means:used for emphasis: to describe one thing as almost like another (more intense) thing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |