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 = expressed strong criticism
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 | 3 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 | 5 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 | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
cordial
9 uses
I was never given a more cordial hearing anywhere.
cordial = showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
degrade
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
her comments were degrading
I would permit no man ... to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.
degrade = reduce (my) human dignity
Definition
Generally this sense of degrade means:reducing human dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 — such as:
- an historical period
- a unit of geological time smaller than a period and larger than an age
- an arbitrary astronomical time reference
- an important time in someone's life
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 | 2 uses 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 | 5 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; in the mood; or an attitude that favors something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
indomitable
1 use
her ancient and indomitable faith
indomitable = impossible to subdue
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
legislature
11 uses
The Alabama Legislature was in session in Montgomery at this time.
legislature = a group, made up of government representatives, that has the power to create laws
Definition
Generally legislature means:a group made up of government representatives (usually elected) that has the power to create laws
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ostracize
2 uses
No race that has anything to contribute to the markets of the world is long in any degree ostracized.
ostracized = excluded from a community or group
Definition
Generally ostracize means:exclude someone from a community or group
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
philanthropy
8 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 | 8 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 — especially when 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 | 5 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 | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
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 | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 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 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |