abolish
7 uses
She is in favor of abolishing the death penalty.
abolishing = eliminating (doing away with)
Definition
Generally abolish means:eliminate (end, or do away with)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
analysis
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
psychiatrist suggested analysis
I visited the psychiatrist who recommended I undergo analysis.
analysis = psychiatric treatment
Definition
Generally this sense of analysis means:psychiatric treatment — (using any of many theories of the human mind that use talk therapy to understand the unconscious mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
apprehension
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
apprehension about finals
She looked around the examination room with apprehension.
apprehension = concern about what will happen
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehension means:worry about what is to come
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
appropriate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Congress will appropriate funds
The money has been appropriated, but it hasn't yet been spent.
appropriated = set aside for a particular use
Definition
Generally this sense of appropriate means:to set aside for a particular use
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
bronze
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.
bronze = a brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
consequence
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
contempt
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
dais
10 uses
She was seated on the inaugural dais near the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
dais = raised platform
Definition
Generally dais means:a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
dissent
23 uses
The Alien and Sedition Acts were attempts to silence early political dissent in America.
dissent = disagreement
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
distort
5 uses
These sunglasses distort my vision.
distort = alter in an unnatural or untrue way
Definition
Generally distort means:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
establish
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
evaluate
2 uses
I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.
evaluating = thinking carefully and making a judgment about
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
galaxy
6 uses
The Star Wars story is said to have taken place in a galaxy far, far away.
galaxy = a collection of star systems
Definition
Generally galaxy means:a collection of star systems held together by gravity — for example, our sun is a star whose system includes Earth and the other planets. That star system is a tiny part of the Milky Way galaxy
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
latent
17 uses
She is unschooled, but I think she has latent talent as an engineer.
latent = potentially existing but not presently active
Definition
Generally latent means:potentially existing but not presently evident or active
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
malevolent
2 uses
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.
malevolent = evil
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
novel
1 use
We're looking for novel marketing ideas.
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
By any objective analysis, you would have to agree that...
objective = fact-based (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 2 |
phenomenon
1 use
It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.
phenomenon = something that is of special interest
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
revelation
1 use
It was a revelation to me. Until they gave us those tests, I had no idea that I was better than most people at clerical accuracy.
revelation = something surprising and previously unknown
Definition
Generally this sense of revelation means:something that was previously unknown (and typically surprising); or making such a thing known
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
somber
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a somber mood
Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.
somber = serious and cheerless
Definition
Generally this sense of somber means:serious and without humor or fun — perhaps sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |