abolish
7 uses
Their faces were sagging, their vision destroyed, their time sense abolished.†
abolished = eliminated (did 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
He thrust open the door of his analyst's suite, entered and at once lay down on the couch.†
analyst = psychiatrist
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
Tension, apprehension, and dissension have begun.
apprehension = worry or 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 organized campaign of your clique to cut down Guild Taxation and appropriations for the education of Espers and the dissemination of Esper training to mankind is conceived in a spirit of treachery and fascism.†
appropriations = budget
(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 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
He poised the Rhodospin cap, then thrust open the bronze door, revealing nine steps mounting to an anteroom.†
bronze = made of a type of high-quality metal
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
Consequently, he belonged to "The League of Esper Patriots," an extreme right-wing political group within the Guild, dedicated to the preservation of the autocracy and incomes of the upper grade Espers.†
consequently = resultantly (as a result)
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
watching with contempt
contempt = strong dislike and a 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
Flushed and shining with perspiration, standing in the glare of a pink light on the dais between the two fountains, Maria clapped her hands for silence.†
dais = 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
Tension, apprehension, And dissension have begun.†
dissension = disagreement or conflict
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
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
He shaped his distorted face into a frozen smile and rejoined his hostess on a couch alongside one of the tables.†
distorted = altered 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
A rapport had been established between them for the first time.†
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
You must re-evaluate your opinion of me.†
re-evaluate = think carefully and make a judgment about something again
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-evaluate means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in re-evaluate means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
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
It was a vision of a shipload of explorers from a far galaxy, strange creatures, solemn and studious, who stumbled on Spaceland and researched it.†
galaxy = collection of star systems held together by gravity
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
Latent Espers turned up infrequently.†
latent = 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
Tate smiled malevolently.
malevolently = with the desire to do evil or to hurt others
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
It was daring, novel, exciting; a sudden display of ultra violet windows through clothes and flesh into the soul...
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
"Esper evidence isn't admitted in court."
"True, but once an Esper discovers guilt he can always uncover objective evidence to support his peeping."
"True, but once an Esper discovers guilt he can always uncover objective evidence to support his peeping."
objective = fact-based and 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
But the celler of Chooka Frood's house was the phenomenon that had inspired her most lucrative industry.†
phenomenon = something that exists or happened — often 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
MOSES ON MT. SINAI, THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST, MOHAMMED AND THE MOUNTAIN, LAO TSE AND THE MOON, THE REVELATION OF MARY BAKER EDDY, THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD BUDDHA, THE UNVEILING OF THE TRUE AND ONLY GOD GALAXY..." Pause, and then a little more matter-of-factly: "OWING TO THE SACRED NATURE OF THIS EXHIBIT, ADMISSION IS BY TICKET ONLY.†
revelation = 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
"I was awake," he said somberly.
somberly = solemnly (in a manner that is serious—not cheerful or lighthearted)
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 |