constraint
2 uses
There's no physics to worry about, no constraints on acceleration, no air resistance.
constraints = limitations (in this case, no physical laws)
Definition
Generally constraint means:limitation (something that limits something else)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3-4 |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
By contrast other civilizations seem "speechless" or at least, as may have been the case in Egypt, not entirely cognizant of the creative and transformational powers of language.†
by contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 35-36 |
converge
15 uses
The body converges to a sharp nose.†
converges = comes together
Definition
Generally converge means:to come together; or to be adjacent or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13-14 |
convey
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convey her thoughts
I don't know how my face conveyed that information, or what kind of internal wiring in my grandmother's mind enabled her to accomplish this incredible feat.†
conveyed = communicated or expressed
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7-8 |
CT scan
1 use
CAT scans, NMR scans, PET scans, EEGs.
CAT scans = 3-dimensional X-ray images of parts of the body using computerized axial tomography
(editor's note: Today the term CT scan is replacing CAT scan. CT is for computerized tomography. CAT is for computerized axial tomography.)
(editor's note: Today the term CT scan is replacing CAT scan. CT is for computerized tomography. CAT is for computerized axial tomography.)
Definition
Generally CT scan means:a diagnostic medical test that uses X-rays to create a 3-dimensional image of part of the body
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25-26 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
descend from royalty
The Sukuma people of Africa say that the language is kinatuns, the tongue of the ancestors of all magicians, who are thought to have descended from one particular tribe.†
descended = come (genetically)
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:figuratively, to have come down a path from the past; i.e., to originate or come from — such as in reference to ancestors or evolutionary origins
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27-28 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
...hears a discordant beetling over the metal hurricane of his sound system and realizes that it is a smoke alarm...
discordant = unpleasant sounding
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-2 |
DNA
13 uses
So did Lagos think that the Asherah virus actually altered the DNA of brain cells?†
DNA = cell structures that transmit genetic information which determines inherited traits such as hair color or height
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-2 |
duplicity
1 use
There is a big flurry of publicity-obvious PR plants-after the Nipponese tried to use their old-boy network to shut him out of the telecommunications market there, and he took it to the American public, spending $10 million of his own money on a campaign to convince Americans that the Nipponese were duplicitous schemers.
duplicitous = deceptive (lying to or misleading others)
Definition
Generally duplicity means:deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13-14 |
enable
12 uses
I don't know how my face conveyed that information, or what kind of internal wiring in my grandmother's mind enabled her to accomplish this incredible feat.†
enabled = made possible
Definition
Generally enable means:to make possible
in various senses, including:
- to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something — as in "The study will enable an informed discussion."
- to activate a computer system for use — as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page."
- to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern — as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 55-56 |
epiphany
1 use
Seeing this woman at the commissary, he finally went through a belated, dim-witted epiphany, not a brilliant light shining down from heaven, more like the brown glimmer of a half-dead flashlight from the top of a stepladder: Juanita hadn't really changed much at all since those days, just grown into herself.
epiphany = sudden realization
Definition
Generally epiphany means:a sudden realization — especially one of importance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7-8 |
establish
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
She has established her space on the pavement.†
established = set in place
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 5-6 |
flexible
10 uses
We're making bucks here-Kongbucks and yenand we can be flexible on pay and bennies.†
flexible = bendable or adaptable
Definition
Generally flexible means:bendable or adaptable
in various senses, including:
- easily bent without physical damage or injury — as of a hose or gymnast
- able to adjust readily to different conditions — as of a plan
- willing to make concessions — as of a negotiator or a boss
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 37-38 |
flout
1 use
But in the early days of Christianity, there must have been a lot of chaos, a lot of radicals and free thinkers running around, flouting tradition.
flouting = openly disregarding
Definition
Generally flout means:to openly disregard — typically a law, rule, or custom
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 55-56 |
interpret
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
her interpretation of the data
Lagos modified the strict Chomskyan theory by supposing that learning a language is like blowing code into PROMs-an analogy that I cannot interpret.†
interpret = understand or explain
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 35-36 |
malevolent
1 use
But from a modem standpoint, semen is just a carrier of information-both benevolent sperm and malevolent viruses.
malevolent = exerting a harmful influence
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33-34 |
mystic
10 uses
Said it was irrational mysticism.†
mysticism = belief in realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience
Definition
Generally mystic means:relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience; or one who attempts to tune into such realities
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7-8 |
phenomenon
9 uses
Y.T. does a double take at this new phenomenon: Ng using the street name for a controlled substance.†
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 | 9 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3-4 |
revise
1 use
Genesis 11:6-9, Revised Standard Version.†
revised = changed
Definition
Generally revise means:to change (and hopefully improve) — most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13-14 |
static
1 use
The situation is fairly static.
static = not moving or not changing
(editor's note: Static is more commonly used in this book with another, better-known, meaning.)
(editor's note: Static is more commonly used in this book with another, better-known, meaning.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 23-24 |