abrogate
1 use
She has abrogated her responsibility as a mother.
abrogated = done away with (ignored)
Definition
Generally abrogate means:to abolish (do away with) something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
antediluvian
2 uses
Someone needs to replace her and her antediluvian ideas.
antediluvian = ancient
Definition
Generally antediluvian means:very old; or relating to the period before the biblical flood
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
aphorism
2 uses
She often quotes St. Augustine's aphorism, "Love the sinner and hate the sin."
aphorism = short saying intended to impart wisdom
Definition
Generally aphorism means:a short saying intended to impart wisdom
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
arable
1 use
China has almost 20% of the world's population, but has only 7% of its arable land.
arable = capable of being farmed productively
Definition
Generally arable means:of land: capable of being farmed productively
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
arbiter
1 use
She was the final arbiter on all matters of fashion.
arbiter = someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation
Definition
Generally arbiter means:someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
ascetic
1 use
The ascetic life has been more pronounced in Hinduism and Buddhism than in other major religions.
ascetic = the practice of self-denial
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
beatific
2 uses
She has a beatific smile that makes you feel like all is well in the world.
beatific = expressing a calm joy
Definition
Generally beatific means:expressing or producing a calm joy — especially from a holy source
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
beguile
2 uses
Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.
beguiling = enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive
Definition
Generally beguile means:to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
capitalize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
capitalize on our strength
How can we capitalize on being first with this idea?
capitalize on = gain advantage from
Definition
Generally this sense of capitalize means:benefit from an advantage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 6 |
cessation
1 use
The Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
cessation = ending
Definition
Generally cessation means:a stopping
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
consonant
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
consonant or vowel?
It takes longer for babies to learn to voice back-of-the-mouth consonants (like k) than front-of-the-mouth consonants (like p).
consonants = speech sounds that are not a vowels
Definition
Generally this sense of consonant means:a letter of the alphabet (or a speech sound) that is not a vowel
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
contiguous
2 uses
Texas is the largest of the contiguous 48 states.
contiguous = sharing boundaries
Definition
Generally contiguous means:with a common boundary; or very close in space or time
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
corpulent
1 use
She also counsels her more corpulent patients on the advisability and techniques of losing weight.
corpulent = having excessive body fat
Definition
Generally corpulent means:with excessive body fat
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
dissemble
1 use
After the primaries, she will dissemble her past statements to appear more moderate in her beliefs.
dissemble = be deceptive about
Definition
Generally dissemble means:hide or disguise the truth without outright lying
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
doleful
1 use
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
edify
1 use
She edifies and inspires supporters everywhere she speaks.
edifies = teaches or instructs
Definition
Generally edify means:to instruct — morally or intellectually
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
egress
1 use
Picketing strikers may not block access to or egress from the premises.
egress = exit
Definition
Generally egress means:to exit
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
epitaph
1 use
John Belushi's epitaph reads, "I may be gone, but Rock and Roll lives on."
epitaph = text written on his tombstone
Definition
Generally epitaph means:a short text in memory of a dead person — especially text written on a tombstone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 5 |
expiate
1 use
She knows she can't expiate her sins, but hopes to heal some of the wounds.
expiate = make up for (do enough good to make up for the wrongs)
Definition
Generally expiate means:atone (demonstrate sorrow for a wrong either by doing something good to make up for the wrong, or accepting punishment)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
nexus
4 uses
The conflict is complicated by Afghanistan's opium-terrorism nexus.
nexus = connection
Definition
Generally nexus means:an important connection; or a place where things connect or come together
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |