alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
As you pointed out, we're just a little short on alternatives at the moment.†
alternatives = possibilities
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
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banish
10 uses
If he refuses to change his doctrine and loses, he will be banished as the law requires.†
banished = expelled or gotten rid of
Definition
Generally banish means:to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
- to force someone to leave a country as punishment
- to push an idea from the mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
blasphemy
8 uses
Speaking against the Great Romance was blasphemy!†
blasphemy = disrespectful of something considered sacred
Definition
Generally blasphemy means:something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred — especially God or religion
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
bronze
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
A Council member lifted two heavy bronze swords from the floor by his stool and set them on the stage.†
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 12 |
convention
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
conventional behavior
Nothing that changes what you've heard, but tnething that may assist us in a more .... unconventional way.†
unconventional = not regarded as normal
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unconventional means not and reverses the meaning of conventional. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unconventional means not and reverses the meaning of conventional. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
...he was clearly out of their league. He'd deferred to them.
deferred = yielded to their thoughts and comments rather than share his own
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
doctrine
6 uses
If he refuses to change his doctrine and loses, he will be banished as the law requires.†
doctrine = a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlights of the year
It had always been the highlight of their day.†
highlight = best part
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:something that stands out
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
inquiry
7 uses
As is required, three elders have called for an inquiry before the people as is allowed by law.†
inquiry = questioning or investigating
Definition
Generally inquiry means:the act of asking a question or performing an investigation
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
mutation
14 uses
There is no way to predict mutations of this kind.†
mutations = a change in the genes that determines how a living organism is designed; or the result of the change
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
nevertheless
1 use
Nevertheless, it is said that this man has also spread the poison of blasphemy against Elyon throughout the Southern Forest in these past two years.†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
perimeter
12 uses
Take the canyon back to the forest and bring the reinforcements at the perimeter forward.†
perimeter = the outer edge
Definition
Generally perimeter means:the outer edge
The exact meaning of perimeter can depend upon its context. For example:
- "Stay inside the defensive perimeter." — the outer edges of the area that is defended
- "It is common on the city's perimeter." — the outer edges of the city
- "What is the perimeter of the square?" — the sum of the length of the sides of a geometric shape
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
positive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
The test came back positive.
I've tested positive for the Raison Strain.†
positive = indicating that a condition was found
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:found a condition or substance to be present
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
precede
2 uses
A dull thump preceded the ground's tremor.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
primarily
3 uses
The only other immediate threat would come from our neighbors, primarily England.†
primarily = mainly
Definition
Generally primarily means:mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
relevant
1 use
Fortier had critical information relevant to the virus, he told Gaetan, and suggested that the leaders meet at the Chateau Triomphe in the Right Bank.†
relevant = relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
simulate
8 uses
She showed them the same computer simulation that he'd seen in Bangkok, and when the screen went blue at the end, the questions came to a halt.†
simulation = something that is not real, but is made to imitate or behave like something that is
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally simulate means:make an imitation or representation of
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
treason
12 uses
We believe the best way to deal with him is now, to make an example of any such treasonous talk.†
treasonous = involving betrayal
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ous" in treasonous means full of. This is the same pattern you see in words like dangerous, poisonous, and humorous.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ous" in treasonous means full of. This is the same pattern you see in words like dangerous, poisonous, and humorous.)
Definition
Generally treason means:betraying someone or something — typically betraying one's own country
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal—often by helping enemies)
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal—often by helping enemies)
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
vaccine
27 uses
But you have to understand that we're dealing with a mutation of a genetically engineered vaccine here-literally billions of DNA and RNA pairs.†
vaccine = a substance (such as weakened or dead a disease-causing microorganism) injected into a person or animal to stimulate the production of antibodies to protect against a disease
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
yield
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
yield to pressure
Ciphus objected but finally capitulated, as much to control the lingering of those loyal to Justin as to yield to the Horde's demands.†
yield = give in, give way, or give up
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |