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White: The Great Pursuit

Top-Ranked Words with Typical Sample Sentences

instructions
accord   (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 9 uses
1  —8 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.
accordance = keeping
DefinitionGenerally this sense of accord means:
in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
  • "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
  • "To each according to her ability." — based upon
  • "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
  • "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
  • "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
Book8 uses
Library53 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
2  —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
DefinitionGenerally this sense of accord means:
mind
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 27
Web Links
alternative
2 uses
1  —2 uses as in:
an alternative plan
Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.
alternatives = possibilities
DefinitionGenerally this sense of alternative means:
something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library6 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 100
1st useChapter 11
Web Links
bronze
5 uses
1  —5 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
DefinitionGenerally this sense of bronze means:
a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
Book5 uses
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 10
Web Links
contrast
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.
contrast = notable difference
DefinitionGenerally this sense of contrast means:
a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library8 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 100
1st useChapter 13
Web Links
convention
2 uses
1  —2 uses as in:
conventional behavior
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.
conventional = normal
DefinitionGenerally this sense of convention means:
something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library11 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 100
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
defer
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I defer to her expertise.
defer = submit
DefinitionGenerally 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
Book1 use
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 500
1st useChapter 25
Web Links
despise
8 uses
She despises the people he has to work for.
despises = dislikes strongly and looks down upon
DefinitionGenerally despise means:
to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
Book8 uses
Library14 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 15
Web Links
dispose
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
DefinitionGenerally this sense of dispose means:
the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library6 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useChapter 14
Web Links
doctrine
7 uses
She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.
doctrine = principle
DefinitionGenerally doctrine means:
a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
Word Statistics
Book7 uses
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
dwell
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
a modest dwelling
There is a second dwelling unit on the property.
dwelling = home
DefinitionGenerally this sense of dwelling means:
a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useChapter 10
Web Links
imam
1 use
The imam was trained in Saudi Arabia.
imam = the person who leads prayers in a mosque
DefinitionGenerally imam means:
Islam:  the person who leads prayers in a mosque

or for Shiites:  a recognized authority on Islamic theology and law, and a spiritual guide
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 24
Web Links
irony
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
DefinitionGenerally this sense of irony means:
when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library16 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
passage
1 use
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 100
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
perimeter
16 uses
Don't go beyond the perimeter of the campgrounds.
perimeter = outer edges
DefinitionGenerally 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
Book16 uses
Library12 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 9
Web Links
positive   (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1  —2 uses as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
I'm positive I've seen her before.
positive = certain
DefinitionGenerally this sense of positive means:
certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library22 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 18
Web Links
2  —1 use as in:
The test came back positive.
The pregnancy test was positive.
positive = it found the condition present
DefinitionGenerally this sense of positive means:
found a condition or substance to be present
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
precede
1 use
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.
preceded = were before in time
DefinitionGenerally precede means:
to go or do before
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library9 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 100
1st useEpil.
Web Links
primarily
2 uses
Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?
primarily = mainly
DefinitionGenerally primarily means:
mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library7 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 100
1st useChapter 8
Web Links
treason
11 uses
He was executed for treason in a time of war.
treason = betraying one's own country
DefinitionGenerally 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)
Word Statistics
Book11 uses
Library5 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 18
Web Links
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