accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 9 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
Scattered riots had started just this morning, according to the news.†
according to = as stated by; or in agreement with
Definition
Generally 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
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
Getting Chelise out of her own accord might be far more difficult.†
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
alternative
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an alternative plan
We aren't exactly brimming with alternatives here.†
alternatives = possibilities
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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bronze
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
His face collided with cold bronze, but he managed a hand on the general s leather breastplate.†
bronze = a type of 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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
The contrast between her white face and so much black was quite startling.†
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally 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
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
convention
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
conventional behavior
But this is a bit unconventional.†
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I will defer to the judgment of this council.
defer = submit (accept its judgment as superior to my 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 25 |
despise
8 uses
Yes, it was true, and he despised himself for it.†
despised = disliked strongly and looked down upon
Definition
Generally despise means:to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
She'll be at your full disposal the minute she's free.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
doctrine
7 uses
It would seem that Johan, of all people, having been drawn out of deception as a member of the Horde, would stand firm on the doctrine of drowning.†
doctrine = a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
dwell
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a modest dwelling
Their simple mud dwellings were only temporary, a necessity mandated by the need to build so many houses in a short period of time.†
dwellings = houses or shelters in which people live
Definition
Generally this sense of dwelling means:a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
imam
1 use
I assure you that the book contains the names of your most respected imams.
imams = Islamic religious leaders
Definition
Generally 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
or for Shiites: a recognized authority on Islamic theology and law, and a spiritual guide
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
The Horde referred to them as albinos because their flesh wasn't scaly and gray like a Scab's skin. Ironic, because they were all darker than the Horde.
ironic = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally 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
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
passage
1 use
Ronin, read this passage for us again.†
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
perimeter
16 uses
Thomas crouched in the forest watching the frenzied search of the house and its perimeter.†
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 | 16 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
She felt positively giddy.†
positively = absolutely (used for emphasis)
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
2 —1 use as in:
The test came back positive.
Besides, I've been tested positive for the virus he predicted from these dreams of his.†
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 1 |
precede
1 use
The smaller Roush ran his index finger under the words of the last paragraph, which were clearly written in handwriting different from those preceding.†
preceding = prior (in time or space)
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Epil. |
primarily
2 uses
His horror was primarily motivated by the voice.†
primarily = mainly
Definition
Generally primarily means:mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
treason
11 uses
Aiding him in any way would be seen as treason.†
treason = an act of betrayal
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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |