abhor
2 uses
She abhors violence.
abhors = hates
Definition
Generally abhor means:to hate or detest something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
aghast
2 uses
She stepped back aghast at the behavior.
aghast = shocked with feelings of surprise or dismay
Definition
Generally aghast means:shocked with feelings of surprise and dismay (sadness, disappointment, or worry)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
beatific
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
benevolent
1 use
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
bilingual
3 uses
bilingual education
bilingual = using two languages
Definition
Generally bilingual means:using two languages; or someone fluent in two languages
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
camouflage
2 uses
The troops camouflaged themselves before they went into enemy territory.
camouflaged = made hard to see (in this case, probably by wearing colors or perhaps foliage to blend in)
Definition
Generally camouflage means:the act of hiding something by making it blend in with its surroundings
or:
hiding the truth
or:
something that hides or deceives
or:
hiding the truth
or:
something that hides or deceives
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
crescendo
1 use
Campaigning reached a crescendo the day before the election.
crescendo = maximum intensity
Definition
Generally crescendo means:a gradual increase in intensity; or the time of maximum intensity — especially in the loudness of music
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
engrossed
3 uses
She was so engrossed in her conversation, she didn't realize the bell had rung.
engrossed = with all attention focused
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
erratic
1 use
Her behavior became erratic and often argumentative.
erratic = irregular or unpredictable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
garnish
1 use
She garnished the plate with parsley.
garnished = decorated or adorned
Definition
Generally this sense of garnish means:to decorate or adorn something (most typically food with another food); or the item added for decoration
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
incarnate
3 uses
She described him as the devil incarnate.
incarnate = in the form of a human body
Definition
Generally incarnate means:embody (made real in a material sense) — especially in the form of a human body, but sometimes figuratively
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
increment
2 uses
Bidding starts at $100 with minimum increments of $10.
increments = increases
Definition
Generally increment means:one of a series of increases; or the amount of an increase — especially in small, consistent amounts
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
mallet
2 uses
She split the logs with a mallet and wedge.
mallet = a tool resembling a hammer but with a large cylindrical head
Definition
Generally mallet means:a piece of equipment for pounding or hitting
such as:
- a tool resembling a hammer but with a large cylindrical head that is usually made of rubber or wood
- a long stick with a thick cylindrical head used to hit a ball in polo or croquet
- a light drumstick with a rounded head that is used to strike percussion instruments
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
medley
2 uses
a medley of vegetables
medley = mixture
Definition
Generally medley means:a mixture of things
sometimes specifically:
- a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
- a swimming race or relay in which different strokes are used
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
obsolete
1 use
My mother still has a twenty-year-old obsolete computer in storage.
obsolete = no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
remnant
3 uses
They are working to eliminate remnants of al-Qaeda in that area.
remnants = small amounts that remains after the rest is gone
Definition
Generally remnant means:a small amount that remains after the rest is gone — sometimes specifically of cloth
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
rhetorical question
1 use
She asks and answers rhetorical questions faster than I can consider them.
rhetorical questions = questions asked to emphasize a point or to generate interest rather than to get information
Definition
Generally rhetorical question means:a question asked to emphasize a point or to generate interest rather than to get information
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
riff
1 use
The term, riff, was popularized by a Charlie Parker song.
riff = music: a repeated series of notes that forms the basis or accompaniment of a rock music or jazz composition
Definition
Generally riff means:music: repeated series of notes that forms the basis or accompaniment of a rock music or jazz composition
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
status quo
1 use
Despite the rhetoric, the new agreement largely maintains the status quo.
status quo = existing state of affairs
Definition
Generally this sense of status quo means:the existing state of affairs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
suave
1 use
He plays the role of a suave James Bond type character.
suave = having a sophisticated charm
Definition
Generally suave means:having a sophisticated charm — often said of a man who is not sincere
("sophisticated" in the sense of knowing the proper or polite way to act, being confident, and effortlessly acting in a proper and gracious manner)
("sophisticated" in the sense of knowing the proper or polite way to act, being confident, and effortlessly acting in a proper and gracious manner)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |