affectation
1 use
She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.
affectation = behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.63.9 |
aggravate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she aggravates me
She is the most aggravating person I know.
aggravating = annoying
Definition
Generally this sense of aggravate means:annoy or irritate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.115.9 |
alleviate
1 use
Regular massage will help to alleviate the pain.
alleviate = lessen
Definition
Generally alleviate means:to lessen something that is bad — especially to lessen pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19, p.254.9 |
anecdote
1 use
Her autobiography is sprinkled with amusing anecdotes.
anecdotes = short true stories
Definition
Generally anecdote means:a short story that is true — often told for amusement or to make a point
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.130.2 |
antiseptic
1 use
I washed the wound and then used alcohol as an antiseptic.
antiseptic = a substance used to clean wounds because it prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria
Definition
Generally antiseptic means:a substance used to clean wounds because it prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria
or more rarely when used as an adjective: describing something as thoroughly clean and free of micro-organisms
or more rarely when used as an adjective: describing something as thoroughly clean and free of micro-organisms
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26, p.348.8 |
authenticity
1 use
The court confirmed the authenticity of the Anne Frank diary.
authenticity = quality of being real or original
Definition
Generally authenticity means:quality of being real or true
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 23, p.310.8 |
banal
1 use
The movie was banal, but it led to a fascinating conversation.
banal = uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
Definition
Generally banal means:uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.115.6 |
condone
1 use
Such behavior is permitted, but we certainly don't condone it.
condone = accept without criticism; or approve of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.24.1 |
contend (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
She contended with it
She contends with headaches.
contends = struggles
Definition
Generally this sense of contend means:to struggle
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15, p.198.2 |
2 —1 use as in:
She contended for the gold medal
Militant groups are contending for control of the country
contending = competing
Definition
Generally this sense of contend means:to compete
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10, p.141.7 |
debut
3 uses
The band debuts a new song or two every month.
debuts = introduces (or presents for the first time)
Definition
Generally debut means:a first presentation
in various senses, including:
- the first performance of a new play
- the introduction of a new product
- the introduction of a young woman to society at a social event held in her honor (a debutante ball)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.78.8 |
delicacy
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
eat the delicacy
Chocolate covered ants are a delicacy of Columbia's Guane Indians.
delicacy = a rare and expensive type of food
Definition
Generally this sense of delicacy means:something that is rare or expensive — usually a prized food
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.19.4 |
deluge
2 uses
The mayor declared a state of emergency after the deluge of 10'' of rain.
deluge = overwhelming amount
Definition
Generally deluge means:a large amount of something — especially water
or:
to overwhelm with a large amount of something — especially water
or:
to overwhelm with a large amount of something — especially water
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.86.6 |
dogged (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
dogged determination
She worked with dogged determination.
dogged = continuing effort to achieve something despite difficulties
Definition
Generally this sense of dogged means:continuing effort to achieve something despite difficulties (persistent)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.223.7 |
2 —1 use as in:
dogged by problems
The expedition was dogged by one problem after the next.
dogged = persistently annoyed; or followed
Definition
Generally this sense of dogged means:followed; or persistently annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.97.7 |
dynamic
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the system dynamic
The dynamics are more complicated than most people realize.
dynamics = the interaction of all the forces influencing a system
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12, p.165.5 |
mediocre
3 uses
The caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
mediocre = about average
Definition
Generally mediocre means:average or a bit below average in quality
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.96.9 |
sanction
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
cannot sanction such behavior
The General insists that he does not sanction any form of torture and that he has placed procedures in place to prevent it.
sanction = approve of
Definition
Generally this sense of sanction means:formal approval
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.41.7 |
serrated
2 uses
I prefer a serrated edge when slicing a tomato.
serrated = having points along the edge like a saw
Definition
Generally serrated means:having points along the edge — like a saw, some knives, and some leaves
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.151.7 |
sustenance
2 uses
As the family grew more affluent, she planted her garden more for beauty than for sustenance.
sustenance = food
Definition
Generally sustenance means:food or something else that supports or strengthens the body or spirit; or the support provided
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.18.3 |