appalling
10 uses
The live in appalling conditions.
appalling = shockingly terrible or horrible
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
contrast (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —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
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 19 |
3 —1 use as in:
it is a contrast
College is quite a contrast to high school.
contrast = something notably different compared to
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:something noticeably different (compared to something else or to other things)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
4 —1 use as in:
sharpen the picture contrast
She increased the video's contrast by making dark pixels darker and light pixels lighter.
contrast = the difference between tones of an image
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:the difference between tones of an image — as in a photo or video — such as the quality of brightness or the intensity of shades or colors
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
covenant
23 uses
Biblical scholars point to seven covenants described in the Bible.
covenants = binding agreements (in this case between God and man)
(editor's note: In this book, covenant is capitalized and refers to a specific binding agreement.)
(editor's note: In this book, covenant is capitalized and refers to a specific binding agreement.)
Definition
Generally covenant means:a binding agreement
or (much more rarely): to formally or solemnly promise
or (much more rarely): to formally or solemnly promise
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 7 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
This flower does best in direct sunlight.
direct = without intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —4 uses as in:
directed her question to
The sprinkler head needs to be fixed so it directs water away from the house.
directs = aims
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
3 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.
direct = instruct
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
fastidious
4 uses
She is fastidious in her work.
fastidious = careful and attentive to detail
Definition
Generally fastidious means:giving careful attention to detail
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
forsake
42 uses
The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.
forsake = abandon or give up
Definition
Generally forsake means:to abandon or give up on — such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
Word Statistics
| Book | 42 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
frayed
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
frayed nerves
The constant pressure has frayed her nerves.
frayed = emotionally strained
Definition
Generally this sense of frayed means:emotionally strained (worn thin)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
I'm inclined to believe him.
inclined = have a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
2 —1 use as in:
on an incline or incline his head
I climbed down the incline.
incline = something that is at an angle (in this case, probably sloping land)
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
indignant
8 uses
She was indignant, but agreed to be searched when they accused her of shoplifting.
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
infirmary
10 uses
She felt ill and went to the infirmary.
infirmary = small facility where patients receive treatment
Definition
Generally infirmary means:a small facility where patients receive treatment — such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
manor
11 uses
She inherited the manor, but seldom visited it.
manor = a large house and the land around it
Definition
Generally manor means:a large house of a lord or wealthy person; or the house and the land around it
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
mortal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
mortal body
Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.
mortal = human
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
mundane
36 uses
I'm going to have to spend all of Saturday running errands and doing mundane chores.
mundane = ordinary — possibly boring
Definition
Generally mundane means:ordinary or lacking interest or excitement — possibly to the point of being boring
or more rarely:
belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly
or more rarely:
belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly
Word Statistics
| Book | 36 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
pandemonium
17 uses
Pandemonium broke out after the announcement.
pandemonium = a state of noisy confusion and disorder
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |