adulterate
1 use
Heroine is often adulterated with other chemicals that add to the overdose risk.
adulterated = made impure by adding a foreign substance
Definition
Generally adulterate means:corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
atrocious
1 use
She was alarmed by his atrocious behavior.
atrocious = exceptionally bad or cruel
Definition
Generally atrocious means:exceptionally bad, cruel, or ugly
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 4 |
bourgeois
1 use
Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.
bourgeois = typical middle class
Definition
Generally bourgeois means:typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
denotes
1 use
The asterisk ("*") denotes a footnote.
denotes = indicates
Definition
Generally denotes means:means literally; or indicates
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
dictum
1 use
She is fond of quoting Ken Kesey's dictum: "You can count the seeds in the apple, but you can't count the apples in the seed."
dictum = saying
Definition
Generally dictum means:a short saying intended to make a point
in various senses, including:
- a popular saying — such as "Nothing is certain but death and taxes."
- a formal declaration from a respected source — such as the Constitution's statement that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech"
- a non-binding remark in a judge's opinion — short for obiter dictum
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 5 |
dissuade
1 use
The ad features a woman dying of lung throat cancer in an attempt to dissuade people from starting to smoke cigarettes.
dissuade = persuade someone not to do something
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 5 |
exemplify
1 use
When he said "Let's roll," his courage exemplified America's determination to defend itself.
exemplified = acted as an example
Definition
Generally exemplify means:to act as an example
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
exorbitant
1 use
The rent in that building is exorbitant.
exorbitant = a lot more than is reasonable or typical
Definition
Generally exorbitant means:a lot more than is reasonable or typical — often said of price
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 5 |
incarcerate
1 use
About 7 out each 1,000 Americans is incarcerated.
incarcerated = in prison or jail
Definition
Generally incarcerate means:put in prison, or otherwise confine
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
innuendo
1 use
She's been convicted in the press based on rumor or innuendo.
innuendo = things implied, but not actually stated with facts
Definition
Generally innuendo means:something suggested indirectly — (often a negative comment about someone, or sexual humor)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 5 |
irrevocable
1 use
We agreed not to take any irrevocable action until after the meeting.
irrevocable = incapable of being undone
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
liberal arts
1 use
It is a prestigious liberal arts school.
liberal arts = focusing on studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills
Definition
Generally liberal arts means:studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 5 |
maternal
1 use
She radiated a warm maternal affection for her niece.
maternal = characteristic of a mother — such as wanting to care for and help to develop
Definition
Generally this sense of maternal means:relating to a mother; or characteristic of parents — such as to care for and help to develop
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 4 |
omnipotent
2 uses
When I was young, I believed in the myth of omnipotent science, technology and logic.
omnipotent = all powerful
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
parody
1 use
Did you see Saturday Night Live's parody of people in a fitness class?
parody = imitation of somebody's style in a humorous way
Definition
Generally parody means:imitation of somebody's style in a humorous way
or:
a very poor imitation of somebody's style
or:
a very poor imitation of somebody's style
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 4 |
pathology
1 use
The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator has degrees in biology and pathology.
pathology = the study of disease
Definition
Generally pathology means:the study of disease by studying cells and tissues under a microscope; or a disease
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
Queen Elizabeth
1 use
The Elizabethan era is in reference to the 45 years that Queen Elizabeth ruled.
Queen Elizabeth = queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603
Definition
Generally this sense of Queen Elizabeth means:queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603; daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn; succeeded Mary I (who was a Catholic) and restored Protestantism to England; during her reign Mary Queen of Scots was executed and the Spanish Armada was defeated (1533-1603)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
revoke
1 use
The college revoked her admission when she was caught cheating in high school.
revoked = cancelled (took back)
Definition
Generally this sense of revoke means:to void, cancel, or take back — especially to do so in an official manner
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
tempestuous
1 use
She has a tempestuous relationship with her mother.
tempestuous = turbulent (emotionally violent)
Definition
Generally tempestuous means:strongly turbulent — as of a storm or unstable emotions
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 4 |
vulgar
1 use
Her vulgarity was a turnoff.
vulgarity = crudeness (showing of bad taste)
Definition
Generally vulgar means:of bad taste — often crude or offensive
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |