abject
1 use
While people are worrying about things like the fact that a deli is overcharging some people by five cents for gingko biloba rings, there are human beings walking around our school in abject misery because no one will even say Good morning to them, or How was your weekend?†
abject = extreme
Definition
Generally abject means:extreme (in a negative sense such as misery, hopelessness, submissiveness, cruelty, or cowardice)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
accord
9 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
...to exercise the rights of sovereignty in accordance with the political and economic interests of neighboring France...
accordance = keeping (or agreement)
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 | 9 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
amnesia
1 use
Because how many times in real life does anybody ever get amnesia?†
amnesia = loss of memory
Definition
Generally amnesia means:loss of memory (partial or total)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
attain
1 use
His efforts have resulted in a nation that has the highest literacy rate in Europe, some of the best educational attainment rates, and the lowest infant mortality, inflation, and unemployment rates in the Western Hemisphere.†
attainment = the gaining or reaching of something with effort; or something gained with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
blatant
1 use
Lilly has decided to secretly videotape the Hos to gather evidence of their blatantly preferential treatment of Asian Americans.†
blatantly = in an obvious manner
Definition
Generally blatant means:obvious — often without any attempt to hide bad behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
boycott
10 uses
She's calling for a school-wide boycott of Ho's Deli.†
boycott = to refuse to buy things (from someone) or to refuse to participate in an activity (with someone) in order to express disapproval
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
capitalism
3 uses
In denying workers the value of what they have produced, the capitalists are undermining their own economic system.
capitalists = people who believe in an economic system based on private ownership of property and businesses, and on voluntary exchange in a competitive environment
or:
people who are wealthy and clearly benefit from an economic system based on private ownership of property and businesses
or:
people who are wealthy and clearly benefit from an economic system based on private ownership of property and businesses
Definition
Generally capitalism means:an economic system based on private ownership of property and businesses, and on voluntary exchange in a competitive environment — with the belief that voluntary exchanges harness inborn self-interest in millions of decisions that benefit society
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
compel
1 use
I don't know what compelled me to tell the truth in the first place.†
compelled = forced; or (more rarely) convinced
Definition
Generally compel means:to force someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
convoluted
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convoluted thinking
My life is a convoluted web of lies.
convoluted = complex
Definition
Generally this sense of convoluted means:complex — often more complex than necessary
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
diversity
15 uses
Now if anybody asks me to the Cultural Diversity Dance next month (yeah, right) I won't be able to wear a strapless dress because there isn't anything on my chest to hold it up.†
diversity = the condition of variety — especially in reference to members of a population group who are of different races or cultures
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
however
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
However, complications may...
Josh's friends, however, went right on eating.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
hypocrite
2 uses
If Lilly were still speaking to me, I know she'd say men are such hypocrites.†
hypocrites = people who violate moral standards they claim to hold
Definition
Generally hypocrite means:someone who violates claimed moral standards
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
infuriate
2 uses
And the two of them looked at each other in that infuriating way guys look at each other sometimes, like they have this secret.†
infuriating = causing much anger or annoyance
Definition
Generally infuriate means:to make very angry or annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
integrity
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a person of high integrity
I started yelling even more about personal integrity and how I refused to sell my soul...
integrity = having strong moral principles
Definition
Generally this sense of integrity means:having strong moral principles — especially honesty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
It was sort of ironic that while I was trying to decide this Lilly's brother came into the room.
ironic = an entertaining coincidence when what happens is not 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 |
listless
2 uses
Of course I'm listless!†
listless = lacking energy and normal enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
monarchy
2 uses
Lilly: Well, if you want to tolerate the excesses of the monarchy, you can be my guest, Michael.†
monarchy = a government or country ruled by a king of queen; or the ruling family of such a country
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
persecution
1 use
Michael: (turning red for some reason) Well, what about your persecution of the Hos?†
persecution = very bad and unfair treatment
Definition
Generally persecution means:very bad and unfair treatment of others — usually because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
revise
1 use
I said then we are just going to have to revise the compromise, because there was nothing in there about me having to meet with Grandm"re every day after school for any princess lessons.†
revise = change
Definition
Generally revise means:to change (and hopefully improve) — most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
tact
1 use
Usually he waited a tactful amount of time, like a summer or at least a weekend, before asking her out.†
tactful = to say or handle things in a way that makes others feel good about them
Definition
Generally tact means:the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |