atrophy
1 use
Muscles that are not used will quickly atrophy.
atrophy = wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Definition
Generally atrophy means:to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
autism
1 use
She thinks low levels of oxytocin may contribute to autism.
autism = a mental illness most commonly assoicated with undeveloped social abilities, language, and other communication skills
Definition
Generally autism means:a mental illness most commonly associated with undeveloped social abilities, language, and other communication skills
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
bipolar disorder
2 uses
She is researching bipolar disorder amongst identical and non-identical twins.
bipolar disorder = a mental disorder characterized by alternating episodes of major depression and abnormally elevated mood
Definition
Generally bipolar disorder means:a mental disorder characterized by alternating episodes of major depression and abnormally elevated mood (mania)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
capitalize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
capitalize on our strength
How can we capitalize on being first with this idea?
capitalize on = gain advantage from
Definition
Generally this sense of capitalize means:benefit from an advantage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
dissemble
1 use
After the primaries, she will dissemble her past statements to appear more moderate in her beliefs.
dissemble = be deceptive about
Definition
Generally dissemble means:hide or disguise the truth without outright lying
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
ensconced
1 use
She moved to New York for college and has been happily ensconced in the city ever since.
ensconced = settled comfortably
Definition
Generally ensconced means:fixed firmly; or settled comfortably
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
imbibe
1 use
I try to eat before I imbibe and then drink plenty of water.
imbibe = drink alcohol
Definition
Generally imbibe means:to take in — especially to drink alcohol or be influenced by ideas
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
incognito
1 use
They are travelling incognito.
incognito = with hidden identity (perhaps false names or even disguises)
Definition
Generally incognito means:with identity hidden — such as via a disguise or false name
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
innovate
3 uses
Apple is considered one of the most innovative companies.
innovative = introducing things that are new and different
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
Definition
Generally innovate means:bring something new to an environment
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
intermediary
1 use
Officially, North and South Korea were not talking at the time, but they were using the French as an unofficial intermediary to keep the lines of communication open.
intermediary = someone who acts as a link between two others who don't talk directly
Definition
Generally intermediary means:someone who acts as a link between two others who don't talk directly — such as a realtor between a buyer and seller, or a friend between two people so angry they will not speak with each other
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
manslaughter
4 uses
The girl who sent texts to her boyfriend encouraging him to kill himself was charged with involuntary manslaughter.
manslaughter = unintentional killing of a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
medley
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
mitigate
2 uses
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.
mitigating = serving to make less harmful or unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
modicum
3 uses
We expect at least a modicum of eccentricity in our artists.
modicum = small amount
Definition
Generally modicum means:a small amount
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
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 |
repentance
4 uses
Prisoners who show repentance are more likely to be released on parole.
repentance = regret for having done wrong with a desire to be a better person in the future
Definition
Generally repentance means:the feeling or expression of regret for having done something wrong with a firm decision to be a better person in the future
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
reprehensible
1 use
Cheating is reprehensible.
reprehensible = bad — deserving criticism
Definition
Generally reprehensible means:bad — deserving severe criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
rhetoric
2 uses
She has convincing rhetoric, but makes bad decisions.
rhetoric = use of words to make a point
Definition
Generally rhetoric means:the use of (or study of using) words to make a point — typically implying skillful use
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
righteous
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a righteous cause
The extremism is fed by unquestioned belief in the righteousness of their cause.
righteousness = moral correctness
Definition
Generally this sense of righteous means:morally correct; or morally justified
or:
acting or feeling morally superior — especially when it isn't true (this meaning is more typically seen as a compound word beginning with "self-")
or:
acting or feeling morally superior — especially when it isn't true (this meaning is more typically seen as a compound word beginning with "self-")
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
tenet
2 uses
Freedom of speech is a particularly American tenet.
tenet = principle belief
Definition
Generally tenet means:an important belief that is part of a larger framework of beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |