alacrity
2 uses
She completed each assignment with alacrity.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
allay
3 uses
They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.
allay = reduced the intensity of
Definition
Generally allay means:reduce the intensity of or calm
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
anemic
4 uses
My mother is careful about how she eats because she is anemic.
anemic = suffering from too few red blood cells
Definition
Generally anemic means:suffering from too few red blood cells
or metaphorically: lacking vitality
or metaphorically: lacking vitality
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
chronological
2 uses
Events are listed in chronological order.
chronological = arranged according to time
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 8 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
corresponding by email
We correspond regularly via email.
correspond = write to each other
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —6 uses as in:
foreign correspondent of the paper
Let's get a report from our correspondent in Mexico City.
correspondent = reporter
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondent means:a reporter — typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
desecrate
3 uses
They desecrated the cemetery on Halloween night.
desecrated = violated the sacred nature of
Definition
Generally desecrate means:violate the sacred nature of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
euthanasia
2 uses
Assisted suicide has more political support than euthanasia because patient request is a check against some kinds of abuse.
euthanasia = the act of intentionally killing someone painlessly
Definition
Generally euthanasia means:the act of intentionally killing someone painlessly — typically someone suffering from an incurable illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
harrowing
4 uses
It was a harrowing journey through war-torn Afghanistan.
harrowing = frightening
Definition
Generally this sense of harrowing means:frightening or unsettling
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
inquest
6 uses
The coroner's inquest ruled the death a homicide.
inquest = formal inquiry or investigation
Definition
Generally inquest means:a formal inquiry or investigation — typically into the cause of an undesirable event — often an investigation of an unexpected death
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
inure
2 uses
She is inured to the cold.
inured = untroubled by something because one is so accustomed to it
Definition
Generally inure means:cause to become untroubled by something unpleasant due to prior exposure to it
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
laconic
5 uses
I need more than the book and my teacher's laconic answers to understand this material.
laconic = using few words
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
sheer (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 5 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
sheer fun
She got the job through sheer persistence.
sheer = pure (completely by)
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:complete or pure — without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
2 —2 uses as in:
a sheer cliff
Be careful on that road. There is a sheer drop-off on the right.
sheer = so steep it is almost vertical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
3 —1 use as in:
sheered to the left
The boat sheered to port to avoid a collision.
sheered = turned sharply
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:change direction abruptly; or to cause such a change of direction — (usually said of a boat)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
suave
4 uses
He plays the role of a suave James Bond type character.
suave = having a sophisticated charm
Definition
Generally suave means:having a sophisticated charm — often said of a man who is not sincere
("sophisticated" in the sense of knowing the proper or polite way to act, being confident, and effortlessly acting in a proper and gracious manner)
("sophisticated" in the sense of knowing the proper or polite way to act, being confident, and effortlessly acting in a proper and gracious manner)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
The Danube
9 uses
The Danube flows through more countries than any other European river.
The Danube = the 2nd longest European river; flows from southwestern Germany to the Black Sea
Definition
Generally The Danube means:the 2nd longest European river (after the Volga); flows from southwestern Germany to the Black Sea
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
thesis
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
the thesis of her editorial
Her thesis is that efficiencies gained through competition outweigh the costs of redundancy, marketing, and profit.
thesis = unproved statement put forward as a premise for discussion
Definition
Generally this sense of thesis means:an unproved statement put forward as a premise for discussion
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
trifle (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a trifling matter
We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.
trifling = small (of little importance)
Definition
Generally this sense of trifle means:something of small importance; or a small quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
2 —1 use as in:
trifle with her affections
She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.
trifle with = treat thoughtlessly or without respect
Definition
Generally this sense of trifle with means:to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |