attribute
3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I attribute it to...
This, then, is his new scheme of evil, ... and that any wickedness which he may do shall by the local people be attributed to me.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the source of something)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
Two were dark, and had high aquiline noses, like the Count, and great dark, piercing eyes, that seemed to be almost red when contrasted with the pale yellow moon.
contrasted = compared to show differences (in this case, because they are close to each other)
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
convey (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
convey her thoughts
It did not convey much to me, until I reached a passage where it described small puncture wounds on their throats.
convey = communicate
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —2 uses as in:
convey her safely to
As our client wishes the delivery made as soon as possible, we shall be obliged by your having teams ready at King's Cross at the time named and forthwith conveying the goods to destination.
conveying = transporting
Definition
Generally this sense of convey means:transport
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 17 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
Her answer came with direct simplicity, as though she was simply stating a fact, "Because if I find in myself, and I shall watch keenly for it, a sign of harm to any that I love, I shall die!"
"You would not kill yourself?" he asked, hoarsely.
"I would."
"You would not kill yourself?" he asked, hoarsely.
"I would."
direct = straightforward (clear and uncomplicated)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
2 —2 uses as in:
directed her question to
NOTE LEFT BY VAN HELSING IN HIS PORTMANTEAU, BERKELEY HOTEL DIRECTED TO JOHN SEWARD, M. D. (Not Delivered) 27 September
Friend John, I write this in case anything should happen....
Friend John, I write this in case anything should happen....
directed = addressed (written to)
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
3 —8 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
I went to bed as usual, taking care that the flowers were placed as Dr. Van Helsing directed, and soon fell asleep.
directed = instructed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
unquizzed meaning —2 uses
engage (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 10 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
engage in conversation
When I told her that I must go at once, and that I was engaged on important business, she asked again: "Do you know what day it is?"
engaged = involved
Definition
Generally this sense of engage means:to interact in various ways — such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract
The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
- "They engaged in debate." — participated
- "She engaged him in conversation." — involved
- "She is an engaging conversationalist." — interesting
- "She has an engaging smile." — attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
- "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." — attracts and involves
- "She engages with her constituents." — interacts in a meaningful way
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
engage her services
When your master, employer, what you will, engaged that someone should come on his behalf, it was understood that my needs only were to be consulted.
engaged = arranged
Definition
Generally this sense of engage means:hire, reserve, book, or occupy
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
unquizzed meaning —3 uses
grave
41 uses
I have grave doubts.
grave = serious (important)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 41 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
hypnotize (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 35 uses
1 —34 uses as in:
hypnotized to try to remember
"I want you to hypnotize me!" she said.
hypnotize = put into a trance-like state of focused concentration
Definition
Generally this sense of hypnotize means:to put someone into a state of hypnosis (a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility)
(Heightened suggestibility means that the hypnotized person is more inclined to accept and act on suggestions of the hypnotist.)
(Heightened suggestibility means that the hypnotized person is more inclined to accept and act on suggestions of the hypnotist.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 34 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
2 —1 use as in:
hypnotized by her performance
So he delay, and delay, and delay, till the mere beauty and the fascination of the wanton Undead have hypnotize him.
hypnotize = fascinated so much that awareness of other things is lost
Definition
Generally this sense of hypnotize means:fascinate so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
illustrate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
as illustrated by this example
To believe in things that you cannot. Let me illustrate. I heard once of...
illustrate = help make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
manifest
21 uses
1 —21 uses as in:
manifest destiny
At last, however, the narcotic began to manifest its potency, and she fell into a deep sleep.
manifest = demonstrate
Definition
Generally this sense of manifest means:obvious; or to make obvious; or to show or demonstrate
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
passage
2 uses
I looked over the paper.... It did not convey much to me, until I reached a passage where it described small puncture wounds on their throats.
passage = short part of a longer written work
Definition
Generally this sense of passage means:a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
reflect
4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
reflect in the mirror
He throws no shadow, he make in the mirror no reflect, as again Jonathan observe.
reflect = image (shown back)
Definition
Generally this sense of reflect means:show an image back (on a mirror or other shiny surface)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
unquizzed meaning —3 uses
resolution (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
a New Year's resolution
Glad I made the resolution, gladder that I kept to it.
resolution = firm decision
Definition
Generally this sense of resolution means:a firm decision to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
2 —7 uses as in:
Her resolution weakened.
She looked at me so appealingly, and at the same time manifested such courage and resolution in her bearing, that I gave in at once to her wishes.
resolution = determination
Definition
Generally this sense of resolution means:determination (firmness of purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
trace (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 20 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
found a trace of
I could find no trace of them anywhere.
trace = indication
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:a small quantity; or any indication or evidence of
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
- a small indication that something was present — as in "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace."
- a very small amount of something — as in "The blood test showed a trace of steroids."
- any evidence of something — as in "We did not find a trace of the gene."
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —10 uses as in:
trace the origin or development
If there be anything behind this instinct it will be valuable to trace it afterwards accurately, so I...
trace = follow (by research)
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:to find, search, research, or keep track of
This sense of trace usually has to do with information. It's specific meaning depends on its context. For example:
to find or search for something through investigation — often the origin of something:
- "The police traced the call." — found out where it originated
- "We are tracing the lost luggage" — searching for
- "Can you trace the problem to its source?" — find through investigation
- "She traced her family history to discover that her great-grandmother came to the United States from Lithuania when the Nazis occupied it." — discovered something through investigation
to research or report on the development of something
- "She traced the history of the automobile in her paper." — researched the development of something
- "Her presentation traced recent progress in alternative energy solutions." — reported on
to monitor or keep track of the progress or development of something
- "She traces the progress of at-risk students." — monitors information
- "I used binoculars to trace her progress up the mountain." — monitor, follow, or track
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |