abhor
3 uses
She abhors violence.
abhors = hates
Definition
Generally abhor means:to hate or detest something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11. |
amble
1 use
An old woman was ambling across the street.
ambling = walking slowly or leisurely
Definition
Generally amble means:to walk leisurely or slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
arbor
4 uses
The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park.
arbor = a framework that supports climbing plants
Definition
Generally this sense of arbor means:a framework that supports climbing plants; or a shady rest area made by such a framework or by trees and shrubs
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11. |
begrudge
1 use
I don't begrudge her making a profit, but this is unreasonable.
begrudge = resent (feel bitter about)
Definition
Generally begrudge means:to resent (feel bitterness—usually over unfairness); or to give unwillingly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15. |
bushel
4 uses
We can create about two and a half gallons of fuel per bushel of corn.
bushel = a unit of measure used for dry goods (filling an 8 gallon container)
Definition
Generally bushel means:a unit of measure used for dry goods (filling an 8 gallon container)
or:
a large amount — as in "bushels of fun"
or:
a large amount — as in "bushels of fun"
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9. |
contract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the metal contracted
When it is cold, the metal in the bridge contracts and the joints are further apart.
contracts = gets shorter
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:when something gets shorter or smaller
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
cumbersome
1 use
a cumbersome piece of machinery
cumbersome = difficult to handle
Definition
Generally cumbersome means:difficult to handle — especially because of size or shape or weight
or:
not elegant or graceful in expression
or:
not elegant or graceful in expression
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6. |
denomination
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the Baptist denomination
Downtown synagogues, mosques and churches of various denominations joined to assist the homeless.
denominations = a group of religious congregations (such as churches, temples, masques...) sharing distinctive beliefs and belonging to the same organization
Definition
Generally this sense of denomination means:a group of religious congregations (such as churches, temples, masques...) sharing distinctive beliefs and belonging to the same organization
or more rarely (and less formally): any categorization of people
or more rarely (and less formally): any categorization of people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19. |
ingenious
1 use
It is an ingenious solution to the problem. It is as reliable as it is easy.
ingenious = showing cleverness and originality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4. |
inquiry
2 uses
They created a commission of inquiry to look into the matter.
inquiry = investigation
Definition
Generally inquiry means:the act of asking a question or performing an investigation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |
meander
2 uses
The path meanders through the vineyards.
meanders = follows a winding course (rather than following a definite direction)
Definition
Generally meander means:to move slowly in a winding or indefinite direction — (often said of a river, or path, or conversation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
mollify
1 use
She managed to mollify the angry customer.
mollify = calm
Definition
Generally mollify means:calm someone who is or may become angry or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |
nettle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
beware of nettles near the river
I ran into some stinging nettles.
nettles = a type of plant that has fine irritating hairs
Definition
Generally this sense of nettle means:a type of plant with stinging or irritating hairs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12. |
nostalgia
1 use
The music makes me feel nostalgic.
nostalgic = with a longing for something past
Definition
Generally nostalgia means:happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8. |
obligation
2 uses
She feels that helping him is her obligation.
obligation = duty
Definition
Generally obligation means:a duty
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18. |
prevail
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
reason will prevail
Neither side has the strength to prevail over the other.
prevail = win (prove to be superior)
Definition
Generally this sense of prevail means:prove superior or win
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19. |
recollect
13 uses
I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.
recollect = remember
Definition
Generally recollect means:to remember — especially experiences from long ago
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12. |
repentance
2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19. |
tedious
2 uses
I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.
tedious = boring
Definition
Generally tedious means:boring — especially because something goes on too long or without variation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
testify
5 uses
She testified against the robber.
testified = provided oral evidence in court
Definition
Generally testify means:provide evidence of something — especially to say something under oath in a court of law
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |