9/11
1 use
Trick-or-treat seems to end earlier and earlier every year. I think that started with 9/11.
9/11 = September 11, 2001; when suicide bombers hijacked US airliners and used them as missiles to kill about 3,000 people
Definition
Generally 9/11 means:September 11, 2001; when Al Qaeda suicide bombers hijacked United States airliners and used them as bombs to destroy the World Trade Center in New York City and to attack the Pentagon; about 3,000 innocents (mostly civilians) were killed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29. |
approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
The direct approach might work.†
approach = technique (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 40. |
clone
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Can we clone it?
Or might the soul clone itself, create a perfect imitation of something yet to be defined?†
clone = copy
Definition
Generally this sense of clone means:to make a copy of something — especially a genetically identical copy created with technology
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1. |
complacent
2 uses
As I start toward them, he sees me, and his demeanor shifts from complacency to sheer panic.†
complacency = contentment (often unworried to a fault)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17. |
discern
4 uses
For no discernible reason, my arms sprout goose bumps and my forehead leaks sweat.†
discernible = possible to notice or understand
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
dwell
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a modest dwelling
The houses line smooth black streets, prim rows of postcard-pretty dwellings, coiffed and manicured from curb to chimney.†
dwellings = houses or shelters in which people live
Definition
Generally this sense of dwelling means:a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1. |
entity
1 use
And he kisses me again, and now I understand how love can come alive inside you, beneath your skin, beneath your flesh and bone, a separate entity, breathing in and out its own special air, expanding to fill all those hollow places that you can't fill by yourself.†
entity = person, organization, or anything with a separate existence
Definition
Generally entity means:a person, organization, lifeform, or anything with a separate existence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30. |
erratic
2 uses
Only this time, Mick's erratic driving draws unwanted attention.†
erratic = irregular or unpredictable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17. |
evoke
1 use
I Slip Off My Shoes Slide down the hall in my stocking feet, evoking a memory of Raeanne and me when we were little, playing champion ice-skaters.†
evoking = calling forth or causing
Definition
Generally evoke means:to call forth or cause — typically to arouse an emotion or bring a memory to mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 28. |
extricate
4 uses
I asked her who, but she was lost in reverie, stuck in some horrible memory, unable to extricate herself.†
extricate = free or remove from constraint or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 34. |
hippie
5 uses
In fact, I look like a pregnant hippie.†
hippie = a member of the 1960's counterculture associated with long hair, illegal drugs, casual sex, and opposition to violence.
Definition
Generally hippie means:member of the counterculture that first became prevalent in the early 1960's in San Francisco — associated with long hair, illegal drugs, casual sex, and opposition to violence.
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16. |
indulge
2 uses
Has it only been a few days since I last indulged this not-so-bad habit?†
indulged = enjoyed to excess
Definition
Generally indulge means:to give into a desire or enjoy something — especially in excess of what is thought good—such as a desire to eat too much cake, or be too lazy
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17. |
irrelevant
2 uses
Eyes squeezed tight, Kaeleigh and I are not irrelevant.†
irrelevant = not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9. |
malevolent
2 uses
She harbors some idiotic curiosity about our genealogy, as if dissecting the beast could help us escape its malevolence.
malevolence = the desire to do evil or to hurt others
(editor's note: In this context, genealogy refers to their "family tree" or the list of extended family including such members as great, great grandparents, and third cousins.)
(editor's note: In this context, genealogy refers to their "family tree" or the list of extended family including such members as great, great grandparents, and third cousins.)
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14. |
overt
5 uses
I can't believe I actually defied Daddy in such an overt manner.†
overt = open and observable; not secret or hidden
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22. |
plausible
1 use
I so totally let him, even though a very, very big part of me needs him to give me a plausible explanation so I can get beyond his brother's knife-edged words.†
plausible = apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22. |
precede
3 uses
As usual, the smell of Wild Turkey preceded Daddy.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21. |
purge
4 uses
Kaeleigh's disgusting food binge made me want to purge.†
purge = get rid of
Definition
Generally purge means:get rid of things thought undesirable
The exact meaning of purge can depend upon its context. For example:
- "purge the government of our enemies" — get rid of people for political reasons
- "purge my closet of everything I haven't worn in a year" — get rid of undesired things
- "To purge yourself of crippling sorrow, you'll need to express it." — get rid of unwanted feelings
- "I'm doing a 24-hour purge and then starting a new diet." — emptying the intestinal tract
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21. |
relevant
1 use
Not just dates and events, but also their relevance to today.†
relevance = importance (meaningful relation to the issue in question)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25. |
satiate
1 use
Sweet Stuff Sounds good, but I know from experience I'll get sick before I can eat enough sugar to satiate this kind of need.†
satiate = to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired—such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14. |