ambidextrous
1 use
Most people are right-handed, but about 10% are left-handed and about 1% are ambidextrous.
ambidextrous = have the ability to use either hand with equal ease
Definition
Generally ambidextrous means:having the ability to use either hand with equal ease
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 21 |
cadaver
1 use
A cadaver is assigned to each medical student.
cadaver = dead human body
Definition
Generally cadaver means:the dead body of a human being — especially one used for medical study
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 7 |
conciliatory
1 use
Their statements are conciliatory, but their actions are uncompromising.
conciliatory = intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 19 |
coup
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
delivered the coup de grace
Mercifully, she delivered the coup de grace.
coup de grace = deathblow
Definition
Generally this sense of coup de grace means:deathblow
(literally a sword strike that mercifully kills a wounded animal, or metaphorically as the last in a series of things that defeated an opponent, idea, business or other entity.)
(literally a sword strike that mercifully kills a wounded animal, or metaphorically as the last in a series of things that defeated an opponent, idea, business or other entity.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
emulate
1 use
It wasn't just that she copied her older sister's hairstyle. She tried to emulate her in every way.
emulate = imitate (copy)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 7 |
engender
1 use
The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.
engender = cause (bring into being)
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
ephemeral
1 use
Her fame was ephemeral.
ephemeral = existing only for a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 21 |
immutable
1 use
It is an immutable law of physics.
immutable = unchangeable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 16 |
insidious
1 use
The debt grew insidiously—just a little at a time and always for a good purpose.
Alan Greenspan -- The Age of Turbulence
insidiously = in a manner not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time
Definition
Generally insidious means:not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time
or:
treacherous (dangerous due to trickery or from hidden or unpredictable risks)
or:
treacherous (dangerous due to trickery or from hidden or unpredictable risks)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 9 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.
ironic = saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
languish
2 uses
The prisoner languished in the dungeon for years.
languished = suffering in a bad situation for a long time
Definition
Generally languish means:to suffer in a bad situation for a long time
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
malevolent
1 use
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.
malevolent = evil
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 24 |
obstinate
1 use
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
parsimonious
1 use
Ebenezer Scrooge was parsimonious in Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
parsimonious = (having the trait of) extreme reluctance to spend money or use resources
Definition
Generally parsimonious means:extreme reluctance to spend money or use resources
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 13 |
perfidy
1 use
She is guilty of perfidy if not treason.
perfidy = an act of deliberate betrayal
Definition
Generally perfidy means:an act of deliberate betrayal; or such behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
revere
8 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 8 |
scrupulous
1 use
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.
scrupulous = careful and thorough
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 6 |
timorous
1 use
She was timorous as a mouse.
timorous = timid
Definition
Generally timorous means:timid (fearful) or shy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 13 |
vacillate
1 use
She was determined and did not vacillate in the least.
vacillate = to change one's mind back and forth between conflicting ideas
Definition
Generally vacillate means:to change one's mind back and forth between conflicting ideas
or:
to sway back and forth
or:
to sway back and forth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
zeal
1 use
She attacks each challenge with zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 11 |