ameliorate
2 uses
It undergoes continual changes; it is barbarous, it is civilized, it is Christianized, it is rich, it is scientific; but this change is not amelioration.
amelioration = improvement
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally ameliorate means:to improve — especially a bad situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
attribute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 8 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
It is an attribute of...
] [Footnote 81: Let every common object be credited with the diviner attributes which will class it among others of the same importance.†
attributes = characteristics (of something or someone)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:a characteristic (of something or someone)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2. |
2 —4 uses as in:
I attribute it to...
Frivolous and fantastic additions have got associated with the name, but the steady interest of mankind in it must be attributed to the valuable properties which it designates.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the cause 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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6. |
catholic
1 use
Every book supplies its time with one good word; every municipal law, every trade, every folly of the day, and the generic catholic genius who is not afraid or ashamed to owe his originality to the originality of all, stands with the next age as the recorder and embodiment of his own.†
catholic = universal or inclusive of a wide range of people or interests
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9. |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
In contrast with their writing, the style of Pope,[88] of Johnson,[89] of Gibbon,[90] looks cold and pedantic.†
in contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
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 11. |
2 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
What a contrast between the well-clad, reading, writing, thinking American, with a watch, a pencil, and a bill of exchange in his pocket, and the naked New Zealander,[260] whose property is a club, a spear, a mat, and an undivided twentieth of a shed to sleep under!†
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
countervail
1 use
Gowns and pecuniary foundations, though of towns of gold, can never countervail the least sentence or syllable of wit.†
countervail = counterbalance, neutralize, counteract, or offset
Definition
Generally countervail means:to counterbalance, or oppose (the effects of something)—often in such a manner that the effects being opposed are neutralized (made ineffective)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1. |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
...it becomes him to feel all confidence in himself, and to defer never to the popular cry.
defer = yield (his judgment to that of others)
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1. |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
Each new step we take in thought reconciles twenty seemingly discordant facts,
discordant = conflicting
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form discordant):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11. |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
By diligence and self-command let him put the bread he eats at his own disposal, and not at that of others, that he may not stand in bitter and false relations to other men; for the best good of wealth is freedom.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10. |
doctrine
32 uses
I find a similar base tone in the popular religious works of the day, and the same doctrines assumed by the literary men when occasionally they treat the related topics.†
doctrines = a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
Word Statistics
| Book | 32 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | notes |
establish
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Nonconformist, one who does not conform to established usages or opinions.†
established = generally accepted
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1. |
grave
4 uses
Yet hence arises a grave mischief.†
grave = serious and solemn
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Years are well spent in country labors; in town; in the insight into trades and manufactures; in frank intercourse with many men and women; in science; in art; to the one end of mastering in all their facts a language by which to illustrate and embody our perceptions.†
illustrate = help make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1. |
intellectual
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
intellectual stimulation
They parted feeling that they had much intellectually in common.†
intellectually = in a manner that relates to intelligence
Definition
Generally this sense of intellectual means:related to intelligence — such as requiring, appealing to, or possessing intelligence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
But, unfortunately, this original unit, this fountain of power, has been so distributed to multitudes, has been so minutely subdivided and peddled out, that it is spilled into drops, and cannot be gathered.†
minutely = in small portions
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9. |
passage
6 uses
The passage in Emerson's journal is hardly less beautiful.†
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | notes |
prudent
9 uses
Cheapest, say the prudent, is the dearest labor.†
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2. |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
Money, if kept by us, yields no rent and is liable to loss; if invested, is liable to depreciation of the particular kind of stock.†
yields = produces or gives
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
2 —3 uses as in:
yield to pressure
For there is nothing settled in manners, but the laws of behavior yield to the energy of the individual.†
yield = give in, give way, or give up
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2. |