accord
24 uses
1 —23 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
Her classmates thought she was crazy and treated her accordingly.
accordingly = in keeping with or in agreement with what was just stated
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.12 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
apathy
2 uses
He seemed to be almost in a state of apathy.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.8 |
constraint
2 uses
"I might add that she's one of my relatives for whom I have the highest regard."
"Does that mean that you don't suspect her?"
"I wouldn't say that. I want you to ponder the matter without any constraints, regardless of what I think or believe."
"Does that mean that you don't suspect her?"
"I wouldn't say that. I want you to ponder the matter without any constraints, regardless of what I think or believe."
constraints = limitations
Definition
Generally constraint means:limitation (something that limits something else)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
contract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
legal contract
I expect you to do your best to fulfill your part of the contract.
contract = written agreement (enforceable by law)
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.19 |
correspond (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 9 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
corresponding time period
All he needed to do was pay back the money that was lost when Minos went under, and he could also show that he had lost a corresponding amount of his own money.†
corresponding = proportional
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
2 —6 uses as in:
corresponding by email
They had conferred by telephone a couple of times each week, and she had kept him updated on Wennerström's correspondence and other activities.†
correspondence = letters or messages
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
3 —1 use as in:
foreign correspondent of the paper
He painted a picture of the outcry that would result if a legal correspondent began uncritically reproducing the prosecutor's case as gospel in a murder trial, without consulting the defence arguments or interviewing the victim's family before forming an opinion of what was likely or unlikely.†
correspondent = reporter
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondent means:a reporter — typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
direct (5 meanings)
5 meanings, 33 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
He's arranging an interview and is going public with a direct assault on Wennerström.†
direct = personal (specifically regarding the person stated)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.8 |
2 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
During the following weeks, as Millennium's documentation was scrutinised, pulled apart, and pieced together again, the Wennerström empire of obscure companies was linked to the heart of the international Mafia, including everything from illegal arms dealing and money laundering for South American drug cartels to prostitution in New York, and even indirectly to the child sex trade in Mexico.†
indirectly = in a complicated, non-obvious manner
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indirectly means not and reverses the meaning of directly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Epil. |
3 —7 uses as in:
directed her question to
"May I ask you a personal question?" This was directed at Erika.†
directed = aimed (intended for)
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
4 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
Blomkvist directed him to Henrik Vanger's newly shovelled courtyard, where he lifted his suitcases on to the cobblestones and watched the taxi head back towards Hedestad.†
directed = instructed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.8 |
5 —16 uses as in:
directed the movie
On the other hand, the social welfare director's recommendation of guardianship was taken under consideration.†
director = supervisor (person in charge)
(editor's note: The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor.)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
disparage
1 use
In Blomkvist's eyes, Borg had been a third-rate reporter and a troublesome person who ... made disparaging remarks about the more experienced, older reporters.
disparaging = critical
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 12 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
All four had established lives for themselves with a boyfriend or girlfriend; they all had jobs, places to live, and Co-op debit cards.†
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
2 —4 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
So Irene Nesser returned to the Matterhorn Hotel, where she spent an hour hanging around to establish her presence.†
establish = prove
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.25 |
forgery
2 uses
The documents were skilful forgeries.
forgeries = fakes
Definition
Generally forgery means:something that is represented as real even though it is a fake; or the making of such a fake item
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.27 |
illustrate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
as illustrated by this example
Besides—I didn't really want to bring this up now, but this just serves to illustrate what we've already discussed.†
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 3.16 |
2 —2 uses as in:
an illustrated children's book
The article was an ingratiating portrait of the magazine and its staff, including illustrations with a particularly favourable portrait of Berger.†
illustrations = pictures
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.23 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
How could he be objective?
objective = unbiased (fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences)
Definition
Generally this sense of objective means:fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.16 |
swindle
8 uses
I can prove that he's a swindler.
swindler = someone who tricks others out of money
Definition
Generally swindle means:tricking or cheating someone — usually to get money
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |