allude
1 use
He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.
alluded = indirectly referenced
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
conscience
6 uses
I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.
conscience = moral appraisal of personal behavior
Definition
Generally conscience means:feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
dispose
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
doctrine
3 uses
She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.
doctrine = principle
Definition
Generally doctrine means:a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
emancipated
4 uses
She was an emancipated 20th century woman pursuing her career.
emancipated = released from social restraints
(used as a metaphor for the literal sense of being released from slavery)
(used as a metaphor for the literal sense of being released from slavery)
Definition
Generally emancipated means:released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
establish
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
grave
2 uses
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
infernal
5 uses
Please stop making that infernal noise!
infernal = very annoying
Definition
Generally infernal means:very bad; or very annoying; or characteristic of hell or the underworld
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
intellectual
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
intellectual stimulation
The job pays my expenses, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.
intellectual = relating to the use of 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 | Act 4 |
malicious
1 use
I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.
malicious = evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
monopoly
2 uses
When you have a monopoly you can raise prices.
monopoly = a situation where you are the only supplier of a good or service
Definition
Generally monopoly means:the only supplier of a good or service; or a market with only one supplier
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
moreover
1 use
The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long term lease on expensive office space.
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
opportune
3 uses
They launched their company at an opportune time.
opportune = favorable
Definition
Generally opportune means:favorable circumstances for a particular purpose — especially the circumstance of good timing
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
perish
1 use
...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln -- Gettysburg Address
perish = be destroyed or cease to exist
Definition
Generally perish means:to die — especially in an unnatural way
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
persistent
3 uses
She has a persistent cough.
persistent = continuing
Definition
Generally persistent means:continuing — especially despite difficulties or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
plausible
1 use
She offered a plausible excuse.
plausible = sounding reasonable
Definition
Generally plausible means:apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 5 |
prudent
4 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
refute
1 use
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.
refuted = argued against
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
specimen
4 uses
The museum holds over a million insect specimens.
specimens = examples regarded as typical of its class
Definition
Generally specimen means:a sample regarded as typical of its class; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
tact
1 use
She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.
tact = the ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them
Definition
Generally tact means:the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |