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A Man for All Seasons

Extra Credit Words with Typical Sample Sentences

instructions
adage
2 uses
Remember the old adage: "It's not how much you earn; it's how much you save."
adage = saying
DefinitionGenerally adage means:
an old saying considered wise by many; e.g., "Actions speak louder than words."
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
aggrieve
1 use
He fears a lawsuit from one of the aggrieved parties.
aggrieved = feeling harmed from unfair treatment
DefinitionGenerally aggrieve means:
feeling harmed by unfair treatment; or (more rarely) harming someone unfairly
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
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apprehensive
1 use
She is apprehensive about her new job.
apprehensive = worried
DefinitionGenerally apprehensive means:
worried over possible misfortune
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library5 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
belittle
2 uses
The gradualness of the change does not belittle its importance.
belittle = make it less important
DefinitionGenerally belittle means:
to make someone or something seem less important
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
beseech
2 uses
She teaches and beseeches her students to think about their future.
beseeches = begs
DefinitionGenerally beseech means:
to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library3 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
contemporary
1 use
1  —1 use as in:
they are contemporaries
Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were contemporary artists who competed for some projects.
contemporary = lived at the same time
DefinitionGenerally this sense of contemporary means:
living at the same time

or:

something occurring in the same period of time as something else
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library3 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
corroborate
2 uses
The detectives looked for evidence to corroborate her story.
corroborate = support
DefinitionGenerally corroborate means:
to support an opinion — typically with additional evidence or testimony
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 2000
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
dictum
1 use
She is fond of quoting Ken Kesey's dictum: "You can count the seeds in the apple, but you can't count the apples in the seed."
dictum = saying
DefinitionGenerally dictum means:
a short saying intended to make a point
in various senses, including:
  • a popular saying — such as "Nothing is certain but death and taxes."
  • a formal declaration from a respected source — such as the Constitution's statement that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech"
  • a non-binding remark in a judge's opinion — short for obiter dictum
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
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disclaim
1 use
We disclaim any responsibility for the accident.
disclaim = deny
DefinitionGenerally disclaim means:
to deny (responsibility for, knowledge of, or ownership of)
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
discredit
1 use
She spoke only of her strengths, but others on her campaign staff worked to discredit her opponent.
discredit = damage the reputation of
DefinitionGenerally discredit means:
damage the reputation of — often causing distrust of or disbelief in
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
immutable
1 use
It is an immutable law of physics.
immutable = unchangeable
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
incognito
1 use
They are travelling incognito.
incognito = with hidden identity (perhaps false names or even disguises)
DefinitionGenerally incognito means:
with identity hidden — such as via a disguise or false name
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
iniquity
1 use
That was when I realized I had to climb up from the depths of iniquity.
iniquity = immorality
DefinitionGenerally iniquity means:
immorality; or an immoral act
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
mote
3 uses
without a mote of protest
mote = a tiny bit
DefinitionGenerally mote means:
a tiny piece of anything
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
perjury
3 uses
She was not found guilty of the theft, but was found guilty of perjury during her testimony to the grand jury.
perjury = the criminal offense of telling lies in court after formally promising to tell the truth
DefinitionGenerally perjury means:
the criminal offense of telling lies after formally promising to tell the truth — such as when testifying in a court trial
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library2 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
quibble
1 use
Let's not quibble over pennies.
quibble = argue about unimportant things
DefinitionGenerally quibble means:
to argue about unimportant things; or an argument or complaint about something unimportant
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
rhetoric
1 use
She has convincing rhetoric, but makes bad decisions.
rhetoric = use of words to make a point
DefinitionGenerally rhetoric means:
the use of (or study of using) words to make a point — typically implying skillful use
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library4 uses in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
sonorous
2 uses
The candidate discussed weighty matters in rich, sonorous tones.
sonorous = (of sound:) full and deep
DefinitionGenerally sonorous means:
full and deep sounding
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
stolid
2 uses
She listened to both arguments thoughtfully, but with a face as stolid as a cow's.
stolid = emotionless
DefinitionGenerally stolid means:
having or revealing little emotion — sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable

or (much more rarely):

of an object:  not interesting — often large and unmoving
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1
Web Links
temperate
1 use
Northern Florida is temperate; while the south is subtropical.
temperate = lacking extremes (in this case, in weather)
DefinitionGenerally temperate means:
lacking extremes — especially of weather, climate, or behavior
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2
Web Links
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