accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
According to Helen's judgment Bo might have been a Western girl all her days.†
according to = as stated by; or in agreement with
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —2 uses as in:
done of her own accord
The grizzly, however, stopped of his own accord, just outside of the shadow-line of the forest.†
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
Bo would readily adapt herself to the West, Helen thought, because she was so young, primitive, elemental.†
adapt = change to fit a different situation; or make suitable
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
attain
5 uses
And that growth toward absolute silence continued, yet absolute silence was never attained.†
attained = gained or reached something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
He was clean-shaven, dressed in his dark suit, which presented such marked contrast from his riding-garb, and he wore a flower in his buttonhole.†
contrast = 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 18 |
deride
1 use
She took both hands, and called derisively as she fired again.
derisively = in a manner that made fun of and showed a lack of respect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
The stream hummed a song, seemingly musical at times, and then discordant and dull,
discordant = unpleasant sounding
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
dubious
9 uses
A-huh! ejaculated Anson, dubiously.†
dubiously = doubtfully or suspiciously
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
eloquent
9 uses
Bo gave her an eloquent glance.†
eloquent = powerful use of language
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
grave
7 uses
When the preacher stood up again and raised the couple from their kneeling posture, it seemed that a grave and solemn personage had left him.†
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
juncture
6 uses
At the juncture Moze returned.†
juncture = where things come together — especially a point in time with a critical event
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
manifest
19 uses
1 —19 uses as in:
manifest destiny
Then he scrambled to them with every manifestation of delight.†
manifestation = demonstration (something made obvious or shown)
(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 this sense of manifest means:obvious; or to make obvious; or to show or demonstrate
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
nevertheless
7 uses
Nevertheless, he started down, dismounting after a little way.†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
poignant
6 uses
It was there; the open, the wild, the beautiful, the lonely land; and she felt the poignant call of blood in her—to seek, to strive, to find, to live.†
poignant = sharp or intense
Definition
Generally poignant means:sharp or intense — typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
precede
6 uses
His loud voice, hoarse with passion, preceded the scrape and crack of hoofs.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
ravine
13 uses
The forest that he struck into seemed ribbed like a washboard with deep ravines so steep of slope as to make precarious travel.†
ravines = a deep narrow steep-sided valley — especially one formed by running water
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
resume
13 uses
They resumed their seats before the fire.†
resumed = began again
Definition
Generally resume means:begin or take on again
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
retort
26 uses
"No, I 'ain't seen them an' don't want to," she retorted.†
retorted = quickly replied
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 26 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
scorn
11 uses
And, when temper was succeeded by genuine anger, she could have laughed to scorn this Harve Riggs and his schemes, whatever they were.†
scorn = disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
wistful
8 uses
The cowboy took two long strides beside the car, his heated boyish face almost on a level with the window, his eyes, now shy and a little wistful, yet bold, too, fixed upon Bo.†
wistful = showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |