accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 34 uses
1 —32 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
Each now acted in accordance with his own private character.
accordance = keeping
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 | 32 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
2 —2 uses as in:
done of her own accord
My uncle at last, of his own accord, broke silence.
own accord = own mind (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 41 |
cease
24 uses
The wind wholly ceased.
ceased = stopped
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
compel
24 uses
On the other hand, if he did attempt anything so quixotic, I should not be compelled to accompany him.†
compelled = forced; or (more rarely) convinced
Definition
Generally compel means:to force someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 16 uses
1 —13 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Consequently, no chance of discovering the right aperture.†
consequently = resultantly (as a result)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
2 —3 uses as in:
of little consequence
As if it were of any consequence!†
consequence = importance
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
coup
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
delivered the coup de grace
Its use was to give the coup de grace, the final blow, to the foe who would not surrender.
coup de grace = deathblow
Definition
Generally this sense of coup de grace means:deathblow
(literally a sword strike that mercifully kills a wounded animal, or metaphorically as the last in a series of things that defeated an opponent, idea, business or other entity.)
(literally a sword strike that mercifully kills a wounded animal, or metaphorically as the last in a series of things that defeated an opponent, idea, business or other entity.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
enable
19 uses
The lantern is in front, and enables the benighted wanderer to see in the most profound obscurity.†
enables = makes possible
Definition
Generally enable means:to make possible
in various senses, including:
- to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something — as in "The study will enable an informed discussion."
- to activate a computer system for use — as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page."
- to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern — as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
fissure
25 uses
The lamps were hung to fissures in the lava rock.†
fissures = long, narrow cracks or splits; or creation of them
Definition
Generally fissure means:a long, narrow crack; or its creation — especially in the ground or in rock
or:
a crack in the unity of a group; or its creation
or:
a crack in the unity of a group; or its creation
Word Statistics
| Book | 25 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
grave
3 uses
My uncle was watching—his eyes fixed intently on my countenance, a grave expression on his face, a tear in his eye.†
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
however (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 113 uses
1 —110 uses as in:
However, complications may...
I am, however, armed at all points against human incredulity.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 110 uses |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
However much she tried...
However great and mighty the marvels of nature may seem to us, they are always to be explained by physical reasons.†
however = regardless of how
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
minute
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
minute size
They had in past ages belonged to those gigantic Glyptodons of the Pliocene period, of which the modern turtle is but a minute specimen.†
minute = small
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
moreover
13 uses
The tunnel, moreover, instead of going down into the bowels of the earth, became absolutely horizontal.†
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
novel
1 use
The sensation was as novel as it was painful.†
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |
phenomenon
37 uses
...the luminous state of the atmosphere ... was a phenomenon upon the duration of which we could calculate with certainty.
phenomenon = thing that exists
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 37 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
precede
12 uses
New volcanic eruptions are always preceded by perfectly well-known phenomena.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
rectify
1 use
When our eyes were accustomed to the light we had lost sight of so long, I used them to rectify the errors of my imagination.
rectify = correct
Definition
Generally this sense of rectify means:correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 10 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
The working of these mines could only be carried out at an expense that would never yield a profit.†
yield = produce or give
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
2 —9 uses as in:
yield to pressure
Whatever happened, we should have been at Spitsbergen, and I was in no humor to yield to anything but the most absolute proof.†
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 | 9 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |