accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 18 uses
1 —17 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
According to the compass we have gone northward.
according to = based upon (in keeping 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 | 17 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
After about four hours' walking the horses stopped of their own accord at the door of the priest's house at Stapi.
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
ascend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
ascend the mountain
Besides, if the ascending road did become steeper, I was comforted with the thought that it was bringing us nearer to the surface.
ascending = climbing (sloped upward)
Definition
Generally this sense of ascend means:to move or slope upward — sometimes figuratively as when climbing the corporate ladder
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
attain
13 uses
And to what a height of scientific glory we should then attain!
attain = reach or gain (with effort)
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
capricious
3 uses
Hansbach, following the caprice of another incline, had gone with my companions away into unknown depths.
caprice = unpredictability
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it is a contrast
His manners were a singular contrast with my uncle's.†
contrast = something notably different
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:something noticeably different (compared to something else or to other things)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
countenance
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a pleasant countenance
It lighted up the calm and unmoved countenance of Hans.
countenance = facial expression; or face
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |
distend
3 uses
"Now I'll read it," I cried, after having well distended my lungs with air.
distended = extended
Definition
Generally distend means:to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
fissure
15 uses
The Professor was carefully examining every little fissure in the rocks.
fissure = long narrow crack
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 | 15 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 41 |
geology
32 uses
No doubt; and there is a geological explanation of the fact.
geological = a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks
Definition
Generally geology means:a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks
or more rarely:
the rocks, minerals, and rock formations of an area
or more rarely:
the rocks, minerals, and rock formations of an area
Word Statistics
| Book | 32 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
hypothesis
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
a study to test her hypothesis
I was all adrift amongst a thousand contradictory hypotheses, but I could not lay hold of one.
hypotheses = ideas or explanations that are seemingly reasonable, but unproven
Definition
Generally this sense of hypothesis means:a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
impetuous
5 uses
So he was going, in the presence of this difficulty, to give way to all the impetuosity of his character,
impetuosity = impulsiveness (the trait of acting suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
I was not inclined to argue.
inclined = with a tendency or attitude that favors something
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
2 —1 use as in:
on an incline or incline his head
The mass was composed of inclined and sometimes vertical strata.
inclined = angled
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
oblige
21 uses
1 —21 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
Often the sunken rocks just beneath the surface obliged us to deviate from our straight course.
obliged = required
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
phenomenon
29 uses
We had no time to watch these phenomena; we had to proceed on our way.
phenomena = interesting observable things
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
sagacious
2 uses
You will see, Axel, that there is no more sagacious animal than the Icelandic horse.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
taciturn
2 uses
The three Icelanders, just as taciturn as their comrade the hunted, never spoke, and ate their breakfasts in silence.
taciturn = with a tendency to be reserved and not to talk
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
"To be sure," said I; "and why should not these waters yield to us fishes of unknown species?"
yield = produce
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
2 —9 uses as in:
yield to pressure
I was yielding to the effects of hunger and cold.
yielding = giving in
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 15 |