altercation
1 use
We have video of the altercation.
altercation = a noisy argument, confrontation, or fight
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.8 |
amorphous
2 uses
From month-to-month, the committee's instructions have been amorphous, contradictory, and transitory.
amorphous = without clearly defined boundaries
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.9 |
atrophy
2 uses
Muscles that are not used will quickly atrophy.
atrophy = wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Definition
Generally atrophy means:to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.16 |
beatific
1 use
She has a beatific smile that makes you feel like all is well in the world.
beatific = expressing a calm joy
Definition
Generally beatific means:expressing or producing a calm joy — especially from a holy source
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.14 |
condone
1 use
Such behavior is permitted, but we certainly don't condone it.
condone = accept without criticism; or approve of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.12 |
contiguous
1 use
Texas is the largest of the contiguous 48 states.
contiguous = sharing boundaries
Definition
Generally contiguous means:with a common boundary; or very close in space or time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
corporeal
1 use
Her time of corporeal suffering will soon pass.
corporeal = regarding the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
Definition
Generally corporeal means:having material or physical form or substance
or:
regarding the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
or:
regarding the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.17 |
cumulative
1 use
The benefits are cumulative.
cumulative = increase through a series of additions over time
Definition
Generally cumulative means:increased by a series of additions over time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.7 |
denizen
1 use
The book has photographs of deep sea creatures, and is called "Denizens of the Deep."
denizens = animals that inhabit a particular place
Definition
Generally denizen means:a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
dissonance
1 use
I find the dissonance in her music disturbing.
dissonance = conflicting sounds
Definition
Generally dissonance means:not going well together; or conflict
especially in these two senses:
- unpleasant musical sound
- inconsistency or conflict between beliefs and actions such as voluntarily taking actions that conflict with beliefs, or holding two conflicting beliefs (also called "cognitive dissonance")
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.8 |
ebullient
1 use
Her family was jumping for joy, but she was less ebullient.
ebullient = filled with energy and joy
Definition
Generally ebullient means:happy and energetic
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.8 |
empirical
1 use
Is her theory supported by empirical data?
empirical = based on experience or observation rather than theory
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.16 |
eschew
1 use
Her bumper sticker says "Eschew obfuscation."
eschew = avoid and stay away from
Definition
Generally eschew means:avoid and stay away from deliberately
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
inextricable
2 uses
the inextricable tie between culture, religion, and politics
inextricable = impossible to disentangle
Definition
Generally inextricable means:impossible to extract, disentangle, or avoid; or hopelessly intricate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.13 |
inimical
1 use
Her lack of discipline is inimical to achieving her goals.
inimical = harmful
Definition
Generally inimical means:harmful or unfriendly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.16 |
inquest
1 use
The coroner's inquest ruled the death a homicide.
inquest = formal inquiry or investigation
Definition
Generally inquest means:a formal inquiry or investigation — typically into the cause of an undesirable event — often an investigation of an unexpected death
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.7 |
nihilism
1 use
The book contrasts her idealism with his nihilism.
nihilism = belief that there is no universal moral values and that ultimately life is meaningless
Definition
Generally nihilism means:the belief that there is no universal truth or underlying reality that undergirds moral values, and that ultimately existence is meaningless
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
omniscient
1 use
She believes God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.
omniscient = all-knowing; i.e., to know everything
Definition
Generally omniscient means:all-knowing (to know everything)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
sensuous
4 uses
She claims the tango as the most sensuous of dance forms.
sensuous = pleasing to the physical senses (sexy)
Definition
Generally sensuous means:relating to pleasure from the body's senses rather than from the intellect
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
sheer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sheered to the left
The boat sheered to port to avoid a collision.
sheered = turned sharply
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:change direction abruptly; or to cause such a change of direction — (usually said of a boat)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |