adopt
9 uses
She believed it was adopted.†
adopted = took on as one's own
Definition
Generally adopt means:to take on as one's own
The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:
- "adopt a child" — to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child
- "adopt a plan" — to accept or begin to use something
- "adopt a pet" — to take in a pet — especially one from an animal shelter
- "Congress adopted the resolution." — had a formal vote and passed
- "adopted a confident attitude" — took on or displayed
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 30 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
contradict
1 use
Don't contradict me, I would," says Mama.†
contradict = disagree
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
deliberate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deliberate insult
...which is a deliberate, calculated falsehood:
deliberate = intentional
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
liable
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she is liable to
Uncle Rondo has got the most terrible temper in the world. Anything is liable to make him tear the house down...
liable = maybe going (to)
Definition
Generally this sense of liable means:likely to; or maybe going to
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
on the other hand
1 use
And he said on the other hand he thought Stella-Rondo had a brilliant mind and deserved credit for getting out of town.†
on the other hand = from another point of view; or in a way that is different (a phrase used to introduce a different perspective or idea)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
precarious
2 uses
Not very good for your Uncle Rondo in his precarious condition, I must say.†
precarious = unsafe or unsure
Definition
Generally precarious means:unsafe or in danger of getting worse — especially in danger of falling
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
prostrate
1 use
Well, I'm just terribly susceptible to noise of any kind, the doctor has always told me I was the most sensitive person he had ever seen in his whole life, and I was simply prostrated.†
prostrated = lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
rondo
90 uses
Of course I went with Mr. Whitaker first, when he first appeared here in China Grove, taking "Pose Yourself" photos, and Stella-Rondo broke us up.†
rondo = a musical form in which one recurring theme is interspersed with a series of new themes; often used in the last movement of a sonata
Word Statistics
| Book | 90 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
sulk
1 use
Papa-Daddy's Mama's papa and sulks.†
sulks = is overly unhappy and unsociable
Definition
Generally sulk means:to be overly unhappy and unsociable — often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |