adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
Amoskeag never saw it coming and was too unwieldy to adapt.†
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 2. |
bona fide
1 use
Contact with the enemy was negligible, except in the case of one Marine from the 3rd Platoon, a blacksmith's son and bona fide eccentric from Montana named Don Ruhl.
bona fide = true
Definition
Generally bona fide means:real (genuine, true, or sincere)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8. |
clergy
1 use
The funeral directors were not merely men selling a commodity; other than clergy, they were the ones most intimately in touch with the townspeople in their times of sorrow and need.
clergy = formal religious leaders (typically in Christianity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2. |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
At Iwo, by contrast, the defenders knew exactly where the invaders would arrive.†
by contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6. |
defer (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
millions of returning servicemen plunged into the dreams they had deferred
deferred = postponed (put off until the future)
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17. |
2 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I must defer to my father. He was there.
defer = submit or yield to another's opinion
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20. |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
And so, its high command, facilities, colors, and shoulder insignia squared away, Camp Pendleton began molding the assault force that would descend upon that ugly, as-yet-nameless scab.
descend = attack
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5. |
epiphany
1 use
Phil Ward, leaping out of the amtrac that also contained my father, had a similar epiphany: "We'd had live ammo training in Hawaii, so I was used to the sound of bullets, but suddenly I realized why this was different."
epiphany = sudden realization
Definition
Generally epiphany means:a sudden realization — especially one of importance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
establish
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
The AP in New York had established a "Joe Rosenthal desk" to handle the flood of inquiries about the photo.†
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlight the main findings
Nearly all aerial photographs featured Mount Suribachi; maps highlighted it, and news reports emphasized the enemy fire raining down from it.†
highlighted = emphasized (called attention to)
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:emphasize (call attention to something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12. |
immodest
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
immodest as it sounds
Cabbage basked in his son's fame, but Kathryn—closer to her son in temperament—worried about appearing immodest.†
immodest = vain or conceited
Definition
Generally this sense of immodest means:vain or conceited (an exaggerated opinion of self-confidence or importance)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15. |
interpret (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
interpret Spanish to English
Twenty-five, including an interpreter and a Navy surgeon, stepped forward.
interpreter = someone who translates language
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to translate words into spoken words of another language
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
2 —3 uses as in:
her interpretation of the data
It was this interpretation of Bushido that motivated the Japanese soldiers to fight to the death in a manner the Marines judged fanatical.
interpretation = understanding (of something in a particular way)
(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 interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
irascible
1 use
He was irascible, often profane, and constantly ruffled the smooth feathers of the hidebound Navy, but like Patton, he was a winner.
irascible = easily angered
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6. |
irony
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
situational irony
This was Easy Company—a stinging irony, given its fate.
irony = when things are together that seem like they don't belong together (in this case Easy Company did not have an easy time)
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
Netherlands
1 use
In six years of combat France lost 108,000 civilians; Belgium 101,000; the Netherlands 242,000.
Netherlands = a European country (sometimes called Holland) and that literally means "lower countries"
Definition
Generally Netherlands means:A European country (sometimes called Holland) which together with two autonomous regions in the Caribbean make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands. People of The Netherlands are called Dutch and their language is called Dutch. Netherlands literally means "lower countries". Much of the country is reclaimed land that is below sea level. The country is also known for canals, tulip fields, windmills, and bicycling.
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3. |
pathos
2 uses
They put up bail money, installed him in an alcoholics' sanitarium, and proceeded to wring all the pathos from the story they could: This newspaper does not believe that Ira Hayes should spend a night in jail.
pathos = a quality that arouses pity or sorrow
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7. |
rectify
1 use
In the 1890's, agents of the U.S. Geological Survey arrived with plans to rectify the situation.
rectify = fix or 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 2. |
somber
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a somber mood
He somberly predicted large casualties, a hard fight.
somberly = solemnly (in a manner that is serious—not cheerful or lighthearted)
Definition
Generally this sense of somber means:serious and without humor or fun — perhaps sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6. |
valor
28 uses
The flagraising on Iwo Jima became a symbol of the island, the mountain, the battle; of World War II; of the highest ideals of the nation, of valor incarnate.†
valor = exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger — especially in battle
Word Statistics
| Book | 28 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9. |