adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
But I wasn't much myself in other ways, and it was very disturbing, and sometimes pressed on my head with very heavy weight, and I realized I was in the end zone of my adaptability.†
adaptability = the degree to which something can change to fit a different situation
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 12 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Simon was hard with them and didn't yield ground whether it was a joke or an argument that came up, while in an undertone he gave me the lowdown on them, contemptuously.†
contemptuously = with disrespect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 11 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
corresponding time period
" To accept any help from Kayo she must, I thought, be in bad condition; and so she was, though talkative and of false alertness and sharpness—false because it didn't correspond to the expression of her eyes.†
correspond = connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 12 |
2 —1 use as in:
a correspondence course
And the Old Man—he did correspondence courses in philosophy at a bunch of universities, it was his hobby, and was forever writing out assignments—he took to me too, though he didn't approve of my leniency.†
correspondence = done from afar
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 25 |
disdain
4 uses
But this martial true-blood pride of Simon's disqualified him for the crafty task to be done at the dispensary; he was too disdainful to lie and might denounce everybody instead.†
disdainful = full of disrespect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
Dutch
11 uses
He didn't like to see my bubble-headed friends get me in dutch.†
Dutch = the people of the Netherlands (including Holland); or relating to them (including the name of their language)
Word Statistics
Book | 11 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Mama wasn't any longer right off the kitchen but established in almost an apartment with a Gulistan on the floor and drapes on the window.†
established = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —2 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
Here what had to be established was whether I was qualified in pocket to mix with the sons of established fathers.†
established = determined (figured out)
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 12 |
evaluate
1 use
But the marriages formed part of his education; therefore he had to evaluate them.†
evaluate = to think carefully and make a judgment about
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 21 |
illustrate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
It's as follows: In the world of today your individual man has to be willing to illustrate a more and more narrow and restricted point of existence.†
illustrate = help make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 10 |
1st use | Chapter 21 |
2 —1 use as in:
an illustrated children's book
Simon was a blond boy with big cheekbones and wide gray eyes and had the arms of a cricketer—I go by the illustrations; we never played anything but softball.†
illustrations = drawings or photographs
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
malicious
6 uses
With the holder in her dark little gums between which all her guile, malice, and command issued, she had her best inspirations of strategy.†
malice = the desire to hurt others or see them suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 6 |
melancholy
18 uses
But he was all the same a little dubious and haunted, his black eyes in the long joke-austerity of his head often very melancholy.†
melancholy = a sad feeling or manner
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
Book | 18 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
minute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size
Old Granum was the deathbed watcher and Psalm reciter, feeble and ruination-faced, in Chinatown black alpaca and minute, slippered feet.†
minute = small
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 6 |
moreover
10 uses
And, moreover, though I was still in love with her, my attitude toward her wasn't what it had been.†
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
Book | 10 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 9 |
Netherlands
1 use
There's an old, singular, beautiful Netherlands picture I once saw in an Italian gallery, of a wise old man walking in empty fields, pensive, while a thief behind cuts the string of his purse.
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 10 |
obstinate
14 uses
Nevertheless he kept thinking how, in spite of the time, he could carry it off, and didn't merely brood, but discussed, obstinately, how it could be done.†
obstinately = stubbornly unyielding to the wishes of others
Definition
Generally obstinate means:stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
Book | 14 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 6 |
precede
1 use
I left something out of account, a limping, crippled consideration which seems to lose ground as you reach beauty and Orizaba flowers, but soon you find it has preceded you.†
preceded = went or was before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
revere
1 use
believing, I reckon, that it taught irreverence to religion.
irreverence = a lack of respect
(Editor's note: The prefix "ir-" in irreverence means not and reverses the meaning of reverence. This prefix is sometimes used before words beginning with "R" as seen in words like irrational, irregular, and irresistible.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "ir-" in irreverence means not and reverses the meaning of reverence. This prefix is sometimes used before words beginning with "R" as seen in words like irrational, irregular, and irresistible.)
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
revise
2 uses
Not that this old lover the Commissioner doesn't deserve citation for having no alarm and dying undisgusted, without last minute revision of lifetime habits.†
revision = a change; or a changed version
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", 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 admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally revise means:to change (and hopefully improve) — most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 10 |
1st use | Chapter 11 |