abstract (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
We all agree that we want what's "best for the country", but that is an abstract concept and we cannot agree on which specific laws should be passed.
abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
abstract art
She is an abstract painter.
abstract = not imitating objects of nature
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means:not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
admonish
3 uses
He admonished the child for his bad behavior
admonished = expressed disapproval
Definition
Generally admonish means:to express disapproval to someone of their actions; or to warn or advise someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
archaic
1 use
When I first started reading Shakespeare, it seemed archaic.
archaic = so extremely old as to seem to belong to an earlier period
Definition
Generally archaic means:so extremely old as to seem to belong to an earlier period; or obsolete
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
condescending
2 uses
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.
condescending = treating others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
contempt
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
convoluted
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convoluted thinking
It's hard to follow her convoluted reasoning.
convoluted = very complex
Definition
Generally this sense of convoluted means:complex — often more complex than necessary
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
deride
4 uses
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
disdain
3 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
disparage
1 use
She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
feigned
5 uses
She feigned sleep.
feigned = pretended to
Definition
Generally feigned means:pretended — usually pretending to feel something
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
incredulous
7 uses
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.
incredulous = difficult to believe
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
malleable
1 use
The mind is malleable — especially while young.
malleable = capable of being shaped (or easily influenced)
Definition
Generally malleable means:of people: easily influenced
of materials: capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
of materials: capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
pathetic
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Her pathetic look saddened us.
She was pathetic as she tried to salvage her dignity.
pathetic = pitiful (arousing pity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
petulant
2 uses
She stomped her foot like a petulant child.
petulant = unreasonably annoyed or upset
Definition
Generally petulant means:unreasonably annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
pragmatic
3 uses
She is a pragmatic problem solver.
pragmatic = practical
Definition
Generally pragmatic means:concerned with practical matters — especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
preoccupied
9 uses
The matter preoccupies her completely—she cannot think of anything else
preoccupies = takes up the attention of
Definition
Generally preoccupied means:busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or done
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
profound
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
profound sadness
Her apology was heartfelt—expressing profound sorrow and regret.
profound = intense (of great emotional depth)
Definition
Generally this sense of profound means:of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = (accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
undulate
2 uses
A sidewinding snake uses less energy to cover the same distance as a laterally undulating snake uses.
undulating = moving with smooth wave-like movements
Definition
Generally undulate means:a smooth wave-like motion (physical or auditory)
or:
having a wavy or rippled form or surface
or:
having a wavy or rippled form or surface
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |