autism
3 uses
BECAUSE I HAVE AUTISM, I live by concrete rules instead of abstract beliefs.†
autism = a mental illness most commonly associated with undeveloped social abilities, language, and other communication skills
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
bipolar disorder
2 uses
I have had manic-depressive illness, also known as bipolar disorder, since I was eighteen years old.†
bipolar disorder = a mental disorder characterized by alternating episodes of major depression and abnormally elevated mood
Definition
Generally bipolar disorder means:a mental disorder characterized by alternating episodes of major depression and abnormally elevated mood (mania)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 39 |
compassion
10 uses
like me, the lady next door who scowls on her way to the mailbox, or the kids who strut down the street, or my atheist friend who enjoys a good conversation, each bear an undying soul and deserve compassion.
compassion = sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
depravity
1 use
Wholesome people, beautiful people, and sick, miserable, depraved people.
depraved = completely immoral or evil
Definition
Generally depravity means:complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
deride
1 use
It told of a man at a bar who boasted of his rootlessness, derisively dismissing the jingoistic patrons to his left and to his right.
derisively = with treatment as inferior and unworthy of respect
Editor's notes: useful synonyms:
boasted — bragged
jingoistic — extremely patriotic
patrons — customers
Editor's notes: useful synonyms:
boasted — bragged
jingoistic — extremely patriotic
patrons — customers
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
elusive
5 uses
It may be elusive or hidden. People may wish to disregard it. But there is such a thing as truth
elusive = difficult to get a hold of
Definition
Generally elusive means:difficult to get a hold of
(mentally such as a memory or description; or externally such as an achievement or physical capture)
(mentally such as a memory or description; or externally such as an achievement or physical capture)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Frwd. |
endure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
endured the pain
By eight o'clock on a Tuesday night, you will experience the ecstasy of victory or you will endure the agony of defeat.
endure = suffer through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
2 —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
the human body as transitory and fragile and, by contrast, the soul as enduring.
enduring = continuing to exist
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
forage
1 use
He hid food in his pillowcase and foraged in garbage cans.
foraged = searched for and gathered — often food and provisions
Definition
Generally forage means:to search for and gather — often food and provisions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 45 |
grave
1 use
Certainly not on world peace or the search for meaning in an increasingly distracted world or anything as grave and serious as all that, but on a belief just as true.†
grave = serious and solemn
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 68 |
immigrate
13 uses
We are a land of immigrants:
immigrants = people who come to live in a new country
Definition
Generally immigrate means:come to live in a new country
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
inevitable
4 uses
suffering is not only inevitable, but is an indispensable part of a lifelong education,
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
manifest (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
manifest destiny
discovering his compassion so deep it manifests even in his kindness to snails,
manifests = demonstrates itself (makes itself shown)
Definition
Generally this sense of manifest means:obvious; or to make obvious; or to show or demonstrate
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
2 —1 use as in:
ship's manifest
I will be participating in a ceremony at Ellis Island, where I will receive copies of the ship manifest and the immigration documents that record the arrival in America of my mother,
manifest = a document listing contents and passengers being transported
Definition
Generally this sense of manifest means:an official document listing contents being transported
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 58 |
metamorphosis
2 uses
Without growth, without metamorphosis, there is no godhead.†
metamorphosis = a complete change; or more specifically, the rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some insects
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
omnipotent
2 uses
But riding high above all secular controversies was a faith in One who was the Creator, the Giver of Life, the Omnipotent.†
omnipotent = all powerful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
optimistic
8 uses
They instilled in their children and grandchildren that same love of country and a spirit of optimism.
optimism = a tendency to expect and see the best in all things
Definition
Generally optimistic means:expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
physics
9 uses
One of the Holy Grails in physics is to find the so-called Theory of Everything, the final theory that will encompass all the fundamental laws of nature.
physics = the science of matter and energy and their interactions
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
reticent
1 use
Reticence ... may distort ... what is really there to be said,
reticence = reluctance to speak freely
Definition
Generally reticent means:reluctant — especially to speak freely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 70 |
revere
5 uses
In a thinker there is a reverence for the beauty of the alert and directed and lucid mind.
reverence = feelings of deep respect and admiration
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |