benevolent
1 use
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
capricious
1 use
Nothing seems more capricious than a tornado.
capricious = unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 | Chapter 15 |
convention
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
conventional behavior
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.
conventional = normal
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
delta
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
river delta
The delta has rich soil, but is subject to flooding.
delta = geological area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
Definition
Generally this sense of delta means:a typically triangular area with sand or soil where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
elaborate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an elaborate wink
He gave her a slow elaborate wink.
elaborate = exaggerated
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:to exaggerate an action
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
exasperated
3 uses
She was exasperated by his teasing.
exasperated = greatly annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
extricate
1 use
She was caught in the wreckage and could not extricate herself without help.
extricate = free
Definition
Generally extricate means:free or remove from constraint or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
midwife
5 uses
The village has no doctor, but there is a midwife.
midwife = a non-doctor who practices the profession of assisting women in childbirth
Definition
Generally midwife means:a non-doctor who practices the profession of assisting women in childbirth; or to assist in childbirth
or:
someone who helps bring something into existence; or the act of helping to bring something into existence
or:
someone who helps bring something into existence; or the act of helping to bring something into existence
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
parody
1 use
Did you see Saturday Night Live's parody of people in a fitness class?
parody = imitation of somebody's style in a humorous way
Definition
Generally parody means:imitation of somebody's style in a humorous way
or:
a very poor imitation of somebody's style
or:
a very poor imitation of somebody's style
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 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 | Chapter 18 |
pious (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a good, pious woman
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.
pious = highly religious
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
2 —1 use as in:
a pious hypocrite
He was another pious slave owner who treated his slaves mercilessly.
pious = self-righteous (acting as though one is, or believing one is highly moral when it is not true)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
repentance
4 uses
Prisoners who show repentance are more likely to be released on parole.
repentance = regret for having done wrong with a desire to be a better person in the future
Definition
Generally repentance means:the feeling or expression of regret for having done something wrong with a firm decision to be a better person in the future
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
2 —1 use as in:
How did you resolve the problem?
Three of the five issues have already been resolved.
resolved = settled or solved
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to solve a problem or settle a disagreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
scanty
2 uses
I had a strong suspicion, but scanty evidence.
scanty = small in amount
Definition
Generally scanty means:small in amount — often inadequate
or:
of clothes: barely covering the area on which they are worn
or:
of clothes: barely covering the area on which they are worn
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
scarcity
4 uses
There is a scarcity of work in the region.
scarcity = shortage
Definition
Generally scarcity means:shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
scrutiny
1 use
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |