abridge
3 uses
Hall opened his file. AUTOCLOCK TRANSCRIPT PROJECT: SCOOP VII LAUNCHDATE: ABRIDGED VERSION.
abridged = shortened; or reduced in scope while retaining essential elements
Definition
Generally abridge means:reduce in scope while retaining essential elements — especially to a book
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
abstract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
Such considerations were not so abstract and academic as they seemed at first.
abstract = unassociated with specific instances
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means: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 | Chapter 16 |
acute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
acute pain
...operating-room facilities for acute emergencies.
acute = severe illness with a rapid onset
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (severe or strong) — usually negative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
appropriate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Congress will appropriate funds
In a single year, Burton watched his grant appropriations jump from $6,000 a year to $300,000.
appropriations = money approved to spend
(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 appropriate means:to set aside for a particular use
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
bacteria
68 uses
In fact, man lived in a sea of bacteria.
bacteria = microorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them)
Definition
Generally bacteria means:microorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them) that can both cause disease and be beneficial. They are different and larger than viruses.
Word Statistics
| Book | 68 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
benign
2 uses
It has apparently mutated to a benign form.
benign = harmless
Definition
Generally benign means:kindly, mild, or harmless
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
calibrate
1 use
He infused the radioactive tagging substance, a magnesium isotope, into the monkey and calibrated the scanner.
calibrated = finely adjusted
Definition
Generally calibrate means:make fine adjustments or measurements; or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
diligent
1 use
You needed your luck, and whatever benefits accrued to the diligent, through sheer, grinding hard work.
diligent = hard working
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
enzyme
20 uses
Each enzyme was like a single worker in a kitchen, doing just one thing.
enzyme = a complex protein that is produced by cells and acts as a chemical catalyst (causing a chemical reaction)
Definition
Generally enzyme means:a substance that causes a chemical reaction
(typically a complex protein produced by living cells—which acts as a chemical catalyst without being changed)
(typically a complex protein produced by living cells—which acts as a chemical catalyst without being changed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
futile
1 use
He could not have known the futility of this action.
futility = uselessness (pointlessness)
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
imperious
1 use
His imperious manner ... did nothing to increase his popularity.
imperious = expectation of obedience (combined with arrogance)
Definition
Generally imperious means:expecting obedience; or arrogant; or domineering
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
innocuous
1 use
TO LEVEL II. It was an innocuous, straightforward, almost mundane sign. Hall had expected something more—perhaps a stern guard with a machine gun or a sentry to check passes.
innocuous = unlikely to disturb
(editor's note: In this context, mundane means "lacking interest or excitement".)
(editor's note: In this context, mundane means "lacking interest or excitement".)
Definition
Generally innocuous means:unlikely to harm or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
Leavitt had pointed out that all men, no matter how scientifically objective, had several built-in biases when discussing life.
objective = fact-based and not influenced by personal feelings or preferences
Definition
Generally this sense of objective means:fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
obscure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
it obscured my view
Every time he tried to listen to the heart, the child shrieked, obscuring all heart sounds.
obscuring = making it hard to detect (in this case to hear)
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
2 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
the forty volunteers each had died of obscure and horrible diseases no one had ever seen before.
obscure = not known to many people
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
petulant
1 use
Burton was nervous, jumpy, petulant.
petulant = prone to be 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
redundant
1 use
Redundant sterilization procedures:
redundant = done a second time in a second way in case the first technique did not work
Definition
Generally redundant means:more than is needed — often something that is unnecessarily repeated
or in technical usage: a secondary component designed to work if the primary component fails; or of such a system
or in technical usage: a secondary component designed to work if the primary component fails; or of such a system
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
relevant
1 use
For their review of relevant chapters of the manuscript, and for their technical corrections and suggestions, I wish to thank...
relevant = relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
(editor's note: In this case, he is referring to chapters that relate to the expertise of the people being thanked.)
(editor's note: In this case, he is referring to chapters that relate to the expertise of the people being thanked.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
ubiquitous
1 use
Bacteria were ubiquitous.
ubiquitous = being present everywhere
Definition
Generally ubiquitous means:being present everywhere or all the time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
virulent
6 uses
Take up a harmless bacteria—such as the organism that causes pimples, or sore throats—-and bring it back in a new form, virulent and unexpected.
virulent = very bad
Definition
Generally virulent means:of disease: very bad — perhaps very contagious
or
harsh or hateful
or
harsh or hateful
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |