alacrity
1 use
Yet this government never of itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way.
alacrity = quickness (eagerness)
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
bias
1 use
But one cannot be too much on his guard in such a case, lest his actions be biased by obstinacy or an undue regard for the opinions of men.
biased = pushed in a particular direction
Definition
Generally bias means:a personal preference — especially a prejudice that prevents objective consideration
or:
any tendency to move in a particular direction — such as a car that tends to want to swerve toward the right
or:
any tendency to move in a particular direction — such as a car that tends to want to swerve toward the right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
conform
4 uses
A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole weight.
conforms = complies, fits in, or is similar to what is normal
Definition
Generally conform means:to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
convention
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to convene
I hear of a convention to be held at Baltimore, or elsewhere, for the selection of a candidate for the Presidency,
convention = large conference or meeting
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:a large conference or meeting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
countenance
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
giving countenance
I have never countenanced an effort ... to disturb the arrangement as originally made, by which various States came into the Union.
countenanced = approved or shown favor for
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
discriminate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discriminating taste
They may be men of a certain experience and discrimination, and have no doubt invented ingenious and even useful systems, for which we sincerely thank them; but all their wit and usefulness lie within certain not very wide limits.
discrimination = having the ability to recognize or perceive differences that are not obvious
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", 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 action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of discriminate means:to recognize or perceive differences — especially fine distinctions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
dispose (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
dispose of the matter
he is unable to take a fact out of its merely political relations, and behold it as it lies absolutely to be disposed of by the intellect
disposed = settled
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:to settle something so it no longer requires attention
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
2 —3 uses as in:
Is she disposed to help?
I find myself disposed to ... discover a pretext for conformity.
disposed = inclined (having a tendency to)
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:inclined (with a tendency to; or in the mood to)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
eloquent
4 uses
We love eloquence for its own sake, and not for any truth which it may utter, or any heroism it may inspire.
eloquence = powerful use of language
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
expedient
10 uses
Government is at best but an expedient;
expedient = a practical action that accepts negative tradeoffs from an ideal
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
inclined
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
they are all peaceably inclined.
inclined = disposed (having a tendency or attitude that favors something)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
indifferent
2 uses
When the majority shall at length vote for the abolition of slavery, it will be because they are indifferent to slavery, or because there is but little slavery left to be abolished by their vote.
indifferent = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
integrity
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a person of high integrity
This American government—what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity?
integrity = completeness of strong moral principles
Definition
Generally this sense of integrity means:having strong moral principles — especially honesty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
novel
1 use
The night in prison was novel and interesting enough.
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
prevail
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
reason will prevail
I cast my vote, perchance, as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right should prevail.
prevail = win
Definition
Generally this sense of prevail means:prove superior or win
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
reproach
1 use
The slight reproach to which the virtue of patriotism is commonly liable,
reproach = criticism
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
When the subject has refused allegiance, and the officer has resigned from office, then the revolution is accomplished.
resigned = quit (from a job)
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
resolve
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
As they could not reach me, they had resolved to punish my body;
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 |
revere
1 use
They who ... stand, and wisely stand, by the Bible and the Constitution, and drink at it there with reverence and humanity;
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
scrupulous
1 use
some unscrupulous man in power
unscrupulous = unethical
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unscrupulous means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulous. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unscrupulous means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulous. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |