adapt (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
adapted to the new rules
"Take the housefly. If it hadn't developed all those split-second reflexes it would have become extinct long ago."
"You mean it adapted itself to the fly swatter?" queried Phineas.
"You mean it adapted itself to the fly swatter?" queried Phineas.
adapted = changed (to fit a different situation)
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.125.4 |
2 —1 use as in:
especially well adapted for
Right from the start, it was clear that no one had ever been better adapted to a sport than Finny was to blitzball.
adapted = well-suited
From page 40.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of adapted means:to be especially well suited or appropriate for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.40.1 |
aphorism
1 use
I had prepared myself for that, and even thought of several positive, uplifting aphorisms to cheer him up.
aphorisms = short sayings intended to impart wisdom
From page 113.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally aphorism means:a short saying intended to impart wisdom
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.113.3 |
conjugate
1 use
Not now, not conjugating verbs when I haven't even looked at the school yet.
conjugating = grammatically changing verb forms to match context
From page 112.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of conjugate means:grammatical changes of verb forms to agree with other words in a sentence for tense, number, person, and other things
English tense example:
She writes.
She is writing.
She will write tomorrow.
She has written in the past.
English number example:
Jane is...
Jane and Susan are...
English tense example:
She writes.
She is writing.
She will write tomorrow.
She has written in the past.
English number example:
Jane is...
Jane and Susan are...
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.112.3 |
continuity
2 uses
Continuity was the keynote. The same hymns were played, the same sermon given, the same announcements made.
continuity = continuing from the past to the present without change
Definition
Generally continuity means:consistency or lacking interruption
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.73.5 |
disclaim
1 use
Phineas would be the first to disclaim any great mental power in himself.
disclaim = deny
From page 52.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally disclaim means:to deny (responsibility for, knowledge of, or ownership of)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.52.4 |
disillusion
2 uses
"Who wants a Winter Carnival?" he said in the disillusioned way he had lately developed when I brought it up.
disillusioned = disappointed from losing false belief that something is better than it is
Definition
Generally disillusion means:disappoint by removal of false belief that something is better than it is
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.130.6 |
enmity
3 uses
The thought was, You and Phineas are even already. You are even in enmity. You are both coldly driving ahead for yourselves alone. You did hate him for breaking that school swimming record, but so what? He hated you for getting an A in every course but one last term.
enmity = hatred (toward each other)
(editor's note: This was Gene's early theory before he came to realize that Phineas was not a person who became jealous and felt emnity toward others.)
(editor's note: This was Gene's early theory before he came to realize that Phineas was not a person who became jealous and felt emnity toward others.)
Definition
Generally enmity means:hatred toward someone or between people — typically long-lasting
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.53.5 |
incarnate
2 uses
He's forgotten that Justice incarnate is not only balancing the scales but also blindfolded.
incarnate = in the form of a human body
(editor's note: Justice incarnate is more often referred to as Lady Justice. It refers to the personification of justice in the form of a statue of a woman. She typically holds scales to weigh evidence and is blindfolded to indicate that she is blind to wealth, power, or status while determining what is right.)
(editor's note: Justice incarnate is more often referred to as Lady Justice. It refers to the personification of justice in the form of a statue of a woman. She typically holds scales to weigh evidence and is blindfolded to indicate that she is blind to wealth, power, or status while determining what is right.)
Definition
Generally incarnate means:embody (made real in a material sense) — especially in the form of a human body, but sometimes figuratively
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.168.8 |
indecisive
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an indecisive election
Finny muttered something which was too indecisive for Leper, who turned with a cleanly energetic gesture toward Brinker.
indecisive = leaving an outcome unknown or a question unanswered
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.167.5 |
inflammable
1 use
He sprinkled the pages with cider to make them more inflammable, touched a match to them, and a little jet of flame curled upward.
inflammable = easily burned
(editor's note: This word is often confused because in is often used as a prefix for not, but in this case the prefix means within. Today, most people just say flammable which has the same meaning and won't be confused.)
(editor's note: This word is often confused because in is often used as a prefix for not, but in this case the prefix means within. Today, most people just say flammable which has the same meaning and won't be confused.)
From page 135.6 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally inflammable means:easily started on fire and burned
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.135.6 |
insulate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
insulate her from
Brinker, in his accelerating change from absolute to relative virtue, came up with plan after plan, each more insulated from the fighting than the last.
insulated = separated
Definition
Generally this sense of insulate means:to separate someone or something from influences thought to be harmful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.16.9 |
latent
3 uses
...and there was a certain strained hospitality in the way both the faculty and students worked to get along with the leathery recruiting officers who kept appearing on the campus. There was no latent snobbery in us; we didn't find any in them. It was only that we could feel a deep and sincere difference between us and them,
latent = hidden (potentially existing, but not active)
Definition
Generally latent means:potentially existing but not presently evident or active
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.56.3 |
mishap
2 uses
We members of the Class of 1943 were moving very fast toward the war now, so fast that there were casualties even before we reached it, a mind was clouded and a leg was broken—maybe these should be thought of as minor and inevitable mishaps in the accelerating rush.
mishaps = unfortunate accidents
Definition
Generally mishap means:an unfortunate accident — usually minor
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12, p.187.9 |
pantomime
1 use
So I glanced at my wrist watch, brought my hand dramatically to my mouth as though remembering something urgent and important, repeated the pantomime in case anybody had missed it, and with this tacit explanation started briskly back toward the center of the school.
pantomime = an expression of something through gestures and body movements (without words)
From page 153.8 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally pantomime means:a performance or expression of something through gestures and body movements without words
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.153.8 |
poignant
2 uses
I thought the Jeeps looked noticeably uncomfortable from all the power they were not being allowed to use. ...they reminded me, in a comical and a poignant way, of adolescents.
poignant = emotional
Definition
Generally poignant means:sharp or intense — typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.113.9 |
preeminent
2 uses
I and my year—not "my generation" for destiny now cut too finely for that old phrase—I and those of my year were preeminently eligible for that. [a mass assault against suicidally-defended Japan]
preeminently = in a manner that surpassed others
Definition
Generally preeminent means:outstanding or surpassing others in status, ability, or possession of a notable characteristic
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.113.9 |
qualms
2 uses
I had no qualms at all; in fact I could feel now the gathering, glowing sense of sureness in the face of it. I was ready for the war, now that I no longer had any hatred to contribute to it.
qualms = uneasy feelings
Definition
Generally qualms means:feelings of uneasiness — especially about whether it is right to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13, p.203.6 |
regimen
1 use
They were caught up in accelerated courses and first-aid programs and a physical hardening regimen, which included jumping from this tree.
regimen = systematic program
From page 15.8 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally regimen means:a systematic plan — typically to improve health or fitness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.15.8 |
tacit
2 uses
So I glanced at my wrist watch, brought my hand dramatically to my mouth as though remembering something urgent and important, repeated the pantomime in case anybody had missed it, and with this tacit explanation started briskly back toward the center of the school.
tacit = implied or understood, but not expressed directly
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.9.9 |