accompany
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
illness and accompanying symptoms
A dozen boys were loafing there on the grass after dinner, and a kitchen rattle from the wing of one of the buildings accompanied their talk.
accompanied = was present with at the same time
From page 20.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to be present with at the same time and/or location
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.20.3 |
acoustic
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
auditorium acoustics
The Assembly Hall was used for large lectures, debates, plays, and concerts; it had the worst acoustics in the school.
acoustics = sound quality
Definition
Generally this sense of acoustic means:sound quality or its study based on such things as the surfaces off of which sound bounces — such as how well a voice on stage can be heard in the back of an auditorium, or how noisy a restaurant sounds
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.166.8 |
cite (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
cited from the President's speech
He elaborated without encouragement, citing the advantages of Devon's physical hardening program and of a high school diploma when he did in good time reach basic training.
citing = mentioning (things to make a point)
From page 98.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of cite means:to mention something or quote someone (to make a point)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.98.4 |
2 —1 use as in:
cited for valor
If I was head of the class on Graduation Day and made a speech and won the Ne Plus Ultra Scholastic Achievement Citation, then we would both have come out on top, we would be even, that was all.
citation = public commendation (statement of praise)
(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.)
From page 52 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of cite means:officially praise for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.52 |
compose (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
compose a poem
Brinker Hadley could compose his Shortest War Poem Ever Written
compose = write
From page 92 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to write or create something with care — especially music or a literary work, but could be other things as diverse as a plan or a letter
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.92 |
2 —2 uses as in:
keep your composure
But his expression was composed, and he said in his resonant voice, "I wore this, you see, because it goes with the shirt and it all ties in together—I didn't mean that to be a pun, I don't think they're very funny, especially in polite company, do you?"
composed = calm
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to calm someone or settle something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.27.7 |
convention
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
conventional behavior
He analyzed my character, and he insisted on knowing what I disliked most about him ("You're too conventional," I said).
conventional = normal or typical
(editor's note: Gene answers Finny ironically—saying one thing while meaning the opposite.)
(editor's note: Gene answers Finny ironically—saying one thing while meaning the opposite.)
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.46.4 |
differentiate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
differentiate between right/wrong
As I plodded toward him through the snow I began to differentiate items of clothing—a dull green deer-stalker's cap, brown ear muffs, a thick gray woolen scarf—
differentiate = recognize difference
Definition
Generally this sense of differentiate means:to recognize difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12, p.182.6 |
elaborate (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 6 uses
1 —1 use as in:
elaborate on your plan
He elaborated without encouragement, citing the advantages of Devon's physical hardening program and of a high school diploma when he did in good time reach basic training.
elaborated = explained in more detail
From page 98.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:add details or explain in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.98.4 |
2 —2 uses as in:
an elaborate design
...I was so clumsy and fumbling and embarrassed that my behavior throughout lunch amounted to one long and elaborate apology which, when she offered me a second dessert, I saw she had accepted.
elaborate = detailed
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.118.4 |
3 —3 uses as in:
an elaborate wink
Brinker turned elaborately toward him.
elaborately = in an exaggerated manner
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:to exaggerate an action
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.99.9 |
engage
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
engage in conversation
I could tell that because the obstinate, competitive look left his face as his mind became engaged for the first time.
engaged = involved
From page 169.6 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of engage means:to interact in various ways — such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract
The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
- "They engaged in debate." — participated
- "She engaged him in conversation." — involved
- "She is an engaging conversationalist." — interesting
- "She has an engaging smile." — attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
- "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." — attracts and involves
- "She engages with her constituents." — interacts in a meaningful way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.169.6 |
explicit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
explicit instructions
There was no rule explicitly forbidding exercise at such an hour, but it was not expected; ordinarily therefore Mr. Ludsbury would have disapproved.
explicitly = clearly and specifically
From page 121.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of explicit means:clear and with enough detail so there is no confusion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.121.3 |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlight the main findings
He was all color, painted at random, but none of it highlighted his grief.
highlighted = emphasized (called attention to)
From page 148.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:emphasize (call attention to something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10, p.148.9 |
imply
2 uses
In the air there was only an edge of coolness to imply the coming winter.
imply = suggest or indicate
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.72.4 |
infirmary
17 uses
I couldn't escape a confusing sense of having lived through all of this before—Phineas in the Infirmary, and myself responsible.
infirmary = a small facility where patients receive treatment
Definition
Generally infirmary means:a small facility where patients receive treatment — such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.61.1 |
novel
3 uses
Not because he wanted to be forgiven for missing the meal—that didn't interest him at all, he might have rather enjoyed the punishment if it was done in some novel and unknown way.
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.22.3 |
preserve
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
preserve the records
The thing to be was careful and self-preserving.
preserving = protecting
Definition
Generally this sense of preserve means:to protect something or to keep it as it is
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.9.4 |
refute
1 use
I was so committed to refuting him that I had half-denied the charge before I understood it;
refuting = arguing that something is false
From page 114.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.114.9 |
tone
20 uses
The doctor didn't look at me, and barely changed his tone of voice. "Sports are finished for him, after an accident like that."
tone = quality of voice expressing a feeling
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.24.9 |