acquiesce
1 use
She is opposed, but will ultimately acquiesce to the will of the majority.
acquiesce = reluctantly accept
Definition
Generally acquiesce means:reluctant or unenthusiastic compliance, consent, or agreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
benevolent
3 uses
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
despair
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she felt despair
Don't give in to despair.
despair = a feeling of hopelessness
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
She described the loud discordant music as a form of torture.
discordant = unpleasant sounding
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
disparage
2 uses
She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.
disparaging = criticizing or making seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
dowry
5 uses
She was given her inheritance in the form of a dowry.
dowry = money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage
Definition
Generally dowry means:in some societies, money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage
or less formally: money or property a bride brings to a marriage
or less formally: money or property a bride brings to a marriage
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
exasperated
5 uses
She was exasperated by his teasing.
exasperated = greatly annoyed
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
indifferent
2 uses
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
irrational
1 use
I have an irrational fear of spiders.
irrational = unreasonable
Definition
Generally irrational means:not reasonable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
lament
11 uses
She lamented the loss.
lamented = expressed grief about
Definition
Generally lament means:to express grief or regret
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
pavilion
11 uses
We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.
pavilion = large roofed structure without walls
Definition
Generally pavilion means:a large structure separate from a main structure
in various senses, including:
- a large roofed structure without walls — often found in parks
- a temporary structure — such as a large tent to house exhibits at a fair, to provide sports facilities, or to put on a show
- a section of a large hospital or office complex adjacent to other parts
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
peasant
12 uses
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.
peasants = an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
pious
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
pretense
3 uses
The country maintains a pretense of a free press.
pretense = false appearance
Definition
Generally pretense means:a false appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
prodigy
8 uses
She is a child prodigy who may become the greatest opera singer of our time.
prodigy = an impressive master of some skill
Definition
Generally prodigy means:an impressive or wonderful example of a particular quality
or:
a child prodigy (someone who is a master of one or more skills or arts at an early age)
or:
a child prodigy (someone who is a master of one or more skills or arts at an early age)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
refugee
3 uses
We're asking for humanitarian aid to assist and resettle the refugees.
refugees = people who fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation
Definition
Generally refugee means:someone who has fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation; or related to such people
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
relevant
2 uses
Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.
relevant = important (related in a meaningful way)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
remorse
3 uses
There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.
remorse = regret for doing something wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
revere
3 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
somber
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a somber mood
Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.
somber = serious and cheerless
Definition
Generally this sense of somber means:serious and without humor or fun — perhaps sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |