accord
11 uses
1 —11 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
The phrases could mean many things according to the expression and tone used in saying them.
according to = depending upon (or in keeping with)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
beguile
4 uses
The Nolan men grew handsomer, weaker and more beguiling with each generation.†
beguiling = charming or enchanting; or deceiving through charm
Definition
Generally beguile means:to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive — especially through charm
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
concede
6 uses
"Yes, he's a good boy," conceded Francie, "but even if he was bad, you wouldn't notice it."
conceded = admitted
Definition
Generally this sense of concede means:to yield or admit — usually after dispute
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
contrite
2 uses
Francie was instantly contrite.
contrite = sorry (for a fault or offense)
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
deride
2 uses
"Clock watcher," commented a girl derisively.
derisively = contemptuously (with treatment as inferior and unworthy of respect)
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
emulate
1 use
Fastidious Johnny had bought his own cup, emulating men who were in better circumstances.
emulating = imitating
Definition
Generally emulate means:imitate (copy)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
enigma
1 use
In spite of her terrifying frankness and overwhelming naivete, he really knew nothing about her and he was tired of living with an enigma.
enigma = something mysterious that cannot be understood
Definition
Generally enigma means:something mysterious that seems unexplainable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
He was to succeed a distant relative, an aged country lawyer who had a well-established practice.†
established = long-successful
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 49 |
indifferent
5 uses
She was plain and dull and indifferent to life.
indifferent = uninterested
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
indignant
7 uses
"I wasn't snooping," said Katie indignantly.
indignantly = with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
inevitable
3 uses
All the neighborhood could think or talk about was the inevitability of war.
inevitability = certainty that it would happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 47 |
inhibit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she is shy and inhibited
" A few uninhibited ones did what they called "play dirty.†
uninhibited = acting naturally without being overly self-conscious
(Editor's note: The prefix "un-" in uninhibited means not and reverses the meaning of inhibited. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "un-" in uninhibited means not and reverses the meaning of inhibited. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally this sense of inhibited means:unable to act naturally due to being overly self-conscious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
inquire
8 uses
Francie stopped reading and looked up inquiringly.
inquiringly = questioningly (in a manner that seeks information)
Definition
Generally inquire means:to ask about or look into something
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
Judaism
18 uses
When the fire had burned down to embers, the boys raided the pushcarts of the Jewish merchants and stole potatoes which they roasted in the ashes.
Jewish = believers in Judaism (the oldest of the three major monotheistic religions) or members of it's culture
Definition
Generally Judaism means:the oldest of the three major monotheistic religions — having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Torah and in the Talmud
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
matinée
3 uses
Mama had dressed and gone off with Aunt Sissy to see a matinee from a ten-cent gallery seat.†
matinee = daytime performance
Definition
Generally matinée means:a daytime performance (of something like a movie or play)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
orthodox
1 use
It was unorthodox for Mr. Jenson to keep the children out of class to dry
unorthodox = unusual (not conforming to what is commonly accepted)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unorthodox means not and reverses the meaning of orthodox. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unorthodox means not and reverses the meaning of orthodox. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
Definition
Generally orthodox means:normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
prosaic
1 use
Francie thought her diary would be like that, but excepting for some romantic observations on Harold Clarence, actor, the entries were prosaic.
prosaic = lacking anything unusual or interesting
Definition
Generally prosaic means:lacking anything unusual, interesting, or challenging
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
resume
8 uses
Then the conversation was resumed—but this time in whispers.
resumed = begun again
Definition
Generally resume means:begin or take on again
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
surreptitious
3 uses
The midwife surreptitiously confiscated the caul and later sold it to a sailor from the Brooklyn Navy Yard for two dollars.
surreptitiously = secretly
(editor's note: "Confiscated the caul," could be worded as "took the membrane that covered the head." Some believed the membrane brought luck.)
(editor's note: "Confiscated the caul," could be worded as "took the membrane that covered the head." Some believed the membrane brought luck.)
Definition
Generally surreptitious means:done secretly or in a manner that avoids notice
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
torment
15 uses
People in the house were tormented almost to death by his incessant fumbling cornet practice.
tormented = made to suffer
Definition
Generally torment means:to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |