accompany
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accompany on the journey
Two men accompanied Cole on this final leg of his journey.
accompanied = traveled with
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
acknowledge
3 uses
As the Circle sat down, the Keeper drew in a deep slow breath, looking around to acknowledge each person.
acknowledge = express recognition of
Definition
Generally acknowledge means:express recognition of someone or something; or admit something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
If the bear did not turn and run, that left only one alternative.
alternative = something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
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banish
14 uses
You do know that banishment is much harder than any jail cell, don't you?
banishment = being forced to leave a community and not return (in this case, for a period of time)
Definition
Generally banish means:to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
- to force someone to leave a country as punishment
- to push an idea from the mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
consequence
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Life is made up of consequences, and you've sure made some bad choices.
consequences = results from actions (in this case, of decisions and actions)
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
contract
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
legal contract
He broke his contract with the Circle, and he violated our trust.
contract = formal agreement
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
deliberate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —1 use as in:
deliberate insult
It still bugged Cole that Edwin and Garvey wouldn't help with anything. He made up three hamburgers but deliberately put only one in the pan to cook.
deliberately = intentionally
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
2 —10 uses as in:
a deliberate thinker
He picked his footing deliberately along the slippery bottom, working his way upstream.
deliberately = with great care
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:done with great care — often slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
demonstrate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
It demonstrates my point.
Can I ask Cole to help me with a demonstration?
demonstration = display (of a principle)
(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 demonstrate means:to show
The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:
- "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." — show how to do something
- "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." — show how something works
- "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." — showed to be true or proved
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
evaluate
1 use
Then this same Circle could reevaluate him and decide whether he has walked his talk, and whether a sentence is still necessary.
reevaluate = think carefully and make a judgment about something again
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in reevaluate means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "re-" in reevaluate means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.)
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
mock
4 uses
"Why did you bring me out so far?" he asked mockingly. "Were you afraid I'd escape?"
mockingly = in a manner intended to make fun of her
Definition
Generally mock means:making fun of
or:
not real
or:
not real
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
parole
6 uses
...we feel he should be released to parole and to the supervision of one of his parents.
parole = early release from prison (as long as he complies with special conditions)
Definition
Generally this sense of parole means:conditional early release from imprisonment in which a person is required to comply with special conditions
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
We'll be staying until we're positive that he's safe.
positive = certain
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
2 —1 use as in:
had a positive effect
Even jail can be positive if you go in with a good heart.
positive = good or beneficial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
reflection (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
my reflection in the mirror
Reflections of blue and gray swirled on the water as a fresh breeze ruffled the spruce boughs and sent ripples along the shoreline.
reflections = images (seen on a mirror or other shiny surface)
Definition
Generally this sense of reflection means:an image (seen on a mirror or other shiny surface)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
2 —1 use as in:
lit by the reflection
A scrap of roofing tin propped up near the fire acted as a stove and baked the biscuits with its hot reflection.
reflection = energy bounced off of a surface
(editor's note: Usually, we think of light reflecting off of a surface, but in this case, the reflection is heat.)
(editor's note: Usually, we think of light reflecting off of a surface, but in this case, the reflection is heat.)
Definition
Generally this sense of reflection means:light seen after it bounces off a surface to another; or the process of bouncing light, sound, or other energy off of a surface
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
stoke
7 uses
Carefully he stoked the fire once more and sat down to wait for both the flames and his feelings to come alive.
stoked = added fuel or stirred
Definition
Generally stoke means:to add fuel or stir a fire to make it burn hotter; or to make feelings stronger
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
trace (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
found a trace of
The Spirit Bear never once slowed or looked back. Cole fought back his tears until the last trace of white faded into the thick underbrush,
trace = sight (indication)
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:a small quantity; or any indication or evidence of
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
- a small indication that something was present — as in "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace."
- a very small amount of something — as in "The blood test showed a trace of steroids."
- any evidence of something — as in "We did not find a trace of the gene."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
2 —2 uses as in:
trace a picture or outline
He picked up a small stick and traced in the dirt.
traced = drew
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:copy the lines of an image; or draw an outline; or carefully draw a specific pattern
This sense of trace has to do with drawing, but it's specific meaning depends on its context. For example:
copying the outline of an image
- "She used tracing paper to make a copy." — paper you can see through, so that when it is placed on a picture, you can use a pencil to follow the lines of the image being copied
- "She projected the image onto the wall, hung a sheet of paper there, and traced the projected image onto the paper." — followed the lines with her pencil
draw an outline or a specific pattern
- "She used her toe to trace half the fish symbol in the sand." — draw a simple outline
- "The child used a stick to trace circles and swirls in the mud." — draw
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
treacherous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the road is steep and treacherous
Walking over the frosty rocks along the streambed became too treacherous.
treacherous = dangerous
Definition
Generally this sense of treacherous means:dangerous — often in a non-obvious way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |