accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 21 uses
1 —17 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.
accordance = keeping
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 | 17 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
2 —4 uses as in:
done of her own accord
She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
atrophy
1 use
Muscles that are not used will quickly atrophy.
atrophy = wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Definition
Generally atrophy means:to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
benevolent
4 uses
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
chivalry
45 uses
Ideas of chivalry were popularized in medieval literature.
chivalry = the medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct such as honor, kindness, bravery, and protection of the weak
Definition
Generally chivalry means:the medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct such as honor, kindness, bravery, and protection of the weak
or:
courtesy — especially of men towards women
or:
courtesy — especially of men towards women
Word Statistics
| Book | 45 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
contempt
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
duplicity
1 use
I trust her. Duplicity isn't in her nature or her tool kit.
duplicity = deception
Definition
Generally duplicity means:deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
faction
27 uses
It was a fight between the moderate and liberal factions of the Democratic Party.
factions = sub-groups
Definition
Generally faction means:a sub-group with some interests not shared by the entire group
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
feud
23 uses
Perhaps the most famous American family feud was between the Hatfields and McCoys.
feud = a bitter, long-standing fight
Definition
Generally feud means:bitter hostile argument between two parties — typically long-standing between families or tribes with occasional incidents of violence
Word Statistics
| Book | 23 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
I'm inclined to believe him.
inclined = have a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
on an incline or incline his head
I climbed down the incline.
incline = something that is at an angle (in this case, probably sloping land)
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
irony (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.
ironic = saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
joust
46 uses
I saw the jousting show in Las Vegas.
jousting = a contest in which mounted knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances
Definition
Generally joust means:a contest in which knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances
or:
any kind of contest
or:
any kind of contest
Word Statistics
| Book | 46 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
minute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
keep the minutes
The secretary keeps the minutes of the meeting.
minutes = written record of what happens at a meeting
Definition
Generally this sense of minutes means:a written record of what happened at a meeting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 4 |
obstinate
13 uses
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
perfidy
1 use
She is guilty of perfidy if not treason.
perfidy = an act of deliberate betrayal
Definition
Generally perfidy means:an act of deliberate betrayal; or such behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 3 |
resignation (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.
resignation = a document expressing that someone is quitting a job
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Book 2 |
2 —4 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = (accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Book 1 |
tapestry
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the tapestry hangs in the museum
The Lady and the Unicorn is the modern title given to the six tapestries that are considered to be among the greatest artworks of the Middle Ages.
tapestries = rug-like artworks — often hung on a wall for display
Definition
Generally this sense of tapestry means:rug-like artwork — often hung on a wall for display
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 4 |