accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 10 uses
1 —9 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 | 9 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
2 —1 use as in:
accord her the respect deserved
They expect to be accorded the same respect as any other nuclear armed nation.
accorded = given special treatment
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:to give someone special treatment — especially respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
augment
1 use
Our school hired a new counselor to augment our college counseling service.
augment = enlarge or increase
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
benign
4 uses
She predicts benign economic conditions through next year.
benign = mild or favorable (kind)
Definition
Generally benign means:kindly, mild, or harmless
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
condescending
2 uses
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.
condescending = treating others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
contempt
3 uses
1 —3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
crescendo
2 uses
Campaigning reached a crescendo the day before the election.
crescendo = maximum intensity
Definition
Generally crescendo means:a gradual increase in intensity; or the time of maximum intensity — especially in the loudness of music
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
defendant
9 uses
The defendant is confident she will be found innocent.
defendant = a person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court
Definition
Generally defendant means:a person or institution legally accused or sued in court
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1.1 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I defer to her expertise.
defer = submit
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 1.2 |
deference
1 use
They changed their strategy in deference to the President's wishes.
deference = respect
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
heresy
3 uses
It is a hardline form of Sunni Islam that condemns all other strains as heresy.
heresy = something immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
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 | Scene 1.2 |
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 | Scene 2.2 |
resignation (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 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 | Scene 3.1 |
2 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
saunter
6 uses
It was pleasant to saunter lazily through the park.
saunter = walk leisurely
Definition
Generally saunter means:to walk leisurely
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 3.1 |
scrutiny
1 use
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
testify
7 uses
She testified against the robber.
testified = provided oral evidence in court
Definition
Generally testify means:provide evidence of something — especially to say something under oath in a court of law
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |
testimony
11 uses
Her emotional testimony moved the jury.
testimony = the statement of a witness at a trial
Definition
Generally testimony means:something that serves as evidence — especially a statement at a trial or hearing
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2.2 |