altercation
1 use
We have video of the altercation.
altercation = a noisy argument, confrontation, or fight
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.66 |
apprehend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
apprehend the criminal
Police are determined to apprehend the murderer.
apprehend = catch and arrest
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to capture and arrest someone suspected of breaking the law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.219.3 |
cower
2 uses
She cowered in fear.
cowered = showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Definition
Generally cower means:show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.65.7 |
derelict
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
derelict ship
The report indicated that at that time Detroit had over 70,000 derelict buildings that should be torn down.
derelict = in terrible condition and/or abandoned
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.176.8 |
dubious
1 use
She was dubious, but agreed to come with us anyway.
dubious = doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19, p.256.5 |
fervid
1 use
She is fervid in her support for the candidate.
fervid = characterized by intense emotion
Definition
Generally fervid means:intensely passionate
or more rarely:
extremely hot
or more rarely:
extremely hot
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.77.3 |
florid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
florid color
Symptoms include loss of concentration and a florid face.
florid = a reddish complexion
Definition
Generally this sense of florid means:a reddish color — (especially about someone's complexion or in various medical contexts)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15, p.194.8 |
ominous
3 uses
I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.
ominous = threatening
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.51.5 |
paternal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
paternal grandmother
She is his paternal grandmother.
paternal = related through the father
Definition
Generally this sense of paternal means:related to a father; or characteristic of fathers
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.62.6 |
perpetrator
3 uses
The perpetrator has not been captured or identified.
perpetrator = someone who did something wrong or illegal
Definition
Generally perpetrator means:someone who has does something wrong — usually something illegal
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.219.6 |
pilfer
1 use
She had been pilfering office supplies where she worked.
pilfering = stealing — especially things of little value that are taken on a regular basis
Definition
Generally pilfer means:to steal things of little value — especially on a regular basis
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18, p.237.7 |
ponderous
1 use
The findings were presented in a ponderous three-volume report.
ponderous = large and not elegant (unwieldy or boring)
Definition
Generally ponderous means:large or of great weight; or slow and unwieldy — especially because of size
or
boring — especially because of length
or
boring — especially because of length
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.75.6 |
reflect (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
reflect American Values
Which choice best reflects the overall sequence of events in the passage?
reflects = expresses
Definition
Generally this sense of reflect means:to show something — such as to demonstrate, express, or represent
The exact meaning of this sense of reflect depends upon its context. For example:
- "She says the immorality in the movie reflects American values." — expresses or represents
- "It reflects the selfishness she had seen growing for years." — demonstrates
- "She did not reflect the panic that surrounded her." — demonstrate or show indication of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20, p.270.6 |
2 —1 use as in:
reflect the light/heat/sound
We're replacing all the warning signs with signs that reflect headlights in the dark.
reflect = bounce back light from
Definition
Generally this sense of reflect means:bounce back (rather than absorbing)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19, p.250.9 |
resignation (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Epil., p.284.1 |
2 —2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20, p.266.3 |
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 | Chapter 16, p.204.5 |
slander
1 use
In the United States, it is extremely difficult for someone famous to win a slander lawsuit—almost no matter what is said.
slander = telling lies that damage the reputation of another
Definition
Generally slander means:lie to damage the reputation of another; or the lies told
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20, p.263.9 |
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 13, p.161.5 |
trace
4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
trace the origin or development
Early cat domestication is traced back to China over 5,000 years ago.
traced = found through investigation
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:to find, search, research, or keep track of
This sense of trace usually has to do with information. It's specific meaning depends on its context. For example:
to find or search for something through investigation — often the origin of something:
- "The police traced the call." — found out where it originated
- "We are tracing the lost luggage" — searching for
- "Can you trace the problem to its source?" — find through investigation
- "She traced her family history to discover that her great-grandmother came to the United States from Lithuania when the Nazis occupied it." — discovered something through investigation
to research or report on the development of something
- "She traced the history of the automobile in her paper." — researched the development of something
- "Her presentation traced recent progress in alternative energy solutions." — reported on
to monitor or keep track of the progress or development of something
- "She traces the progress of at-risk students." — monitors information
- "I used binoculars to trace her progress up the mountain." — monitor, follow, or track
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.77.9 |