altercation
1 use
Actually, two good things had come out of the altercation with Dana Matherson.
altercation = noisy argument, confrontation, or fight
From page 66 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally altercation means: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
Considering we've got nothing better to work with, I intend to tell Chief Deacon that the Mother Paula's vandal has been apprehended.
apprehended = caught
From page 219.3 Typical Usage
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
He didn't particularly enjoy getting roughed up, but the alternative was to cower and beg, which he couldn't lower himself to do.
cower = showing 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
Nearby a white heron posed regally on one leg, in the same tree where the boys had hung their shoes before swimming to the derelict boat.
derelict = in terrible condition and/or abandoned
From page 176.8 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.176.8 |
dubious
1 use
Chuck Muckle whipped off his shades and eyed the patrolman dubiously.
dubiously = doubtfully or suspiciously
From page 256.5 Typical Usage
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
His father had been a robbery detective in Cleveland, Ohio, and his older brother was a homicide detective in Fort Lauderdale—and a detective is what David Delinko fervidly wanted to be, someday.
fervidly = intensely or passionately
From page 77.3 Typical Usage
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
His face was florid and smudged with dirt.
florid = red
From page 194.8 Typical Usage
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
Ominously he pointed the blade of the shovel at the boy in the owl burrow.
ominously = in a threatening manner
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
The captain's tone was one of paternal disappointment.
paternal = like a father's
From page 62.6 Typical Usage
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
So officially he's our perpetrator, understand?
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
Lonna had pilfered the stone from Leon Leep's sock drawer and had gotten it made into a snazzy toe ring for herself.
pilfered = stolen
From page 237.7 Typical Usage
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 steps in the gravel sounded heavy and ponderous, like those of a large man.
ponderous = slow and unwieldy — especially because of size
From page 75.6 Typical Usage
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
His expression reflected both disbelief and humiliation.
reflected = showed
From page 270.6 Typical Usage
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
It must have been a burst of heat lightning, he thought, reflecting off the low clouds.
reflecting = shining (bouncing back)
From page 250.9 Typical Usage
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
Soon afterward, he resigned from the pancake company and took a job as a cruise director in Miami.
resigned = quit (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
Beatrice's face had become a mask of grim resignation.
resignation = acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable
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
He gulped as the beam illuminated something shiny and black in the water, but upon closer scrutiny he saw that it wasn't an alligator.
scrutiny = careful look or inspection
From page 204.5 Typical Usage
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
Young fellow, you'd better get your facts straight before making such outrageous and slanderous charges.
slanderous = of words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
From page 263.9 Typical Usage
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
Roy nodded somberly.†
somberly = solemnly (in a manner that is serious—not cheerful or lighthearted)
From page 161.5 Typical Usage
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
In typical cases of juvenile vandalism, the crimes could be traced to a group of youngsters, each trying to outdo the other for thrills.
traced = followed through investigation
From page 77.9 Typical Usage
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 |