acquit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she was acquitted
It took the jury only 30 minutes to acquit her of the murder charge.
acquit = officially find "not guilty"
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges; or (informally) to find someone innocent of a charge of having done wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
arrogant
3 uses
She is rude and arrogant.
arrogant = with an excessive sense of superiority
Definition
Generally arrogant means:having an excessive sense of superiority
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
breach
1 use
He was sued for breach of contract.
breach = breaking
Definition
Generally breach means:break — as in break an understanding or a break (gap) in a wall
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
coincidence
2 uses
It was a pure coincidence that both got sick the same weekend.
coincidence = a situation where things happened at the same time by chance even though it was unlikely
Definition
Generally coincidence means:a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely
(for example, if two students in the same class met by accident while visiting another country)
(for example, if two students in the same class met by accident while visiting another country)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
defendant
2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
distort
1 use
These sunglasses distort my vision.
distort = alter in an unnatural or untrue way
Definition
Generally distort means:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
diverge
1 use
The two paths diverge here.
diverge = move apart
Definition
Generally diverge means:to move apart; or be or become different
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
forgery
1 use
The painting is a forgery.
forgery = a fake (a copy meant to look like the original)
Definition
Generally forgery means:something that is represented as real even though it is a fake; or the making of such a fake item
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
grave
1 use
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
hobbled
3 uses
After injuring her ankle, she hobbled between classes.
hobbled = walked with difficulty
Definition
Generally this sense of hobbled means:walked with difficulty (due to injury or physical impediment)
or:
hindered (made the action or progress of something difficult)
or:
hindered (made the action or progress of something difficult)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
infallible
1 use
She considers the Pope infallible.
infallible = never wrong
Definition
Generally infallible means:never wrong; or never failing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
monopoly
2 uses
When you have a monopoly you can raise prices.
monopoly = a situation where you are the only supplier of a good or service
Definition
Generally monopoly means:the only supplier of a good or service; or a market with only one supplier
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
obscure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it obscured my view
The stars are obscured by the clouds.
obscured = hidden or made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
perceptible
1 use
The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.
perceptible = capable of being noticed
Definition
Generally perceptible means:capable of being noticed — typically because it is different enough or large enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
prejudice
2 uses
The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.
prejudice = unreasonable and unfair belief or feeling
Definition
Generally prejudice means:to have unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
refute
1 use
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.
refuted = argued against
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
resume
1 use
We hope for a resumption of negotiations.
resumption = the act of beginning again
Definition
Generally resume means:begin or take on again
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
simulate
3 uses
A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.
simulate = imitate or represent
Definition
Generally simulate means:make an imitation or representation of
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
testify
5 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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
testimony
14 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 | 14 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |