acquit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she was acquitted
Frankly, I don't see how we can vote for acquittal.
acquittal = an official finding of "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
What d'ya mean, I don't understand it? ... [To the others.] How d'ya like this guy? ...he's telling us how to run the show. The arrogance of the guy!
arrogance = 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
8TH JUROR: He may have lied. [To the 10TH JUROR.] Do you think he lied?
10TH JUROR: Now that's a stupid question. Sure he lied.
8TH JUROR [to the 4TH JUROR]: Do you?
4TH JUROR: You know my answer. He lied.
8TH JUROR [to the 5TH JUROR]: Do you think he lied?
5TH JUROR: I'm not sure . . . [He breaks off and looks nervously around.]
3RD JUROR [leaping into the breach]: You're not sure about what? ...
10TH JUROR: Now that's a stupid question. Sure he lied.
8TH JUROR [to the 4TH JUROR]: Do you?
4TH JUROR: You know my answer. He lied.
8TH JUROR [to the 5TH JUROR]: Do you think he lied?
5TH JUROR: I'm not sure . . . [He breaks off and looks nervously around.]
3RD JUROR [leaping into the breach]: You're not sure about what? ...
breach = break (in this case, the break in the conversation and a break in the shared agreement among most the jurors)
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 would still be an incredible coincidence for another person to have stabbed the father with the same kind of knife.
coincidence = a situation where two things happened the same 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
Nine of us now seem to feel that the defendant is innocent, but we're just gambling on probabilities.
defendant = a person legally accused 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
8TH JUROR: He said fifteen.
3RD JUROR: Now I'm telling you he said twenty. What're you trying to distort . . .
3RD JUROR: Now I'm telling you he said twenty. What're you trying to distort . . .
distort = to alter something in an 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
Now this is where the stories offered by the boy and the State begin to diverge slightly.
diverge = 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
He spent a year and a half in an orphanage while his father served a jail term for forgery.
forgery = making a copy of something and saying it is 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
You are faced with a grave responsibility.
grave = serious and solemn
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
The 8TH JUROR hobbles, dragging one leg, toward the chair that serves as the bedroom door.
hobbles = walked with difficulty (as though with an injury or physical impediment)
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
Being accused of murder isn't necessarily supposed to give him an infallible memory.
infallible = perfect (never wrong or failing)
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
Do you think you have a monopoly on the truth?
monopoly = a situation where there is 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
And no matter where you run into it, prejudice obscures the truth.
obscures = makes it hard to see; or overshadows
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 room begins to darken perceptibly now.
perceptibly = in a manner that is 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
And no matter where you run into it, prejudice obscures the truth.
prejudice = unreasonable and unfair beliefs or feelings — especially against members of a race, religion, or other group
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
You can't refute facts.
refute = disprove (prove that something is false)
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
He resumes his pacing, counting to himself, and reaches the wall.
resumes = begins 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
The 12TH JUROR crosses to the 8TH JUROR and using his closed hand, simulates stabbing the 8TH JUROR in the chest.
simulates = makes an imitation or representation of
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
The woman testified in court.
testified = provided evidence of something — especially 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
Well, I think that testimony that could put a human being into the electric chair should be that accurate.
testimony = a statement that serves as evidence
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 |