adage
3 uses
Remember the old adage: "It's not how much you earn; it's how much you save."
adage = saying
Definition
Generally adage means:an old saying considered wise by many; e.g., "Actions speak louder than words."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
alacrity
1 use
She completed each assignment with alacrity.
alacrity = quickness
Definition
Generally alacrity means:quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
aphorism
3 uses
She often quotes St. Augustine's aphorism, "Love the sinner and hate the sin."
aphorism = short saying intended to impart wisdom
Definition
Generally aphorism means:a short saying intended to impart wisdom
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
atrophy
1 use
Muscles that are not used will quickly atrophy.
atrophy = wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Definition
Generally atrophy means:to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
bovine
4 uses
She showed a bovine apathy.
bovine = stupid and slow-moving like an ox or cow
Definition
Generally bovine means:belonging or related to the genus Bos (cattle, oxen, buffalo, etc.); or stupid and slow-moving like an ox
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
circumscribe
1 use
I will not let their expectations circumscribe how I live my life.
circumscribe = restrict the boundaries of
Definition
Generally circumscribe means:to restrict something within set limits; or draw a circle around or surround
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
copious
1 use
She took copious notes.
copious = a lot of
Definition
Generally copious means:abundant (large in quantity or number)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
defunct
1 use
They are salvaging equipment out of the now-defunct factory.
defunct = no longer working
Definition
Generally defunct means:no longer in force; or having ceased to exist or live
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
derogatory
1 use
It is unacceptable to use derogatory terms to reference a race or ethnicity.
derogatory = disrespectful
Definition
Generally derogatory means:expressing disrespect or criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
diffident
2 uses
She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.
diffident = hesitant and unassertive
Definition
Generally diffident means:hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
dissociate
1 use
He dissociated himself from the organization.
dissociated = ended association
Definition
Generally dissociate means:end association with
The expression: "dissociate with" means to publicly state one is not associated with someone or something
The expression: "dissociate with" means to publicly state one is not associated with someone or something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
dissonance
2 uses
I find the dissonance in her music disturbing.
dissonance = conflicting sounds
Definition
Generally dissonance means:not going well together; or conflict
especially in these two senses:
- unpleasant musical sound
- inconsistency or conflict between beliefs and actions such as voluntarily taking actions that conflict with beliefs, or holding two conflicting beliefs (also called "cognitive dissonance")
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
doleful
1 use
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
ebullient
2 uses
Her family was jumping for joy, but she was less ebullient.
ebullient = filled with energy and joy
Definition
Generally ebullient means:happy and energetic
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
edify
2 uses
She edifies and inspires supporters everywhere she speaks.
edifies = teaches or instructs
Definition
Generally edify means:to instruct — morally or intellectually
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
facetious
1 use
I trust you didn't take her facetious remarks seriously.
facetious = trivially humorous
Definition
Generally facetious means:trivial humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
fallacy
1 use
The entire argument is built on a fallacy.
fallacy = a mistaken belief
Definition
Generally fallacy means:a mistaken belief; or a common form of incorrect reasoning
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
flaccid
1 use
His flaccid handshake, didn't fill me with confidence.
flaccid = lacking firmness or strength
Definition
Generally flaccid means:lacking in firmness or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
hookworm
2 uses
Today, hookworm in humans is fairly rare in the US, but it remains a major problem in developing countries of the tropics and subtropics.
hookworm = an intestinal parasite
Definition
Generally hookworm means:bloodsucking parasite that has hooked mouth parts to fasten to the intestinal wall of humans or other mammals; generally entering the body through the foot or other skin
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
ligament
4 uses
She tore a knee ligament and has to miss the rest of the season.
ligament = tough fibrous tissue that connects bones
Definition
Generally ligament means:a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilages
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |