accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 10 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
No one was allowed in his private study, and according to Tradd and Abigail, no one entered the room, even when Commerce was out to sea.†
according to = as stated by; or in agreement with
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
2 —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
Mr. McLean, last week at retreat formation, someone came up behind me and said I had two weeks to leave the Institute of my own accord.†
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.30 |
adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
I was talkative in the morning, alive and glowing, one of those dreadful people who were the scourge of the cadets who relished silence and time and vast quantities of caffeine before their bodies could adapt to the shock of marching through a sunless world.†
adapt = change to fit a different situation; or make suitable
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.30 |
adrenaline
1 use
I could feel my heart beat and the fiery, enlivening flow of adrenalin in the blood.†
Adrenalin = a trademark name for the chemical that is the "fight or flight" stimulating hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress
Definition
Generally adrenaline means:"fight or flight" stimulating hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress (making the body feel excited and ready for action)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.37 |
approach
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
approached the city
A plume of smoke hung in the air where he had been standing as Mudge approached my platoon for inspection.†
approached = moved toward
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
bona fide
3 uses
A bona fide, dyed-in-the-wool, legitimate Institute man.
bona fide = real
Definition
Generally bona fide means:real (genuine, true, or sincere)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
cadence
12 uses
The air filled up with the rhythm of cadence.†
cadence = rhythm or recurring pattern
Definition
Generally cadence means:rhythm or recurring pattern of sounds or movements
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.38 |
contempt
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
feels contempt towards her
I heard his name often during plebe week, echoing along the galleries, a name shouted contemptuously by beardless corporals.†
contemptuously = with disrespect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
If you hesitate, if you question, if you refuse, then the full fury of this cadre will descend upon you in terrible force, and together we will drive you out of this school in forty-eight hours.
descend = come
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16 |
discredit
2 uses
You'll be kicked out of school for lying and for reflecting discredit on the Institute.
discredit = damage to the reputation
Definition
Generally discredit means:damage the reputation of — often causing distrust of or disbelief in
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.27 |
eclectic
1 use
The furniture could only be described compassionately as beach furniture, but it reflected an eclectic, practical consciousness at work over the years.
eclectic = distinctive mix of styles
Definition
Generally eclectic means:a distinctive mix of styles or ideas selected from various sources
or:
one who selects a distinctive mix of styles or ideas rather than adopting a common set from a single source
or:
one who selects a distinctive mix of styles or ideas rather than adopting a common set from a single source
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.29 |
florid
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a florid style
He cherished language and its skillful use, and his own style was one of sustained floridity.
floridity = elaborateness (ornamentation)
Definition
Generally this sense of florid means:elaborate (with much decorative detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.27 |
flout
1 use
But flouting the rules of the Institute seems to have been common in this beautiful room.
flouting = openly disregarding
Definition
Generally flout means:to openly disregard — typically a law, rule, or custom
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.41 |
illustrate
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
as illustrated by this example
[ cited cases and gave illustrative examples from the past.†
illustrative = serving to help explain or demonstrate something
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.9 |
irrelevant
8 uses
It is irrelevant to discuss what Mr. Pignetti might have stolen.†
irrelevant = not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.41 |
melancholy
15 uses
The frozen, unconvincing smile is an expression of almost incomprehensible melancholy.†
melancholy = a sad feeling or manner
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
rectify
1 use
I'm so sorry and I'd do anything to rectify it.
rectify = fix (make it right)
Definition
Generally this sense of rectify means:correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.48 |
relevant
2 uses
"I assure you, your honor," Mark said quickly, "the ownership of the car is extremely relevant."†
relevant = relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.41 |
resolute
13 uses
He gave me a look that linked us as spiritual allies, resolute desperadoes in headlong flight from the false and sinister veneer of Charleston.†
resolute = firm in purpose or belief
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.10 |
tyranny
9 uses
The city, river-girt, has a tyrannical need for order and symmetry.†
tyrannical = harsh and unjust
Definition
Generally tyranny means:harsh and unjust rule
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.48 |