arrogant
4 uses
I took him for one of those arrogant investment-banker types from the Brandt side.†
arrogant = having an excessive sense of superiority
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 2, p.180.5 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
No attribution.†
attribution = the act of crediting (a source for something)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
From page 66.6 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.66.6 |
bolster
1 use
I felt Claire's hand bolstering my arm, and leaned into her.
bolstering = supporting
From page 51 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of bolster means:support or strengthen
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.51 |
brief (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
briefed her
McBride had to be back in the office for a press briefing on the investigation.
briefing = to give a summary of important information to someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.33.7 |
2 —1 use as in:
legal brief
With a sigh, she shifted a tower of briefs aside.
briefs = summaries of important facts — especially opinions regarding a legal case
From page 240.5 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of brief means:a summary of important facts — especially an opinion of a legal case
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 3, p.240.5 |
byline
1 use
The byline read Cindy Thomas.
byline = printed line giving the name of the writer of an article
From page 38.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of byline means:a line giving the name of the writer of an article — typically at the top of the article
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.38.4 |
chronicle
29 uses
After two years spent covering local interest on the Metro desk of the Chronicle, Cindy could feel a story that might jump-start her career.†
chronicle = a record of events; or the act of creating such a record or telling others of the events
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.28.7 |
coincide
1 use
You stayed two nights, coinciding with the Voskuhl murders.†
coinciding = to be similar — especially to happen at the same time or place
From page 311.2 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 3, p.311.2 |
condescending
3 uses
He has no idea how condescending he can be.†
condescending = treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.43.2 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
In contrast, mine looked about as densely packed as a political headquarters two hours after the candidate has conceded.†
in contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
From page 15 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.15 |
cultivate
2 uses
We cultivated it with our children.†
cultivated = developed, grown, or prepared for growing crops
Definition
Generally cultivate means:enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
- to grow crops or prepare land for them
- enhance a relationship — especially for a purpose
- develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
- to grow a culture in a petri dish
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 2, p.228.7 |
disdain
1 use
She would have every reason to look at me with complete disdain — but she didn't.†
disdain = a lack of respect
From page 331.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 4, p.331.9 |
epiphany
1 use
Our eyes locked in one of those shining moments of epiphany.
epiphany = sudden realization
From page 386.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally epiphany means:a sudden realization — especially one of importance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 4, p.386.1 |
evaluate
3 uses
I hesitated, giving him an evaluating stare.†
evaluating = thinking carefully and making a judgment about
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.46.6 |
mentor
2 uses
"By any chance" — I leaned forward, no longer able to control my tone — "were you mentoring Kathy in Cleveland last Saturday, the night she was killed?"†
mentoring = guiding and advising
Definition
Generally mentor means:someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Book 3, p.265.1 |
nevertheless
1 use
Nevertheless, I have to come back to this particular fan.†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
From page 264 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 3, p.264 |
passage
1 use
There's a passage in Thoreau: "Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in."†
passage = a short part of a longer written work
From page 104.4 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 2, p.104.4 |
scorn
1 use
I wanted Jacobi's sarcasm, Sam Roth's scorn, jogging on the Marina Green.†
scorn = disrespect or reject as not good enough
From page 168.4 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Book 2, p.168.4 |
testify
4 uses
I had gone up against his firm once or twice in the witness box, testifying in homicide cases.†
testifying = providing 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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Book 1, p.80.4 |
yield
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
Raleigh's interview with the groom's parents had yielded nothing eventful.†
yielded = produced
From page 197.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Book 2, p.197.3 |