All 3 Uses of
appropriate
in
The Great Gatsby
- "Let's get out," whispered Jordan, after a somehow wasteful and inappropriate half-hour.
p. 45..0inappropriate = improperstandard prefix: The prefix "in-" in inappropriate means not and reverses the meaning of appropriate. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
- I think he hardly knew what he was saying, for when I asked him what business he was in he answered, "That's my affair," before he realized that it wasn't the appropriate reply.
p. 90..3appropriate = suitable (fitting for the situation)
- And it was from Cody that he inherited money — a legacy of twenty-five thousand dollars. He didn't get it. ... He was left with his singularly appropriate education; the vague contour of Jay Gatsby had filled out to the substantiality of a man.
p. 101..0 *appropriate = suitable or fittingeditor's notes: This editor thinks Nick is saying that Gatsby, during his time with Cody, received an education that prepared him to lead a life suitable of a wealthy man. Recall that James Gatz invented Jay Gatsby when he met Cody. At first there was just a vague contour of Jay Gatsby. In this context, a contour is an outline or a hollow shape. That contour was substantially filled out during their time together.
Definition:
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(appropriate as in: it is appropriate) suitable (fitting) for a particular situation