The Catcher in the Rye — Vocabulary
J. D. Salinger
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
13 top 100
compositionoriginal musical creation
Her latest composition blends classical melodies with modern electronic beats.more
Show sample from book
He wanted you to think that the only reason he was lousy at writing compositions was because he stuck all the commas in the wrong place.p.37.912 more
composition → compositions:essays
Show general definition for composition (as in: an original composition) a creative work, the way the creative work is put together, or the act of creating it
Show editor's word notes Context will sometimes make clear that the creative work is the writing of music or an essay, but it can anything -- such as the way the components of a picture are arranged.
10
conceitexcessive pride
Her conceit will be her downfall.more
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...the reason she thought he was conceited was because he happened to mention to her that he was captain of the debating team.p.176.69 more
conceit → conceited:too proud
Show general definition for conceit (as in: confident, but not conceited) excessive pride in oneself, arrogance, or vanity
9 top 2000
analysispsychiatric treatment
I visited the psychiatrist who recommended I undergo analysis.more
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He's helped me to adjust myself to a certain extent, but an extensive analysis hasn't been necessary.p.193.18 more
Show general definition for analysis (as in: psychiatrist suggested analysis) psychiatric treatment -- (using any of many theories of the human mind that use talk therapy to understand the unconscious mind)
2 top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation)
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more
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He adapts himself very well to things.p.71.91 more
adapt → adapts:adjusts (changes to fit different situations)
Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
5
bourgeoistypical middle class
Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.more
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...my suitcases, for instance. He kept saying they were too new and bourgeois.p.141.94 more
represented middle class values
Show general definition typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly

or (in Marxist theory):

typical of the property-owning class
Show editor's word notes Bourgeois is often used to refer to the values of the upper middle class. You may also see the term petit bourgeois to describe very small business owners.

Note that bourgeois, bourgeoisie, and bourgeoise are often interchanged.

Bourgeois is most common and can be used as an adjective or a noun.  Bourgeoisie is typically used only as a noun, and bourgeoise is occasionally used as an alternate spelling of bourgeois.
2 top 500
nonchalantcalm and unconcerned
I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more
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I just got very cool and nonchalant.p.118.31 more
Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
2 top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring
We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more
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He started talking in this very monotonous voice,p.48.91 more
boring
Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
2
annexan addition that extends a main building
The YMCA added an annex where younger children can play.more
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She's waiting in the annex.p.34.81 more
Show general definition for annex (as in: annex of the main building) an addition that extends a main building

or:

to attach something -- especially to something larger or more important
2 top 2000
infirmarysmall facility where patients receive treatment
She felt ill and went to the infirmary.more
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Old Mr. Antolini felt his pulse and all, and then he took off his coat and put it over James Castle and carried him all the way over to the infirmary.p.226.91 more
a small facility where patients receive treatment
Show general definition a small facility where patients receive treatment -- such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
2
stationerypaper and envelopes for writing letters
It was a form-letter, but it was written on the President's stationery with a White House return address.more
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So all of a sudden, I ran like a madman across the street—I damn near got killed doing it, if you want to know the truth—and went in this stationery store and bought a pad and pencil.p.258.91 more
a store selling paper & envelopes for writing letters, and related items such as supplies for an office or for an artist
Show general definition paper and envelopes for writing letters
Show editor's word notes Stationery is commonly confused with stationary; i.e., remaining still. The words are pronounced identically, so be sure to note the spelling. It might help to remember which is which, by thinking "First sit still; then write."
1 top 500
spontaneoussudden and unplanned
Her spontaneous decision to take a road trip led to one of the best weekends of her life.more
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It's this course where each boy in class has to get up in class and make a speech. You know. spontaneous and all.p.238.2
without planning
Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
1 top 1000
unanimouswith everyone in complete agreement
It was a unanimous decision.more
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I mean he was the unanimous choice.†p.74.1
with everyone in agreement
Show general definition with everyone in agreement
1 top 1000
scrupulouscareful and thorough
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.more
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If you knew Stradlater, you'd have been worried, too. ... He was unscrupulous.p.52.6
scrupulous → unscrupulous:unethical
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unscrupulous means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulous. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
Show general definition careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
1 top 2000
harrowingfrightening
It was a harrowing journey through war-torn Afghanistan.more
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Apparently before he phoned me he'd just had a long, rather harrowing letter from your latest headmaster, to the effect that you were making absolutely no effort at all.p.242.1
unsettling
Show general definition for harrowing (as in: a harrowing story) frightening or unsettling
8 top 500
digressdigress → digresses:wanders from a direct course
She always digresses when telling a story.more
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The trouble with me is, I like it when somebody digresses. It's more interesting and all.p.238.47 more
digress → digresses:wanders off topic
Show general definition wander from a direct or straight course -- typically verbally
4
matinéedaytime performance
We can still make the half-price matinée.more
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But the thing was, I'd made that date to go to a matinee with old Sally Hayes, and I needed to keep some dough for the tickets and stuff.†p.147.93 more
Show general definition a daytime performance (of something like a movie or play)
2 top 1000
phasea period of time when someone exhibits unusual behavior
When I was three, I went through a phase when I had an imaginary friend.more
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I'm just going through a phase right now.p.20.91 more
Show general definition for phase (as in: she's going through a phase) a period of time when someone exhibits unusual behavior
2 top 2000
qualmsfeelings of uneasiness
She has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to win.more
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Do you have any particular qualms about leaving Pencey?p.19.81 more
uneasiness
Show general definition feelings of uneasiness -- especially about whether it is right to do something
1 top 1000
recuperaterecuperate → recuperating:regaining health
The patient is recuperating.more
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"I'm still recuperating," I told her.p.126.4
recuperate → recuperating:regaining health or strength
Show general definition to regain good health or strength
1
falsettoa male singing voice with artificially high tones in an upper register
He sings with a falsetto voice.more
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He started laughing in this very high falsetto voice.p.31.2
a male singing voice with artificially high tones (in an upper register)
Show general definition a male voice that is artificially high -- usually while singing