Franny and Zooey — Vocabulary
J. D. Salinger
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book a trifle dizzy17 more little bit Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	14	top 2000
incidentalminor expenses (that are not specifically described) She requested reimbursement of $10 for incidental expenses.†more Show sample from book Or will you dream of something a little more cosmic—zum Beispiel, playing Pierre or Andrey in a Technicolor production of War and Peace, with stunning battlefield scenes, and all the nuances of characterization left out (on the ground that they're novel-istic and unphotogenic), and Anna Magnani daringly cast as Natasha (just to keep the production classy and Honest), and gorgeous incidental music by Dmitri Popkin, and all the male leads intermittently rippling their jaw muscles to show they're under great emotional stress, and a World Premiere at the Winter Garden, under floodlights, with Molotov and Milton Berle and Governor Dewey introducing the celebrities as they come into the theatre.†13 more something that comes with something else, but is less important than it Show general definition for incidental (as in: an incidental expense) something that comes with something else, but is less important than it sometimes in a specialized sense, including: incidental expenses or when in context, just incidentals -- minor expenses not budgeted or not specified incidental music -- music in a play, television program, radio program, video game or some other form not primarily musical. (The term is less frequently applied to film music, with such music being referred to instead as the film score or soundtrack.)
	8	top 2000
invariablyalmost always I tell myself to go to sleep early, but I invariably end up watching television late into the night.more Show sample from book When Zooey appeared to have difficulty in remembering something, his hesitation invariably interested all his brothers and sisters,7 more always Show general definition never changing; or always the same
	4	top 200
tactthe ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more Show sample from book You are without a doubt the most tactless person I've ever known in my life.†3 more tact → tactless:the quality of saying or handling things in a needlessly offensive manner Show context notes The suffix "-less" in tactless means without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearless, homeless, and endless. Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
	6	top 2000
incessantcontinuous She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.more Show sample from book ...the old monk explains to him what will happen if the prayer is said incessantly.5 more incessant → incessantly:continuously Show general definition continuous -- often in an annoying way
	6	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book Some Russian peasant, apparently.†5 more used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of l… Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	5	top 2000
monka male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience The Tibetan monk wore an orange robe.more Show sample from book Which apparently was written by a group of terribly advanced monks who sort of advocated this really incredible method of praying.†4 more monk → monks:male members of a religious order living together typically under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
	2	top 100
conformconform → conformist:someone who thinks and acts like others in a group Most teenagers are surprisingly conformist within their subgroup.more Show sample from book And the worst part is, if you go bohemian or something crazy like that, you're conforming just as much as everybody else, only in a different way.†1 more conform → conforming:complying, fitting in, or being similar to what is normal Show general definition to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
	2	top 500
controversialtends to arouse strong disagreement The issue of the death penalty is highly controversial in some states.more Show sample from book True, there was a phone—the controversial private phone—on Buddy's desk.†1 more tending to arouse strong disagreement Show general definition tending to arouse strong disagreement
	2	top 500
underminegradually weaken She has taken every opportunity to undermine my influence with the team.more Show sample from book You talk about undermining people's morale!†1 more undermine → undermining:weakening gradually Show general definition weaken gradually
	2	top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more Show sample from book Her tone couldn't have held more wonder and censure if...1 more harsh criticism Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
	4	top 2000
detestdetest → detests:dislikes intensely She detests politicians who make promises they don't keep.more Show sample from book I mean he was the only person that was there that I know really detests me.†3 more Show general definition dislike intensely
	4	top 2000
assortmentvariety (of something) She bought an assortment of candies to fill the party bags—chocolates, gummies, and lollipops.more Show sample from book She was chinking more audibly than usual, as if a box of assorted household nails had come apart in one of her kimono pockets.†3 more assortment → assorted:a collection containing a variety of a sort of a thing Show general definition a collection containing a variety of a sort of a thing
	1	top 1000
sublimeimpressively wonderful I love good movies, from the silly to the sublime.more Show sample from book At first piecemeal, then point-blank, he let his attention be drawn to a little scene that was being acted out sublimely, unhampered by writers and directors and producers, five stories below the window and across the street.1 more sublime → sublimely:wonderfully Show general definition for sublime (as in: she is sublime) impressively wonderful -- often beautiful or morally admirable
	1	top 1000
sublime#2pure or extreme With a sublime ignorance of human nature, she set out to save the world.more Show sample from book Everyone in the Glass family—Zooey certainly not least—was familiar with this sort of non-sequitur from Mrs. Glass. It bloomed best, most sublimely, in the middle of an emotional flareup of just this kind.1 more sublime → sublimely:completely
	2	top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience) The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more Show sample from book The style of the letter, I'm told, bears a considerably more than passing resemblance to the style, or written mannerisms, of this narrator, and the general reader will no doubt jump to the heady conclusion that the writer of the letter and I are one and the same person.†1 more storyteller Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
	2	top 500
rancorfeelings of deep and bitter anger or hatred She made the suggestion to reduce the partisan rancor.†more Show sample from book She reflected, with apparent rancor.†1 more deep and bitter anger or hatred Show general definition deep and bitter anger or hatred -- especially when long-standing
	3	top 2000
pedanticoverly concerned with book learning Her lectures were too pedantic for my taste.more Show sample from book I'm just so sick of pedants and conceited little tearer-downers I could scream.2 more pedantic → pedants:people too concerned with formal rules, details, or book learning Show general definition too concerned with formal rules, details, or book learning
	3
affectationbehaving in an artificial way to make an impression She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.more Show sample from book Zooey gave a genuine roar of laughter, as if he clearly relished seeing any affectation brought to light, his own included.2 more artificial behavior to make an impression
	2
sequela book that continues the story in a prior book It was in the sequel to the first Harry Potter book.more Show sample from book The sequel, 'The Pilgrim Continues His Way,' is mostly a dissertation in dialogue form on the whys and wherefores of the Jesus Prayer.†1 more something that follows and continues something else Show general definition something that follows and continues something else -- especially a film or book or more rarely: something that follows as a result of something else