Johnny Got His Gun — Vocabulary
Dalton Trumbo
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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democracya system of government in which citizens have power with equal votes
The United States has a representative democracy.more
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What do you care about making the world safe for democracy?†13 more
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foremansupervisor
She complained to the shop foreman.more
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...the night foreman kept a close watch on his crew.9 more
a person who is in charge of other workers
Show general definition a person chosen to lead and speak for a group, especially at work or in a courtroom
Show editor's word notes At work, a foreman is the worker who supervises and directs other workers, often in factories, workshops, or on construction sites. In a court case, the foreman is the juror selected to lead the jury and announce its decision.
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deliberatedeliberate → deliberately:intentionally
She didn't forget. She deliberately skipped the meeting.more
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He hadn't deliberately planned to be there because it was a couple of blocks out of his way and he was really awfully tired.2 more
Show general definition for deliberate (as in: deliberate insult) to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
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deliberate#2careful and slow
She is a deliberate thinker--not the fastest, but always thorough.more
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She did them ... so deliberately that even her movements seemed thoughtful.2 more
deliberate → deliberately:carefully and slowly
Show general definition for deliberate (as in: a deliberate thinker) done with great care -- often slowly
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pavilionfreestanding structure without walls
We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more
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When they came of an age to take girls out on dates they always took them to the pavilion in the fair grounds.3 more
a large structure separate from a main structure (perhaps a large roofed structure without walls)
Show general definition a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or design -- often used for gatherings, exhibitions, or specialized purposes
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sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully
While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more
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Nine million corpses later, when the bands stopped and the serenities started running, the wail of bagpipes would never again sound quite the same.†1 more
serene → serenities:in a manner that is calm and untroubled
Show general definition calm and untroubled
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speculatespeculate → speculated:thought and guessed without certainty
Philosophers have speculated on the question for thousands of years.more
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Each member of the family had a little cache of gifts hidden somewhere in the house away from the others. It was very dishonorable for anyone to snoop on the day before Christmas so no one ever did but there was no harm in speculating upon where the gifts might be hidden.1 more
speculate → speculating:wondering or guessing
Show general definition for speculate (as in: don't know, but I'll speculate) to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
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pactagreement
The two countries signed a non-aggression pact.more
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Let them form blocs and alliances and mutual assistance pacts and guarantees of neutrality.2 more
pact → pacts:agreements between parties
Show general definition an agreement between parties
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twilightthe light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.more
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It seemed that the blackness in his eyes was changing to something purple something like twilight blue.2 more
the color of the sky at the time of day between daylight and darkness
Show general definition for twilight (as in: pink clouds in a twilight sky) the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
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suppresssuppress → suppressed:kept from spreading
She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.more
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Since Mr. Blanshard fell into what I hope was unconscious error both as to the period of the book's "production" and the title under which it was "produced," I can't place too much faith in his story of its suppression.†1 more
suppress → suppression:the act of trying to keep under control
Show general definition trying to keep under control
The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "suppressed the revolution" -- to stop others from doing something by force
  • "suppressed a smile" -- kept something from happening
  • "suppressed the story" -- kept news from spreading
  • "suppressed her fear" -- controlled an emotion
  • "suppressed the memory" -- avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory)
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Suppress and repress can be interchanged; though in psychology something that is repressed is done unconsciously while something that is suppressed is done voluntarily.
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torrentan overwhelming amount
She screamed a torrent of abuse.more
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The rest of the letters tumbled into his mind in a perfect torrent.†1 more
an overwhelming amount -- especially of quickly moving water
Show general definition an overwhelming amount -- especially of quickly moving water
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recedediminish (decrease)
Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more
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Then the vibrations receded and there was a sharp little tremor of the door closing and he knew he was alone.†1 more
recede → receded:move away or diminished (became less)
Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less)
The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example:
  • "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away
  • "Her fear receded." -- diminished
  • "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away
  • "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention
  • "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead)
  • "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
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yearnstrongly desire or wish
I yearn for her return.more
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The piano kept time with the bell and the bell with the piano and in back of it there was thick silence and a yearning to listen and lonesomeness.†1 more
yearn → yearning:strongly desiring; or a strong desire
Show general definition have a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have
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elaborateexplain in detail
Please elaborate on the reasons you think this is the best plan.more
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Reading it once more after so many years, I've had to resist a nervous itch to touch it up here, to change it there, to clarify, correct, elaborate, cut.
add detail
Show general definition for elaborate (as in: elaborate on your plan) add details or explain in detail
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parleydiscussion or negotiation
The rival leaders agreed to a brief parley to negotiate a ceasefire.more
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Parley vous parley vous yes sir no sir lonesome honey where's that American voice?†5 more
a negotiation or discussion -- especially between enemies
Show general definition a negotiation or discussion -- especially between enemies
3
benefactorfinancial supporter
She is the largest benefactor of the museum.more
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How was he to get out of the job Jody Simmons had given him in order to take the new job without offending his benefactor?†2 more
someone who helps a person or organization -- especially financially
Show general definition someone who helps a person or organization -- especially financially
3
festerfester → festered:grew worse over time
For over a year the memory and the desire for vengeance festered in her heart.more
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But if you had the same hole and no maggots you simply festered for a while and then you had gangrene.2 more
fester → festered:suffered inflammation and created pus
Show general definition to grow worse or more intense over time, especially when ignored; or, in the case of a wound, to become inflamed and filled with pus
2
heathenheathen → heathens:people who do not believe in Christianity
The crusaders called them heathens and they called the crusaders infidels.more
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To talk with Lucky to be with Lucky to lie with Lucky was like finding peace in a heathen country it was like breathing the air of a place you love when you're sick and dying for a breath of it.†1 more
someone who is not civilized or not moral  OR  an offensive term for a person who does not believe in a preferred religion
Show general definition an often offensive (sometimes humorous) word for someone seen as uncivilized or immoral, especially because she does not share the speaker’s religion or comes from a culture unfamiliar with it
Show editor's word notes This word is usually judgmental or insulting, so today it is used mostly in joking contexts or when describing older attitudes.
2
indebtedgrateful for a favor
I am indebted to you for your hospitality.†more
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That made him indebted to Jody Simmons no?†1 more
to be grateful for a favor; OR  to owe money…
Show general definition to be grateful for a favor; or to owe money; or to be in the position of owing a debt of gratitude
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impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought)
She regretted her impetuous promise.†more
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It read Dear Howie why were you so impetuous stop I am miserable thinking what you have done stop please forgive me and come right back to Shale City stop I hate Glen Hogan stop love Onie.†
impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought)
Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence