Nine Stories — Vocabulary
J. D. Salinger
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book The substance of it seemed to me a trifle thin,12 more just a little (a small quantity) Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	4	top 2000
intellectualrelating to the use of intelligence The job pays my expenses, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.more Show sample from book A flux of circumstances delivered the Laughing Man's best friend, his timber wolf, Black Wing, into a physical and intellectual trap set by the Dufarges.4 more intelligent thought Show general definition for intellectual (as in: intellectual stimulation) related to intelligence -- such as requiring, appealing to, or possessing intelligence
	1
intellectual#2intellectual → intellectuals:highly educated people interested in learning and exploring ideas During China's The Cultural Revolution, many intellectuals were killed or sent to the countryside to do farmwork.more Show sample from book She thinks she's a goddam intellectual.4 more highly educated person interested in ideas Show general definition for intellectual (as in: She is an intellectual.) a highly educated person interested in learning and exploring ideas -- sometimes while ignoring practical considerations
	6	top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book I had no idea what was going on between the Chief and Mary Hudson (and still haven't, in any but a fairly low, intuitive sense), but nonetheless, I couldn't have been more certain that Mary Hudson had permanently dropped out of the Comanche lineup.†5 more Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
	5	top 1000
cordialfriendly The countries share a long border and have cordial relations.more Show sample from book "Hello," he said, cordially, to Ginnie.4 more cordial → cordially:in a friendly way Show general definition for cordial (as in: a cordial reception) friendly -- usually warm and heartfelt, but possibly only polite
	6	top 2000
hideousextremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening The beast had hideous fangs.more Show sample from book In her opinion, it was an altogether hideous room—expensive but cheesy.†5 more
	1	top 2000
acutesharp (severe or very bad) She felt an acute pain in her neck.more Show sample from book The impact of this feat on the Dufarges was so acute that their hearts literally burst, and they dropped dead at the Laughing Man's feet.1 more severely negative (sharp) Show general definition for acute (as in: acute pain) sharp (severe or strong) -- usually negative
	1	top 2000
acute#2excellent (highly perceptive) Dogs have an acute sense of smell.more Show sample from book She looked at me with a kind of fresh acuteness.1 more acute → acuteness:sharpness (perceptiveness and/or intelligence) Show general definition for acute (as in: acute sense of smell) sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
	5	top 2000
incidentalminor expenses (that are not specifically described) She requested reimbursement of $10 for incidental expenses.†more Show sample from book ...Incidentally, if you have a command of the French language, I hope you will let me know as I am able to express myself very precisely in that language, having spent the greater part of my youth chiefly in Paris, France.†4 more incidental → incidentally:of 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.)
	2	top 100
contextcontext → out of context:in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted) She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.more Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words. For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context. Show sample from book They were crossed just enough to be mentioned, and only in context with the fact that one might have thought long and seriously before wishing them straighter, or deeper, or browner, or wider set.†1 more context → in context:with consideration of surrounding setting and conditions Show general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
	5	top 2000
poisecomposure (calm confidence -- even when under pressure) She has great charm and great poise.more Show sample from book After making this last entry, Teddy continued to keep his attention on the page and his ball-point pen poised, as though there were more to come.†4 more poise → poised:calm, confident, and in control Show general definition calm, confident, and in control—especially in movement, behavior, or when ready to act
	3	top 500
competentsufficiently capable She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.more Show sample from book They looked neither strong nor competent nor sensitive.†2 more Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
	2	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book It varies.†1 more vary → varies:differs; or changes Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	2	top 100
advocateadvocate → advocates:publicly supports She advocates stricter gun control.more Show sample from book I advocate no doctrine; it is not my nature to do so.1 more recommend or publicly support Show general definition for advocate (as in: to advocate) to recommend or publicly support (someone or something)
	5	top 2000
squalorextremely dirty and unpleasant living conditions To meet her today, you would never guess she lived in squalor as a child.more Show sample from book For Esme:—with Love and Squalor JUST RECENTLY, by air mail, I received an invitation to a wedding that will take place in England on April 18th.†4 more Show general definition (describing a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant -- typically due to poverty
	2	top 1000
prolificproducing abundantly She is a prolific artist.more Show sample from book I said that I wasn't terribly prolific.†1 more
	3
orthopedicrelating to medical treatment of bones & joints Orthopedic surgeons report increased treatment of sports injuries among the young.more Show sample from book The school was directly over an orthopedic appliances shop.†2 more Show general definition relating to medical treatment of bones & joints
	2	top 2000
myopicnear-sighted (unable to see distant objects clearly) About one in five people in the world is myopic and it is thought to be impacted by genetic and environmental factors.more Show sample from book Ramona's eyes, behind thick, counter-myopia lenses, did not reflect even the smallest part of Mary Jane's enthusiasm.†1 more myopic → myopia:unable to see distant objects clearly… Show general definition unable to see distant objects clearly or (figuratively): not thinking or understanding beyond immediate effect to future or broader effect
	2	top 2000
perfunctorydone without much interest or effort She gave us menus and a perfunctory smile.more Show sample from book Teddy perfunctorily gave his mother a kiss on the cheek.1 more perfunctory → perfunctorily:without much interest or effort Show general definition done without much interest or effort -- especially as when dispensing with a formality
	2	top 2000
squaliddirty and unpleasant She lives in a squalid overcrowded apartment in the poorest part of town.more Show sample from book "Make it extremely squalid and moving," she suggested.†1 more dirty and unpleasant;; OR (more rarely) immoral Show general definition dirty and unpleasant; or (more rarely) immoral