A Perfect Day for Bananafish — Vocabulary
J. D. Salinger
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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protrudestick out
Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.more
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Sybil stared at him, then looked down at her protruding stomach.
protrude → protruding:sticking out
Show general definition to stick out from
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vigorenergy and strength
After a good night’s sleep, she woke up full of vigor and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.more
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Sybil nodded vigorously.†
vigor → vigorously:in a strong or energetic manner
Show general definition strength, energy, or good health
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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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Set loose, Sybil immediately ran down to the flat part of the beach and began to walk in the direction of Fisherman's Pavilion.
a large structure separate from a main structure or temporary
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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resumebegin again
After a brief break, the meeting will resume at 2 p.m.more
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"Whirly Wood, Connecticut," she said, and resumed walking, stomach foremost.
resume → resumed:began again
Show general definition for resume (as in: resume the meeting) begin or take again
Show editor's word notes This sense of resume generally means to begin again or continue after a pause. In usage like, "resumed her seat", it scan also mean to take again.
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incidentalminor expenses (that are not specifically described)
She requested reimbursement of $10 for incidental expenses.†more
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Did Daddy get the car fixed, incidentally?†
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.)
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accentuateaccentuate → accentuates:emphasizes
It's a difficult situation, but she accentuates the positive and does not get overwhelmed.more
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With her little lacquer brush, while the phone was ringing, she went over the nail of her little finger, accentuating the line of the moon.
accentuate → accentuating:emphasizing
Show general definition to emphasize or draw attention to -- possibly to emphasize by increasing
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salvea cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal
She smeared some salve on the wound and then wrapped it in a bandage.more
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On the sub-main floor of the hotel, which the management directed bathers to use, a woman with zinc salve on her nose got into the elevator with the young man.†
a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal…
Show general definition a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal

or:

anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
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cumbersomedifficult to handle
Can you help me move this box? It's not heavy, but it is cumbersome.more
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He picked up the slimy wet, cumbersome float and put it under his arm.
Show general definition difficult to handle or awkward
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elaborateexaggerated
He gave her a slow elaborate wink.more
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She picked up an ordinary beach shell and looked at it with elaborate interest.
Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate wink) to exaggerate an action
Show editor's word notes At times, this sense of elaborate can further imply that an action was exaggerated by prolonging it (performing it more slowly than normal).