Teddy — Vocabulary
J. D. Salinger
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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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
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stimulateencourage activity or development At the beginning of her lectures, she typically starts with a question to try to stimulate curiosity.more Show sample from book It stimulates him too much.†1 more stimulate → stimulates:encourages growth or excitement, or causes something to happen Show general definition to encourage growth, interest or excitement, or to cause something to happen
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primarilymainly Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?more Show sample from book Aren't emotions what poets are primarily concerned with?† Show general definition mainly (most importantly)
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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.†1 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
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objectivefact-based (not influenced by personal feelings or preferences) By any objective analysis, you would have to agree that...more Show sample from book Teddy glanced briefly, objectively, at Myron. objective → objectively:in an unbiased manner (without the influence of personal feelings or preferences) Show general definition for objective (as in: an objective viewpoint) fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences Show editor's word notes Objective is often contrasted with subjective--which means "influenced by personal belief, feelings, or preferences (rather than being based purely upon fact)."
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tentativetentative → tentatively:in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence) The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.more Show sample from book He sat down, tentatively, on the extended leg attachment of his chair, tentative → tentatively:carefully Show general definition for tentative (as in: said it tentatively) done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
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controversialtends to arouse strong disagreement The issue of the death penalty is highly controversial in some states.more Show sample from book It is quite controversial and Mrs. Mandell is a poet besides.† tending to arouse strong disagreement Show general definition tending to arouse strong disagreement
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entityperson or organization The law applies to any legal entity that can enter into a contract.more Show sample from book He shifted in his seat and took out an eyesore of a handkerchief—a gray, wadded entity—and blew his nose.† person, organization, or anything with a separate existence Show general definition a person, organization, lifeform, or anything with a separate existence
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ambiguousunclear because it could be interpreted in different ways The detective found the suspect’s statement ambiguous, unsure whether it was a confession or a denial.more Show sample from book "What would you do if you could change the educational system?" he asked ambiguously.† ambiguous → ambiguously:unclear -- because there could be two or more interpretations Show general definition unclear -- because there could be two or more interpretations
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inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book Teddy turned around at the waist, without changing the vigilant position of his feet on the Gladstone, and gave his father a look of inquiry, whole and pure.† questioning or investigating Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
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demeanormanner of behavior His calm demeanor reassured everyone during the crisis.more Show sample from book His youngness and single-mindedness were obvious enough, but perhaps his general demeanor altogether lacked, or had too little of, that sort of cute solemnity that many adults readily speak up, or down, to.† the manner in which a person behaves Show general definition the manner in which a person behaves
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cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book Words and expressions to look up in library tomorrow when you return the books— Nephritis myriad gift horse cunning triumvirate Be nicer to librarian.† good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
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continuousconstant (uninterrupted) The national power grid is under almost continuous attack.more Show sample from book Not continuously or anything, but fairly often.† continuous → continuously:continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity Show general definition continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
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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 Nonetheless, he was well within hearing of his father's voice—his father's voice, that is, most singularly.† 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.)
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cordialfriendly The countries share a long border and have cordial relations.more Show sample from book "Mind if I sit down a minute?" the young man asked, with what seemed to be unlimited cordiality.†1 more cordial → cordiality:friendliness Show general definition for cordial (as in: a cordial reception) friendly -- usually warm and heartfelt, but possibly only polite
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incarnatein the form of a human body She described him as the devil incarnate.more Show sample from book But I wouldn't have had to get incarnated in an American body if I hadn't met that lady.†2 more incarnate → incarnated:embodied Show general definition embody (made real in a material sense) -- especially in the form of a human body, but sometimes figuratively
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sacrilegedisrespect of something sacred They consider it sacrilege to depict Muhammad in a drawing.more Show sample from book Absolute sacrilege.†1 more disrespect of something others consider important or sacred Show general definition disrespect of something others consider important or sacred
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connotationa suggested idea or feeling that goes beyond something's primary meaning While “cheap” can simply mean inexpensive, it sometimes has a negative connotation, implying poor quality.more Show sample from book Though his speaking voice was, in the usual connotation, well bred, it carried considerably more than adequately, as though he had some sort of understanding with himself that anything he had to say would sound pretty much all right—intelligent, literate, even amusing or stimulating—either from Teddy's vantage point or from that of the people in the row behind, if they were listening.† Show general definition a suggested idea or feeling that goes beyond something's primary meaning
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unobtrusiveunobtrusive → unobtrusively:fitting in so as not to attract much attention or disturb The web site has a lot of ads, but they are unobtrusively placed on the far right of the screen.more Show sample from book Not a minute later, though, he turned up, obtrusively vertical, among the deck-chair ranks.† unobtrusive → obtrusively:in a manner that attracts undesired attention or imposes on others Show context notes Unobtrusive is encountered more than twice as commonly as any form of obtrusive without the prefix un-. The prefix "un-" in unobtrusively means not and reverses the meaning of obtrusively. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
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perfunctorydone without much interest or effort She gave us menus and a perfunctory smile.more Show sample from book Finished tying his sneaker lace, Teddy perfunctorily gave his mother a kiss on the cheek.† perfunctory → perfunctorily:without much interest or effort Show general definition done without much interest or effort -- especially as when dispensing with a formality