For Esme:--with Love and Squalor — Vocabulary
J. D. Salinger
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book My guest, however, calmly moved her chair an inch or two so that her back broke all possible further communication with the home table.3 more though (used to connect contrasting ideas) Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
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however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book He thought if he wrote a letter to an old friend of his in New York there might be some quick, however slight, therapy in it for him.3 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
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contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book This was a statement of faith, not a contradiction, and I quickly switched horses.† contradict → contradiction:something (typically a statement) that disagrees with itself; or (more rarely) the act of disagreeing Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
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candidhonest and direct Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.more Show sample from book To be quite candid, Father really needed more of an intellectual companion than Mother was. honest and straightforward
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acquaintcause to know better You should acquaint yourself with the new computer program.more Show sample from book Are you at all acquainted with squalor?1 more acquaint → acquainted:familiar with Show general definition to cause to know; or to cause to be familiar with
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inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book May I inquire how you were employed before entering the Army?1 more ask Show general definition to ask about or look into something
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poisecomposure (calm confidence -- even when under pressure) She has great charm and great poise.more Show sample from book The next thing I knew, the young lady was standing, with enviable poise, beside my table.1 more composure or grace Show general definition calm, confident, and in control—especially in movement, behavior, or when ready to act
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inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book Please write as soon as you have the time and inclination. inclined → inclination:desire (are in the mood) Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
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perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book 17,——ROAD, ——DEVON JUNE 7, 1944 DEAR SERGEANT X, I hope you will forgive me for having taken 38 days to begin our correspondence but, I have been extremely busy as my aunt has undergone streptococcus of the throat and nearly perished and I have been justifiably saddled with one responsibility after another.† perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
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resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book He opened the envelope, loosely resolved to read the letter straight through, but read only the top half of the first page. Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
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durationtime (during which something continues) I take zinc tablets to help shorten the duration of a cold.more Show sample from book Sincerely yours, ESMA P.S. I am taking the liberty of enclosing my wristwatch which you may keep in your possession for the duration of the conflict.† the time during which something continues Show general definition the time during which something continues
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listlesslacking energy and normal enthusiasm She was listless and bored.more Show sample from book "Show it to ya later," Clay said, listlessly. listless → listlessly:with a lack of energy and normal enthusiasm
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zealactive interest and enthusiasm She attacks each challenge with zeal.more Show sample from book Then, with far more zeal than he had done anything in weeks, he... Show general definition active interest and enthusiasm
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protrudestick out Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.more Show sample from book A comb with a fountain-pen clip protruded, familiarly, from the right-hand pocket of his olive-drab shirt.† protrude → protruded:stuck out Show general definition to stick out from
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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 "Are you at all acquainted with squalor?" I said not exactly but that I was getting better acquainted with it, in one form or another, all the time,4 more filth -- especially a place that is extremely dirty and unpleasant Show general definition (describing a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant -- typically due to poverty
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trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book Clay looked surprised, almost a trifle hurt.4 more little Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
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prolificproducing abundantly She is a prolific artist.more Show sample from book I said that I wasn't terribly prolific.1 more productive (in his writing)
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squaliddirty and unpleasant She lives in a squalid overcrowded apartment in the poorest part of town.more Show sample from book This is the squalid, or moving, part of the story, and the scene changes.1 more unpleasant (possibly repulsive) Show general definition dirty and unpleasant; or (more rarely) immoral
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superficialshallow She has only superficial knowledge on the subject.more Show sample from book They were quite well mated, though, in a superficial way. relating to a surface (perhaps appearances) rather than to anything deep or penetrating Show general definition relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
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posterityfuture generations We must secure the benefits of freedom for ourselves and our posterity.more Show sample from book I'm saving a number of his letters for posterity.† all future generations Show general definition all future generations