Vocabulary in Winesburg, Ohio
Vocabulary Examples in Winesburg, Ohio:
The Book Of The Grotesque
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1
"grotesques..."
See in text (The Book Of The Grotesque)
In the context of Anderson's work, a "grotesque" is a person whose spirit is crippled or deformed in some way and whose perception of truth is distorted. Fixated on one idea, belief, or experience, the person cannot distinguish between what he or she believes to be true and what is true. Obsessed with one "truth," the person is separated from others in society and lives in a state of lonely isolation.
Susan Hurn
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The Philosopher
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5
"presentiment..."
See in text (The Philosopher)
The word "presentiment" means the feeling or belief that something will happen or is about to happen.
Susan Hurn
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"sheepish..."
See in text (The Philosopher)
The word "sheepish" refers to someone who is embarrassed by having a fault or for having done something wrong.
Susan Hurn
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"ass..."
See in text (The Philosopher)
Here, the word "ass" describes someone who is obstinate and perverse (different in a way other people find strange or offensive).
Susan Hurn
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"stalked..."
See in text (The Philosopher)
Here, the verb "stalked" means to walk stiffly or haughtily, as if he were better or more important than others.
Susan Hurn
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Adventure
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3
"phantasies..."
See in text (Adventure)
The word "phantasies" refers to ideas created by the imagination that are not rooted in reality (a variant of "fantasy").
Susan Hurn
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"ineffectuality..."
See in text (Adventure)
The word "ineffectuality" refers to the condition of being unable to act with efficiency or being unable to achieve one's purposes.
Susan Hurn
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"diffidence..."
See in text (Adventure)
The word "diffidence" means hesitation to speak, often the result of a lack of self-confidence.
Susan Hurn
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The Thinker
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5
"innovation..."
See in text (The Thinker)
The word "innovation" means a new idea, device, or method that improves upon what had existed previously.
Susan Hurn
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"gesticulating..."
See in text (The Thinker)
The verb "to gesticulate" means to make motions with the hands or arms, especially when speaking with anger or strong emotion.
Susan Hurn
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"snicker..."
See in text (The Thinker)
The verb "to snicker" means to show disrespect with short bursts of laughter that one attempts to hide but which are obvious.
Susan Hurn
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"resentfully..."
See in text (The Thinker)
The word "resentfully" means in a way that indicates anger with someone or something that is unfair.
Susan Hurn
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"quarryman..."
See in text (The Thinker)
A quarryman is a worker who cuts and removes slabs of stone from a natural excavation site.
Susan Hurn
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An Awakening
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6
"sullen..."
See in text (An Awakening)
The word "sullen" means to be unwilling to talk or engage with others as a result of feeling angry, unhappy, or resentful.
Susan Hurn
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"calico..."
See in text (An Awakening)
The word "calico" refers to fabric made of cotton, often featuring a pattern printed into the fabric.
Susan Hurn
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"accoutrements..."
See in text (An Awakening)
The word "accoutrements" refers to pieces of clothing and equipment used by someone in performing the duties of a particular job. The word is used most often in reference to soldiers.
Susan Hurn
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"dissipation..."
See in text (An Awakening)
The word "dissipation" means excessively self-indulgent, degrading behavior that is wasteful and destructive.
Susan Hurn
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"equilibrium..."
See in text (An Awakening)
The word "equilibrium" refers to a state in which opposing forces are balanced with one not being stronger than the other.
Susan Hurn
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"eaves-trough..."
See in text (An Awakening)
The word "eaves-trough" refers to the gutter affixed under the edge of a roof to catch rain water.
Susan Hurn
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Queer
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6
"incoherently..."
See in text (Queer)
The word "incoherently" means in a way that is illogical, unclear, or difficult to understand.
Susan Hurn
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"indistinguishable..."
See in text (Queer)
The word "indistinguishable" means impossible to recognize as being different from something else.
Susan Hurn
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"sputtering..."
See in text (Queer)
The verb "to sputter" means to speak quickly in a way that is confusing and difficult to understand because the speaker is overwhelmed with emotion or surprise.
Susan Hurn
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"spasmodically..."
See in text (Queer)
The word "spasmodically" refers to someone's erratic movement, characterized by sudden, brief occurrences that happen at different times in no regular pattern.
Susan Hurn
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"aggies..."
See in text (Queer)
The word "aggies" refers to marbles made of polished agate, a colorful mineral found in many types of rock.
Susan Hurn
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"wheedling..."
See in text (Queer)
The word "wheedling" means to deliberately attempt to charm and persuade a listener in order to get what one wants.
Susan Hurn
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Sophistication
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3
"pompous..."
See in text (Sophistication)
The word "pompous" means arrogant; behaving in a serious, formal way that suggests a sense of superiority and importance.
Susan Hurn
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"pedantic..."
See in text (Sophistication)
The word "pedantic" means unimaginative; narrowly focused on minor details and small errors; inclined to demonstrate being learned in an annoying way.
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"The sadness of sophistication has come to the boy..."
See in text (Sophistication)
"Sophistication" in this context refers to the loss of innocence as a young person comes of age. A coming-of-age theme runs throughout the collection of stories through the character of George Willard.
Susan Hurn
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