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anticipate
regard something as probable or likely
The next day I found a market on Broadway and bought an apple, if she didn’t want me I would leave, I didn’t know where I would go, but I would turn around and walk away, there was no note on her window, so I threw the apple,
anticipating the glass that would rain down on me, I wasn’t afraid of the shards, the apple went through her window and into her apartment, the doorman was standing in front of the building, he said, “You’re lucky that was open, pal.”
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philanthropist
someone who makes charitable donations
In the days and weeks that followed, I read the lists of the dead in the paper: mother of three, college sophomore, Yankees fan, lawyer, brother, bond trader, weekend magician, practical joker, sister,
philanthropist.
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dote
shower with love; show excessive affection for
In the days and weeks that followed, I read the lists of the dead in the paper: mother of three, college sophomore, Yankees fan, lawyer, brother, bond trader, weekend magician, practical joker, sister, philanthropist, middle son, dog lover, janitor, only child, entrepreneur, waitress, grandfather of fourteen, registered nurse, accountant, intern, jazz saxophonist,
doting uncle.
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aficionado
a serious devotee of some particular music genre
In the days and weeks that followed, I read the lists of the dead in the paper: mother of three, college sophomore, Yankees fan, lawyer, brother, bond trader, weekend magician, practical joker, sister, philanthropist, middle son, dog lover, janitor, only child, entrepreneur, waitress, grandfather of fourteen, registered nurse, accountant, wine
aficionado.
In this case, a devotee of wine.
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avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
In the days and weeks that followed, I read the lists of the dead in the paper: mother of three, college sophomore, Yankees fan, lawyer, brother, bond trader, weekend magician, practical joker, sister, philanthropist, middle son, dog lover, janitor, only child, entrepreneur, waitress, grandfather of fourteen, registered nurse, accountant, wine aficionado,
avid reader.
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palette
a board on which an artist mixes paints
I went to the art supply store to buy some clay, I couldn’t keep my hands to myself, the pastels in long boxes, the
palette knives, the handmade papers hanging on rolls, I tested every sample, I wrote my name in blue pen and in green oil stick, in orange crayon and in charcoal, it felt like I was signing the contract of my life.
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betray
disappoint, abandon, or prove undependable to
I thought she would say no, she said, “If he ever sees you, you will have
betrayed me.”
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unison
the act of occurring together or simultaneously
He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed, I could feel his heart beating against my heart, they were trying to beat in
unison, without saying a word he turned around and rushed away from me, out of the store, into the street
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vulnerable
capable of being wounded or hurt
“He’s very
vulnerable,” I said.
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intimidating
discouraging through fear
“Did he sound
intimidating?”
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negotiable
able to be arranged by compromise
Instead I was in the position of telling people that the prices for his belongings weren’t
negotiable.
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discerning
having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
“He had a very
discerning eye.”
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sympathetic
expressing compassion or friendly fellow feelings
“They were
sympathetic, but without the key, I was stuck.”
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daunting
discouraging through fear
But the more letters you wrote to me, and the more of yourself you gave, the more
daunting my task became.
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facilitate
make easier
I would be happy to do anything possible to
facilitate such a path.
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vast
unusually great in size or amount or extent or scope
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that the
vast majority of the universe is composed of dark matter.
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sapling
young tree
It became a
sapling, which became a seed.
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biodegradable
capable of being decomposed
I invented a
biodegradable car.
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inertia
the tendency of something to stay in rest or motion
In my brain I made “shoe” and “
inertia” and “invincible.”