"On the Bridge" and Other Stories

"On the Bridge" and Other Stories Glossary

By · Edited by James Cooper · Last reviewed

inauthenticity

the state of something or someone not being in fact what it or they are said to be; lacking genuineness or sincerity

abutment

a structure built to support the span of a bridge at its ends

pliant

flexible; easily bent (in contrast to rigidity)

denim

a sturdy cotton fabric usually dyed blue and used for jeans

granite

a hard igneous rock often used for building

span

the arched length of a bridge held between supports

diner

a type of American restaurant originally designed to resemble a train's dining car with a long counter and booth seating

exit ramp

a sloped turnoff that allows cars to leave the highway and reduce speed before joining slower traffic

spin the bottle

a party game, typically played by young people, in which someone spins a bottle on its side at the center of a circle of people and kisses whoever the bottle opening is pointed toward

awestruck

filled with fear and wonder

sedan

style of enclosed two- or four-door car that seats four people

butt

the filter end that remains after a cigarette has been smoked

windshield

the wide glass front window of a vehicle

fender

the area around the wheel of a vehicle

sneaker

a type of soft shoe worn for sports or comfort; runner

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