"On the Bridge" and Other Stories

"On the Bridge" and Other Stories Glossary

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