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The denotation of the word "tacks" is: "a short, sharp-pointed nail, usually with a flat, broad head". However, the connotation from this word in the poem is described almost as obstacles that they have to go through during their course of life. The definition is provided by

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/ tæk / PHONETIC RESPELLING

noun

a short, sharp-pointed nail, usually with a flat, broad head.

Nautical.

1. a rope for extending the lower forward corner of a course.

2. the lower forward corner of a course or fore-and-aft sail.

3. the heading of a sailing vessel, when sailing close-hauled, with reference to the wind direction.

4. a course run obliquely against the wind.

5. one of the series of straight runs that make up the zigzag course of a ship proceeding to windward.

a course of action or conduct, especially one differing from some preceding or other course.

one of the movements of a zigzag course on land.

a stitch, especially a long stitch used in fastening seams, preparatory to a more thorough sewing.

a fastening, especially of a temporary kind.

stickiness, as of nearly dry paint or glue or of a printing ink or gummed tape; adhesiveness.

the gear used in equipping a horse, including saddle, bridle, martingale, etc.

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verb (used with object)

to fasten by a tack or tacks: to tack a rug to the floor.

to secure by some slight or temporary fastening.

to join together; unite; combine.

Nautical.

1. to change the course of (a sailing vessel) to the opposite tack.

2. to navigate (a sailing vessel) by a series of tacks.

to equip (a horse) with tack.

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verb (used without object)

Nautical.

1. to change the course of a sailing vessel by bringing the head into the wind and then causing it to fall off on the other side: He ordered us to tack at once.

2. (of a sailing vessel) to change course in this way.

3. to proceed to windward by a series of courses as close to the wind as the vessel will sail.

to take or follow a zigzag course or route.

to change one's course of action, conduct, ideas, etc.

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QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "ITS" VS. "IT'S"!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it's and its in this crafty quiz!

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters'; ______ not even comparable.

Idioms for tack

on the wrong tack, under a misapprehension; in error; astray: His line of questioning began on the wrong tack.

Origin of tack
¹

First recorded in 1300-50; Middle English tak, take, takke "buckle, clasp, nail" (later, "tack"); "protective metal plate (on a cart)," from Old North French taque "back of a chimney"; cognate with German Zacke "prong, point," Dutch tak "twig, bough"; the verb is derivative of the noun; see tache, attach

OTHER WORDS FROM tack

tacker, noun tackless, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tack

1. tack , 2. tacks , tact tax

/ tæk / PHONETIC RESPELLING

noun

Origin of tack
²

First recorded in 1740-50; origin uncertain

/ tæk / PHONETIC RESPELLING

noun Scot. and North England.

a lease, especially on farmland.

a catch, haul, or take of fish.

Origin of tack
³

First recorded in 1250-1300; Middle English tak, takke, tac "fee paid to a lord, customary fee," from Old Norse tak "hold, grasp, seizure, goods"; see origin at take

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for tack

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Derived forms of tack

tackless, adjective

Word Origin for tack

C14 tak fastening, nail; related to Middle Low German tacke pointed instrument

Word Origin for tack

C20: shortened from tackle

Word Origin for tack

C15: from tak a Scots word for take

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

see get down to brass tacks; on the right tack; sharp as a tack.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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tæk / PHONETIC RESPELLING a short, sharp-pointed nail, usually with a flat, broad head. Nautical. a rope for extending the lower forward corner of a course. the lower forward corner of a course or fore-and-aft sail. the heading of a sailing vessel, when sailing close-hauled, with reference to the wind direction.

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I chose the word "neighbors" and the denotation of the word is "a person who lives near another". The connotation of the word does not necessarily mean that the person is living directly by you.  This could be a nation that is next to us like Central/South America, etc.

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/ ˈneɪ bər / PHONETIC RESPELLING

noun

a person who lives near another.

a person or thing that is near another.

one's fellow human being: to be generous toward one's less fortunate neighbors.

a person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow humans: to be a neighbor to someone in distress.

(used as a term of address, especially as a friendly greeting to a stranger): Tell me, neighbor, which way to town?

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adjective

situated or living near another: one of our neighbor nations.

verb (used with object)

to live or be situated near to; adjoin; border on.

to place or bring near.

verb (used without object)

to live or be situated nearby.

to associate with or as if with one's neighbors; be neighborly or friendly (often followed by with).

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QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "ITS" VS. "IT'S"!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it's and its in this crafty quiz!

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters'; ______ not even comparable.

Also especially British, neigh·bour .

Origin of neighbor

before 900; Middle English; Old English neahgebūr, nēahbūr (nēah nigh + (ge)būr farmer; see Boer, boor); akin to Dutch nabuur,German Nachbar,Old Norse nābūi

OTHER WORDS FROM neighbor

neigh·bor·less, adjective

Words nearby neighbor

Nehemiah, Neher, Nehru, Nehru, Jawaharlal, neigh, neighbor, neighborhood, neighborhood watch, neighboring, neighborly, neighbour

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for neighbor

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ˈneɪ bər / PHONETIC RESPELLING a person who lives near another. a person or thing that is near another. one's fellow human being: to be generous toward one's less fortunate neighbors. a person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow humans: to be a neighbor to someone in distress.

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I chose the word pain, the denotation for this word is "physical suffering or distress, as due to injury, illness, etc.", which is according to Dictionary.com. I believe the connotation of this word would be the suffering that McQueen felt during his imprisonment. During the poem McQueen is very distinct in his dialogue of how he is being treated by the others around him.

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[ ri-luhk-tuhnt-lee ] SHOW IPA

/ rɪˈlʌk tənt li / PHONETIC RESPELLING

adverb

without really wanting to; unwillingly: I told her to take a break, just for one moment, and she reluctantly pulled away from her work.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "ITS" VS. "IT'S"!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it's and its in this crafty quiz!

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters'; ______ not even comparable.

OTHER WORDS FROM reluctantly

half-re·luc·tant·ly, adverb un·re·luc·tant·ly, adverb

Words nearby reluctantly

rel. pron., relucent, reluct, reluctance, reluctant, reluctantly, reluctate, reluctivity, relume, relumine, rely

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for reluctantly

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Definition of reluctantly | Dictionary.com

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ri-luhk-tuhnt-lee ] SHOW IPA / rɪˈlʌk tənt li / PHONETIC RESPELLING without really wanting to; unwillingly: I told her to take a break, just for one moment, and she reluctantly pulled away from her work. QUIZ YOURSELF ON "ITS" VS. "IT'S"! Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it's and its in this crafty quiz!

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" crystal stair"
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stair
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystal
in mother to son she used the word " crystal stair" more then once, i believe her meaning behind this was she was still fighting her way to the top. so her and her son could have a better chance at life.
i chose this word because not many people would understand or relate to this word.

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"Wall"
The denotation of the word "wall" is "one of the sides of a room or building connecting floor and ceiling or foundation and roof"

(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wall)

The connotation for the word "wall" is an emotional or physical barrier between people.

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"Mending"

According to Dictinary.com the denotation of the word mending is "things to be repaired by sewing or darning."
(https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mending?s=t)
I feel that the connotation for the word "mending" in the poem is the author describing how a relationship between two people has fallen apart and they are woking to fix it and put it back together.

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"Whiskey"

According to Dictianary.com the denotation of the word whiskey is "an alcoholic liquor distilled from a fermented mash of grain, as barley, rye, or corn, and usually containing from 43 to 50 percent alcohol."
(https://www.dictionary.com/browse/whiskey?s=t)
I feel that the connotation for the word "Whiskey" in this poem is describing how the fumes of his fathers breath is so strong it makes the boy almost feel drunk himself.

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"Climbin"

According to Dictianary.com the denotation of the word climbing is "to go up or ascend, especially by using the hands and feet or feet only"
(https://www.dictionary.com/browse/climb)

I feel that the connotation for "Climbin" in this poem would be that when life throws obstacles at you no matter how difficult they are you need to keep going in order to get to your goal. Even if people that you know or love fall behind.

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The denotation of the word large is "relatively great in size, extent or capacity." ( https://www.dictionary.com/browse/large )

The connotation for the word "large" is out of your control.

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I chose the word pocket, the denotation for this word is a small bag sewn into or on clothing so as to form part of it, used for carrying small articles. The connotation for pocket in this reading would be your "worth", your meaning and how you feel about yourself and your life and that is what you are judged by in this reading

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The denotation of the word death is  "the action or fact of dying or being killed." (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/death )

The connotation for the word death is holding on like theres no tomorrow.

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I chose the word climbing'. Where the denotation is to go upward with gradual or continuous progress. Where I think the connotation of this word would be to keep moving on and pushing past your goals, not to literally climb, but to figuratively keep moving and pushing through.

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The denotation of the word torn would be to "pull or rip (something) apart or to pieces with force." (https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/ )

I think the connotation for the word torn, or present tense tare, is that your world is falling apart and after everything happening the final straw is your "boards being torn up."

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I chose to use the word "shacks".. The denotation of the word would be a room or similar enclosed structure for a particular person or use. The connotation that I would choose for "shacks" in this reading would be each little moment in life, each memory, each "room" that we take on in life where things(Memories) can be shared and portrayed. It would be like an external hard drive for your brain/head where things are stored, just like a shack.

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hut, shanty; a room or similar enclosed structure for a particular person or use... See the full definition

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"Dizzy"
The denotation of the word dizzy would be "having a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall; giddy; vertiginous"
(Dizzy | Definition of Dizzy at Dictionary.com)
I think the connotation for "dizzy" in this poem would be having to deal with everything going on around him and the smell of his father breath could make him dizzy.

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"Tacks"
The denotation of the word tacks would be "a short, sharp-pointed nail, usually with a flat, broad head.
(Tack | Definition of Tack at Dictionary.com)
I believe the connotation for "tacks" in this poem would be all the struggles, problems, and road blocks you face in life.

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I chose the word crumbs. It really stuck out to me because I have never seen nor heard it being used this way. Crumbs is usually small fragments or pieces of something baked or any other small particles. The denotation of crumbs is pretty standard in that way. But in "Shacks" by Edward Jones he uses a very well connotation of the word crumbs. He describes the letters returned to him as crumbs because it gave very little information or response compared to his overly written letters that were pages.
Crumbs | Definition of Crumbs by Merriam-Webster (merriam-webster.com)

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"Pocket"                                                       The denotation of pocket is a small bag carried by a person. The connation of pocket here is heavy burdens, deep thoughts of untruth that was emotionally painful to carry.(https://www.meriam-webster.com/dictionary/pocket)

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"Spell"
The denotation of the word spell is a spoken word or a form of words held to have magic power. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spell)The connation of this is more so the tone of voice that is used when the words are spoken, in a yelling tone.

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I choose the word abreast to analyze. The denotation of abreast is side by side, or by each other in a line. I believe the connotation of the word abreast is that there are gaps in between us and our neighbors in both physically and emotional ways that there is such a big space there that it can move past or between us.

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The denotation of stair is a series of steps or flights of steps for passing from level to another.
(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stair)
To me, the connotation of the word stair means progress in life. In the poem the stairs represent the struggles, hardtimes, and doubt his mother faced. However, she kept climbing the stairs and not giving up. You must keep climbing and take many steps in life to reach where you want to be. His mother is reminding him to never give up, and keep climbing the stairs.

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I chose to discuss the word “stair”.

The denotation of “stair” is “a series of steps or flights of steps for passing from one level to another”. ( https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stair )

For me, the connotation of the word “stair” means multiple levels in the journey of his mother’s life that is full of trials and hardships. I feel that Hughes mother says this word to her son to imply that no matter what part of life you are in, there will always be another stair to overcome.

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I also chose the word 'dizzy'. The denotation of the word would be, "having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall". (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dizzy)
However, I think the connotation is in relation to the dizzying experience of being in the presence, or worse, the household, of an active addict and how inherently unstable, insecure and unpredictable that can be, especially for a child. The boy felt as though he had no foundation or security, probably of mind or body.
:(

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I chose the word 'romped' which the denotation is, "to play or frolic in a lively or boisterous manner." (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/romped) The connotation though, while likely still intended as boisterous, I highly doubt it was either a frolic, a play, or even a positive experience. Its as though it is almost sarcastic. or a bitter intended usage.

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I chose the word shacks to analyze. The denotation of shacks is "a room or similar enclosed structure for a particular person or use" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shack). I believe the connotation of the word shacks means the little moments in life and the risks that we take to get to them. We build our own "shacks" on the risks in life that we take that can lead to some of the most amazing things.

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Crumbs:
"I never received a strongly positive response from Sandra, but the crumbs..." (Jones 10)
I chose the word crumbs to analyze. The denotation for the word crumbs is, "a small fragment of bread, cake, or cracker, etc.". The connotation used in Jone's essay is that he never received more than a small or short reply from Sandra. Although there was not much beyond the crumbs Jones kept writing to Sandra. He compared a physical object like a speck of food to Sandra's responses to his letters.

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The word I chose is light; the denotation of light is something that makes vision possible. The connotation of light is good and happiness. It seems that the mother hasn't seen light in a while and wants her son to keep looking for it.

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The dentition of this word is  the act of dying or being killed; end of life. The connotation of the word used here is that no matter what happens he has to hold onto his father no matter how bad things become.

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I chose the word tools to analyze. The denotation of tools is " a hand-held device that aids in accomplishing of a task" (Merriam - Webster). The connotation, for me, is that tools are what helped Jones get through not ever being with Sandra. His letters acted as a tool for him. Tools are any coping mechanism, they aren't just physical items such as screwdrivers and hammers. They can be books (to escape real-life), movies, a comfort show (a show you've seen multiple times).

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The word I chose to analyze for this poem is crystal.  The denotation of crystal is a clear, transparent mineral or glass resembling ice. The connotation of this word is the meaning of an easier life. The mother is describing to the child that her life was never easy and referring to an easy life as crystal stairs.

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The word that I chose to analyze for this poem is blood.  The denotation of blood is the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals, carrying oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body.  The connotation of this word is the overall soul of someone.  When the author talks about something getting into his blood and staying apart of him, he means it in a spiritual way rather than a literal meaning.

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The denotation of front door is "the main entrance to a dwelling or apartment having more then one entrance." (Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary/front%20door).  I believe that the connotation to front door in this essay is referring to Sandra being right at the beginning of her life.

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The denotation of the word hung is defined as 'unable to reach a desicion or verdict" but in this instance i believe the connotation is that he was hanging on for dear life life to a father

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The denotation of the word bare is defined as "lacking a natural, usual or approprate covering" (merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bare) the connotation could mean that he felt no real love from the world or his mother.

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The denotation of gaps is "a break in the barrior"  (merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gap)
The connotation is spaces in between us and our neighbors, emotionally and in distance.

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The denotation of crumbs is "a small fragment especially of something baked, such as bread; a porous aggregate of soil particles" (merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumbs). The connotation of crumbs is a trail left behind of something that he believed in, something to keep him going, something to remember by.  "Crumbs" could be used to describe a scrapbook of a family member or a time in your life, filled with pictures which are the only things you have left to remember the moments by. Like crumbs leftover from something eaten, being the only thing left of what was consumed.
-Shayla Bates

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The denotation of the word waltz is "a ballroom dance in 3/4 time with strong accent on the first beat and a basic pattern of step-step-close." (merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waltz)
A connotation of the word would be saying "you can't just waltz in here like you own the place" describing a bold and possibly ignorant entrance.  In this specific piece I believe the writer was using the word "waltz" to lighten the story of a boy being abused by his father.  The whiskey, frowning mother, holding the boys wrist rather than hand with the battered knuckle, etc..
-Shayla Bates

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The denotation is a device or implement used to carry out a particular function.

The connotation to me is that everyone is born with different skills and they are born knowing little about what to do with those skills.

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The denotation for the word "Dark" is "devoid or partially devoid of light; not receiving, reflecting, transmitting, or radiating light."
The connotation I believe the author was implying in this piece of writing was examining experiences; bad things that happen in life. A "dark" time of struggle and loss.  Another connotation of the word "dark" could be directed toward someone's intentions, like "Evil".

-Shayla Bates

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The denotation of splinter is a small, thin, sharp piece of wood, glass, or similar material broken off from a larger piece. In my opinion the connotation of this is that the mother went through hardships that caused her pain.

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The denotation for death is the end of life. I think the connotation for this word in this story means that the boy hung on to his father with no doubt, doesn't want to lose his grip, kind of like death itself.

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The denotation for the word shacks is a room or similar enclosed structure for a particular person or use. I think the connotation for this word is the moments in life that we create, and how hard it is sometimes to create what happens in our life.

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The word I chose is tacks. The denotation for this word would be a small short sharp-pointed nail usually having a broad flat head. I think the connotation for this in this story is the feelings of sharp pains in her life, the pain she goes though.

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The word I chose is splinter. The denotation is a small thin sharp piece of wood. the connotation is used to describe his life as rough and painful. He uses the word splinter to describe his life as it was not easy.
Shyan Hughes

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Dizzy is the word I have Chosen. the denotation would be  a sensation of feeling faint, woozy, or unsteady. The connotation is used to describe the writers scared feeling. The smell of whiskey on his fathers breath was so strong it could make him dizzy.

Shyan Hughes

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The denotation is the end of the life of a person or organism. I found that the connotation was the boy wanted to dance with his father regardless of the drinking so he had to hold on extra tight while his father was tipsy.

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The denotation of this word is a break in a physical barrier. The connotation of the word is not a break in a physical wall, but the emotional walls he put between himself and the people he did not agree with. The gaps are the times he put aside his personal feeling and got along with them, but eventually the gaps would get "patched', and the walls put back up.

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The denotation for this word is pieces broken off lengthwise, usually from wood. However, in my opinion the connotation for this word refers to a certain tough time, or rough spot in life.

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I picked dizzy,  is a term used to describe a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, woozy, weak or unsteady. Dizziness that creates the false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. When the author is using this word, Dizzy. He is showing the false sense of happiness in the home.

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The denotation for this word is the loss of someone's life. The connotation of this word, in my opinion, is something that doesn't loosen its grip. Death is something that is unavoidable, and no force can seem to break it's grasp.

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The word Letter I chose to analyze. The denotation is  a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization. The connotation is that a letter can keep you going, also that if you can not speak writing helps to motivate when shy.

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The word I chose to analyze is wall. The denotation is  a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense. The connotation is that a wall is not just meant to keep people away it is also to help people get along better in some cases.

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Denotation and connotation of Waltz.

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The word I chose to analyze is crumbs. The denotation is a very small amount of something. I usually correlate crumbs to pieces of food left over on the plate. The connotation is that he's using it to describe the small amount of attention he gets back from Sandra. To him, the "crumbs" are just enough to keep him motivated.

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I chose waltz for the obvious reason. The denotation is that it's a dance performed by a couple. But, after reading the whole poem, it's clear to see that the waltz means so much more to the boy and his mother. The connotation is that the waltz is describing a possible uneasy relationship between father and son, maybe even abusive.

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Bare is the word I've chosen. The denotation would be empty, basic and simple. The connotation is much deeper as he's using it to describe his life. I take it as him meaning his life was very simple, poverty stricken maybe. He lacked some of the "finer" things in life.

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Cog-Wheel - the denotation of this work is gears or something that requires gears. But, the connotation is different. I think it means a place where he lost his soul, his creativity.

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Steel Trap - quick or incisive is the denotation. The connotation is something deeper - his imagination, his creativity, etc.