Global Lit - Joy Luck Vocab

Ingot

a piece of metal cast in the shape of a block

wispy

thin and weak

recoup

reimburse or compensate, as for a loss

betrothed

pledged to be married

felicitous

marked by good fortune

palanquin

a closed litter carried on the shoulders of four bearers

auspicious

indicating favorable circumstances and good luck

remorseful

feeling or expressing pain or sorrow

pungent

strong and sharp to the sense of taste or smell

admonsih

scold or reprimand; take to task

presumptious

going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous

apparation

a ghostly appearing figure

brigand

an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band

penance

voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for something

yin

the dark, negative principle in Chinese dualistic society

malignant

dangerous to health

humility

a lack of arrogance or false pride

tout

show off

successive

following in order without gaps

facade

the front of a building

stagnant

not growing or changing, without force or vitality

chagrin

cause to feel shame

verbatim

in precisely the same words used by a writer or speaker

exhilarating

thrilling or invigorating

benevolent

showing kindness

predisposed

made susceptible

manifest

reveal its presence or make an appearance

indignity

an affront to one's self-esteem

arpreggio

a chord whose notes are played in rapid succession

fiasco

failure or collapse