Joy luck club vocab

Belies

(v) - to give a false impression of; to contradict

Empirical

(adj) - based on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic

Benign

(adj) - gentle, kind; not harmful in effect

Insular

(adj) - narrow-minded; isolated or detached from other people or cultures

Semantic

(adj) - related to meaning in language or logic

Hone

(v) - to sharpen or perfect a skill, ability, or object

Quandary

(n) - a state of uncertainty or perplexity; a difficult situation

Nascent

(adj) - just beginning to exist or develop; emerging

Malignant

(adj) - harmful, dangerous, or showing ill will; often refers to a severe disease or tumor

Somber

(adj) - dark, gloomy, or melancholy in tone or mood

Unanimously

(adv) - with complete agreement from everyone involved

Translucent

(adj) - allowing light to pass through, but not detailed shapes; semi-transparent

Cultivate

(v) - to prepare and use land for crops; to develop or improve something, especially a skill or relationship

Rickshaw

(n) - a small, two-wheeled cart pulled by a person, used for transporting passengers

Ingot

(n) - a block of metal (especially gold or silver) cast in a shape suitable for further processing

Reproach

(v) - to express disapproval or disappointment

Ream

(n) - a large quantity of something, typically paper (500 sheets); (v) to criticize strongly

Reverie

(n) - a state of being lost in pleasant daydreams or thoughts

Discordant

(adj) - lacking harmony; conflicting or harsh in sound

Lament

(v) - to mourn or express sorrow;

Lamentation

(n) - the passionate expression of grief or sorrow

Auspicious

(adj) - showing signs of future success; favorable

Dowry

(n) - property or money brought by a bride to her husband on marriage

Concubine

(n) - a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives

Insolent

(adj) - boldly rude or disrespectful

Strewn

(adj) - scattered or spread untidily over an area