Kite Runners Vocab

nonchalant

Feeling or appearing causal, calm, relaxed

avert

To turn away

cliche

An overused phrase that displays lack of original thought

melancholy

A feeling of thoughtful sadness

gaunt

Skinny and sunken usually from suffering, hunger, or age

tandoor

A clay oven used for cooking; originating in northern India and Pakistan

affable

Friendly, good-natured

presumptuous

A person who fails to observe the limits of what is appropriate

haven

A place of safety or refuge

tranquil

Calm or peaceful

unrequited

A feeling that is not returned; usually refers to love

dismissive

Feeling or showing that something is unworthy of consideration

surly

Bad-tempered, unfriendly

ruminate

To think deeply about something

emaciated

Abnormally thin or weak because of illness or lack of food

dialpidated

In a state of disrepair or ruin; usually refers to a building or object

mutliated

Disfigured from an injury or violent act

stupefy

To astonish or shock

unadulterated

Not mixed or diluted with different or extra elements; pure

animosity

Strong hostility or hatred

splendor

Magnificent in appearance; grandeur

sanctity

The state of being holy; ultimate importance

adultery

Voluntary affair between a married person and another person (married or not)

prudence

Cautiousness; wisdom;

leer

To look at in an unpleasant or malicious way

surreal

Bizarre or unusual

absurd

Wildly unreasonable or illogical

epiphany

A moment of sudden revelation or insight

coy

Faking shyness to be flirtatious; purposely deceptive

absolve

To set or declare free from guilt

squalid

Extremely dirty or unpleasant usually as a result of poverty or neglect

ascertain

To find out for certain; to make sure

milieu

A person's social environment

replete

Filled or well supplied with something

erroneous

Wrong or incorrect