Global Literature 12: Interpreter of Maladies Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions from the Global Literature 12 reading of Interpreter of Maladies.

Sitar

A musical instrument from India that is like a guitar and that has a long neck and a round body.

Sedulous

(Of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence.

Protuberant

Protruding; bulging.

Maudlin

Effusively or tearfully sentimental.

Paroxysm

Medical: a sudden attack or increase of symptoms of a disease (such as pain coughing, shaking, etc.) that often occurs again and again; a sudden strong feeling or expression of emotion that cannot be controlled.

Diaphanous

(Especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent.

Menagerie

A strange or diverse collection of people or things.

Itinerant

Traveling from place to place.

Durwan

Porter or doorkeeper.

Vermillion

A brilliant red pigment made from mercury sulfide; a vivid reddish orange.

Partition

The division of a country into separate political units.

Rickshaw

A small, light vehicle with two wheels that is pulled by one person on foot or on a bicycle and that is used in some Asian countries.

Amulet

A small object worn to protect the person wearing it against bad things (such as illness, bad luck, etc.).

Sari

A long piece of cloth that is wrapped around the body and head or shoulder and worn by women in southern Asia.

Rupees

The basic unit of money in some Asian countries, including India and Pakistan.

Malady

A disease or illness.

Nettle

To irritate, annoy or provoke.

Prickly heat

An itchy inflammation of the skin, typically with a rash of small vesicles, common in hot moist weather.

Auspicious

Showing or suggesting that future success is likely.

Non sequitur

A statement that does not follow logically from what preceded it.