The Joy Luck Club Vocab

aneurysm

an abnormal bulge caused by weakening of an artery wall

fragile

easily broken or damaged or destroyed

ingot

a piece of metal cast in the shape of a block

meager

deficient in amount or quality or extent

despair

abandon hope; lose heart

somber

serious and gloomy in character

gruel

a thin porridge

strew

spread by scattering

wispy

thin and weak

indifferent

characterized by a lack of partiality

deplete

use up, as resources or materials

recoup

reimburse or compensate, as for a loss

oblivious

lacking conscious awareness of

Oblivious

failing to keep in mind

Ignorant

unaware because of a lack of relevant information

Dowry

money brought by a woman to her husband at marriage

Concubine

a woman who cohabits with an important man

Insolent

marked by casual disrespect

Betrothed

pledged to be married

Modest

not large but sufficient in size or amount

Embroider

decorate with needlework

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

chafe

become or make sore by or as if by rubbing

pungent

strong and sharp to the sense of taste or smell

posterity

all future generations

lament

express grief verbally

wayward

difficult to manage or keep in order

admonish

scold or reprimand; take to task

provisions

a stock or supply of foods

presumptuous

going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous

listless

lacking zest or vivacity

wary

marked by keen caution and watchful prudence

sullen

showing a brooding ill humor

apparition

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

wanton

indulgent in immoral or improper behavior

yin

the dark, negative principle in Chinese dualistic cosmology