Summer Reading Vocab (Marrow Thieves)

Eco-dystopia

A futuristic society characterized by severe environmental degradation, climate collapse, and resource scarcity.

Infrastructure

The fundamental physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.

Decimation

The state of being severely damaged, destroyed, or drastically reduced in numbers.

Desolation

A state of complete emptiness, loneliness, or destruction.

Austerity

Difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce public spending.

Miasma

A highly oppressive or unhealthy atmosphere; historically, a poisonous vapor or mist.

Commoditation

The process of treating human bodies and dreams as a mere product to be harvested.

Eradication

The complete destruction or removal of something.

Monopoly

The exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.

Scarcity

The state of being in short supply; situational shortage of basic survival needs.

Extraction

The action of removing or harvesting something, especially by force or effort.

Assimilate

To absorb a minority group into the dominant culture, forcing them to give up their customs.

Subjugation

The act of bringing a person or group under total domination or control.

Trauma

A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that leaves lasting psychological scars.

Persecution

Hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race, political beliefs, or religious beliefs.

Collusion

Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others.

Clandestine

Kept secret or done secretively, especially because it is illicit or dangerous.

Complicity

The state of being involved with others in wrongdoing or choosing to look away from injustice.

Dispossession

The action of depriving someone of land, property, or other assets.

Institutionalized

Established in practice or custom as part of an official system or organization.

Resilience

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; psychological and cultural toughness.

Kinship

A sharing of characteristics or origins; deep family and community relationship ties.

Indigenous

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to a land.

Sovereignty

Supreme power or authority; an individual's or nation's right to self-governance.

Preservation

The act of keeping something valued alive, safe, or free from damage and erasure.

Nomadic

Living the life of a nomad; wandering from place to place in order to survive.

Insurgency

An active revolt or uprising against an established government or authority.

Ancestry

One's ethnic descent, lineage, or background, which provides a grounding identity.

Reclamation

The act of returning something to a former state, or taking back what was stolen.

Lineage

Linear descent from an ancestor; ancestral pedigree that anchors characters to history.