Vocabulary Chapters 10-14

Lucrative:  profitable, moneymaking

• "-it was a pretty lucrative business then, driving people out of Shorawi- occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan." p. 111
• The little girl's lemonade stand was actually pretty lucrative, the thirsty construction workers couldn't resist.
• Synonyms: profitable, gainful, paying
• Antonyms: poorly paid, unprofitable

Inevitable: unable to be avoided

• "Then the inevitable." p. 113
• The inevitable happened, nobody was prepared for this situation so we dealt with it the best we can. 
• Synonyms: imminent, impending, inescapable
• Antonyms: distant, escapable, avoidable

Acrid: sharp or biting to the taste or smell

• "The place was dim, and the acrid smell of beer I'd always disliked permeated the walls." p. 132
• To me, the smell of cigarette smoke is acrid, I've always hated it.
• Synonyms: pungent, stinging, burning, harsh
• Antonyms: delicious, sweet, savory

Pungent: sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell

• "I smelled tobacco on him, and alcohol, sweet and pungent." p. 132
• I walked into the town's famous candy store, the pungent smells filled my nose.
• Synonyms: bitter, strong, tart, rich
• Antonyms: bland, dull, pleasant

Sauntered: to walk with a leisurely gait; stroll

• "I ran the stand sometimes as Baba sauntered down the aisle, hands respectfully pressed to the chest, greeting people he knew from Kabul:..." p. 138
• When I go shopping, I saunter up and down the aisles looking for the items I want.
• Synonyms: amble, loiter, mosey, dally
• Antonyms: go direct, stay, rush

Legacy: anything handed down from the past 

• "'Boys and girls must know the legacy of their fathers.'" p. 140
• His dying wish was for his grandson to live on his legacy. 
• Synonyms: tradition, estate, heirloom
• Antonyms: -

Arrogant: making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights 

• "'Then congratulations, you are already halfway to being a man,' he said with no trace of humor, no irony, the compliment of the casually arrogant." p, 140
• The way he talked about himself playing sports was very arrogant.
• Synonyms: cocky, vain
• Antonyms: humble, modest

Perpetually: continuing or enduring forever; everlasting

• "I would wave at the general, perpetually dressed in his shiny over-pressed gray suit, and he would wave back." p. 144
• This winter in many people's opinion has been very perpetual. 
• Synonyms: endlessly, continuously, 
• Antonyms: never

Fickle: likely to change

• "Afghan men, especially those from reputable families, were fickle  creatures." p. 148
• This fickle weather made it hard for me to pick out an outfit to wear.
• Synonyms: changeable, temperamental, unpredictable
• Antonyms: stable, steady, reliable

Sallow: sickly, yellowish color

• " The sallow, puffy-eyed doctor who saw us introduced himself as a second-year resident." p. 153
• His face became sallow as the nervous thoughts became flooding through his brain.
• Synonyms: pasty, colorless
• Antonyms: bright, flushed, healthy

Ominous: portending evil or harm

• "...'mass,' an even more ominous word than 'suspicious.'" p. 155
• An ominous  clump of clouds came over head while we were waiting for the funeral to begin.
• Synonyms: dark, gloomy
• Antonyms: hopeful, happy

Palliative: serving to palliate

• "'There is chemotherapy, of course,' he said. 'But it would only be palliative.'" p. 156
•  Using a palliative, as you know, will not cure your disease.
• Synonyms: booze, drink, liquor
• Antonyms: -

Reticence: state of being reserved

• "But there was a new reticence to Khanum Taheri's demeanor." p. 157
• The man's reticence disappeared once his wife brought up a sensative topic.
• Synonyms: reserve, restraint
• Antonyms: -

Demeanor: conduct, behavior

• "But there was a new reticence to Khanum Taheri's demeanor." p. 157 
• The girl's demeanor changed once she became involved with the wrong group of people.
• Synonyms: attitude, presence, poise
• Antonyms: -

Furtive: taken, done, used

• "A reticence broken only by her secret, droopy smiles and the furtive, apologetic looks she cast my way when the general's attention was engaged elsewhere." p. 157
• She shot me a furtive look, which let me know I wasn't supposed to see what I just saw.
• Synonyms: underhanded, scheming, hush-hush
• Antonyms: truthful, honest

Daunting: to overcome with fear

• "I found it frightening, invigorating, daunting, and exhilarating all at the same time." p. 184
• After contemplating, I finally completed the daunting, yet exciting move I had been working on for weeks.
• Synonyms: scare, terrify
• Antonyms: calm

Meticulous: showing extreme care for minute details

• "IVF proved lengthy, meticulous, frustrating, and ultimately unsuccessful." p. 186
• Most teachers are very meticulous when it comes to grading projects.
• Synonyms: cautious, exact
• Antonyms: careless, false

Ambivalent: having mixed feelings

• "Soraya was ambivalent at best." p. 186-187
• I myself am very ambivalent, I can never make up my mind.
• Synonyms: hesitant, uncertain
• Antonyms: clear, decided

Oblivious:  unmindful, unaware

• "...she thought Soraya needed all the love and support she could get-oblivious to the fact that her well-intended but overbearing sympathy was precisely what was driving Soraya to move." p. 188-189
• She made a joke toward the girl, oblivious to the fact that it would offend her.
• Synonyms: inattentive, unaware
• Antonyms: attentive, aware