Breadwinner Vocab Flashcards
labyrinth (p. 10)
“Tea boys ran back and forth into the labyrinth of the marketplace.”
: a place that has many confusing paths or passages
The carnival has a labyrinth with many mirrors.
Forbade
They even forbade girls to go to school.”
: to not allow (someone) to do something
The women in Afghanistan are forbidden from going outside
scornfully (p. 17)
It is not [Mount Parvana],’ Nooria said scornfully.”
: a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval
He slammed the door scornfully.
resentful (p. 21)
Sometimes [fetching the water] made her resentful”
: having or showing a feeling of anger or displeasure about someone or something unfair
The boy resentfully shut the door loudly.
parcel (p. 25)
“ . . . she saw her mother pick up the parcel of Hossain’s clothes and put it away on the top shelf of the cupboard.”
: a box or large envelope that is usually given, sent, or delivered to a person
He took the package or parcel to the mailbox
occupation (p. 35),
One of her aunts had been arrested . . . for protesting the Soviet occupation of her country.”
the work that a person does : a person’s job or profession
The occupation of Denmark was occupied by Germany.
distinguish, (p. 37),
“The night was so dark, she could not distinguish between the window and the wall.”
to notice or recognize a difference between people or things
He distinguished the fire and it was still kind of unsafe.
hesitated (p. 39)
“Mother hesitated at the bottom of the stairs. Parvana thought she might be having second thoughts.
When he hesitated the teacher knew he was lying.
exhaustion (p. 46),
“Parvana had been so preoccupied with her own pain and exhaustion, she hadn’t given any thought to what her mother had been going through.”
: the state of being extremely tired
collapsed (p. 46)
“[Mother] collapsed onto the toshak where Father had taken his nap just yesterday.”
to break apart and fall down suddenly
brusquely (p. 68),
in a careful or cautious manner
“Mother rubbed her hands brusquely over Parvana’s head to rub away any stray hairs.”
embroidery (p. 80)
the process or art of sewing a design on cloth
“She pictured her aunt in Mazar working hard to do all the embroidery on the dress and around the cuffs of the trousers.”
vibrant (p. 81)
It felt so good that she almost felt no regret as she watched the vibrant red cloth flutter in the breeze as it was carried away.”
having or showing great life, activity, and energy
relented (p. 86)
“’Parvana’s a boy now. Maryam will be safe.’ Mother relented, but first she spoke to Maryam.”
to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing
kerosene (p. 98),
“Often there was not enough money for kerosene, so they could not light the lamps at night.”
: a type of oil that is burned as a fuel
