Relinquished (verb) – to withdraw or retreat from : leave behind

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relinquished

From “The Shawl” By Cynthia Ozick

I came across this word while reading “The Shawl” By Cynthia Ozick. It appears around the beginnning of the reading, as the author talks about how the girl, Magda is interacting with Rosa. It caught my interest because it’s a word that i’ve heard before but isn’t used quite often. So i’m curious as to how it ties in with the sentence and the author’s overall point.

“Without complaining, Magda relinquished Rosa’s teats, first the left, then the right; both were cracked, not a sniff of milk” (Ozick).

After reading the definition of the word I better understand the context of how the author was using it in that part of the text. As seen in the quote, the author is discribing how Magda relinquished Rosa’s teats.

Ravenous (adjective) – very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ravenous

From “The Shawl” By Cynthia Ozick

I came across this word while reading “The Shawl” By Cynthia Ozick. It appears around the beginnning of the reading, as the author talks about how the girl is trying to feed the baby but she isn’t nourished enough to produce enough food for her. It caught my interest because it’s a word that i’ve heard before but isn’t used quite often. So i’m curious as to how it ties in with the sentence and the author’s overall point.

“There was not enough milk; sometimes Magda sucked air; then she screamed. Stella was ravenous.” (Ozick).

After reading the definition of the word I better understand the context of how the author was using it in that part of the text. As seen in the quote, the author is discribing how the girl really wants food not only for herself but so she can feed the baby.

Fortified (verb) – to strengthen and secure

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortified

From “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” By Sherman Alexie

I came across this word while reading “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” By Sherman Alexie. It appears around the end of the reading, as the author talks about all the possible outcomes that could come with talking to that girl. It caught my interest because it’s a word that i’ve heard before but isn’t used quite often. So i’m curious as to how it ties in with the sentence and the author’s overall point.

“After about two hours of negotiating, we earned five dollars – good enough for a bottle of fortified courage from the most beautiful 7 – Eleven in the world.” (Alexie).

After reading the definition of the word I better understand the context of how the author was using it in that part of the text. As seen in the quote, the author is discribing how the girl would react with you if you do said set of steps and how u would behave depending on the situation.

Suffice (verb) – to meet or suffice a need

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffice

From “How to date a brown girl (black girl, white girl, or halfie)” by Junot Diaz

I came across this word while reading “How to date a brown girl (black girl, white girl, or halfie)” by Junot Diaz. It appears around the end of the reading, as the author talks about all the possible outcomes that could come with talking to that girl. It caught my interest because it’s a word that i’ve heard before but isn’t used quite often. So i’m curious as to how it ties in with the sentence and the author’s overall point.

“She might kiss you and then go, or she might, if she’s reckless, give it up, but that’s rare. kissing will suffice.” (Diaz).

After reading the definition of the word I better understand the context of how the author was using it in that part of the text. As seen in the quote, the author is discribing how the girl would react with you if you do said set of steps and how u would behave depending on the situation.

Dilute (verb) – to make thinner or more liquid by admixture

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dilute

From “You In America” by Amanda Ngozi Adichie

I came across this word while reading “You In America” by Amanda Ngozi Adichie. It appears around the end of the reading, as the author talks about how you let out your emotions in the shower, crying as you’re in it. It caught my interest because it’s a word I don’t hear quite often and didn’t know it’s meaning, so i’m curious as to how it ties in with the sentence and the author’s overall point.

“Later, in the shower, you started to cry, you watched the water dilute your tears and you didn’t know why you were crying.” (Adichie).

After reading the definition of the word I better understand the context of how the author was using it in that part of the text. As seen in the quote, the author is discribing how you would react in a sad situation like that.

Bemoaned (verb) – to express deep grief or distress over

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bemoaned

From “You In America” by Amanda Ngozi Adichie

I came across this word while reading “You In America” by Amanda Ngozi Adichie. It appears around the middle of the reading, as the author talks about how other individuals perceive you, and how it changes depending on the kind of people. It caught my interest because it’s a word I don’t hear quite often and didn’t know it’s meaning, so i’m curious as to how it ties in with the sentence and the author’s overall point.

“The old white women who muttered and glared at him, the black men who shook their heads at you, the black women whose pitiful eyes bemoaned your lack of self-esteem, your self-loathing.” (Adichie).

After reading the definition of the word I better understand the context of how the author was using it in that part of the text. As seen in the quote, the author is discribing how the individuals perceived you negatively.