JoyLuck+Club+important+vocabulary+defined

As you read The Joy Luck Club and come across any unfamiliar words, take a moment to look up the definitions and add them to this list for the rest of the class to use! (If you have any knowledge of Chinese culture, we would love your input into games, customs, etc.)! 2 pts extra credit for adding relevant definitions to this page (that means you will only get credit for defining words or terms that are used in the novel and that most of us don't already know). Make you you use the words or terms in context as well (give us the definition AND the sentence or situation they are used in).

Concubine - among polygamous people, a secondary wife usually of inferior status and not given the respect of a primary wife. An-Mei's mother is shunned because she is a concubine rather than a respected wife.

Dowry - goods or money given by the bride's family to the groom as part of the wedding contract. When Lindo travels to the Huang's, her family of her future husband, the roads were so muddy they had to leave all the heavy furniture behind, which was promised to the Huangs as ther dowry.

Prodigy - A young person who as extraordinary talent or ability. Jing-Mei's mother is sure that Jing-Mei can be a piano prodigy.

Chagrined - humiliated or disappointed

mahjong - A Chinese tile game that you match pairs to eliminate all the tiles. 1207571065 this is also popular in Jewish culture. 1207585620

Palanquin - An inclosed carriage carried on the shoulders of men by means of two poles for the conveyance of a single person from place to place (Used in India and China). user:Mordas24

Dim Sum- small dumplings, usually steamed or fried and filled with meat, seafood, vegetables, condiments, etc. 1208981808

gawker(s)- a spectator who stares stupidly without intelligent awareness. Used when Jing-mei fails the recital, and people stare at her. 1208658928

sentinel- to watch over or guard, or a soldier who watches and guards. Used when Rose and her mother are looking for Bing near the cave. 1208659154

Chow Mein- a Chinese- style dish of steamed or stir- fried vegetables, topped with shredded chicken, shrimp, etc., and served with fried noddles 1209336128

Wonton- (in Chinese cooking) a dumpling filled with minced pork and spices, usually boiled in and served with soup but sometimes fried as a side dish. 1209265347 Hoisin Sauce- a thick sweet, spicy condiment containing soybeans, sugar, garlic, and chili peppers, used in cooking or as an accompaniment to meat fish, or poultry, esp. Peking duck 1210027600 Forlorn- desolate or dreary; unhappy or miserable, as in feeling, condition, or appearance 1210027777