Chapter 1
alms - n. - something (such as money or food) given freely to relieve the poor
appraise - v. - to estimate the value or worth of
avarice - n. - greed
bougainvillaea - n. - A shrub or vine native to South America, having small flowers with various showy colors
coarse - adj. - rough; crude
covey - n. - a brood or small flock of birds
detachment - n. - the act or process of being separated or disconnected
indigene - n. - a native of a particular area
plaintive - adv. - sorrowful; mournful
pulque - n. - a milky drink made from the juice of certain species of plant in Mexico.
suppliant - n. - someone who begs or pleads for something
ulcer - n. - a sore on the skin
Chapter 2
bulwark - n. - a wall of earth or other material built for defense; a protection against danger
estuary - n. - the point where a river's current meets the sea's tide
hummock - n. - an elevated tract of land; a knoll
incandescence - n. - the quality of giving off light
lateen - adj. - triangular in shape; having a triangular sail
mirage - n. - an optical illusion; an optical effect
poultice - n. - a soft, moist mass of cloth, bread, meal, herbs, etc., that is applied to sores
recede - v. - to move back or away
shrill - adj. - extremely high-pitched, piercing
tactful - adj. - appropriate; tasteful
undulate - v. - to form or move in waves
writhe - v. - to move or proceed with twists and turns; to twist from or as if from pain or struggling
