The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling: Chapters 9–13

by Wai Chim
Anna Chiu is a high-schooler who tries to hold her family together as her mother struggles with mental illness.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Mom–Chapter 4, Chapters 5–8, Chapters 9–13, Chapters 14–21, Chapter 22–Mom
35 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. conspiratorial
    relating to or characteristic of a secret plot or agreement
    Ah-Jeff and I exchange conspiratorial glances. “But that doesn’t excuse the two of you going behind my back.”
  2. dole out
    distribute or dispense, as in small portions
    Lim doles out a few hearty and homey dishes for the staff lunch and we all sit around the giant lazy Susan and dig in.
  3. poised
    marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
    It feels like family, everyone’s chopsticks poised, cradling their small bowl of rice to their chests.
  4. copious
    large in number or quantity
    After lunch, Baba goes to another meeting and I stay in the dining room with Macbeth and copious notes.
  5. histrionic
    overly dramatic or emotional
    “That’s my sister. I have a flair for doom.” I throw my hand over my eyes in a histrionic fashion, and Rory laughs again.
  6. uncouth
    lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
    I’m uncomfortable saying this, like I’ve revealed myself as completely uncouth and uncultured.
  7. euphoric
    characterized by a feeling of well-being or elation
    I can’t move, I can’t think, but I’m strangely euphoric.
  8. filial
    relating to or characteristic of or befitting an offspring
    Filial pious. Your ma and I are very lucky to have you as our eldest daughter.
  9. dilapidated
    in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
    Rory looks around with interest anyway, and seeing them through his eyes, I feel a little embarrassed by how dilapidated the stores look at night.
  10. falter
    speak haltingly
    The scene goes on and Rory doesn’t falter.
  11. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
    I’m impressed—he knows the lines perfectly and delivers them with the bravado and commitment of someone with a longstanding theater background.
  12. quirk
    twist or curve abruptly
    Lily’s eyebrow quirks up.
  13. elitist
    favoring those who have wealth or high status
    I recognize the elitist, mocking tone in her voice. It’s the same when Chinese parents compare their kids or when Connie talks about her dad’s booming import-export business.
  14. seedy
    shabby and untidy
    There’s bubble tea, dumplings, and a seedy karaoke joint where a whole group can pay twenty dollars an hour and croon their little hearts out.
  15. ravenous
    extremely hungry
    “How hungry are you?”
    “Ravenous.”
  16. rapport
    a relationship of mutual understanding between people
    Some places do that, especially if they’re trying to sell you something—they see a Chinese face and they assume they can build better rapport by approaching me in my so-called native tongue.
  17. eloquent
    expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
    There’s no sensitive or eloquent language for this.
  18. candor
    the quality of being honest and straightforward
    I don’t think I was ready for that amount of candor. Honesty. I hadn’t expected him to be honest.
  19. gauge
    judge tentatively or form an estimate of
    He pauses and looks at me, and I know he’s trying to gauge my reaction.
  20. haughty
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    “I went to help Baba at the restaurant. So we can have food on our table and the clothes on your back.” I sound like a haughty parent, but someone has to be the adult here.
  21. wry
    humorously sarcastic or mocking
    I give him a wry smile, still trying to keep the tears at bay.
  22. niggle
    worry unnecessarily or excessively
    “I don’t know. Soon, I hope.” That niggling thought returns.
  23. fervor
    the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
    “Your mother has to fix this up. Or I won’t have any respect around here.” She goes back to muttering and cleaning with fervor.
  24. clamor
    a loud, harsh, or strident noise
    I let the clamor and chaos wash over me, blending the noisy din into something I can roll up like a ball of lint and flick away.
  25. din
    a loud, harsh, or strident noise
    I let the clamor and chaos wash over me, blending the noisy din into something I can roll up like a ball of lint and flick away.
  26. glower
    an angry stare
    The expression, it’s more than a glower or a glare—it’s the look I’ve seen on Lily when I wake her up before dawn or that time she found out I’d broken her phone charger.
  27. dawdle
    take one's time; proceed slowly
    Pickup is quick—most parents don’t dawdle the moment they spot their child, little Annie or Timmy hanging on to their arm and jabbering away as they head to their cars or to the crossing.
  28. earnestly
    in a sincere and serious manner
    “I’m sorry, Ma! I’ll help you more next time, I promise,” Michael says earnestly.
  29. diplomatic
    marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people
    Ma nods along like she knows exactly what she’s being told, and I listen discreetly beside them. Michael has slipped away to play, and I wish with all my might that I could join him rather than stand here and seem pathetically diplomatic.
  30. boisterous
    marked by exuberance and high spirits
    "Wow!" I exclaim, my voice steady and boisterous as I go to his side.
  31. patron
    a regular customer
    The idea is we get the patrons to fill up on noodles and spring rolls—the cheaper carbs and veggies—before we bring out the protein dishes.
  32. till
    a strongbox for holding cash
    “How’d we do?” Baba asks nervously, watching Miss Chen punching buttons on the till.
  33. revel
    take delight in
    But there’s no time to revel in our awesomeness.
  34. stave off
    prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
    My blood is raging under my skin, and my thoughts are swimming against ginormous waves. But I stave off my anger because beside me, Rory looks like he’s been hit by a truck.
  35. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
    Rory looks sullen.
Created on Fri Mar 11 09:07:04 EST 2022 (updated Fri Apr 01 14:27:40 EDT 2022)

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