Tangleroot: Chapters 15–19

by Kalela Williams
Noni Reid has to leave her Boston home and move with her perfect, successful mom back to the family's southern roots in rural Virginia. There, she not only struggles with her mom's acceptance of her, but also the truth she uncovers about southern plantation life and who is related to whom.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapters 15–19, Chapters 20–25
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. angst
    an acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety
    My angst ran constantly in the background of my mind, draining a boatload of battery power.
  2. taffeta
    a crisp, smooth, lustrous fabric
    For a moment, I cringed, picturing sections of ivory silk taffeta.
  3. unseemly
    not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper
    Mom just sighed, and the good mood between us faltered. I swore I could analyze her brain waves. It would be “inappropriate” and “unseemly” to display the picture.
  4. poplin
    a ribbed fabric used in clothing and upholstery
    For supper this evening, I wore my mauve poplin, as Mama said there would be visitors.
  5. titter
    laugh nervously
    As I came down the stairs she tittered most nervously, while my father looked on with the greatest approval.
  6. doff
    remove
    He lifted his hat, then, as if unsure of what to do next, placed it back on his head, then doffed it again as he offered a bow.
  7. largesse
    liberality in bestowing gifts
    For all Mr. Paulding’s largesse, the kitchen and dairy and store-houses are in need of upkeep.
  8. respite
    a pause for relaxation
    I am in my bed-chamber taking respite from the wedding festivities.
  9. portico
    porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered area
    She and her Chosen shunned the broomstick custom so common among the field hands, and Pa insisted they marry upon the portico.
  10. commiseration
    feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
    And if those abolitionists stirring up trouble in the North saw this dusky couple, they would throw aside their commiseration upon “poor miserable slaves.”
  11. undercurrent
    a feeling or tendency that is not explicitly expressed
    An undercurrent of anger rode beneath his calm voice.
  12. aplomb
    great coolness and composure under strain
    I can manage this next chapter with aplomb. And—”
  13. deviate
    cause to turn away from a previous or expected course
    “I wish that Nyles Pompa never deviated you from your path.”
  14. doggedly
    with obstinate determination
    With the Courageous Curriculum Initiative’s public announcement up ahead, she practically lived in DC. Plus, she was doggedly chasing down leads in her research on Cuffee Fortune.
  15. bawdy
    humorously vulgar
    We suffered through bawdy jokes that turned Alyssa’s face as fuchsia as the lingerie someone got her sister as a gift.
Created on Mon Sep 07 21:20:56 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Oct 13 13:21:44 EDT 2026)

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