X: A Novel: Chapters 16–21

by Ilyasah Shabazz, Kekla Magoon
Cowritten by one of Malcolm X's daughters, this novel presents a fictionalized account of the activist's troubled youth.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–10, Chapters 11–15, Chapters 16–21, Chapters 22–27

Here is a link to our lists for Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson.

Here are links to our lists for other works by Kekla Magoon: The Season of Styx Malone, The Rock and the River.
40 words 30 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ripple
    an oscillation of small amplitude imposed on a steady value
    A ripple of notes, smoothly dissonant, with the ch-ch-ch, ch-ch-ch of sticks on cymbals.
  2. dissonant
    harmonically unresolved
    A ripple of notes, smoothly dissonant, with the ch-ch-ch, ch-ch-ch of sticks on cymbals.
  3. captivated
    filled with wonder and delight
    It all astonished me for a while, sure, but then it became part of the scene. I thought I was beyond being so impressed. So captivated.
  4. pretense
    the act of giving a false appearance
    No pretense, which is funny since all they do outside these doors is pretend.
  5. steward
    someone who manages property or affairs for someone else
    The train steward, my supervisor, calls me over one day during the southbound run.
  6. scrawny
    being very thin
    He’s a white guy, kinda scrawny. His uniform is always loose.
  7. earnest
    characterized by a firm, sincere belief in one's opinions
    He looks at me, real earnest.
  8. rouge
    makeup consisting of powder applied to the cheeks
    It seems like she’s wiped the rouge from her lips.
  9. stark
    complete or extreme
    Or maybe it’s an effect of the stark white light, illuminating just her face.
  10. rustle
    a light noise, like the noise of leaves blowing in the wind
    Slight rustles of anticipation among the crowd. The first mournful strains squeeze out. She’s known for this song, “Strange Fruit.”
  11. spare
    lacking embellishment or ornamentation
    We all sit in motionless silence. Stunned by the power of her words and the haunting melody. So spare. So stark.
  12. full-fledged
    having gained complete status
    After a moment, the audience stirs enough to clap. Light taps at first, then full-fledged stomping and whooping.
  13. evoke
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
    It evokes, really evokes, the lynched body I saw.
  14. shirk
    avoid one's assigned duties
    “I can’t keep you on if it’s going to be like this,” he says. “You’re shirking. Have been for a while now.”
  15. exploit
    a notable achievement
    I tell her about Boston and Harlem, making my exploits out to sound like I’ve taken the whole eastern seaboard by storm.
  16. jargon
    a characteristic language of a particular group
    It’s a far cry from how I am now. Zoot suit bagging around my limbs. Loud street jargon flying.
  17. morbid
    suggesting an unhealthy mental state
    Sophia would call this morbid thinking.
  18. libation
    a serving of an alcoholic beverage
    “No, you’re not,” Philbert says quietly, staring at the libations in front of me.
  19. foray
    an initial attempt
    Reginald tells of some traveling he’s done, but I rival it all with stories of Roxbury nightlife, not to mention my recent forays into Harlem.
  20. supple
    capable of moving or bending freely
    She rolls onto my stomach, trapping me beneath her supple warmth.
  21. upstanding
    meriting respect or esteem
    Even though all the regulars are hard-core old-time hustlers, Small’s carries on as an upstanding, respectable place.
  22. feign
    give a false appearance of
    “Red, I swear,” Sammy cries, feigning anger.
  23. patron
    a regular customer
    Tipsier patrons, and more of them, means thicker tips.
  24. spout
    talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
    Sammy’s fairly drunk at this point, and he starts spouting off about the various hustles I could be doing.
  25. subtle
    difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
    He starts conversations, I come over and drop a line or two that helps him make his point, real subtle.
  26. turf
    range of jurisdiction or influence
    His turf is enormous, his power practically unlimited.
  27. ado
    a great deal of fuss, concern, or commotion
    He sends me back to work without further ado.
  28. curdle
    go bad or sour
    An hour later, the front door pops open, bringing with it a gust of winter and a uniformed detective, the combination of which curdles my stomach.
  29. studious
    marked by care and effort
    Swallowing hard, I pull off my work apron. I glance at the bartender, like he’s going to back me up, but he’s studiously wiping down the bar. Acting indifferent.
  30. indifferent
    marked by a lack of interest
    Swallowing hard, I pull off my work apron. I glance at the bartender, like he’s going to back me up, but he’s studiously wiping down the bar. Acting indifferent.
  31. precinct
    an administrative district of a city or town
    It’s a short, tense ride to the precinct.
  32. impulsive
    without forethought
    I’m utterly flattened by the knowledge that one stupid moment could bring down this kind of curtain. One impulsive thought. One whisper.
  33. windfall
    a sudden happening that brings good fortune
    But a windfall like that can’t last. At least not without the wrong someone picking up the scent.
  34. frisk
    search by running the hands rapidly over the clothing
    Cops start coming around to me. Checking in. Real casual at first, but more and more, and sometimes they frisk me.
  35. splurge
    indulge oneself
    I pull some money out, thinking I might splurge on a long-distance call.
  36. goad
    provoke as by constant criticism
    “Come on,” I say. “What are you after with this?” It isn’t curiosity anymore. He’s goading me now.
  37. intone
    speak carefully, as with rising and falling pitch
    “I just want to help you see it like it is.” Sammy picks up his glass and raises it to me. “Any day now,” he intones.
  38. venture
    proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
    Might be they’ll find me swinging there some morning, if we venture into the wrong parts looking like a couple.
  39. hankering
    a yearning for something or to do something
    I admit, I’ve always had a hankering to get into this racket, but now I have an opening.
  40. orchestrate
    plan and direct (a complex undertaking)
    Sammy orchestrates a reintroduction for me with Stone’s boss, one of the biggest numbers runners in Harlem: West Indian Archie.
Created on Thu Dec 07 19:54:36 EST 2017 (updated Thu Apr 25 10:08:34 EDT 2019)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.