Quinceanera

Debbie G. (United States of America)
26 words 13 learners

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  1. rite of passage
    a ritual performed when an individual changes status
    The quinceañera (keen say ah NYEH ruh, from the Spanish words quince, "fifteen," and años, "years") is a rite of passage celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
  2. unsweetened
    not made sweet
    There's your favorite-chicken in mole sauce, made from chilies and unsweetened chocolate.
  3. come of age
    reach a certain age that marks a transition to maturity
    Today a girl's quinceañera marks her coming of age.
  4. tuxedo
    formal evening dress for men
    Your honor court has walked up the aisle ahead of you: fourteen girls in pastel dresses, fourteen boys in tuxedos.
  5. pastel
    any of various pale or light colors
    Your honor court has walked up the aisle ahead of you: fourteen girls in pastel dresses, fourteen boys in tuxedos.
  6. inscribe
    carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
    A birthstone ring glitters on your finger, and a religious medal hangs from your neck, inscribed with your name and today's date-special gifts from adult relatives or friends of the family.
  7. fiesta
    a public celebration or party
    But the quinceañera celebration has just begun, for the fiesta is still to come.
  8. tiara
    a jeweled, semicircular band worn on the head
    You feel special, and a bit awkward, in your first formal dress and your tiara.
  9. quince
    small Asian tree with pinkish flowers and pear-shaped fruit
    The quinceañera (keen say ah NYEH ruh, from the Spanish words quince, "fifteen," and años, "years") is a rite of passage celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
  10. Aztec
    a member of the Nahuatl people who established an empire in Mexico that was overthrown by Cortes in 1519
    People believe that the tradition can be traced back to the Aztec culture, in which girls commonly married at the age of fifteen.
  11. Mass
    a sequence of prayers constituting the Christian Eucharistic rite
    The most important part of your quinceañera is the misa de acción de gracias, the thanksgiving Mass. You slowly walk up the aisle to the front of the church.
  12. rehearse
    engage in a rehearsal (of)
    You and your honor court perform a group dance that you have rehearsed.
  13. Virgin Mary
    the mother of Jesus
    You kneel, placing a bouquet of fifteen roses on the altar to thank the Virgin Mary for bringing you to this important day.
  14. leave behind
    depart and not take along
    It's not a toy for you to play with, of course; it's a symbol of the childhood you're leaving behind.
  15. thanksgiving
    a short prayer of thanks before a meal
    The most important part of your quinceañera is the misa de acción de gracias, the thanksgiving Mass. You slowly walk up the aisle to the front of the church.
  16. decorate
    make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
    The tables are covered with everything from tamales and corn soup to an elaborately decorated cake.
  17. elaborately
    with elaboration
    The tables are covered with everything from tamales and corn soup to an elaborately decorated cake.
  18. recite
    repeat aloud from memory
    You recite your speech, and the service ends.
  19. stand out
    be highly noticeable
    Among your many gifts, one stands out: the last doll.
  20. look around
    look about oneself
    You look around at the people who have watched you grow up.
  21. bouquet
    an arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present
    You kneel, placing a bouquet of fifteen roses on the altar to thank the Virgin Mary for bringing you to this important day.
  22. rite
    any customary observance or practice
    The quinceañera (keen say ah NYEH ruh, from the Spanish words quince, "fifteen," and años, "years") is a rite of passage celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
  23. inscribed
    written on or in a surface
    A birthstone ring glitters on your finger, and a religious medal hangs from your neck, inscribed with your name and today's date-special gifts from adult relatives or friends of the family.
  24. awkward
    lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance
    You feel special, and a bit awkward, in your first formal dress and your tiara.
  25. traditional
    consisting of or derived from a practice of long standing
    You enter to the sound of music, a traditional mariachi band or a DJ playing current hits.
  26. privilege
    a special advantage or benefit not enjoyed by all
    It means she is ready to take on adult privileges and responsibilities.
Created on Fri Mar 01 20:55:06 EST 2013

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