When the Sea Turned to Silver: Chapters 37–55

by Grace Lin
When the Emperor kidnaps her grandmother, Pinmei must undertake a daring and dangerous quest to save her.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–10, Chapters 11–20, Chapters 21–36, Chapters 37–55, Chapters 56–76

Here is a link to our lists for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. peddler
    someone who travels about selling wares
    The blackness of the sky began to lighten and an old peddler came out of a doorway, the creaking of his cart echoing in the silence of the upcoming dawn.
  2. placid
    not easily irritated
    Her tone was placid and calm, but Pinmei saw that her hand gripped the door tightly.
  3. auspicious
    indicating favorable circumstances and good luck
    "I have seen the Year of the Monkey five times!" the lord said with pride. “I shall have a celebration to match such an auspicious event!"
  4. falter
    speak haltingly
    “Then, did you...you…” Pinmei faltered.
  5. amends
    something done or paid to make up for a wrong
    “When I heard you calling for help,” she said, putting her hand on Pinmei’s cheek, “I knew this was a chance to make amends for my past shame. I could not be a coward again. You have thanked me, but it is I who thank you.”
  6. sinuous
    curved or curving in and out
    It began to roll and twist, lengthening and thinning, until it looked like a long black cord knotted at one end. Finally, it made a sinuous curve toward him, the bulbous knot resembling a head.
  7. bulbous
    rounded and bulging
    It began to roll and twist, lengthening and thinning, until it looked like a long black cord knotted at one end. Finally, it made a sinuous curve toward him, the bulbous knot resembling a head.
  8. wiry
    lean but strong
    He raised it wickedly, his silk sleeve falling to reveal his hairy, wiry arm.
  9. extravagant
    recklessly wasteful
    Their heads looked small sticking out of their extravagant fur collars, but their mouths were wide open.
  10. ravage
    cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
    The woman’s eyes glittered like black beetles in her ravaged face, and the man licked his lips as if hungry.
  11. rabid
    infected by an acute viral disease of the nervous system
    “Do you want this?” Pinmei said, holding the bracelet higher. The polished stone glinted, and Pinmei felt as if she were offering a treat to rabid dogs.
  12. glower
    look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval
    The two monkeys glowered, their eyes full of fury.
  13. flourish
    a showy gesture
    The woman swept away the broken bowl with a flourish, almost dancing with the broom.
  14. shroud
    cover as if with a burial garment
    She looked out the window, her figure shrouded in a gauze curtain of cold white light.
  15. chastise
    scold or criticize severely
    The tortoise snapped, and the snake arched back, chastised.
  16. garb
    clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
    Instead, Lady Meng had traded her fine clothes for the coarse garb of the servant herself, and Pinmei and Yishan had thrown various robes and cloaks over their colorful clothing.
  17. lilting
    characterized by a buoyant rhythm
    But before Yishan could continue, Lady Meng put two fingers in her mouth and whistled. It was a clear, lilting noise, like the sound of a bamboo flute.
  18. expanse
    a wide and open space or area, as of land, sea, or sky
    It was quite a distance ahead of them, but they were still able to see it in the vast expanse of stillness and ice.
  19. brutish
    resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility
    He was older, and judging by the hostile glare he gave the prisoners, more brutish.
  20. humility
    a lack of arrogance or false pride
    “The emperor is not known for his humility,” Amah said, “and great deeds carved in stone do have much power.”
  21. misgiving
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
    With misgivings, the king allowed his father to oversee the project, for it was true that he had many other things to do. However, his misgivings proved correct, because his father was callous and cruel to the workers, forcing them to labor under harsh conditions from morning to night.
  22. dredge
    remove with or as with a power shovel
    The tortoise, with his incredible strength, would hold back the water while the dragon dredged the land.
  23. relish
    derive or receive pleasure from
    They worked tirelessly alongside the men, and the honor they brought to the city was relished by all, especially the king's father.
  24. docile
    easily handled or managed
    The river flowed out to the land, gentle and docile, and the great floods were eased.
  25. placard
    a sign posted in a public place
    "There is a grand monument I had made," the father said, leading them to a massive stone placard.
  26. crafty
    marked by skill in deception
    “Tricking the beasts of heaven and sea! The king’s father was crafty.”
  27. decree
    issue an authoritative order
    He decreed that all beasts of the heavens would therefore no longer be seen by mortals.
  28. anemone
    a marine polyp that resembles a flower
    In front of them was a field of waving sea grasses dotted with chrysanthemum flower anemones, but beyond that there was a silver glow in the darkening sky, as if the moon were rising.
  29. lustrous
    reflecting light
    After that were the translucent columns, so lustrous Pinmei could see their gleam from the distance.
  30. ethereal
    characterized by lightness and insubstantiality
    All of it glowed with an ethereal light, and the sight made Pinmei catch her breath.
  31. undaunted
    unshaken in purpose
    Even when it reached the grand staircase to the palace, the mussel continued, undaunted.
  32. disarming
    capable of allaying hostility
    The man’s disarming manner was so forthcoming she couldn’t help wondering if he had mistaken them for others.
  33. forthcoming
    easygoing and open when speaking or sharing information
    The man’s disarming manner was so forthcoming she couldn’t help wondering if he had mistaken them for others.
  34. fleeting
    lasting for a markedly brief time
    “It’s been a while since I’ve been up top. I was sure I’d be forgotten by now. Fame is so fleeting, you know.”
  35. likeness
    similarity in appearance or nature between persons or things
    “It was a great blessing to His Majesty! His child born in Nuwa’s likeness! That was an occasion, I can tell you!”
  36. wane
    become smaller
    His smile waned slightly as he placed his hand on the railing.
  37. emanate
    proceed or issue forth, as from a source
    A thin silver mist emanated from him, and his beard fell like a cascading waterfall.
  38. scepter
    a ceremonial or emblematic staff
    As he stood, his robes shimmered, the purple shifting until it was the same deep blue of his jasper scepter.
  39. dubiously
    in a doubtful manner
    The Sea King stopped and looked at them dubiously.
  40. surreptitious
    conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
    Why was Yishan talking to the Sea King about the Black Tortoise and winter? Were they even going to ask about the stone? With a surreptitious glance at the king, she jabbed Yishan sharply with her elbow.
Created on Sun Apr 14 13:53:17 EDT 2019 (updated Wed Apr 24 14:45:42 EDT 2019)

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