Indian No More: Chapters 11–26

by Charlene Willing McManis
In 1957, an Umpqua girl and her family relocate to Los Angeles after the government declares that their tribe no longer exists.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–10, Chapters 11–26
25 words 78 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. arid
    lacking sufficient water or rainfall
    The arid wind blew at the red velvet curtains and silky tassels.
  2. marionette
    a figure operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
    We applauded when the first marionette, a tall Spanish dancer, came onstage.
  3. balk
    refuse to proceed or comply
    I immediately balked. “Indians have guns, you know,” I said. “We play Cowboys and Indians back home too, and all our Indians have guns.”
  4. reluctantly
    with a certain degree of unwillingness
    After some awkward silence, I reluctantly agreed. The Indians would have bows and arrows instead of guns.
  5. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    Skipper and some of the older kids from school brought a bunch of lumber, nails, and hammers and started building a makeshift fort by the tree line.
  6. scamper
    run or move about quickly or lightly
    She scampered out the door, snickering with her friends. Some classroom buddy she was.
  7. seep
    pass gradually or leak or as if through small openings
    Voices seeped out from Mama’s and Daddy’s bedroom—they was muffled, but I could hear “ugly house” and “want to go home.”
  8. dumbfounded
    as if rendered speechless with astonishment and surprise
    From out of nowhere, eggs flew above our heads. At first, I stood dumbfounded, not understanding what was happening.
  9. hover
    hang, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
    Silence hovered in the air.
    I trembled. My eyes filled.
  10. earful
    a severe scolding
    Then Daddy walked in the door from class.
    Mama gave him an earful.
  11. tinker
    try to fix or mend in an unskilled manner
    While Daddy tinkered with the television, Chich kept me busy helping her with a sewing project.
  12. secondhand
    previously used or owned by another
    “Philip’s confirmation at St. John’s is scheduled just before Thanksgiving. We don’t have money to buy him a new jacket, but I found this beautiful black wool one at the secondhand store,” she explained.
  13. strut
    walk in a proud, confident way
    Our class followed with Richard, our “chief,” leading twelve of us “Indians” onstage. He strutted around, nodding to each of us.
  14. civilized
    having a high state of culture and social development
    “And we who are civilized will teach you our ways,” added Alice, handing over a Bible, “so you will become civilized too.”
  15. bounty
    the property of being richly abundant or plentiful
    “Regina, would you please lead us in prayer?” Mama said in a huff.
    “Bless us, oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
  16. smother
    envelop completely
    “Can I order whatever I want?” I asked, already dreaming of pork chops smothered in gravy.
  17. slur
    utter indistinctly
    “We’re Americans, dammit!” His words slurred. “We’re not from another country! Hell, I’m a United States veteran!”
  18. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    Chich took the same scissors and assessed the damage. Then she snipped long strands off the other side of my head. She held them in her hand.
  19. grimace
    contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
    Chich was fixing coffee when suddenly her face scrunched up. She touched her side, grimacing.
  20. wince
    draw back, as with fear or pain
    I plopped down a little too quickly next to her. She winced. “Sorry,” I said, getting up.
  21. rummage
    search haphazardly
    I moved to the edge of the couch as she rummaged in her bag. Pulling out a thermometer, Mrs. Hernández took Chich’s temperature and felt her wrist.
  22. gurney
    a metal stretcher with wheels
    The two men lifted Chich onto a gurney, and we all followed as they carried her to the ambulance outside.
  23. clad
    wearing or provided with clothing
    Clad in a plaid shirt, faded blue jeans, and logging boots, he jumped out quick to help Aunt Rosie get out of the cab.
  24. mull
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Daddy didn’t respond, but I could see him mulling it over.
  25. unison
    the state of corresponding exactly
    Cousin Harlin and Daddy moved to the beat of their song, wailing in unison. Hopefully we could still have the traditional giveaway and all the singing for Chich like we did for Chup.
Created on Mon Nov 16 19:14:25 EST 2020 (updated Tue Nov 17 10:46:56 EST 2020)

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.