World History: 12. Civilizations of East Asia and Southeast Asia, Lessons 1–3

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. bureaucracy
    a government administered primarily by nonelective officials
    A bureaucracy is a system of government with many departments and bureaus led by appointed officials.
  2. commercial
    connected with or engaged in the exchange of goods
    Sitting at one end of the Silk Road, Chang'an was a thriving cultural and commercial center.
  3. scholar
    a learned person
    A man who passed this examination, known as a scholar-official, qualified for government jobs.
  4. merit
    the quality of being deserving
    In a merit system, people are hired and promoted based on talent and skills, rather than wealth or social status.
  5. urbanization
    the social process whereby cities grow
    The revolution started with advances in farming and led to greater trade and urbanization, or the growth of cities.
  6. porcelain
    ceramic ware made of a more or less translucent ceramic
    During this time, China began to produce porcelain, a hard white pottery of extremely fine quality.
  7. device
    an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
    To keep their rice paddies wet, Chinese farmers developed irrigation systems such as pumps and other water-control devices.
  8. nomad
    a member of a people who have no permanent home
    A nomad is a person who moves from place to place at different times of the year.
  9. steppe
    an extensive plain without trees
    A steppe is a large, dry, grass-covered plain.
  10. khan
    a ruler or important person in some Asian countries
    Mongols lived in clans led by a khan, or ruler.
  11. expand
    become larger in size or volume or quantity
    After the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, the Mongol empire continued to expand.
  12. structure
    the people in a society considered as a system
    This social structure encouraged the Mongols to remain separate from the Chinese.
  13. despot
    a cruel and oppressive dictator
    A despot is a tyrant or dictator.
  14. tribute
    payment by one nation for protection by another
    Tribute is a payment or gift to a more powerful country.
  15. smuggler
    someone who imports or exports goods illegally
    Chinese officials at first saw Europeans as smugglers, or people who trade illegally.
  16. compass
    navigational instrument for finding directions
    A compass is a device with a magnetized piece of metal that points to the north.
  17. assemble
    create by putting components or members together
    The pieces could be assembled to print a page of text and then taken apart to be used again.
  18. major
    of greater importance or stature or rank
    Chinese porcelain became a major trade item that was prized around the world.
Created on Thu Jul 01 15:54:59 EDT 2021 (updated Thu Jul 08 16:16:40 EDT 2021)

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