Anthropology
Etymology: From Greek anthrōpos (human) + -logia (study)
Definition: The study of humans, their societies, cultures, and development.
Example: August's later career as an anthropologist studying death and cultural practices connects directly to the human experiences she witnessed growing up in Brooklyn.
Exhume
Etymology: From Latin exhumare (to dig out)
Definition: To remove from a grave; to bring something hidden to light.
Example: August's memories metaphorically exhume her mother's presence as she recalls her childhood in Tennessee and Brooklyn.
Solemn
Etymology: From Latin sollemnis (formal, ceremonial)
Definition: Serious or grave in demeanor.
Example: The atmosphere during August’s father's funeral is solemn, reflecting the weight of grief and unresolved emotions.
Continuum
Etymology: From Latin continuus (uninterrupted)
Definition: A continuous sequence without clear divisions.
Example: August's recollections of childhood and adulthood create a continuum of memory, blending past and present seamlessly.
Heartrending
Etymology: From Old English heorte (heart) + rend (break)
Definition: Causing deep emotional pain or grief.
Example: The girls' experiences of Gigi's tragedy and Angela's mother's addiction are heartrending moments that shape August’s understanding of life.
Impenetrable
Etymology: From Latin im- (not) + penetrabilis (able to pierce)
Definition: Impossible to enter, understand, or pass through.
Example: Some of August's childhood experiences feel impenetrable to her adult self, leaving her struggling to comprehend the depth of her grief.
Patois
Etymology: From Old French patois (local dialect)
Definition: A regional or nonstandard dialect.
Example: Sylvia's family retains French patois, emphasizing cultural heritage amidst the Brooklyn neighborhood.
Raggedness
Etymology: From Middle English ragge (torn cloth)
Definition: The state of being worn, shabby, or torn.
Example: The raggedness of Brooklyn streets mirrors the difficult, fractured childhoods of August and her friends.
Balm
Etymology: From Latin balsamum (soothing resin)
Definition: Something that soothes or heals.
Example: August finds balm in her friendships, as the girls' companionship offers comfort against family and societal struggles.
Dappled
Etymology: From Old English dæpple (spotted, mottled)
Definition: Marked with spots or patches of light and shade.
Example: The dappled sunlight on Brooklyn's streets during the girls' adventures evokes both innocence and fleeting beauty in their youth.
Furrow
Etymology: From Old English furh (plow)
Definition: To make wrinkles, grooves, or lines.
Example: August's father's furrowed brow signals the worries and sacrifices he endures while raising his children.
Urn
Etymology: From Latin urna (vase, container for ashes)
Definition: A container for cremated remains.
Example: The urn holding August's mother's ashes represents the unresolved grief and mystery surrounding her death.
Ebb
Etymology: From Old English ebba (the receding tide)
Definition: To recede, fade, or decline.
Example: Joy and innocence ebb from the girls' lives as adolescence and external challenges intrude.
Listless
Etymology: From Middle English list (desire, pleasure) + -less
Definition: Lacking energy, enthusiasm, or interest.
Example: August often feels listless during moments of emotional overwhelm, especially when facing family tension.
Falter
Etymology: From Old French faltour (to deceive, fail)
Definition: To hesitate or lose strength/confidence.
Example: August falters in confronting the truth about her mother, clinging instead to childhood hope that her mother will return.
