How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents Glossary

Glossary of Terms

Acclimate

to adapt to a new environment, situation or climate

Amorous

in love; stirred by loving or sexual feelings

Balk

to resist carrying out an action

Batten

to fasten down, in preparation for a disruptive event

Bumpkin

someone awkward or unsophisticated, from a rural area

Cotillion

a ballroom dance for couples involving frequent changing of partners

Cowed

intimidated, subdued

Euphemism

an agreeable word substituted for a potentially offensive or unpleasant term

Gossamer

very light, delicate, sometimes translucent (often applied to fabrics)

Hackneyed

clichéd, lacking freshness or originality

Imbibe

to drink, consume liquid

Impotence

the inability to conceive children due to a failure of the functioning of sexual organs

Incongruous

not conforming to the surrounding pattern, lacking harmony or propriety

Maverick

an independent-minded person who does not follow a group or faction

Orifice

an opening, such as a vent, hole, or mouth, through which something may pass

Proviso

a conditional stipulation (as in a contract or legal agreement)

Pungent

giving off an intense, often sharp or acrid flavor or odor

Reminisce

to think back on the past, to discuss old memories

Tryst

an appointed meeting, often between illicit lovers

Tycoon

businessperson with exceptional wealth and power

Vivacious

lively, energetic or high-spirited