Chapter 10

Vocabular

a black shawl - a black shawl wrapped tightly around her face (p.96)

n. A square or oblong piece of cloth worn as a covering for the head, neck, and shoulders.

tr.v. shawled, shawl·ing, shawls

To cover with or as if with such a piece of cloth.

the tarpaulin cover - the man lifted his corner of the tarpaulin cover (p. 96)

n.1. Material, such as waterproofed canvas, used to cover and protect things from moisture.

2. A sheet of this material.

his livelihood - his vehicle, the instrument of his livelihood (p. 97)

n. Means of support; subsistence

our elopement - the signs of our elopement were subtle (p. 98)

intr. v. 1. To run away with a lover, especially with the intention of getting married.

2. To run away; abscond.

muzzle - staring at the muzzle end of a Kalashnikov (p. 98)

n. 1. The forward, projecting part of the head of certain animals, such as dogs, including the mouth, nose, and jaws; the snout.

2. The forward, discharging end of the barrel of a firearm.

dangling - a cigarette dangling from the side of his mouth (p. 99)

(n.) the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)

tailgate - drumming his finger on the edge of the tailgate (p. 100)

n. A hinged board or closure at the rear of a vehicle, such as a pick-up truck, that can be lowered during loading and unloading. Also called tailboard.

flicked - the soldier flicked his unfinished cigarette (p. 101)

v. tr. To remove with a light quick blow

tattered - Karim locked the front door, pulled tattered sheets that passed for curtains (p. 102)

adj. Torn into shreds; ragged.

idling - we mounted the idling truck's rear deck (p. 105)

1. A state of idling. Used of a motor vehicle: an engine running quietly at idle.

2. A mechanism for regulating the speed at which an engine runs at rest:

wailing - Someone was screaming- No, not screaming. Wailing. (p.108)

v. intr. To grieve or protest loudly and bitterly; lament.