Word+Finder

Pgs. 1-52 (Cecilia) DEFINITION- it's a grassy and treeless Latin American plain SIGNIFICANCE- Antonio's father's family comes from the llano and it is a very special place to him. Ultima also gathers many of her herbs there.
 * llano (pg. 1)-** "When she came the beauty of the //llano// unfolded before my eyes..."

DEFINITION- a parlor or living room SIGNIFICANCE- The sala in the Marez household is only used for special occasions and prayer. It contains the family shrine to the Virgin Mary.
 * sala (pg. 2)- "**... her nimble fingers worked the pattern on the doily she crocheted for the big chair in the //sala//."

DEFINITION: an area by a river of floodplain where trees and greenery are abundant SIGNIFICANCE- Antonio's house is near a river, he goes there to fish and play and Ultima often speaks of "the presence of the river".
 * bosque-**

DEFINITION- (translated to fit the context) the softspot on an infant's head SIGNIFICANCE- Ultima uses a special herb to cure this ailment.
 * mollera (pg. 42)-** " Ultima told me that when my brother Leon was born that his //mollera// was sunken in..."

DEFINITION- the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, it is red in color and has spots of fine needle hairs to ward off predators, it tastes kind of like a pear of apple and is filled with seeds SIGNIFICANCE- It shows us the food of Antonio's culture, like us picking strawberries to eat right ut of the garden, and the geographical area.
 * tunas (pg. 41)-** "Then we sat in the shade of the alamos of the river and peeled the //tunas// very carefully..."

DEFINITION- another name for the prickly pear, or a cacti with yellow flowers and red-purple fruit SIGNIFICANCE- Ultima and Antonio eat its fruit like candy!
 * nopal (pg. 40)-** "Ultima cried with jow and pointed to the ripe-red prickly pears of the nopal."

DEFINITION- another name for saliva or spit SIGNIFICANCE- Anaya uses this to help describe Horse, making him sound even more horse-like.
 * spittle (pg. 37)-** "Saliva curled around the edges of his mouth and spittle threads hung down and glistens like spider threads in the sun."

DEFINITION- ringing of a bell, like to announce death SIGNIFICANCE- Antonio is on his way to church after seeing Lupito shot the night before.
 * knell (pg. 34)-** "... today it was crying the knell of Lupito."

Definition: Spanish for Destiny. Significance: Because Antonio is going to school and both parents are holding him to the great destiny ahead of him.
 * Word Finder part 2 (Ashley Booker) :) **
 * Suerte **- “And you, Antonio he smiled, “suerte.” It made me feel good. Like a man (pg 54).

Definition: Confused, hand-to-hand fighting in a pitched battle. Significance: Antonio is trying to get to school, and it is difficult for him to get there since his home is a ways away from the school, thus he feels like it is a battle to get there, especially since it’s his first day.
 * Melee **- “For a long time I was held hypnotized by the thundering herd, then when a cry of resolution exploding from my throat I rushed into the melee” (pg 57).

Definition: The chanting or uttering of words purporting to have magical power. Significance: Here Antonio’s uncle is explaining what the witches were doing to the rooster in the forest since they are brujas.
 * Incantations **–"They began to cook it, throwing in many other things, while they danced and chanted their incantations” (pg 87).

Definition: To caution, advise, or counsel against something. Significance: This proves that Antonio’s dying uncle didn’t tell anyone, and if he would have then maybe Ultima could have gotten to him faster.
 * Admonished **- “He told the story of only to papa, who admonished him not to repeat it” (pg 88).

Definition: A plan or scheme; expedient. Significance: Ultima states here that since the sisters did this to Antonio’s Uncle then they should have known who they were dealing with. This relates to the saying if you can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.
 * Contrivance **- “He must know that those who tamper with fate are often swallowed by their own contrivance-“ (pg 92).

Definition: Sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power; biting; acrid. Significance: Ultima creates a new potion for Antonio and his uncle to drink, but this one is different than the first.
 * Pungent **-“This one did not smell like the first one, it was more pungent” (pg 100).

Bruja**- "What do you want bruja!" (pg 93)
 * Part 3 (Rachael Wedel)
 * Definition**- The spanish word for witch.
 * Significance-** People call Ultima a witch but she is not one.


 * Recesses-**"Far in the deep recesses of the long house..." (pg 95)
 * Definition-**a secluded or inner part.
 * Significance-**This is were Lucas was kept when he was sick. It also can be that Antonio is secluded from other kids because of the choice he is going to have to eventually make.


 * Elation-**"and these alternated with feelings of elation and power" (pg 100)
 * Definition-** a feeling of great joy
 * Significance-** Ultima is healing Lucas. Antonio's family all feel Elation when he is well again.


 * Scapular-**"She took her scapular from around her neck" (pg 124)
 * Definition-**something worn as a symbol of religious devotion
 * Significance**- Ultima gives her's to Antonio because he doen't have one yet. It may symbolize that Ultima may not be able to protect Antonio for much longer.


 * Cronies-**"he has gathered his cronies..." (pg 128)
 * Definition-** close friends
 * Significance-** It shows that more then one person are willing to say that Ultima is a witch.

Part 4 (Cory)
 * Judiciously**-"Hail to our priest" Lloyd said judiciously.(pg209)
 * Definition**- having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment
 * Significance**- It meant that he was teasing Antonio about his mom's wishes.


 * Wino**-"Florence said its wine, and the priest drinks it because he's a wino," Llyod said.(pg219)
 * Definition-**a usually indigent alcoholic who is addicted especially to wine.
 * Significance-**That everyone of the kids thought the priest was a drunk.


 * Llano-**"Ah, there is no freedom like the freedom of the llano!"(pg228)
 * Definition**-an open grassy plain in Spanish America or the southwestern United States
 * Significance-**That the Llano is the only way to a free man.


 * Disemboweled-"**From my diemboweled brothers I took three warm livers and baited my hook."(pg235)
 * Definition**-to take out the bowels of.
 * Significance-**That his dreams had become warning about the future.


 * Adoration-**"It seemed like the beginning of adoration of something simple and pure."(pg238)
 * Definition-** the state of being adored.
 * Significance-**That Antonio has begun to accept things other then the ones that he's been taught all his life.


 * Diablo-**"Ay diablo! Diablo! Tenorio shouted and tried to bring the horse under control."(pg254)
 * Definition-** The Devil
 * Significance-** that he named the horse after the devil propably to scare people into thinking that he was stronger than the devil.


 * Pueblo-**"The people of the pueblo are nervous."(pg91)
 * Definition-**term used to describe modern and ancienct communites of Native Americans
 * Significance-** it shows that the people of the Lunas where Native Americans.


 * Bewitching-**"A bewitching melody filled the air."(pg119)
 * Definition-** to cast a spell over
 * Significance-** that the song was magical to Antonio in his dream.