1. The Breadwinner Vocabulary List 1

2. militia Military force of civilians
Page 11 – But now the country was ruled by the Taliban militia.

3. inheritors
Person who is going to gain (or inherit) something from a relative because of sickness/illness/death
Page 29 – “You are all brave women. You are all inheritors of the courage of Malali.”

4. billowing Moving or flowing outward
Page 39 – Helping Mother down the broken stairs was a little like helping Father, as the billowing burqa made it hard for her to see where she was going.

5. idle Not active or in use
Page 64 – “Those clothes have been idle long enough. It’s time they were put to use.”

6. brusquely Abrupt in manner or speech
Page 68 – Mother rubbed her hands brusquely over Parvana’s head to rub away any stray hairs.

7. decree An official order issued by a legal authority
Page 75 – There was a window above the wall, but it had been painted black, in obedience to the Taliban decree.

8. labyrinth A complicated maze
Page 81 – It felt so good that she almost felt no regret as she watched the vibrant red cloth flutter in the breeze as it was carried away into the crowded labyrinth of the market, never to be seen again.

9. distinctive Having a special quality that makes it stand out
Page 84 – Mrs. Weera wore the burqa, of course, but she had such a distinctive way of walking that Parvana was sure she could pick her out of a whole marketplace of women wearing burqas.

10. dawdling Wasting time getting ready
Page 84 – She walked as though she were rounding up children who were dawdling after class.

11. relent To abandon a harsh intention/to give in
Page 86 – Mother hesitated. “Let her go,” Mrs. Weera advised…”Maryam will be safe.” Mother relented.

12. kerosene A gas used for lamps (no electricity)
Page 98 – Often there was not enough money for kerosene, so they could not light the lamps at night.