American Born Chinese: Pages 161–233

by Gene Luen Yang
Through three interlinked stories, this award-winning graphic novel explores assimilation, racism, and stereotypes.

This list covers vocabulary from pages 161–233.

Here are links to our lists for the work: List 1, List 2, List 3
15 words 92 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dissipate
    cause to separate and go in different directions
    "The bubbles had dissipated by the time we got our milkshakes, and Amelia gave no indication that she'd even noticed them."
  2. desperation
    a state in which all hope is lost or absent
    In desperation, I told Wei-Chen about it the next morning.
  3. wok
    a frying pan with a convex bottom; used in Chinese cooking
    She will buy be shoes and an electric wok.
  4. unmitigated
    not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity
    "Cousin Da-nee no risten, now must suffer unmitigated fury of spicy szechuan dragon!"
  5. reveal
    make visible
    Now that I've revealed my true form, perhaps it is time to reveal yours...
  6. virtue
    the quality of doing what is right
    For his test of virtue, Wei-Chen was asked to live in the mortal world for forty years, all the while remaining free from human vice.
  7. vice
    moral weakness
    For his test of virtue, Wei-Chen was asked to live in the mortal world for forty years, all the while remaining free from human vice.
  8. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    Go with my blessing, son. I will visit you once a year to assess your progress.
  9. aspire
    have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal
    Soon, my eldest son aspired to follow in my footsteps and become an emissary himself.
  10. parameter
    any factor defining a system and determining its performance
    "You know the parameters of your test strictly forbid such behavior!"
  11. pinnacle
    the highest level or degree attainable
    Tze-yo-tzuh considers them the pinnacle of his creation.
  12. petty
    inferior in rank or status
    "I've found humans to be petty, soulless creatures."
  13. mortal
    subject to death
    I will spend the remainder of my days in the mortal world using it for my pleasure.
  14. servitude
    the state of being required to labor for someone else
    "...but anything is better than a lifetime of servitude to humans."
  15. conscience
    motivation deriving from ethical or moral principles
    I cant to serve as your conscience — as a signpost to your soul.
Created on Mon Jul 14 12:24:26 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Jul 14 12:54:15 EDT 2025)

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