Words from Many Cultures

3rd Bimonthly5th Grade Spelling

khaki

• a khaki-colored cloth made usually of cotton or wool and used especially for military uniforms

hula

• Polynesian dance characterized by rhythmic movement of the hips and mimetic gestures with the hands

banana

• a long curved fruit with a thick peel that is yellow when it is ripe

ballet

• a kind of dancing that is performed on a stage and that uses dance, music, costumes, and scenery to tell a story

waltz

• a dance in which a couple moves in a regular series of three steps

tomato

• the usually large rounded typically red or yellow pulpy berry of an herb of the family native to South America

vanilla

• a dark substance that is made from the beans of a tropical plant and that is used to flavor food

canyon

• a deep valley with steep rock sides and often a stream or river flowing through it

yogurt

• a food that is made when bacteria is added to milk and that is often flavored and chilled

banquet

• a formal dinner for many people usually to celebrate a special event

macaroni

• a type of pasta in the shape of small curved tubes

polka

• a lively dance for couples

cobra

• a very poisonous snake

koala

• an Australian animal that has thick gray fur, large hairy ears, sharp claws for climbing, and no tail

barbecue

• to cook out

safari

• a journey to see or hunt animals especially in Africa

buffet

• a meal set out on a buffet or table for ready access and informal service

stampede

• to cause (animals) to run away in a large group

karate

• a Japanese art of self-defense employing hand strikes and kicks to disable or subdue an opponent

kiosk

• a small store in a building or on the street where things (such as newspapers or candy) are sold

papaya

• a yellow fruit that has a sweet flesh and many black seeds and grows on a tropical American tree

artichoke

• the immature flower head of a Mediterranean plant that is cooked and eaten as a vegetable

sauerkraut

• a German food made of a vegetable (called a cabbage) that is cut into small pieces and soaked in a salty and sour liquid

succotash

• a dish consisting of corn and lima beans that are cooked together

tsunami

• a very high, large wave in the ocean that is usually caused by an earthquake under the sea and that can cause great destruction when it reaches land